For many years, Dave and Cindy Gritters served as dedicated volunteers for New Life Prison Community, a CRC church plant serving the men at the Newton Correctional Facility and Release Center. Along with other motivated volunteers, they used their musical talents to share a message of hope. A defining moment for the church arrived in 2023 following the departure of its founding pastor.
Sensing a clear prompting from the Holy Spirit, Dave and Cindy stepped into leadership—Dave as worship leader and Cindy in administration. In 2025, after four years of diligent study and preparation, Dave was ordained as a commissioned pastor in the CRC. Their transition from a musical calling into pastoral ministry exemplifies the spirit of growth and transformation articulated by Calvary Church’s leadership seven decades ago.
The year was 1956. As the leaders of Calvary CRC in Pella, Iowa, were preparing to fund the construction of a new building, its finance committee included a historical reflection in its report. It includes an enduring vision for faithful ministry—a meaningful prayer and clear vision—beautifully articulated in a single, sweeping sentence:
“We pray that He has and will cause us to grow, not only materially and numerically, but also spiritually in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; that we may be an instrument in His hand toward the extension of His Kingdom, the upbuilding of His people, and the spread of His gospel unto the salvation of sinners.”
A Legacy of Faithful Growth
This historic sentence centers on the word “grow.” The congregation's founders were not just reflecting on the physical and numerical growth they had experienced. They were petitioning God to continue blessing them across three critical and interdependent dimensions: spiritually, materially, and numerically.
They grasped the comprehensive mission of the church as understood in our Reformed tradition. They believed that if we remained faithful to the work of equipping the saints and extending the Kingdom, God would bless us with continued growth. This legacy reminds all of us that true church growth is never just about the size of our buildings or the number of people in the pews; it is fundamentally about the depth of our faith and discipleship. A growth that is rooted in grace.
When we consider the priorities of this vision, the order is key. Discipleship—growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18)—must always come first. That spiritual depth then enables the church to achieve its redemptive goal of being an instrument in God’s hand for Kingdom work. This is the enduring truth: faithfulness precedes fruitfulness.
Transformation: The Mission in a Word
If we had to sum up the main purpose of the church's mission in a single word, transformation would be an excellent choice. The Bible gives us a perfect picture of this transformed life in the New Testament: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17).
That is the essence of transformation, a life changed by the sovereign grace of Jesus Christ. As members of God’s Kingdom, we are called to be agents of this comprehensive change, guided by the Word of God and this timeless vision. Locally we are called to change people’s lives right here in our own communities through word and deed, seeking justice and mercy. Globally we are called to change our culture and our world by sharing the gospel and embodying the kingship of Christ in all spheres of life.
A Living Reflection
Seventy years later, Calvary Church is partnering with the denominational agency Thrive in a season of intentional renewal. This ongoing process has culminated in a fresh vision statement that serves as a catalyst for the future and a bridge to the past. We have come to realize that our new mandate—to be real people, living in grace, growing in faith, following Jesus, every day, everywhere—is far from a departure from our founders' initial prayers. Instead, it is a living reflection of their faithfulness.
Faith is a lifelong journey of growth and transformation that culminates in being conformed into the likeness of Christ. Because we have received this incredible gift, our highest priority remains the same as that historic vision that was written 70 years ago—to share the good news of the gospel with others so that they, too, may be transformed.
About the Author
Jim is a charter member of Calvary CRC in Pella, Iowa. He is passionate about the intersection of church history and modern mission, believing our Reformed heritage provides a map for future growth.