About Us

WHO WE ARE

Discover Grace at the End of the Road.

We aren't just a building in a neighborhood; we are a family. Whether you've been going to church for years or you're stepping through the doors for the first time, there is a place for you here.

Plan A Visit
A Black congregation stands in church pews during an Easter service, facing a pastor at the pulpit. A cross and projector screen are visible at the front.

Our Mission Statement

To Glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ through worship, fellowship, teaching, service and evangelism. We are committed to nurturing faith, building strong families, fostering unity in diversity, and reaching out to transform lives for God's Kingdom.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be a Christ-centered community where every person experiences God’s unconditional love, grows in faith, and is empowered to make a meaningful impact in the world. We will strive to be a beacon of hope, inclusion, and transformation, radiating God’s grace to our local community and beyond.

Meet Our Pastors

OUR SHEPHERDS

A smiling Black woman in glasses and a plaid shirt stands behind and hugs a smiling Black man wearing a blue polo shirt with a Hyundai logo.

  Pastors Bill & Shirl Upton

A smiling older couple poses for a studio portrait. The man is bald with a mustache and wears a black shirt with a pink tie. The woman has dark curly hair.

Pastor Emeritus Robert & Stephanie Thomas

WHERE WE BEGAN

Our Brief History

The New Grace Church logo, a gold and red crest with a shield and flaming torch, is centered on a red background above the words "Our History."
A graphic on a red background listing the 12 Foundational Stones for New Birth Ministries, flanked by the New Grace Church logo on both sides.
A presentation slide with a red background about the history of Judah Tabernacle and Pastors Robert and Stephanie Thomas, flanked by New Grace Church logos.
A graphic with a red and gold background detailing the history of the Judah Tabernacle Church, flanked by two logos for 'New Grace Church'.
A presentation slide with a red background detailing the history of New Grace Church's ministry, flanked by the church's gold and red logo on both sides.
An announcement for the ministry dedication on Sept 3, 2000. The text is on a red background flanked by two New Grace Church logos with gold accents.
A presentation slide with a red textured background and gold accents detailing the founding history of New Grace Church, with its logo on either side.
An announcement celebrating the 10th anniversary of the New Birth ministry, set against a red background with the New Grace Church logo on either side.
A presentation slide with a red background detailing the history of New Grace Church's formation from the merger of two ministries in Newport News, VA.
Two men in suits smile and shake hands in front of an ornate red and gold circular logo for 'New Grace Church' on a decorative background.
A photo collage showing two pastoral couples, Bill and Shirl Upton and Robert and Stephanie Thomas, standing together in a church in front of a wooden cross.
A slide for New Grace Church showing their vision statement and worship service times on a deep red background with gold accents and the church logo.
An invitation for a church prayer event on a textured red background with gold accents. The New Grace Church logo appears on the left and right sides.
A smiling man and woman, Pastors Robert and Stephanie Thomas, pose in front of the logo for New Grace Church on a warm-toned, leafy background.

OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

Our Beliefs

We believe the entire Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God. It is our ultimate guide for faith, truth, and how we live our daily lives. It is entirely relevant to our modern world and the absolute authority for our church family.

We believe in one eternal God who exists in three distinct persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is the loving Creator of everything and desires a deeply personal relationship with each of us.

We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, and rose again on the third day. Because of His sacrifice, salvation is a free gift. We cannot earn it through good works; we are saved strictly by grace through faith in Jesus.

We believe the Holy Spirit lives inside every follower of Christ. He comforts us, empowers us with spiritual gifts, guides us in truth, and gives us the strength to live out our faith boldly and authentically in our community.

The Church isn't a building; it's a family of believers. We are united by our faith in Jesus and our mission to share His grace with the world. At New Grace, we believe in doing life together, supporting one another, and being a beacon of hope right here at the "end of the road" and beyond.

We believe that humanity was created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. Heaven and Hell are real places, and God’s desire is that no one should perish, but that all would experience eternal life through Christ.