GRO-GU - PEOPLE-FILES
- Craig Groeschel - Judah Ari Gross - Kevin Grove - Emanuel Grozea - Wayne Grudem - Ernest Gruen - Anna Grummitt - Michael Gryboski - Matthew Gunter - James C Guy - David Guzik -
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==craig groeschel======
Earl McClellan kicks off Passion 2026 warning against conference highs, points students to Christ alone
According to organizers, Passion 2026 was created to encourage long-term spiritual formation in young adults. Since its founding three decades ago, the Passion movement has expanded into a global network of events, worship music and campus outreach efforts aimed at young adults. Other speakers at Passion 2026 include Sadie Robertson Huff, Jonathan Pokluda, Craig Groeschel and others.
(Christian Post; 1.2.26) READMORE>>>>>
According to organizers, Passion 2026 was created to encourage long-term spiritual formation in young adults. Since its founding three decades ago, the Passion movement has expanded into a global network of events, worship music and campus outreach efforts aimed at young adults. Other speakers at Passion 2026 include Sadie Robertson Huff, Jonathan Pokluda, Craig Groeschel and others.
(Christian Post; 1.2.26) READMORE>>>>>
==judah ari gross======
Judah Ari Gross is managing editor at eJewishPhilanthropy. Prior to joining eJP, Judah was a correspondent for the Times of Israel, reporting first on the military and then on Israel-Diaspora affairs and religion. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, and Haifa University. Judah is an inaugural Elson Israel fellow at the Jewish Federation of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and lives with his family in Zichron Ya’akov, Israel.
Why did so many influential Jews dine with a murderer at the White House?
As Judah Ari Gross writes in eJewishPhilanthropy: The American Jewish institutional power that was far more potent in 1981 has been supplanted by the influence of individual American Jews, including those in attendance at last night’s White House dinner. “For Jewish businesspeople to have connections with the Saudis is not only not problematic, they can be a bridge,” Freilich said. However, Freilich warned that while they can have an influence on geopolitical events, these Jewish business leaders are inherently constrained and are not a sufficient substitute. “Sure, they have clout, but they need to use it judiciously,” he said. That is why American Jews need to have a “really strong lobby,” Freilich said. “They don’t have the power that they once did, and that’s a real problem. (Religion News Service 11/21/25) READMORE>>>>
As Judah Ari Gross writes in eJewishPhilanthropy: The American Jewish institutional power that was far more potent in 1981 has been supplanted by the influence of individual American Jews, including those in attendance at last night’s White House dinner. “For Jewish businesspeople to have connections with the Saudis is not only not problematic, they can be a bridge,” Freilich said. However, Freilich warned that while they can have an influence on geopolitical events, these Jewish business leaders are inherently constrained and are not a sufficient substitute. “Sure, they have clout, but they need to use it judiciously,” he said. That is why American Jews need to have a “really strong lobby,” Freilich said. “They don’t have the power that they once did, and that’s a real problem. (Religion News Service 11/21/25) READMORE>>>>
==kevin grove======
Morning Rundown: Gateway Church Faces Lawsuit Over Money-Back Guarantee on Tithes
Gateway Church, a prominent megachurch in Southlake, Texas, is facing a new legal challenge after four members filed a class action lawsuit alleging misuse of tithe money. The lawsuit, filed by Katherine and Garry Leach, along with Mark and Terri Browder, claims that Gateway Church, under the leadership of disgraced founder Robert Morris and other top leaders, failed to honor promises of transparency and accountability regarding church funds. Specifically, the members allege the church did not allocate 15% of tithes to global missions and Jewish ministry partners, as previously stated. The lawsuit accuses Gateway Church leaders, including Morris, former executive pastor Tom Lane, and current executive global pastor Kevin Grove, of fraud, misrepresentation and breach of contract. The plaintiffs argue that despite assurances from Morris that dissatisfied members could receive a refund of their tithes, these promises were not upheld. The legal filing states, “This lawsuit is about transparency, brought by members whose concern is not money in their pockets but rather biblical stewardship.” (Charisma 10/9/24) READ MORE>>>>>
