About Us

About Our Pastor

Pastor Dave Mitchell graduated from Grace College and later from Grace Seminary with a Masters of Divinity Degree (MDiv) in 1977. He and his wife Betty Lou have been married since 1965 and he served his first pastorate at the Telford Grace Brethren Church in Tennessee. He left there to pastor his current church, The Waipio Grace Brethren Church in Hawaii, where he has been for 20+ years.

"If you are looking for a Christ centered church. . . not purpose driven, but Christ driven, I invite you to visit us. Being a Vietnam vet and living in Hawaii, I am very supportive of our military and specially invite those who are stationed in Hawaii to come and get to know us." --Pastor Dave

Pastor Dave and Betty Lou have two sons. Steve, a missionary to India, and Mark, a Counselor working with troubled youth in Indiana.

Our History

The Waipio Grace Brethren Church was dedicated in 1976 while Foster Tresise was Pastor, and we are affiliated with the Fellowship of Grace brethren Churches. Our motto is: The Bible, The Whole Bible, and Nothing But the Bible.

Our People

WGBC is a true example of the "melting pot', or "tossed salad" of culture that we have in Hawaii. Our congregation is truly diverse. While there are so many cultural, social, ethnic, etc. variations among the people at WGBC, our love for each other and, most of all, for our Lord Jesus binds us together. We really are FAMILY. Many of our members grew up in WGBC and are now raising their own children in the Church. We even have four generation of one family currently attending.

Who are Grace Brethren People?

Grace Brethren People are united in their commitment to the Bible, to the Great Commission and to one another. Grace Brethren are united by their love for Christ, a belief in His Word and a commitment to serve. The fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches includes more than 40,000 members in over 300 churches across the united States. Grace Brethren churches are related through a fellowship, rather than a denominational structure. Each church is an autonomous organization and is free to make its own decisions and govern itself. Yet these churches voluntarily choose to be accountable to one another and work together in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Through the years, three commitments have characterized Grace Brethren people.

Committed to the Bible

This commitment to the Bible can be traced back to 1708 when Alexander Mack and a small group of Christians committed themselves to the Bible, instead of the traditions of the State Church in Germany. Their motto, "the Bible, the whole Bible and nothing but the Bible," has been perpetuated by the Grace Brethren.

We make this commitment to the Bible because every word of it is inspired by God. It is exactly what He wanted to communicate to man and was recorded without error. This confidence gives our lives firm direction and hope. We qalso discover in the Bible how to have a personal relationship with God and receive forgiveness of sin. Through God's Word we can know for certain that we will spend eternity in heaven.

The Bible is the most important book we'll ever read!

Committed to the Great Commission

When Jesus rose from the dead, He called all of His disciples together and issued this edict:

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
Matthew 28:19-20a

Grace Brethren believe this task is yet to be accomplished. We believe Christ expects us to be involved in its fulfillment.

So we have committed ourselves not only to evangelism, but to establish churches where discipleship and leadership development will provide a positive setting for individuals to mature in Christ. God's program for this age centers on local churches-churches which are committed to reproducing themselves.

This emphasis has led to the establishment of over 250 Grace Brethren churches in the United States through the Grace Brethren Home Missions Council. the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches currently has more than 130 active missionaries serving in 14 foreign countries on four continents. Through our Grace Brethren Foreign Missions we have three times as many members of Grace Brethren churches in countries abroad than we have in the United States. More than 1000 people have participated in CE National's TIME program, allowing them to receive training in ministry experiences.

Grace Brethren are active in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Committed to One Another

Jesus considered love essential to His Church. He said it would distinguish His followers from the world.

"All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another."
John 13:35.

In following our Lord, Grace Brethren consider love for one another essential on both a local and national level. Although all Grace Brethren hold to a common set of beliefs, there is still a great variety of churches and individuals within our movement. We are held together by our love for the Lord and our love for each other as brothers. We know we will accomplish the most for Christ when we bond and work together.

Neighboring churches pray for each other and give encouragement. Districts cooperate in girls' and boys' programs, youth ministries and church planting. Additional evidence of teamwork is found in the 13 cooperating organizations of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches. Each of these national organizations has its part in assisting local churches in fulfilling the Great Commission. Our commitment to one another also enables our members to help each other grow in Christ. Grace Brethren churches are like large families. Members care and pray for each other, help each other and share the treasures of God's truth.

The Grace Brethren are united in belief and purpose, a growing association of believers and bonded together in their love for God and for one another...why not become a part of this family?