WHO WE ARE
LOVE GOD
Grace Family Church is a contemporary, independent church that meets in five locations: Ballito, uMhlanga, Riverside, Cornubia and Online. We are passionate about God, His people, and joining His mission to heal the world.
All are welcome at Grace and we say,
“COME AS YOU ARE”.
All are welcome at Grace and we say,
“COME AS YOU ARE”.
LOVE PEOPLE
At Grace Family Church we believe that life is done best in community. GroupLife is a place to belong, whether you meet in someone’s home, at a coffee shop, or on the promenade for a walk. We understand that life is busy and there isn’t always time to connect, so GroupLife is a space for you to meet with others and grow in friendship and faith. GroupLife at Grace brings people together, as we grow closer to God, each other, and understanding our divine purpose.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
At Grace Family Church we strongly believe in making a difference. Connect to the opportunities available at Grace Family Church to live out your purpose, serve others by using your God-given gifts, and make a difference.
THE STORY OF GRACE
“What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” - Zechariah 4:7
In 1992 Mark & Christine van Straaten, following a call from God, left the church they had started in Empangeni to establish Grace Family Church in Durban, South Africa.
For the first four years, things did not go well. Mark began to wonder whether they had truly heard from God.
But then in 1996, the church made an intentional decision to look outwards and began supporting missionaries with the little that they had. This desire to “make a difference” beyond the walls of the church shifted everything and captured the heart of the congregation. In a matter of weeks, the church doubled in size!
During this time God also embedded into the DNA of Grace a heart
to reach unchurched people and a bedrock belief that the “local
church is the hope of the world”.
This has not changed.
In 2003, God blessed Grace with an extravagant gift of a piece of land in a prominent Umhlanga location, and on Christmas Day 2005 we hosted our first service in the Umhlanga Campus.
Today, thousands of people attend Grace Family Church at four locations across Kwa-Zulu Natal, as well as online. Wayne Taylor leads the church as Senior Pastor, while Mark & Christine function as Founding Pastors.
We are one church in many locations, with a heart to Love God, Love People, and Make a Difference.
We invite you to come as you are and see for yourself how exciting church can be when the focus is simple and the mission is clear.
For the first four years, things did not go well. Mark began to wonder whether they had truly heard from God.
But then in 1996, the church made an intentional decision to look outwards and began supporting missionaries with the little that they had. This desire to “make a difference” beyond the walls of the church shifted everything and captured the heart of the congregation. In a matter of weeks, the church doubled in size!
During this time God also embedded into the DNA of Grace a heart
to reach unchurched people and a bedrock belief that the “local
church is the hope of the world”.
This has not changed.
In 2003, God blessed Grace with an extravagant gift of a piece of land in a prominent Umhlanga location, and on Christmas Day 2005 we hosted our first service in the Umhlanga Campus.
Today, thousands of people attend Grace Family Church at four locations across Kwa-Zulu Natal, as well as online. Wayne Taylor leads the church as Senior Pastor, while Mark & Christine function as Founding Pastors.
We are one church in many locations, with a heart to Love God, Love People, and Make a Difference.
We invite you to come as you are and see for yourself how exciting church can be when the focus is simple and the mission is clear.
CHURCH GOVERNANCE
As you consider investing your heart, time, family, and finances into the life of a church; it is important for you to feel confident in church leadership. Our goal in sharing the details of Grace’s governance is that you will understand that our church is structured to support the values of integrity, accountability, and spiritual authority.
Our church government is made up of four groups:
1. We are GIFTED by the CONGREGATION
We believe there is no great divide between the “pastors” and the “congregation.” Everyone has something they can do to impact the lives of others in the Kingdom of God. From our perspective, every member of Grace Family Church is a minister, every person is gifted in some area, and every task is important.
2. We are GUARDED by the ELDERS
Our Elders are members of the congregation, nominated by the Co-Senior Pastors and affirmed by the congregation. They are the custodians of the vision of Grace Family Church and provide counsel, support and accountability to the Co-Senior Pastors. Together with the Financial Advisory Team, they are responsible for all major financial decisions.
3. We are GUIDED by the LEADERSHIP TEAM
The Leadership Team is led by our Senior Pastor Wayne Taylor, together with the Campus Pastors and Executive Pastor. This team oversees the day-to-day ministry and operations of the church. These staff pastors serve the congregations and are responsible for the development of the
spiritual life of the church.
4. We are GIRDED by the FRIENDS OF GRACE
The Friends of Grace are Pastors of respected congregations and ministries who love Grace Family Church and are willing to provide spiritual protection to the church. They may be called upon to help in accountability matters relating to the Senior
Pastor if requested to do so by the Elders.
Our church government is made up of four groups:
1. We are GIFTED by the CONGREGATION
We believe there is no great divide between the “pastors” and the “congregation.” Everyone has something they can do to impact the lives of others in the Kingdom of God. From our perspective, every member of Grace Family Church is a minister, every person is gifted in some area, and every task is important.
2. We are GUARDED by the ELDERS
Our Elders are members of the congregation, nominated by the Co-Senior Pastors and affirmed by the congregation. They are the custodians of the vision of Grace Family Church and provide counsel, support and accountability to the Co-Senior Pastors. Together with the Financial Advisory Team, they are responsible for all major financial decisions.
