Pictured, left to right, are Pastors Tony Leonard, Bill Owens and Michael Prettyman
GraceWorks Church is celebrating its 17th Anniversary this Sunday. To celebrate the occasion, there will be a special outdoor service on the Church campus at 10:30 a.m. There will be a Church Fellowship Dinner at 5 p.m., with special music and activities for children.
The church was founded in 2006 by Dr. Dennis Newman and three benefactors, Dr. Don Brock, Gregg Underwood and Bill Worley. Dr. Newman accepted the call of pastor to the interdenominational church. At the first worship service, Dr.
Newman emphasized that he wanted the new church to be Christ-centered. He then requested that the church be called “GraceWorks.”
Early in the life of the Church it was decided that a cross was a powerful Christian symbol and could be effective in reaching the “unchurched.” A 110-foot cross now stands on the hill at the end of Grace Way Road and serves as a prominent landmark in Chattanooga.
GraceWorks has three pastors on staff. With over 30 years in Christian ministry, Pastor Tony Leonard has been at GraceWorks since 2018. His primary pastoral responsibility, when hired, was for family ministry. In November of 2020, he transitioned into the role of lead pastor. In addition to preaching, Pastor Leonard also organizes local and international missions for the Church.
Dr. Bill Owens has over 50 years in Christian ministry and joined GraceWorks as lead pastor in June 2014. His primary focus currently is in pastoral care ministry – hospital, care facility and in-home visitation, plus coordinating small group ministries. Pastor Owens leads several Bible studies and regularly assists in pulpit ministry.
Michael Prettyman serves as GraceWorks’ worship pastor and has been in Christian ministry for over 25 years. He has been on staff since August of 2016, serving in a multifaceted position, including coordinating all worship services at the church. He also has a monthly ministry to many assisted living and retirement facilities in the Chattanooga/North Georgia area.
The public is invited to attend the 10:30 a.m. celebration service Sunday. GraceWorks Church, at 6445 Lee Hwy., is an interdenominational church with 17 years of ministry to the Chattanooga area. A succinct statement of the Church’s beliefs and ministry is, “Love God, Love People and Make Disciples.”