Grace Church, the Eden Prairie house of worship that came to symbolize the trend of the past couple decades of suburban megachurches offering community center-style amenities, has a new senior pastor.
The Rev. Troy Dobbs, of Merritt Island, Fla., received a "99 percent affirming vote" from the church's membership on Monday, said church spokesman Jon Sorenson.
Commissioning services for Dobbs, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Merritt Island, are scheduled at Grace for 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Aug. 10.
"I am so blessed and honored to accept God's call in coming to Grace Church," Dobbs said. "I look forward to continuing Grace's long tradition of boldly proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Twin Cities and the world."
Dobbs follows a series of interim preaching pastors "who have been delivering messages in our Sunday worship services" since senior pastor Daniel Henderson left for full-time ministry as president of Strategic Renewal International. Grace became one of many suburban churches across the country that expanded its space and what it offered congregants and visitors. The unaffiliated congregation moved from its cramped quarters in Edina in 2002 to its Eden Prairie property, with 340,000 square feet of space on 62 acres and a 4,500-seat sanctuary. Grace also has a coffee shop, a book store, a 300-seat choir rehearsal room that doubles as an amphitheater and a high school-size gym.
However, a few months after its move to Eden Prairie, its senior pastor, the Rev. John Eagen, was ousted after being caught in an adulterous affair.
New minister has criminology degree
Dobbs earned an undergraduate criminology degree from Ball State University, a master of divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is a doctor of ministry candidate from Denver Seminary in expository preaching and leadership (anticipating graduation in May 2009). He and his wife, Cheri, have been married 14 years. They have three children ages 6 to 10.
"By bathing our yearlong pastoral search process in prayer, we felt God's unmistakable hand in leading us to call Pastor Troy to shepherd our congregation," said Brian Vaughan, pastor of music and worship at Grace and interim executive pastor. "Troy is a relational pastor whose preaching connects with people on a deep and intimate level. We feel blessed that the Lord has brought him to us."
The church has established a direct link on its website, www.atgrace.com/PastorDobbs, where visitors can listen to some of his previously delivered messages.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