3. We are GUIDED by the LEADERSHIP TEAM
The Leadership Team is led by our Senior Pastor Wayne Taylor, together with the Campus Pastors and Executive Pastor. This team oversees the day-to-day ministry and operations of the church. These staff pastors serve the congregations and are responsible for the development of the
spiritual life of the church.
4. We are GIRDED by the FRIENDS OF GRACE
The Friends of Grace are Pastors of respected congregations and ministries who love Grace Family Church and are willing to provide spiritual protection to the church. They may be called upon to help in accountability matters relating to the Senior
Pastor if requested to do so by the Elders.
CHURCH FINANCES
“Every Sunday each of you make an offering and put it in safekeeping. Be as generous as you can. When I get there you’ll have it ready, and I won’t have to make a special appeal.” - 1 Corinthians 16:1–4, MSG
At Grace Family Church, we practice tithing for the support of Christ’s body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard for giving.
“Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.” - Deuteronomy 14:22–26 NIV
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. ‘If you do,’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, ‘I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!’” - Malachi 3:10, NLT
Many people love to give to God and as they do, they want to feel confident in the organization through which they give. At Grace Family Church, we want people to understand that they are giving to God through the church, not to the church.
As we openly share the honesty, integrity, and spiritual values that guide the financial practices of Grace, we believe people can focus on what God is calling them to give and trust that He is leading our church to steward it well.
At Grace Family Church, we practice tithing for the support of Christ’s body, the church, as God commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard for giving.
“Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.” - Deuteronomy 14:22–26 NIV
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. ‘If you do,’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, ‘I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!’” - Malachi 3:10, NLT
Many people love to give to God and as they do, they want to feel confident in the organization through which they give. At Grace Family Church, we want people to understand that they are giving to God through the church, not to the church.
As we openly share the honesty, integrity, and spiritual values that guide the financial practices of Grace, we believe people can focus on what God is calling them to give and trust that He is leading our church to steward it well.
THE CHURCH I SEE
- Tom Basson, May 2018 (adapted from B Houston, 1993)
I see a church bursting with life, so much so that buildings cannot contain it, and nations cannot ignore it.
I see a church that the unchurched love to attend.
A church who never stops searching for lost people because God never stopped searching for us.
I see a church at the forefront, and in the trenches of, the fight against poverty and injustice.
A church that straddles the affluent and the poor, and builds bridges between the two.
I see a church where all people can come as they are, and find a place to belong.
I see a church that celebrates and champions diversity.
I see a church that is hungry for more and visionary in nature.
A church that refuses to be content with the triumphs of the past, but is constantly looking towards the future.
I see a church where relationship trumps religion, every time.
I see a church full of people who are discovering the mystery of their union with God, each other, and their divine purpose here on this earth.
I see a church so committed to raising, training and empowering a new generation of leaders - leaders that are naturally gifted, spiritually potent, and genuinely humble.
I see a church so Kingdom-minded that we will count whatever the cost and pay whatever the price to see that Kingdom come.
I see a church that is built not on the gifts of a few, but on the sacrifice of many.
I see a church big enough to dream on a global scale, but personal enough for everyone to feel known, cared for, and included.
I see a church so compassionate that people are drawn from impossible situations into a loving and friendly circle of hope, where answers are found and acceptance is given.
I see a church doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly.
I see a church that agitates and combats the oppressive structures of our world by accounting for the Hope that is within us, and by erecting, in the teeth of those structures, signs of God’s New Kingdom.
I see a church that creates space for life - for God to do what only He can do.
I see a church that is not just “Grace” in name, but grace in nature.
I see a church joining God’s mission to heal the world.
I see a church that loves God, loves people, and is making a difference.
I see a church bursting with life, so much so that buildings cannot contain it, and nations cannot ignore it.
I see a church that the unchurched love to attend.
A church who never stops searching for lost people because God never stopped searching for us.
I see a church at the forefront, and in the trenches of, the fight against poverty and injustice.
A church that straddles the affluent and the poor, and builds bridges between the two.
I see a church where all people can come as they are, and find a place to belong.
I see a church that celebrates and champions diversity.
I see a church that is hungry for more and visionary in nature.
A church that refuses to be content with the triumphs of the past, but is constantly looking towards the future.
I see a church where relationship trumps religion, every time.
I see a church full of people who are discovering the mystery of their union with God, each other, and their divine purpose here on this earth.
I see a church so committed to raising, training and empowering a new generation of leaders - leaders that are naturally gifted, spiritually potent, and genuinely humble.
I see a church so Kingdom-minded that we will count whatever the cost and pay whatever the price to see that Kingdom come.
I see a church that is built not on the gifts of a few, but on the sacrifice of many.
I see a church big enough to dream on a global scale, but personal enough for everyone to feel known, cared for, and included.
I see a church so compassionate that people are drawn from impossible situations into a loving and friendly circle of hope, where answers are found and acceptance is given.
I see a church doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly.
I see a church that agitates and combats the oppressive structures of our world by accounting for the Hope that is within us, and by erecting, in the teeth of those structures, signs of God’s New Kingdom.
I see a church that creates space for life - for God to do what only He can do.
I see a church that is not just “Grace” in name, but grace in nature.
I see a church joining God’s mission to heal the world.
I see a church that loves God, loves people, and is making a difference.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
(The Apostles Creed)
We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Church,
the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
We believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Church,
the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
