About us
To introduce ourselves perhaps we should share why we call ourselves Grace Fellowship. The name brings together two words that are very important to us and sum up our aims.
Grace describes receiving something good that you did not deserve, and the Bible is clear that God has been good to mankind although we deserve punishment for our sins. We see this in the good things He gives everyday, but it is most spectacularly shown in what Jesus did when He was crucified on the cross, and became our rescuer. This amazing gift of love is nothing we deserve and we now seek to live our lives as a response of worship to the God of Grace.
Fellowship means being united in a common purpose – being a family even if we are not all related. Our common purpose is to hear from God through studying the Bible and to serve and worship Him together. Our church is not perfect, but we try to show Christ’s love as we care for each other. Our Fellowship is living and growing and we would love you to be part of it.
These are the key truths (doctrines) that we believe and teach, and regard as crucial to the understanding of our faith. This is not intended to be comprehensive and exhaustive but to emphasise essential beliefs.
2. We believe in the unity of the one true and living God revealed in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Matthew Ch.3, vs 16 & 17. Mark Ch.1,vs 9 - 11
3. We believe in Jesus Christ:
a) The Son of God and in... Romans Ch.1 vs 3 & 4
b) His eternal existence, John Ch.1 vs 1 - 14
c) His virgin birth, Ch.1v 18 & 25; Luke Ch.1v 27
d) His sinless humanity, Hebrews Ch.4 vs 14 & 15
e) His substitutionary death in our place, Romans4v25; Ch.5v8 1 Peter Ch.3v18
f) His bodily resurrection, Luke Ch.24 vs 36 - 44
g) His ascension to Heaven and Acts Ch.1 vs 9 & 10
h) His personal visible coming again, in power and glory Acts Ch.1 v 11, Matthew Ch.24 vs 30 & 31
4. We believe all have sinned and are guilty according to God's righteous justice and deserve His punishment. Romans Ch.3 v 23 and Romans Ch.6 v 231 John Ch.1 vs 8 – 10 and Isaiah Ch.53 v 6
5. We believe all need salvation through repentance and faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, this being the only means of forgiveness of sin and of receiving eternal life.
Romans Ch.10 vs 9 & 10 John Ch.14 v 6 and Acts Ch.4 v 12
6. We believe in:
a) The essential work of the Holy Spirit to convict the individual of sin and the need of salvation; John Ch.16 vs 7 - 11
b) The indwelling and continuing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Romans Ch.8 vs 9 & 26
c) The certainty of the believer's salvation through faith and trust in Christ alone. John Ch.10 v 28 Romans Ch.8 vs 38 &39
7. We believe in:
a) The resurrection of the body and the glorified state of believers in Heaven. 1 Corinthians Ch.15 vs 42-44
b) The eternal punishment in Hell of all who reject Christ. 2 Thessalonians ch.1 vs 6-9
8. We believe in the One true Church, the Body of Christ consisting of all believers regardless of colour, race or status (standing - position) 1 Corinthians Ch.12 vs 12-27
It is our desire that in God’s strength and enabling, these key truths will continue to be taught and shared with all who join us, for God’s glory.
As a church, we have an elected eldership following our constitution, based on 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1..Our pastor, Malcolm is supported by Nigel S, John and Nigel H and are responsible for the spiritual needs of the church. Please click on their names to read their bios including favourite and challenging Bible verses.
Our pastor Malcolm Hoad and his wife Michelle.
Malcolm joined Grace Fellowship as Pastor in April 2021. Prior to joining Grace Fellowship, he served as an elder at Hayes Lane Baptist Church in Bromley. Malcolm spent over 20 years working in the travel sector before God called him into Christian ministry. Malcolm is married to Michelle and the Lord has blessed them with 3 wonderful children, ‘most of the time’, Malcolm’s words!
Malcolm enjoys reading and studying God’s Word, whilst encouraging and trying to help others, in God’s strength, to grow in their faith in the Lord Jesus. He loves enjoying God’s creation whilst on outdoor walks with the family (on sunny days!) and follows most sports. Malcolm has suffered much as a West Ham supporter, less so as a 49er and Lakers fan!
Malcolm’s verses
Favourite: Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
‘And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’
Most challenging: Mark 8:34 (NIV)
‘If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.’
Prayer: Colossians 4:3-4 (NIV)
‘That God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.’
Nigel Sharp and his wife Julia.Nigel joined Grace Fellowship in 2017 and became an Elder in 2019.
As a young man, Nigel completed an apprenticeship in engineering and worked at various companies, progressing to workshop manager before being made redundant in 1991. That led to Nigel taking his engineering knowledge and experience into the education sector, where he worked for just over 30 years as a teacher of engineering in a Kent secondary school.
Nigel is married to Julia and the Lord has blessed them with 2 grown up children and 4 grandchildren. He loves reading and studying God’s Word, where we find truth, faith and direction for our lives and rejoices in the Bible being full of God’s promises to His people.
Nigel is also full of admiration for the Spitfire and will always stop to admire it whenever he sees or (hears!) one flying above him!
Nigel’s verses…
Favourite: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.’
Most challenging: Mathew 5:10-11 (NKJV)
‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.’
Prayer: That we carry out the Lord Jesus Christ command - Mathew 28:19 (NKJV)
‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’
John joined Grace fellowship with his wife Esther and eldest son Joshua in 1999, after hearing Bill Foote, the founding pastor, preach a relevant Bible filled clear challenging message. Much like we enjoy today through the preaching of our pastor Malcolm. It is great that Joseph their youngest son, Joshua, his wife Elisabeth and their son Tobias all attend and support the church in a number of ways.
John has been an elder for a number of years. He had a 24 ½ year railway career, and works at a local school in his 14th year. He is known for his positive outlook even when things are tough which he says is due to his faith knowing that God is in control and is working all things out for our good, and has a heart that others will know this truth for themselves.
John’s verses
Favourite: Romans 8v28 (NIV)
‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’
Most challenging: Matthew 6v34 (NIV)
‘Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’
Prayer: John 8v32 (NIV)
‘Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’
(Known as ‘Nige’ due to 2nd Nigel on eldership!)
Nige joined Grace Fellowship as an Elder in September 2022, having been at the church since December 2020, when he and his wife Lucy moved to Ashford. Prior to joining Grace Fellowship, he served as an elder at Grace Church, Ebbsfleet, a church plant, and prior to that at Hayes Lane Baptist Church in Bromley. Nige spent over 30 years working in the construction industry as a Quantity Surveyor and Project Manager, before God called him into Christian ministry helping churches with mission and evangelism. Nige and Lucy are blessed by the Lord with 3 wonderful children, their partners and 8 great grandchildren!
Nige enjoys serving the Lord at Grace Fellowship and also among the churches in Kent with the Kent Gospel Partnership. He delights in God’s creation through various outdoor activities like walking, cycling and golf, but also finds time to relax indoors, whilst working(?!) on his model railway..
Nige’s verses
Favourite: Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’
Most challenging: Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus…’
Prayer: Malachi 3:16-17 (NIV)
‘Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard… “On the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him.”’