Family pastor elevated to senior pastor

by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter

Grant Wade

Grant Wade, who for the past three years has been the family pastor at First Christian Church in Sullivan, has been called on to become senior pastor. Pastor Rebecca Ingram resigned after serving seven years to pursue other interests.

Wade and his wife Erin along with their two children Gavin & Emery (plus another boy due in January) have found Sullivan a very friendly community. Erin is a high school math teacher at Sullivan High School.

“I never felt that I would be in ministry or even go to college,” said Wade. “Life circumstance lead me that way. As I was finishing high school my father got sick and passed away. That was a very earth shattering time for me, and through some great mentors and friends I enrolled in college at Lincoln Christian College in Lincoln, Illinois and studied there for four years mainly to be a missionary.”

While in college at Lincoln, Grant met Erin while they both were volunteers at the church they were attending.

“We were really compatible and got married. While in school I began looking for ways to get involved in ministry and applied at a church in Springfield as a children’s ministry intern. I spent about three years there and decided I wanted to go a step further so I applied for seminary.”

As Grant was nearing the completion of seminary studies, First Christian Church in Sullivan was searching for a family pastor. In October of 2010 Grant was called to fill the position.

First Christian Church board members extended a modified calling to Pastor Grant as he already had a letter of calling with the church. The title changed from family pastor to senior pastor. The board voted unanimously to modify Pastor Wade’s calling.

Wade sees the future of First Christian Church as a continuing factor in the community as the church has an almost 175 year history in the community.

“These three years in Sullivan have been a great experience. We love the community, and we love the church,” explained the pastor. “I am always amazed at how many of our church members are involved in community activities.”