Gateway Church, a prominent megachurch in Southlake, Texas, is facing a new legal challenge after four members filed a class action lawsuit alleging misuse of tithe money. The lawsuit, filed by Katherine and Garry Leach, along with Mark and Terri Browder, claims that Gateway Church, under the leadership of disgraced founder Robert Morris and other top leaders, failed to honor promises of transparency and accountability regarding church funds. Specifically, the members allege the church did not allocate 15% of tithes to global missions and Jewish ministry partners, as previously stated. The lawsuit accuses Gateway Church leaders, including Morris, former executive pastor Tom Lane, and current executive global pastor Kevin Grove, of fraud, misrepresentation and breach of contract. The plaintiffs argue that despite assurances from Morris that dissatisfied members could receive a refund of their tithes, these promises were not upheld. The legal filing states, “This lawsuit is about transparency, brought by members whose concern is not money in their pockets but rather biblical stewardship.” (Charisma 10/9/24) READ MORE>>>>>
==emanuel grozea======
March 9, 2023: Baptist Press: WEEK OF PRAYER: Romanian planter starts multicultural church in diverse area of New York City
When the Romanian-speaking Maranatha Baptist no longer spoke the language of the majority of their neighbors, they lost their ability to engage people with the gospel. Most of the remaining members didn’t live in the neighborhood. It seemed to be only a matter of time before the church folded.
That’s when the church called Romanian Pastor Emanuel Grozea as the next pastor.
When the Romanian-speaking Maranatha Baptist no longer spoke the language of the majority of their neighbors, they lost their ability to engage people with the gospel. Most of the remaining members didn’t live in the neighborhood. It seemed to be only a matter of time before the church folded.
That’s when the church called Romanian Pastor Emanuel Grozea as the next pastor.
==wayne grudem======
Why Evangelicals Couldn’t Care Less About Trump’s Epstein Scandal
In October 2016, when an audio recording surfaced of Donald Trump bragging to Access Hollywood host Billy Bush that he could kiss and grope the genitals of any woman he pleased because he was a star, one of America’s most venerated evangelical scholars withdrew his endorsement of Trump’s presidential run. It’s impossible to overstate the impact of Wayne Grudem’s reversal. Pastors, theologians, and academics revered the Harvard and Cambridge-educated ethicist, co-founder of the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and translator of the English Standard Version of the Bible. Just three months before the tape was released, Grudem had penned an essay for the politically conservative publication Town Hall titled “Why Voting for Donald Trump Is a Morally Good Choice.” In it, he wrote, “I did not support Trump in the primary season. I even spoke against him at a pastors’ conference in February. But now I plan to vote for him. I do not think it is right to call him an ‘evil candidate.’ I think rather he is a good candidate with flaws.” His first reason justifying this support was what Clinton would do to the Supreme Court. Three months later, after the tapes were released, he told the same publication that Trump’s remarks were “morally evil.” (Mother Jones 8/8/25) READMORE>>>>>
In October 2016, when an audio recording surfaced of Donald Trump bragging to Access Hollywood host Billy Bush that he could kiss and grope the genitals of any woman he pleased because he was a star, one of America’s most venerated evangelical scholars withdrew his endorsement of Trump’s presidential run. It’s impossible to overstate the impact of Wayne Grudem’s reversal. Pastors, theologians, and academics revered the Harvard and Cambridge-educated ethicist, co-founder of the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and translator of the English Standard Version of the Bible. Just three months before the tape was released, Grudem had penned an essay for the politically conservative publication Town Hall titled “Why Voting for Donald Trump Is a Morally Good Choice.” In it, he wrote, “I did not support Trump in the primary season. I even spoke against him at a pastors’ conference in February. But now I plan to vote for him. I do not think it is right to call him an ‘evil candidate.’ I think rather he is a good candidate with flaws.” His first reason justifying this support was what Clinton would do to the Supreme Court. Three months later, after the tapes were released, he told the same publication that Trump’s remarks were “morally evil.” (Mother Jones 8/8/25) READMORE>>>>>
