About Us
History of Grace Christian Center
History of Grace Christian Center: An Idea From God
Ron and Mary Rayon received a “prophetic word” in Minneapolis in the late ’70s that they would return to Michigan and that God would send the Angel of the Lord before them; establishing them in the work of the Lord. From that time, they sought the Lord on where and with whom they would fulfill this Word. During this time of looking for what the future would be, they served in churches wherever the Lord planted them.
Key Relationships and Ordination
July 1990, in Marion, Ohio, Dr. John and Pat Watson and the Elders of Marion Christian Center, including Drs. Jim and Judy Stevens, accepted them in the ministry ordination. They encouraged Ron and Mary to start a church as Senior Pastors in the Saint Joseph, Michigan area to fulfill the Word of the Lord given to them years before. Some families that started the church with us in those days are still with us today.
Trusting God to Build His Church
Ron and Mary began to lead meetings in their home in St. Joseph, MI in August of 1996. Other believers and new converts began to join and Grace Christian Center Church, Inc. created as a Michigan nonprofit corporation. Later that year, the church began meeting in the Park Inn, Stevensville, MI. Over the years, many people came to be with us; joining for a certain season of their Christian walk and then moving on. Many have joined and stayed as members. Some have entered leadership positions in their own ministries. We greatly rejoice in all that God has done in and through the people of Grace Christian Center. We are happy to have been used by the Lord to minister His life and help to so many people.
In 2006, the building at 683 Maiden Lane, St. Joseph, MI, where we had been renting since 2003, was purchased. GCC has grown through partnerships with many ministries, near and far, resulting in a global influence.
2015-2018: God Creates a New Leadership Team
In 2015, Pastor Mary went on to be with the Lord. In 2018, Ron and Belinda met at Christian International’s fall IGAP Meeting. Belinda had been widowed in 2012 when her husband Jim went to be with Jesus. Jim and Belinda had been CI ministers and pastored for 13 years in Oklahoma. In 2018, Ron and Belinda began to sense that the Lord was putting them together for a new adventure in Jesus. They were married on Passover – March 31, 2018. Together they have four children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. They have embraced spiritual children and covenant partners making them “A great family wherein all the families of the earth are blessed”. We welcome you to join the Grace family of believers.