THE GOSPEL & UNION GROVE

The Grove Church is a new church plant in Union Grove, WI starting in late 2024.

We exist to…

““Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.””
— Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

Make Disciples

We are committed to making disciples who make disciples in Union Grove and the greater area because we believe that the priority of the local church is to help people find their identity in the gospel. We believe in the transformational truth of the Gospel and teach all that is observed in scripture, rooting believers’ identity in who God says they are: beloved sons and daughters of Him.

Grow in the Gospel

We are committed to prioritizing the Gospel in our teaching, counseling, and life. Through the gospel our lives are transformed; what was once wretched is now redeemed. The Gospel is not a one-time event, but is our ongoing reality as believers in Christ. Through our prioritization of the Gospel we stand firm, grow, and multiply.

Plant Churches

We are committed to continued multiplication through church planting locally, regionally, and  internationally. The local church is a gospel community and is God’s plan for the redemption of His people and we believe church planting is how disciples of Union Grove can advance His purpose.

Why Union Grove?

There are a lot of places in need of the Gospel, yet we have been uniquely called to serve this community. As residents of Union Grove who attended the schools, went to the county fairs, and lived there for over 25 years, not only do we understand the community, but we are a part of it already.

In a strategic sense, Union Grove is a vibrant, growing community. With a vision cast to 2050, residential and economic development are changing the landscape of this community every moment. We pray that God will multiply not only the town's business and residential population but also His disciples.

Our Core Values

Gospel Centrality

Christ Centered

We make the gospel central to everything we do because the gospel is what continually renews believers and the church. That’s why we are committed to having the gospel be the centerpiece of our preaching, discipleship, philosophy of ministry, motives, counseling, and strategy for mission.

Corporate Worship

Gathering Regularly

We believe that the local church is a manifestation of the universal Church and our regular gathering is the foundation of carrying out our mission and vision.

Community

Following Christ Together

We believe that we are called to live in Gospel community with one another. Encouraging and building up one another in faith and relationships. We live this out through our community groups, and service to the community of Union Grove.

Equipping Leaders

Making Disciple-making Disciples

We believe that equipping leaders for the work of ministry is a priority of the local church. This is neccesary in the life of the church for the mission of the church.

Multiplication

Growing Through the Gospel

We believe multiplication is the natural overflow of the gospel in a disciple and church’s life. Disciples and Churches will be multiplied out of healthy gospel contexts.

About Dan Nelson

Dan graduated from Trinity International University and completed his M.Div at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. After graduation from TEDS, he and his wife Heather, with their two kids, Abby (11) and Levi (9), moved to Wichita, Kansas, to join a two-year pastoral residency program at First Evangelical Free Church of Wichita. Committed to expository preaching and making disciples who make disciples, Dan and Heather are Union Grove, Wisconsin natives, and look forward to their return to plant The Grove in 2024.

Partnership

In order to bring about the vision of The Grove — to see disciples made, mission advanced, and more churches planted — we need your help. We want to invite you to partner with us in bringing the good news of the gospel to Union Grove. Here’s what it’s going to take to make that happen:

$35,000

Start Up

$12,802

Monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

General

  • We are an Evangelical Free Church of America Church Plant. The EFCA’s belief in independence while being interdependent within the denomination, as well as the focus on being united in major Doctrine, are our primary reasons for working with the EFCA.

    We are currently being coached, mentored, and advised by leaders in the EFCA and are incredibly thankful for their support.

    Click to learn more: EFCA Statement of Faith

  • The Nelson’s are excited to announce that will return to the Union Grove area in the Spring of 2024.

  • Specific details about where and when will be made at a later date.

  • To properly serve the community of The Grove and Union Grove itself, Pastor Dan will serve as full-time Pastor of The Grove.

  • We would love to share our updates and prayer requests with you. Click Newsletter Sign Up or the button at the bottom of the page and fill out the form to receive our future newsletters!

  • Below are our preferred options for giving to The Grove Church

    Giving electronically via your bank account:
    This is our preferred option because it’s extremely cost-effective and requires the least administrative work on our end. If you are interested in this option, please click the Support Us button above. The rest should be easy and self-explanatory.

    Giving electronically via your credit card:
    This option has some additional costs for us, but it requires very little administrative work on our end. If you are interested in this option, please click the Support Us button; the rest should be easy and self-explanatory.

    Giving electronically via Online Bill Pay:
    This option requires a fair amount of administrative work on our end, but it is very cost-effective. Most banks offer a free service called Online Bill Pay, where they will send an automatic monthly check for you to whomever you choose. Please note that some banks charge a small fee for this service. If you choose this option, please make checks payable to “The Grove Church” and mail them to the address below.

    Giving via check by mail:
    This option requires a fair amount of administrative work on our end, but it is very cost-effective. If you choose this option, please make checks payable to "The Grove Church" and mail them to:

    The Grove Church
    PO Box 185
    Union Grove, WI 53182

  • As shown above, we are in need of $12,802 per month in ongoing financial support; 48% of this is Dan’s salary, and the remaining 52% covers a variety of operational and ministry expenses. If you’re interested in becoming a monthly donor, a helpful frame of reference is that $128.02/month = 1% of our monthly budget. But please know that regardless of how much God wants you to give, we are incredibly thankful for your thoughtfulness and generosity.

    We are also in need of $35,000 in one-time gifts. The overwhelming majority of this will go towards all the necessary technology for Sunday morning, such as a projector, speakers, sound board, computer, etc. Additionally, if you have any spare equipment you would like to donate, please email us, and we’d love to chat about it.

  • Yes, all donations given to The Grove Church are fully tax deductible under 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

  • Yes, you will receive a receipt by email whenever you donate to The Grove.

  • Our desire is to not live “paycheck to paycheck” as a church because that wouldn’t be the most secure feeling for anyone. Therefore, if new donors could start giving regularly as soon as possible, then our hope is that a financial buffer would be created between now and when the Nelsons move to Union Grove, this would potentially safeguard us from financial emergencies that are hard to predict. Thank you for prayerfully considering this!

  • If you prayerfully decide to become financial donors, your last month of giving to The Grove will be December, 2029 since we plan on being independent of all outside financial support by that date.

Partnership