Sunday School 9:00 am — Morning Service 10:15 am — Evening Service 6:00 pm — Wednesday Evening 7:00 pm
Pastor Timothy J. Potter
"God impressed on my heart at 8 years old my need for Christ. A very special Sunday School teacher who loved me very much constantly reminded me of my need for Jesus Christ. As a result of God convicting me through her teaching from the Word of God, I bowed my head after Sunday morning church to pray and turn from my sin and place my faith in Jesus Christ alone for my salvation. Ever since, though like everyone else I still battle with my desire to sin, I have had a passion to know and pursue God in a personal way. I thank God for extending His mercy to me in such a personal and eternal way."
Pastor Tim was born in 1968 and was reared in a Christian home. He came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior when he was 8 years old. Having gone to a Christian School all of his life, Tim was called of the Lord to preach in his later high school years. Tim has been in love with Ronda Ray Potter, who is from Muncie, Indiana, since they were freshman in college (1986). They were married in 1991. Tim and Ronda have 4 children: Caleb, Micah, Noah, and Emma.
Pastor Tim graduated with an undergraduate degree in Theology and a minor in Business Administration in 1990. He then finished his Master of Arts program in May of 1991. Pastor Tim has been at Grace Church since August of 1991. He ministered as the Associate/Youth Pastor for fourteen years. After ministering at Grace Church for 6 years, Tim began his work on his Master of Divinity program at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated with this degree in May of 2005. Pastor Tim will pursue a Doctorate of Ministry in Expository Preaching in the near future. On January 1, 2006, Pastor Tim became Senior Pastor of Grace Church of Mentor.
Pastor Tim loves God's Word and loves God's people. His goal is to preach and teach the Word of God with such clarity and personal application that his congregation will experience what it means to be "conformed to the image of Jesus Christ." He believes with firm, loving conviction that the best way to influence our culture is to win them to Jesus Christ by maintaining a solid personal testimony and witness, teaching and preaching the Word of God with passion, and then discipling new believers with the milk of the Word of God.
In a culture where churches are trying to reach the lost by being primarily culturally relevant, Pastor Tim believes that the clear teaching and application of the doctrine of the Word of God to his people and community is the method in which the Holy Spirit of God can and does thrive to cultivate change in His own, and to draw the lost, who are without Jesus.
Christ, unto Himself (John 6:44). His fervent prayer for years is that God will continue to build His church in Mentor and the surrounding community unto His own glory and not the glory of man. Pastor Tim remains a faithful husband, father, and pastor. He continues to be a fervent witness of the good news of Jesus Christ to the souls of Mentor, Ohio and the surrounding communities.
You can email Pastor Tim at TimPotter@gracechurchmentor.org.