Recommended Books

Book Lists

Christians are learners. Learners are readers. We develop our theology by reading good books based on the Bible. Here are a few to get you started.

Creation

  • The Case for a Creator – Lee Strobel
  • Creation and Evolution – Alan Hayward
  • Exploring the Evidence for Creation – Henry M. Morris III
  • The Genesis Record – Henry M. Morris III
  • Thousands…not Billions – Dr. Don DeYoung
  • The Revised & Expanded Answers Book – Ken Ham, Jonathan Sarfati, Carl Wieland

Sin & Repentance

  • The Enemy Within – Kris Lundgaard
  • The Mischief of Sin – Thomas Watson
  • Repentance: The First Word of the Gospel – Richard Owen Roberts
  • Repentance: Turning from Sin to God – Thomas Boston
  • What is the Gospel – Greg Gilbert

Christian Living

  • Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate – Jerry Bridges
  • Don’t Waste Your Life – John Piper
  • Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow, Revised and Expanded – R.C. Sproul
  • The Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel – Mark Dever and Paul Alexander
  • One to One Bible Reading – David Helms

Christian Assurance

  • The Gospel According to Jesus: What is Authentic Faith? – John MacArthur
  • Heaven on Earth (Puritan Paperbacks) – Thomas Brooks
  • Assured by God: Living in the Fullness of God’s Grace – Burk Parsons
  • How Can I Be Sure I’m a Christian: What the Bible Says About Assurance of Salvation – Donald Whitney
  • Absolutely Sure – Steven J. Lawson

Biographies and Church History

  • Jonathan Edwards: A Life – George Marsden
  • Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy – Eric Metaxas
  • The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation – Michael Reeves

Theology | Doctrine of God

  • The Holiness of God – R.C. Sproul
  • Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know – Wayne Grudem
  • Bible Doctrine: Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith – Wayne Grudem
  • The Church: The Gospel Made Visible – Mark Dever
  • The Attributes of God – A.W. Pink
  • Engaging With God: A Biblical Theology of Worship – David G. Peterson

Worldview & Apologetics

  • Culture Shift: The Battle for the Moral Heart of America – Al Mohler
  • Total Truth – Nancy Pearcey

Counseling

  • Competent to Counsel – Jay Adams
  • Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands – Paul David Tripp
  • Seeing With New Eyes – David Powlison

Andrew Dobrescu

Assistant Pastor

Wife: Amelia
Years at The Grove: 2021-Present

About Andrew

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!

Nisu Patel

Pastoral Resident

Wife: Lily
Children: Ezra
Years at The Grove: 2021-Present

About Nisu

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!

Kevin Huggins

Elder

Wife: Heather
Children: Huck
Years at The Grove: 2015 – Present

About Kevin

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

Dan Claassen

Elder

Wife: Teri
Children: Casey, Sienna, Claire
Years at The Grove: 2014-Present

About Dan

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

Kurt Gebhards

Senior Pastor, Elder

Wife: Julie
Children: Reilly, Shea, McKinley, Camdyn, Macy, Dax
Years at The Grove: 2019-Present

About Kurt

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…