Next Steps

Lifegroups

At The Grove we aren’t just a church WITH Lifegroups, we are a church OF Lifegroups.

We all thirst for community. For people who will point us to Christ and walk with us through the good times and the bad. The kind of friends who gently remind us of the work Christ has done and is doing on our behalf when we lose perspective.

At The Grove, there is a great opportunity to plug into life-giving relationships through Lifegroups. We firmly believe in the power of “side by side ministry” – the ministry that happens when disciples of Jesus Christ rise up to the call to spur each other on toward love and good deeds.

About Lifegroups

We Believe...

Lifegroups are the Biblical model for transformation. (Acts 2:42-46)
Lifegroups are the best way to shepherd the whole flock. (Ephesians 4:11-12)
Lifegroups create an environment to use our spiritual gifts. (Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
Lifegroups multiply competent ministers. (2 Timothy 2:2)
Lifegroups foster Biblical love. (1 Corinthians 13:3-5)
Lifegroups promote unity, fellowship and maturity. (1 John 1:3, 1 John 1:6, Proverbs 27:17)

At The Grove everyone is invited to be in a LifeGroup from our young adults to our grandparents. Young, old, married couples, empty nesters, singles, and everything in between. 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.

Lifegroups

If you consider The Grove your church home and are interested in joining a Lifegroup, please consider these steps:

Watch LG Training Videos

Please capture any questions or feedback you may have for each video to then discuss during Lifegroup Prep training.

Register for LG Prep

Click here to see when next Lifegroup Prep training is, and register!

Next Steps

Baptism

We believe that the baptism of a believer in Jesus Christ is both an act of obedience and a public declaration of, and identification with, Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.

When God’s people obediently declare Jesus is Lord through baptism, we get really excited. Furthermore, baptism also represents affiliation with a local church in the life of a new Christian. Here at The Grove we teach adult believers baptism by immersion.

Adult– baptism is for people old enough to articulate and be faithful to the Gospel (Acts 10:47-48).

Believer– baptism is designed for people that are already born again through saving faith (Romans 6:3-5).

Immersion– baptism is designed to be an immersive experience, where the believer is submerged in water (Acts 8:38).

Contact us for more information.

Next Steps

Serving

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace”  1 Peter 4:10

Do you have a heart to serve?  We have a place for you! Please take a minute to prayerfully consider the following areas to serve and apply directly.

  • Welcome Team: Welcome our Sunday attendees as a Greeter, Usher, assisting with Grove Kids check-in, staffing the information desk, serving refreshments, and more!
  • Grove Kids: Have the opportunity to love on and pour into the next generation by serving with Infants, Pre-school, or Elementary School! A background check is required to serve in Grove Kids.
  • Grove Students: Spend time and pour into grades 6-12 by either being a small group leader OR a hospitality member! This is a foundational time in a student’s life that we view with appropriate weight! A background check and training is required to serve Grove Students.
  • Production: Tech savvy or not, we can use your help in our service! Production work gets the gift of helping serve worship behind the scenes and is a vital part of every Sunday!
  • Worship: Use your musical gifts to help lead our congregation towards Christ-centered worship!

Want to join one of our teams? Contact us for more information.

Next Steps

Membership

Here at The Grove, we believe that from the earliest followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, believers have identified with and committed themselves to a particular local body. In light of this understanding, The Grove affirms the value of formal membership.

How do I become a member?

  • First, get an informed sense of who we are: Attend a New Members Class.  The New Members Class helps to fill you in on our vision, history, leadership, and the values that are most important to us.
  • Next, connect in discipleship and serving: Pursue Christ in community through one of our Lifegroup ministries and find a place to serve.
  • Then, complete an application: Then, complete an application: If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and have expressed, publicly, your commitment by being baptized, contact us to complete a membership application.
Our Doctrine

Responsibilities as a Member

As a member, you are declaring the following:

  1. You are committed to pursuing Christ and have been baptized as a sign of your faith in Him.
  2. You are committed to worshiping Christ in your life and in community here at The Grove.
  3. You are committed to sacrificing yourself here at The Grove with your time, your gifts, and your finances.
  4. You are committed to the community of The Grove through the encouragement of others, your own dedication to growth in Christ, and your pursuit of unity among fellow believers.
Membership Covenant

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Our mission is to glorify God through the fulfillment of the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment. 

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Andrew Dobrescu

Assistant Pastor

AndrewD@thegrovetampa.org

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

NisuP@thegrovetampa.org

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

KevinH@thegrovetampa.org

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

DanC@thegrovetampa.org

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

KurtG@thegrovetampa.org

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…