Are all sins the same in God’s eyes, or are some sins worse than others? All sins are the same in the sense that each renders a person guilty and worthy of God’s wrath. The root of all sin is autonomy and replacement of God with self. However small a sin may seem, it is an assertion that the person is acting independently of God. Eating fruit from a tree in a garden, like Adam and Eve did, might not seem immoral and may seem minor compared to other crimes, but it was an act of iniquity that had grave consequences for the human race. Breaking any command is an assault against the divine Lawgiver. James declared, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For he who said, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ also said, ‘Do not murder.’ If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law” (James 2:10–11). Grudem is correct that “in terms of our legal standing before God, any one sin, even what may seem to be a very small one, makes us legally guilty before God and therefore worthy of eternal punishment.” Even one sin against an infinitely holy God demands an infinite punishment. --John MacArthur
==ernest gruen======
Pastor Ernest J. Gruen is the son of a devout Baptist deacon. He was converted at the age of nine and called to preach at age 19. He pastored Baptist churches for ten years in the Wichita and Kansas City area. Pastor Gruen graduated from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, with honors and received his Masters of Divinity from Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas City, Kansas. He founded Full Faith Church of Love, which grew to an average Sunday morning attendance of 2,500. This spirit-filled inter-denominational church became a teaching center for the heart of the United States. He managed a staff of over ninety, including twelve pastors, Christian schoolteachers, and support personnel. He pastored that church for twenty-seven years. Pastor Gruen and his churches have always been strongly committed to missions. He also mentored and discipled younger pastors, while overseeing a network of fifteen churches in the Kansas City area. He has ministered extensively in the United States and internationally in Holland, Germany, England, Israel, Kenya, Mexico, Canada, and the former Soviet Union. He has ministered extensively in the United States and internationally in Holland, Germany, England, Israel, Kenya, Mexico, Canada, and the former Soviet Union. He has over twenty-eight years of radio experience, with his own daily radio program. He had a weekly television broadcast for eleven years. Pastor Gruen is the author of five books and a tract: "Freedom to Choose"—a national bestseller concerning deliverance. This book has been translated into Spanish, Afrikaans, Chinese, and Urdu.
"Freedom to Grow"—a selection of meaningful sermons. "Touching the Heart of God"—a detailed study of prayer. "The Giver and His Gifts” was released in 2001. This book is an exhaustive study of the 25 gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Baptism into the Holy Spirit. It is being translated in the language of Pakistan—Urdu; Spanish, and the nation of Indian in the language Malayalam. "But God Gives More Grace"—a detailed study of humility as a spiritual law. The tract is entitled “Have you received the Holy Spirit?”—which has enabled thousands to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
"Freedom to Grow"—a selection of meaningful sermons. "Touching the Heart of God"—a detailed study of prayer. "The Giver and His Gifts” was released in 2001. This book is an exhaustive study of the 25 gifts of the Holy Spirit and the Baptism into the Holy Spirit. It is being translated in the language of Pakistan—Urdu; Spanish, and the nation of Indian in the language Malayalam. "But God Gives More Grace"—a detailed study of humility as a spiritual law. The tract is entitled “Have you received the Holy Spirit?”—which has enabled thousands to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
'All of our sins, rottenness, and filthy, everything that we have done wrong, was laid on Jesus, and God could no longer look at His Son because of our sin. Therefore, Jesus cried out with this pathetic cry "Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani?.." ("My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" --Ernest Gruen; Freedom to Choose
"Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Jehoshua, which means, 'he will Save'"
--Ernest Gruen; Freedom to Choose
--Ernest Gruen; Freedom to Choose
==anna grummitt======
Youth Editor at Centre for Public Christianity. Studies at Sydney Missionary & Bible College, Studied TESOL at UTS: University of Technology Sydney, Studied BA Media Communications at University of Sydney, Lives in Sydney, Australia
Anna Grummitt
Outsider and unbeliever though I am, he made me feel like a member of his search party. … And he made me feel loved—by him and by his God.”
Last Friday, Timothy Keller, one of this generation’s best-known Christian leaders, died after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Although I never met him, Tim Keller had a profound impact on my life. His 2008 bestselling book The Reason for God solidified my faith and became a go-to gift for friends with questions about Christianity. His small-group studies helped me integrate my beliefs with my whole life. His sermon on Psalm 42 encouraged me in a period of doubt, and his Atlantic article ‘Growing my Faith in the Face of Death’ strengthened me when cancer hit my own family.
