Grace Bible Church Leadership
Pastor
Chet Sparzak began filling the role of Interim Pastor of the Grace Bible Church on May 1, 2026, after serving as an Elder and in other various roles since becoming a member in 2015.
Chet and his wife, Barbara, originally moved to the Ocala, Florida area from Pennsylvania in 1996. In 2001, he was called to be the Pastor of the Calvary Grace Brethren Church in Deltona, Florida, until retiring in 2010. Previous to that, he pastored churches in upstate NY and western PA. After “retirement,” he briefly became an associate Pastor of a Hispanic church in Valrico, FL, focusing on teaching English (ESL). In 2011, Chet and Barb moved to Houston, TX, for two years to be with their daughter and grandchildren. In 2013, they returned to Florida – moving into the Nature Coast area. In 2017, they purchased their current home in Homosassa.
Chet and Barb are blessed to have 4 children, 10 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Chet loves to teach (in particular) and preach the Word of God. One of his favorite Bible verses is John 9:25 -” . . . One thing I do know, though I was blind, now I can see.”
Pastor Chet earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration at Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh, PA, and his ThM (Master of Theology) Degree at Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, IN. He was formally ordained in 1992.
Elder
Chet Sparzak
Deacons
Rick Lawhorn
Mark Leach
What We Believe and Our Core Values
It’s important for you to know our common beliefs as well as our core values and how we intend to live them.
What We Believe
The Bible
The entire Bible is the divinely inspired, inerrant revelation of God and therefore, our only authority for faith and practice.(2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21)
The Godhead
The Godhead eternally exists in three persons–the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit–and that these are one God.(Matthew 28:19-20; John 1:1-4; 2 Corinthians13:14).
The Person and Work of Christ
In the full Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the very God by whom and for whom all things were created (John 1:1-3; Philippians 2:6-8; Colossians 1:15-17). We believe in His virgin birth that He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and, therefore He is God manifested in the flesh (Luke 1:31-35; Luke 2:7; John1:14).
Salvation
That all men are by nature sinful and lost (Romans 3:10, 3:23), salvation of men from sin is through the divine sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the shedding of His blood is the only sufficient payment for sin (Hebrews 10:4,12). This salvation is a gift from God by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Those who trust in Jesus Christ as their only Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9) are truly born again and everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ is eternally saved. It is Christ who enables the believers to endure to the end (John 10:27-29; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:13; I John 2:2).
Resurrection
We believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and in His bodily presence at the right hand of God as our High Priest and Advocate.
(Luke 24:39; Hebrews 9:11; Hebrews 10:12; I John 2:1)
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
We believe in the Person and Deity of the Holy Spirit who indwells and empowers the believer to live an obedient Christian life.
(Romans 8:9, 11; John 14:16-17; John 16:7-14)
The Church (1)
1. The local church, which is the body and the espoused bride of Christ, is solely made up of born-again persons.
(I Corinthians 12:12-14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:22-23, 5:25-27)
The Church (2)
2. The establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures.
(Acts 14:27, 20:17, 28:-32; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-11)
The Church (3)
3. We believe in the autonomy of the local church free of any external authority or control us.
(Acts 13:1-4, 15:19-31, 20:28; Romans 16:1-4; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 16, 5:4-7, 13; 1 Peter 5:1-4)
The Church (4)
4. We recognize water baptism and the Lord’s Supper as the Scriptural ordinances of obedience for the church in this age.
(Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41-42, 18:18; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
The Second Advent of Christ
We believe in a pre-tribulation rapture of the Church (I Thess. 4:13-18; Rev. 3:10) and a pre-millennial, personal and visible return of Christ to the earth for the purpose of establishing His worldwide kingdom (Matt. 24:29-30; Acts 1:10-11; Rev. 19:11-16; Rev.20:4-6).
Eternal State
We believe in a heaven of eternal bliss for the righteous who have placed their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord (John 14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Revelation 21:1-5) and in the conscious and eternal punishment of the wicked (Luke 16:19-31; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 20:11-15).
The Personality of Satan
Satan is a person, the author of sin and the cause of the Fall of Man; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the Lake of Fire.
(Job 1:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17; Matthew 4:2-11, 25:41; Revelation 20:10).
Creation
God created the universe in six literal 24-hour periods. We reject Evolution, the Gap Theory, the Day-Age Theory and Theistic Evolution as unscriptural theories of origin,
(Genesis 1:2; Exodus 20:11).
Civil Government
God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: 1. the home, 2. the church, 3. the state. Every person is subject to these authorities, but all (including the authorities themselves) are answerable to God and governed by His Word. God has given such institution specific Biblical responsibilities and balanced those responsibilities with the understanding that no institution has the right to infringe upon the other. The home, the church, and the state are equal and sovereign in their respective Biblically assigned spheres of responsibility under God.
(Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:22-24; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 2:13-14).
Human Sexuality
God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, bestiality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance.
(Genesis 2:24, 19:5, 13; 26:8-9; Leviticus 18:1-30; Romans 1:26-29; 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4).
The only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.
(Genesis 2:24; Roman 7:2; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Ephesians 5:22-23).
Family Relationships (1)
1. We believe that men and women are spiritually equal in position before God but that God has ordained distinct and separate spiritual functions for men and women in the home and the church. The husband is to be the leader of the home, and men are to be the leaders (pastors, elders, and deacons) of the church.
Accordingly, only men are eligible for licensure and ordination by the church.
(Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:8-15, 3:4-5, 12).
Family Relationships (2)
2. We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. The wife is to submit herself to the Scriptural leadership of her husband as the church submits to the leadership of Christ. Children are a heritage from the Lord.Parents are responsible for teaching their children spiritual and moral values and leading them. through consistent lifestyle example and appropriate discipline, including Scriptural corporal correction.
(Genesis 1:26-28; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 19:18, 22:15, 23:13-14; Mark 10:6-12; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33, 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7).
Divorce and Remarriage
We believe that God disapproves of forbids divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies. Divorce and remarriage is regarded as adultery except on the grounds of fornication. Although divorced and remarried persons or divorced persons may hold positions of service in the church and be greatly used of God for Christian service, they may not be considered for the offices of pastor, elder, or deacon.
(Malachi 2:14-17; Matthew 19:3-12; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6).
Abortion
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, un-excused taking of unborn human life. Abortion is murder. We reject any teaching that abortions of pregnancies due to rape, incest, birth defects, gender selection, birth or population control, or the physical or mental well being of the mother is acceptable.
(Job 3:16. Psalms 51:5, 139:14-16; Isaiah 44:24, 49:1, 5; Jeremiah 1:5, 20:15-18; Luke 1:44).
Love
We should demonstrate love for others, not only toward fellow believers, but also toward both those who are not believers and those who oppose us. We are to deal with those who oppose us graciously, gently, patiently, and humbly. God forbids the stirring up of strife, the taking of revenge, the threat or the use of violence as a means of resolving personal conflict or obtaining personal justice. Although God commands us to abhor sinful actions, we are to love and pray for any person who engages in such sinful actions.
(Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44-48; Luke 6:31; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9-10, 17-21, 13:8-10; Philippians 21:2-4; 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Titus 3:2; 1 John 3:17-18).
Lawsuits Between Believers
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the church to resolve personal disputes, as the church possesses all the resources necessary to resolve personal disputes between members. We do believe, however, that a Christian may seek compensation for injuries from another Christian’s insurance company as long as the claim is pursued without malice or slander.
(1 Corinthians 6:1-8; Ephesians 4:31-32).
Missions
We believe that God has given the church a great commission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations so that there might be a great multitude from every nation, tribe, ethnic group and language group who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we must use all available means to go to the foreign nations and not wait for them to come to us.
(Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20).
Giving
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to him, is obligated to support his local church financially.We believe that God has established the tithe as a basis for giving, but that every Christian should also give other offerings sacrificially and cheerfully to the support of the church, the relief of those in need and the spread of the Gospel.We believe that a Christian relinquishes all rights to direct the use of the tithe or offering once the gift has been made.
(Genesis 14:20; Proverbs 3:9-10; Acts 4:34-37; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Galatians 6:6; Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 5:17-18; 1 John 3:17).
Our Core Values
Caring Community
must personify our church
Acts 4:33-35 – “And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.”
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 – “Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more…”
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 – “Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more…”
People Matter
must govern our relationships
Luke 15 – Jesus’ parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son.
1 Peter 3:15 – “…but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence…”
Excellence
must distinguish our efforts
Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
Risking Faith
must pervade our endeavors
Hebrews 11:6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Transforming Lives
must drive our ministries
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
Romans 12:2 – “ And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 – “ And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Excellence
must distinguish our efforts
Colossians 3:23-24 – “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
Gifted Ministry
must describe our workers
Romans 12: 6-8 – “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who]leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."
Giving Faith
must finance our ministries
2 Corinthians 9:6-10 – “Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, ‘HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.’ Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness…”
Relevant Evangelism
must mark our ministries
1 Corinthians 9:22 – “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.”1 Thessalonians 2:13 – “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.”
Bibical Teaching
must permeate our ministies
Colossians 1:28 – “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.”2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Scripture quoted on this page is New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.