Our Story
(Matthew 16:18)
About the Grove
Our church formally launched in November of 2014 as Harvest Bible Chapel Tampa Bay, the outpouring of a core group of 42 people, likeminded in faith. Harvest Bible Chapel Tampa Bay was planted with the sole purpose of glorifying God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission. In the summer and fall of 2019, the Lord provided an opportunity for Harvest Bible Chapel Tampa Bay to re-brand, re-plant, and re-launch for the pursuit of gospel progress as The Grove Bible Chapel Tampa.
We have only just begun, and by God’s grace we have already seen lives changed, marriages restored, and new believers baptized. We are an Elder-governed, staff-led organization, with a variety of ministries including offerings for men, women, and students. However, the heartbeat of our discipleship model is found through our Small Group ministry. It is here that we seek to fulfill the “One Anothers” of the Bible, as we strive to become an Uncommon Community, one in which we don’t just gather with one another, but rather, we gather for one another. The Scriptures are our greatest treasure, and we work diligently to teach our people, verse-by-verse, each week.
About the Grove
The Grove Bible Chapel Tampa is committed to the Bible’s teaching that men who hold the offices of Elder and Deacon are to oversee various functions of the local church. We are a totally autonomous church that is part of a greater collective of churches who are all committed to planting, multiplying and strengthening churches. We are an Elder- governed, staff-led church, co-laboring with The Grove Bible Chapel in Winter Garden, Florida, in the mutual ministry of planting churches throughout Central Florida.
Our Name
In the summer of 2019, we chose to call our church The Grove Bible Chapel Tampa. Rich in symbolism, a grove is a collection of fruit-bearing trees of varying sizes and stages which mutually benefit one another as they produce a harvest for the owner of the grove. With a desire to be firmly rooted in the rich soil of the Word of God, may He be glorified as we, at the Grove Bible Chapel Tampa, grow and mature alongside one another, worshiping, walking, working, and witnessing together.
Watch the story below of how The Grove Bible Chapel first began in Winter Garden, Florida:
Our Mission
Our Discipleship
The Grove is a place where disciples of Jesus Christ are developed as we worship Christ, walk with Christ, work for Christ, and witness for Christ. We are a body of believers who seek to cultivate a thriving community, devoted to the non-compromising, expository teaching of the Word of God with contemporary, Christ-focused worship.
We have only just begun, and by God’s grace we have already seen lives changed, marriages restored, and new believers baptized. We are an Elder-governed, staff-led organization, with a variety of ministries including offerings for men, women, and students. However, the heartbeat of our discipleship model is found through our Small Group ministry. It is here that we seek to fulfill the “One Anothers” of the Bible, as we strive to become an Uncommon Community, one in which we don’t just gather with one another, but rather, we gather for one another. The Scriptures are our greatest treasure, and we work diligently to teach our people, verse-by-verse, each week.
Our Discipleship
It is our hope that as disciples of Jesus Christ, we would grow to maturity in bearing the responsibility of caring for one another in the context of loving relationships and mutual ministry within the church, rather than allowing one or a few pastors or elders to bear the load for the ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12). The local church is a gathering of priests who have been called to the ministry (1 Peter 2:9; Galatians 6:1-2). All disciples are equipped and called to use their God-given spiritual gifts to provide mutual ministry in the context of the vibrant and strong local church.
The Grove Bible Chapel Tampa also desires to offer an array of opportunities for every disciple to grow in relationship to Jesus Christ and connect with others. These opportunities include dynamic weekend worship services and church-wide special events, as well as a variety of adult and children’s ministries involving small groups and other activities.
Our Discipleship
A mature disciple committed to a relationship with Christ focuses on personally worshiping Him, walking with Him, working for Him and witnessing of His power and mercy. That person will experience significant growth in personal sanctification and therefore will experience a closer personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ as they become “mature in Christ” (John 15: 4-5; Colossians 1:28).
We are committed to multiplying the godly characteristics of leaders’ lives into others (2 Timothy 2:2), and we strongly believe this multiplication of ministry is key to the healthy growth of the church.
Our mission is to glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment.
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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…