Welcome to the Grove
Our mission is to glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment.
The Grove Bible Chapel
Whether you’ve been walking with God for years or are seeking to know more about Jesus, we have a place for you. By sitting under expositional preaching and digging into Scripture it speaks directly into our lives to grow us in Christ.
Check out what’s happening at our church.
About Us
Our church is founded on Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11) and supported by Six Distinctives. These distinctives are not specific or unique to The Grove Bible Chapel Tampa as they are derived from Biblical truths, but they will help you understand to what we are committed.
Next Steps
At The Grove we value intimate Christian friendships and the first step is connecting with each other. We are so glad you have found The Grove and look forward to connecting with you in person, this Sunday.
At The Grove we aren’t just a church WITH Lifegroups, we are a church OF Lifegroups. Lifegroups gather each week for prayer, accountability, bearing one another’s burdens, celebrating each other’s joys, and most importantly to discuss and apply God’s Word to their lives.
A valued cultural aspect at The Grove is worshipping the Lord in the Word and worshipping in Work. We believe that the Lord has gifted each of us with unique skills and gifts that we can use to worship the Lord through putting our hands to the Work.
Here at The Grove we value and affirm formal membership. Through the commitment of membership we pursue growth in Christ, encouragement of the fellowship, and sacrificial service to the Lord and each other.
Ministries
Grove Kids exists to glorify God by sharing the good news of Jesus by showing God’s love and elevating God’s Word to children in a safe, engaging, and age-appropriate way.
We serve families with children from infant to 5th grade.
Grove Students intends to construct a faithful foundation on which the students (6th – 12th grade) can use to build upon for generations.
Where young adults, those finished with high school, gain clarity on the gospel and learn to be faithful followers of Jesus in all areas of life.
Grove Women gather to worship, pray, study the Word of God, fellowship, encourage, and serve one another.
Let’s face it, there’s never been a more important time for men to stand up and stand firm in all that God has created them to be. Grove Men is about dealing with sin and finding freedom in Christ, being watchful, and loving our wives and families well.
Watch
Our mission is to glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment.
Copyright © 2025 The Grove Bible Chapel. All Rights Reserved.
Wife: Amelia
Years at The Grove: 2021-Present
I was raised in Chicago, Illinois by a God-loving family, but what I thought to be a relationship with God, I eventually found out was just knowledge about Him. Ever since that realization, I have sought relationship with God. I pray that I never lose the passion that I have today.
For my ministry training I have had the privilege of studying at Trinity Christian College and Northern Seminary in order to receive my bachelors in Theology and Masters in Divinity. Prior to my time at the Grove, I served and worked at Harvest Bible Chapel for 8 years, which was beneficial to my spiritual growth as a leader.
I am most passionate about: 1) Building young leaders; 2) Building relationships with people; 3) Doing all things for the sake of the gospel. As for my favorite things, I enjoy athletics, games, and music. I always have a bundle of energy, which helps me fit in well and keep up with the student ministry.
Fun Fact: I love doing videography and photography in my free time!
Wife: Lily
Children: Ezra
Years at The Grove: 2021-Present
Christ saved Nisu from gaining the whole world and forfeiting his soul on March 22, 2017. On that night, through His servant Kurt Gebhards, Nisu went from a hardcore atheist to a slave of Christ. By the grace of God, his heart and life were immediately transformed.
Nisu spent seven years serving families in financial planning. During the last four years, God gave Nisu the privilege of shepherding in a variety of forms including teaching, children’s ministry, and street evangelism. In December of 2020, God brought Nisu into full-time pastoral ministry and moved him down to Florida to be with The Grove.
Nisu is currently pursuing an M.Div. at Shepherds Theological Seminary, and Lord willing, will be sent out to plant another local Church in His timing. He treasures morning quiet times with the Lord, sharing a meal (especially after corporate worship), and being with the saints in fellowship.
Fun fact: In my free time, I really enjoy escape rooms and trying to ethnic cuisines!
Wife: Heather
Children: Huck
Years at The Grove: 2015 – Present
God arrested the affections of my heart and granted me saving faith in my King and Master, The Lord Jesus Christ. God rescued me from a life saturated with sin and debauchery and saved me from His Just and Holy wrath, He graciously moved me to repent, trust Christ and to be enamored by His Sovereign Majesty and Love.
I graduated from a ministry called Crossing Cultures International, completing the “Bible Training Center for Pastor’s” curriculum. God has blessed me with a diverse array of ministry opportunities including… periodically teaching CCI classes, serving in a nursing home ministry, being a leader in a recovery ministry for three years, going on a short term mission trip to India, and the occasional itinerant preaching opportunity. My greatest joy is serving in the local Church and Proclaiming Christ.
I am overwhelmed by King Jesus, madly in love with my precious bride, Heather, and love being a father. My passions are to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ, spend time with my family and read good books. SOLI DEO GLORIA!
Fun Fact: I love poetry
Wife: Teri
Children: Casey, Sienna, Claire
Years at The Grove: 2014-Present
I am thankful that, by God’s grace, I was born into a Christian home where I came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Where I was once a shy little boy struggling with shame and fear, the Lord has now given me confidence in Him alone and a daily deepening knowledge of His grace in my life.
The Lord has been gracious in allowing me to have a wide variety of professional opportunities ranging from having been a police officer in central Indiana for ten years, to leading several different Christian foster care ministries in central Florida. The Lord used my time as a police officer, specifically being a Detective investigating internet crimes against children, to show me the depth of sin in our world, while also affirming that true life changing and eternally lasting hope can only be found in Jesus Christ.
I find great joy in hearing other’s stories and walking with them in life while watching them increase in the likeness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is an even greater blessing to have Teri Claassen as my wife, and to be the father of our three children. Our home is my greatest mission field, one in which I am reminded daily of God’s grace and love. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and roasting coffee. (Yes, I am a coffee snob and nerd…. I buy green coffee beans and roast them at home.)
Fun Fact: I have always enjoyed aquariums with my favorite fish to keep and breed being Lake Tanganyika cichlids
Wife: Julie
Children: Reilly, Shea, McKinley, Camdyn, Macy, Dax
Years at The Grove: 2019-Present
I was saved out of a home where there was no gospel influence. God rescued me and gave me light for my darkness, hope for my despair, and Christ’s righteousness for my sin. The beauty and power of the gospel of grace overwhelm me to this day.
For my ministry training I have had the privilege of studying at The Master’s Seminary and serving at Grace Community Church under John MacArthur. The 15 years I spent at Grace were amazing and shaping grace to me. I have completed a D.Min. in Expository Preaching and Leadership at Southern Seminary. The Lord has sent me to serve with ministries in North Carolina and Chicago. And now we are home in Central Florida, where my roots run deep.
I am most passionate about: 1) Making disciples 2) Training leaders and 3) Doing all things for the sake of the gospel.
As for my favorite things, Julie and my six kids are tremendous gifts from God. I love time with them, doing ministry with them, and seeing His goodness through them. When I am not holding my wife’s hand, I am probably holding a Puritan biography.
Fun Fact: I love the mets! I think they will win the World Series this year…