But after reading tributes to him, I’ve been struck not just by the huge influence he had on Christians like me, but also by how he is remembered by those who aren’t in his camp.
In particular, the above quote from journalist Jonathan Ranch stood out to me. As an atheist, Ranch admits he “can’t understand Tim’s world.” But through Keller, he says, he got “glimpses of it”—glimpses of a world with humility, love, and grace at its core. -Anna Grummitt; CPX: May 23, 2023
Last Friday, Timothy Keller, one of this generation’s best-known Christian leaders, died after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Although I never met him, Tim Keller had a profound impact on my life. His 2008 bestselling book The Reason for God solidified my faith and became a go-to gift for friends with questions about Christianity. His small-group studies helped me integrate my beliefs with my whole life. His sermon on Psalm 42 encouraged me in a period of doubt, and his Atlantic article ‘Growing my Faith in the Face of Death’ strengthened me when cancer hit my own family.
But after reading tributes to him, I’ve been struck not just by the huge influence he had on Christians like me, but also by how he is remembered by those who aren’t in his camp.
In particular, the above quote from journalist Jonathan Ranch stood out to me. As an atheist, Ranch admits he “can’t understand Tim’s world.” But through Keller, he says, he got “glimpses of it”—glimpses of a world with humility, love, and grace at its core. -Anna Grummitt; CPX: May 23, 2023
==michael gryboski======
Michael Gryboski has been a reporter with The Christian Post since 2011. He covers politics, church and ministries, court cases, and other issues. He has written extensively on issues like litigation over conservative congregations leaving The Episcopal Church, the longstanding debate within the United Methodist Church over homosexuality, court cases on various social issues, and the evangelical community.
March 9, 2023: Christian Post: 'Full of surprises': Understanding stunning moments, realities at the heart of the Asbury revival
Americans are still discussing, dissecting and exploring the impact of the massive revivals that unfolded last month at Asbury University and other American campuses.
Christian Post reporter Michael Gryboski joined the most recent episode of “The Inside Story” to give the full scoop on what unfolded, why it matters — and to explain why these spiritual moments and movements were filled with so many surprises.
Americans are still discussing, dissecting and exploring the impact of the massive revivals that unfolded last month at Asbury University and other American campuses.
Christian Post reporter Michael Gryboski joined the most recent episode of “The Inside Story” to give the full scoop on what unfolded, why it matters — and to explain why these spiritual moments and movements were filled with so many surprises.
==matthew gunter======
Mar 7, 2023: Christian Post: Frank Griswold, former head of Episcopal Church, dies at age 85
The Rev. Matthew Gunter, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, took to Twitter on Sunday to give his condolences, noting his personal history with the former presiding bishop.
The Rev. Matthew Gunter, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, took to Twitter on Sunday to give his condolences, noting his personal history with the former presiding bishop.
Nov 22, 2023: ENS: Wisconsin Dioceses Launch Cooperative Ministry
“For many years, there has been conversation about coming together for camp,” Bishop Matt Gunter of Fond du Lac notes. “The positive comments about this idea has grown, especially these past two years. I’ve heard from youth and adults, clergy and laity, campers and staff, asking why we aren’t doing camp together” Bishop Jeff Lee of Milwaukee also heard similar comments. Fond du Lac summer camp sessions in 2021 and 2022 included campers and staff from the Dioceses of Eau Claire and Milwaukee.
“For many years, there has been conversation about coming together for camp,” Bishop Matt Gunter of Fond du Lac notes. “The positive comments about this idea has grown, especially these past two years. I’ve heard from youth and adults, clergy and laity, campers and staff, asking why we aren’t doing camp together” Bishop Jeff Lee of Milwaukee also heard similar comments. Fond du Lac summer camp sessions in 2021 and 2022 included campers and staff from the Dioceses of Eau Claire and Milwaukee.
