Our Leadership and Vision

Our leadership team recognizes the authority of God, and realizes that we are shepherds who serve under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We desire to devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. Our passion and goal is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry until we all attain maturity in the fullness of Christ.

                                            Rev. Dr. Arun Paul
 Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. Arun Paul came to Grace Methodist Church of Decatur in July of 2022. He is an Ordained Elder in the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from Himachal Pradesh University in India; a Master of Divinity from Torch Trinity Graduate School of Theology (Torch Trinity University) in Seoul, South Korea; and a Ph.D. in intercultural studies/contextual theology from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. 

He is passionate about sharing the love of Jesus with the world; reaching the world with holistic gospel, making Christian disciples and developing Christian leaders for the transformation of the world. 

 He is married to Ruth and they have two daughters, Ria and Vienna.

Our Staff
 
                                                                     Arlis Dejaynes                                                 Karyn File                                               Mitch Morrison
         Music Director                                                   Secretary                                                  TV Ministry
 
                                             
              Dave Mundy                                                 Carol Perry                                                      Ruth Ross
          Facility Manager                                             Social Media                                             Finance Manager
 
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Employment Opportunity
 
Children’s/Youth Ministry Director. 
Grace Methodist Church has an immediate opening for a part-time Children’s and Youth Ministry Director. Our hope is to find the individual that will continue to help our community of faith grow the spiritual lives of our congregation’s children and youth, to deepen their relationships with Jesus and to foster their participation in the life of the church. This position would require 25-30 hours per week which would include directing/staffing Sunday morning Sunday School, weekly after school neighborhood kids’ club, weekly prayer meetings, summer Vacation Bible School, staffing the nursery, and various other children’s and youth activities. Attendance at staff, children’s ministry team, and church council meetings would also be required. Qualified persons need to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, plus experience in ministry or involved in a ministry related field of study. If interested, please send resume and letter of interest to Dr. Arun Paul at arun@decaturgrace.org with copy to Mrs. Joanne Boldt at mjboldt@comcast.net.
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Grace Methodist Church of Decatur Vision

2022-2026 Road Map

 The Vision:  More People Becoming More Like Jesus
 

Section I:  Guiding Scripture 

“Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.”   – Luke 10:27

Our Commission:  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  Acts 1:8

The Body of Christ:  But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.  I Peter 2:9

The Word of God:  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  II Timothy 3:16-17

 

Section II:  Target Population

Since our congregation intentionally decided to remain in our current location at the time of our building addition in 1985, our target population is the immediate Old Kings Orchard neighborhood as well as the entire community of Decatur and the surrounding area.  As the Shepherd looks for lost sheep, we will look for those who are open to the Gospel of salvation in Jesus and those already committed followers of Jesus who are open to the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit.

 

Section III:  What We Seek to Accomplish

Our goals are for more members and regular attenders at Grace to:

  • Participate in a small group for accountability, study, fellowship and service so each one and all of us together more faithfully exhibit the Fruits of the Spirit.
  • Participate in some means of serving others within the Body of Christ and the community in the love of Jesus Christ.
  • Develop relationships with others outside of the church so that we are clearly and effectively Christ’s witnesses in our community
  • Be invitational in our community so that the number of first-time commitments to Jesus Christ at Grace grows over the next five years.

 

Section IV:  How We Will Proceed

  1. Relationships will be our highest priority with Jesus, one another, and our community.
  2. We will continue to strengthen our existing ministries of worship, care, service and discipleship through leader development and continual study of God’s Word and meeting together.
  3. We will deepen existing relationships and develop new relationships with our community.
  4. We will seek relationships of collaboration within our community, especially with those who are Christ’s followers in reaching our community with the message of reconciliation.
  5. We will utilize the gifts of the congregation, neighbors, and local leadership and resources.
 
 
Section V:  What We Will Measure (Goals)
 
Ultimately, we will know that we are fulfilling God’s vision for Grace when:
  • More people come to worship and surrender to Jesus.
  • More people are consistently participating in small group ministries.
  • More people are consistently serving in ministries of care and outreach in the congregation and community.
  • New ministries are developed to equip the Body of Christ for service and to reach our community with the Gospel