Pastor John Hite's Testimony
In December of 1980, my life was heading in the wrong direction. Two of my sisters had placed my name on a prayer list and prayed for my salvation. With the convicting power of God’s Holy Spirit, I approached a place of decision in my life. After a night of drinking in the night clubs, I came home under the Holy Ghost power of conviction. Standing alone in my living room, I traded the drink in my hand for a small sentimental Bible that had been given to me at a Christian youth camp. I started reading in the Book of Matthew and when I read Matthew 6:33, I realized that I had been living life on my own terms! One preacher said, “The number one hit song in Hell is ‘I Did it My Way.’” God has a better way and that night while reading my Bible, I saw the great promise in God’s Word: if I put God first in my life, then He would add to my life what was missing. I was suffering from loneliness and going about life in darkness without purpose or meaning! With this new-found information from Matthew 6:33, God opened my eyes to the truth in His Word, and I surrendered my life to the Lord. My prayer was this: “Okay, God,” I said, “If I seek you first in my life, your Word says that You will add all these things unto me.” You see, the number one thing I desired was a wife - a good-hearted woman like the song by Willie and Waylon said. In June of 1984, over three years after my surrender to the Lord, I married Donna in College Park, GA. I often refer to as my “Georgia Peach” because of her sweet heart after the things of God. Throughout our 38 years of marriage, and the joy of two sons and two grandsons, Donna continues to faithfully serve the Lord in Ministry with me. In all these years, God has proved faithful to Donna and me, keeping near to us and teaching us how to love one another and encourage our family to always put Him first. God says in His Word that He will never leave us nor forsake us, even until the end of time. He is no respecter of persons. He loves with an unfailing and gracious love. If you trust Him, He will do for you what He did for me. Seek God first in your life, and He will add to you what is missing! Pastor John Hite
PURPOSE
Our purpose is to establish a strong local church by encouraging people to know the power of God’s love, and by putting Him first place in their lives.
VISION
Our vision is to share God’s word and love people. We are here to help God’s people to experience His fullness of joy and peace in their born again life.
MISSION
Our mission is to help all people to receive eternal life in Christ Jesus and to prepare them for His second coming.
Our Story
Pastor John and Donna Hite are both graduates of Rhema Bible College located in Broken Arrow, OK. John is a native Nashvillian, and Donna grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. While attending school in Oklahoma, their hearts were knit together, and they married in the summer of 1984. Upon graduating in May 1985, they started a storefront mission church called Harvest Christian Center located at 5 Points in East Nashville. The first service was held in January of 1986. A newspaper article appearing in the Nashville Banner read, “Church Doesn't Mind Meeting Next To Bar.” After two years, the location moved to Zophi Street, near Gallatin Road and the Trinity Lane area. The new building location was marked with bold letters on the roof top proclaiming JESUS IS LORD. Word of Grace Church began with a small group of believers joining in worship at Gower Elementary School in Bellevue, TN in September 1993. Over the years, our location has changed several times. But no matter where we meet, God’s presence meets with us! Our current location is in Kingston Springs on Hwy 70 near the Harpeth River canoe rentals. Word of Grace Church at Kingston Springs is a community of believers who are committed to loving people and sharing God’s Word. Our church name is inspired by the New Testament Scripture in Acts 20:32, where the Apostle Paul said, “The Word of His Grace is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all of them which are sanctified.” Our focus of worship is to usher in God’s presence through song and praise while giving all the glory to Him. In John 4, Jesus told the woman at the well that God the Father is seeking people to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Our prayer is that we will be this kind of community. As we glorify God’s name, we believe in and trust His presence to manifest healing, joy, and peace to all those who enter in.
FAQ
Q. What is worship like at Word of Grace Church?
A. We see worship as communicating with God from our hearts. Worship is not a performance or a concert, it’s an intimate time of fellowshipping and pouring our hearts unto the Lord. Feel free to worship God in a way you feel expresses your heart toward Him. There is a freedom to lift hands to worship the Lord in Spirit and truth.
Q. How do I find or contact the church?
A. For contact information and directions, CLICK HERE.
Q. How does the message apply to me?
A. The messages are taught in a way that all people will be able to understand and apply biblical principles to their life. We teach what it means to have a personal relationship with
Jesus. Everyone who attends is encouraged in their spiritual and personal growth.
Q. How do people dress at Word of Grace Church?
A. Some people come casual, some more dressy. Whatever you decide to wear, you will be welcomed and accepted at Word of Grace.
Q. What version of the Bible do you use?
A. Most scripture references are from the KJV (King James Version), but we also refer to other versions.
Q. What do you believe?
A. CLICK HERE to see what we believe.
Q. How can I watch online?
A. You can watch our live stream service on Sundays.
https://www.facebook.com/WordofGraceChurchTN
You can also watch previous services on our Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/WordofGraceChurchTN/videos