Ministries
Grove Students aims to glorify God by making disciples of students (grades 6-12) and extending the love of Christ to them. We strive to supplement the parents’ discipleship efforts and to help build a Biblical foundation for the students’ lives. Our greatest desire for them is to know and treasure Christ.
The somber truth is that the enemy, the world, and the flesh are against your students. From indoctrination in schools to social media, there are many forces against your student. We want to equip the students to stand strong against those lies and embrace God’s unchanging truth!
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Parent Engagement
According to Ephesians 6:4, parents are the primary disciple-makers in their children’s lives. Because of that, we want to keep parents informed, equipped, and actively involved.
We do this through weekly parent emails, twice-yearly parent meetings, relationships with small group leaders, and opportunities to serve. Emails include updates, teaching topics, and discussion questions to help continue discipleship at home.
We also encourage parents to connect with their student’s small group leader so ministry and home discipleship work together. If you’re interested in serving, please reach out to Andrew Dobrescu at: andrewd@thegrovetampa.org
Camp Culture
Our camps are the highlights of the year for students, with a summer camp in June and a winter camp in February.
The goal is simple: Gospel clarity and deeper relationships that lead to Gospel influence. Because we believe that deeply, we go all out—high-energy games, late nights, and intentional time together—all for the sake of the Gospel.
We recognize that God often works powerfully through camp, so we go all-in and strongly encourage every student who is able to participate. The relationships formed there also carry into small groups and continue to impact students for months afterward.
Interested in learning more? Check out our Events page and keep an eye out for an upcoming camp soon.
Meet Our Team
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Grove Student Director
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Grove Students Assistant Director
Mission: To undergird and supplement the stewardship of our Grove students, coming alongside parents in evangelism, equipping, training, and encouraging toward the truths of the person, work, and words of the Triune God, through the teaching and application of the scriptures, building relationships, and cultivating a culture of joy filled spiritual progress.
Deacon of Student’s Ministry
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!
Years at The Grove: 2023-Present
I grew up here in the Brandon region of Florida! It was a great experience as I attended schools in the area and was involved in many different sports leagues. I did not have much of an understanding of the gospel growing up though and I lived a life that reflected that. The Lord then through an invite from my grandparents brought me here to The Grove in 2022 while I was a freshman in college at the University of South Florida.
Here at this church is where the Lord graciously saved me from my sin and gave me a new heart that desired Him. Ever since my conversion in early 2023 I have been able to learn and grow in my knowledge and understanding of who Christ is and how His Word impacts my life. In the Summer of 2024 I took an internship position here with the Student Ministry and have been promoted to full time staff since the Fall of 2025.
It has been a joy to serve your Student Ministry and I am so grateful for the work God is doing here. Ever since saving me in 2023, the Lord has given me a strong passion to invest in the local church, promote God’s glory in other people’s lives, and train others to do the same. I’m grateful to be heavily involved in our 20’s Ministry at The Grove as well and I am blessed to be in a church with so many peers zealous for the Lord’s priorities! Some of my favorite things include hanging out with all these good friends, family, playing basketball, and catching big fish!
Fun Fact: I love cheering on FSU Football… #GoNoles
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…