Pastor Al Detter
Senior Pastor

What do you do at Grace? I lead the church in its vision and direction. I am the leader of the GROW Bridge and the primary preaching pastor.

How long have you been at Grace? 27 Years!

Family Information: I have four children: Jason married to Beth
Jared married to Rachel
Rachel
Ben
and one Grand-daughter, Alexis

Education:
BA from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL
2 years at University of Illinois (Circle Campus)
Th. M. from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, TX
D. Min. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL

Fun Stuff:
If you were an animal, what would you be (why)? A dog... because they are comfortable living in a nice home and they like people.

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite Food: Steak

Pet Peeve(s): Long red lights

Hobbies: Hunting, reading, antiques, garage sales

If you had 24 hours to live, what three things would you do? Call all my close friends and family, talk to a few people I know about their relationship with Jesus, and have personal time with my wife.

Tell us about a few influential (or favorite) books you’ve read:
Wild at heart: by John Elderidge – changed my life and started a new men's movement at Grace.
The Rare jewel of Christian Contentment: by Jeremy Burroughs – a word we need to hear today from a Puritan author of days gone by.
Breakout Churches: by Thom Ranier – I re-read it right away. It describes what Grace is going to do!

Spiritual Stuff:
Tell us a little bit about your spiritual journey: I met Christ in 1964, the summer before I entered my junior year of high school. My life was drastically changed. Within months, I felt the call of God into full time ministry. God has allowed my life to stay on course in my walk with him and in my ministry. The past 10 years have been the most stretching, as I encountered unprecedented white water, but I have grown in unanticipated ways.

What did you do before you started working at Grace? I was a Christian Education Director and Youth Leader in our denominational office.

Why are you passionate about church and ministry? We carry the only words of eternal life on the planet. We have the privilege of introducing Jesus to people and seeing incredible life-change. It doesn’t get any better than that!

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