==james c guy======
James C Guy
"I realize it is possible to practice masturbation without lusting. It is undoubtedly difficult, but yet, possible. Some say they do it as a “biological release,” but without thinking about anyone or lusting over anyone in particular. However, many find it difficult to do so without lusting, especially those who are addicted to the practice. This is because they feel there is a "need" to do it on a regular basis to fulfill lustful desires. Christians (usually) understand sex outside of marriage to be sinful. The Bible teaches that it is (Hebrews 13:4; II Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19-21). So, we may “substitute” the adultery and fornication with masturbation in such a way that it simply replaces the act itself. Jesus says that in doing so, you have committed it in your heart (Matthew 5:28). You lusted and desired that person in such a way that you thought about and even acted out what you might do with that person if it were not a sin. One sin does not justify another. " --James C Guy
==david guzik======
 David Guzik
The troublemakers among the Corinthian Christians who stirred up contention against Paul didn’t only attack Paul; they also attacked the true Jesus by preaching another Jesus. Who was this “other Jesus?” Because of the way the Corinthian Christians despised Paul’s image of weakness and unimpressive appearance, the false Jesus promoted among them was probably one who knew no weakness, persecution, humiliation, suffering, or death. This “super Jesus” was another Jesus, not the real Jesus, and another Jesus isn’t real and cannot save.
The Jesus different from what Paul and other faithful apostles had preached was from a different spirit andpresented a different gospel. This was the dangerous, even spiritually deadly error that Paul had warned the Christians in Galatia against (Galatians 1:8-9). In that Galatians 1 passage, Paul explained that those who preached a different gospel should be accursed by God. Paul described these “different gospel” preachers as he who comes. This set them in contrast to God’s true apostles. An apostle is “one who is sent.” These troublemakers were the opposite of apostles. One could say of them, he who comes. Of an apostle, one would say “one who is sent” by God. These false apostles had simply come; they were not really sent by God. The problem wasn’t so much that these false teachers had come among the Christians in Corinth. The more significant problem was that the Corinthian Christians put up with them when they should have rejected them and cast them out. These false teachers were a bad influence that were accepted among the Corinthian believers. --David Guzik; Enduring Word |
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David Guzik
Against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt: Israel’s rejection and disregard of God were all the more inexcusable in light of God’s great deliverance. When He brought Israel up from the land of Egypt, God proved His love and care for Israel; for God to speak against them shows He must have been sorely provoked. God made a clear connection between the great privilege of Israel (you only have I known) and the great responsibility this privilege brings (therefore I will punish you). If Israel thought that their standing as a specially chosen nation made them less responsible before God, they were tragically mistaken.
--David Guzik; Enduring Word
--David Guzik; Enduring Word
David Guzik
Built her house: Adam Clarke described the general understanding of this figure from the early church fathers and medieval theologians: “The house built by wisdom is the holy humanity of Jesus Christ; the seven pillars are the seven sacraments, or the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost, or the whole of the apostles, preachers, and ministers of the Church; the slain beasts are the sacrifice of Christ’s body upon the cross; and the bread and mingled wine are the bread
and wine in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper!” Of this, Clarke wrote: “men have produced strange creatures of their own brain, by way of explanation.” Hewn out her seven pillars: The primary idea is that wisdom’s house is large, well-appointed, and unshakable. Through the centuries, various commentators have not been able to resist seeing some symbolic meaning in her seven pillars. “i.e. many pillars; whereby is intimated both the beauty and the stability of the church.
Pillars; prophets, and apostles, and ministers of holy things, which in Scripture are called pillars, as Galatians 2:9, and elsewhere.” -David Guzik; Enduring Word
and wine in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper!” Of this, Clarke wrote: “men have produced strange creatures of their own brain, by way of explanation.” Hewn out her seven pillars: The primary idea is that wisdom’s house is large, well-appointed, and unshakable. Through the centuries, various commentators have not been able to resist seeing some symbolic meaning in her seven pillars. “i.e. many pillars; whereby is intimated both the beauty and the stability of the church.
Pillars; prophets, and apostles, and ministers of holy things, which in Scripture are called pillars, as Galatians 2:9, and elsewhere.” -David Guzik; Enduring Word
