About Us
Grace is a Christ-centered community of faith that proclaims God’s abundant and unconditional love and grace for all people and seeks to extend God’s gracious love to others. Our mission is to preach, teach, and reach out with the love of God in Jesus Christ.
We are Lutheran
Grace is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and the Southeastern Iowa Synod. The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with about 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Need more information about Lutherans? Click here to learn more about what we believe.
We are Church
We often think that a church is the location where we gather for worship, fellowship, learning, and service. And it is true that a church is a building, a place for our shared life together in Christ as God's people. Church is where we come to hear God's promises, to experience God's forgiveness and mercy. To receive the bread and wine of Holy Communion. To pray, to worship, to share the joys and challenges of our lives with each other. To encounter Christ's presence.
Like it says over the door to our sanctuary: “Wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, there I am among you.”
And, the church is also the people of God, the assembly of believers, gathered through the Holy Spirit as the body of Christ — to be the church together.
While we experience faith in a personal way, and are important to God as unique, beloved individuals, “church together” expresses our interdependence – in human society and with all creation. The biblical image of the body of Christ from 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 calls us to mutual encouragement and support as we learn and grow in faith.
The Story of Grace
In 1995, Grace was planted as a mission start congregation in Adel in response to God’s call and a deep desire to share God’s love in Christ Jesus with this community. The first worship service was held The Old Depot Restaurant on Sunday, June 4, 1995.
In 1997, land was purchased for the building, with contributions from Mission Partners and the Division of Outreach for the ELCA and First Lutheran Church in Newton, and a loan through the Mission Investment Fund.
On November 9, 1999 (All Saints Sunday), the charter of the congregation was signed. Bishop Philip Hougen preached, and Pastor Karen Cluts presided at the worship service, which was held at ADM High School auditorium.
In 2024, Grace celebrated the 25th anniversary since the signing of our congregational charter. It has been an amazing 25 years of growing in — and as — Grace!
