History
- Grace Covenant Church was founded on April 2, 1978.
- The original name of the church was "Church of the Living Way".
- The first meeting of about 35 people occurred in the basement of the Feedbox restaurant.
- The founding pastor was Jimmy Hollingsworth.
Jimmy and Dot Hollingsworth served as missionaries to Mexico 1955 to 1958, 1964 to 1972.
They were baptized n the Holy Spirit in 1965 in Mexico.
Jimmy was on staff at Melody Land 1972-1975
Desire was to have a uniquely spiritual church in a very churched region.
Desire to have alternative to established church. Establishment of community.
Need for teaching in the charismatic movement to be balanced by the Word.
Jimmy and Dot left Roanoke in 1988.
- Mark Fulp became the pastor. 1988-1990
- John Ault became the pastor in 1990.
John and Jane Ault served until 2002.
The church owned and met in a large home on Grandin road.
The church outgrew the Grandin Road home and met at Patrick Henry High School.
The church went through a period of decline, and began meeting in basement of the brick house in the spring of 2002.
John and Jane are presently pastoring Kononia Fellowship in Pottsdam NY.
- Jeff Ell became the pastor in August 2002.
The present building was built in the summer of 2003
Rich Matthews became the Director of Student Ministries in the fall of 2003.
Ryan Bridgeo became the administrator in January 2005.