Church teaches the Bible, reaches out through missions
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers PREACHING TEAM- Pastor Errol Hale, left, founded what is now called Grace Bible Church 27 years ago to share the Word of God with local residents. Longtime church member James Urquidez was recently appointed as co-pastor to work with Hale. "His whole ministry is based on the foundation of the Bible," said Urquidez.

Leader of the congregation at Grace Bible Church, Pastor Errol Hale, doesn't make any concessions to gain popularity. He presents himself as a man of principles who wants to use the gospel to influence the world- without compromise.

"The church belongs to God- not any of us. We're not here to entertain, we're here to instruct, inspire and to encourage," said Hale, who founded his first church in Moorpark in the mid-1980s.

"Hale is a man of conviction. He's very 'black and white' in many subjects, in a positive way. He seeks to form his opinions based on scriptures and he's not a compromiser about that," said co-pastor James Urquidez.

Hale grew up in Simi Valley and moved to Moorpark in 1974. He bought his first home here at age 17 and married wife Frances shortly thereafter.

The grandson of former Moorpark resident Howard Jones- a preacher who started a Baptist church in Moorpark in the early 1970s- Hale didn't plan to become a clergymember until he was in his mid-20s.

Though raised in a Christian home, Hale was not converted until 1976, when he and Frances were brought to the Lord through the witness of a co-worker, he said. The two served in several Baptist churches and in a Calvary Chapel until Errol graduated from International Bible College and Seminary with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in church history.

Hale earned his doctorate in practical theology from Master's Graduate School of Divinity.

He started to preach to a small group of people in his living room and soon founded Shiloh Community Church in 1985.

The church was renamed Grace Bible Church in 2004 because the designation is more indicative of the congregation's beliefs, said Hale. Grace Bible Church is part of the Fellowship of Independent Reformed Evangelicals, a unifying network for independent reformed churches.

"God saves people based on grace, not our efforts or religion," said Hale. The "Bible" part of the name indicates that church members believe the holy book is the sole authority for all matters of faith and practice. "We place a high premium on teaching the Bible," Hale said.

Grace Bible ministries include adult education programs, children ministries and outreach.

The church supports missionaries throughout the world. "Grace is committed to local evangelism and world missions," said Hale. It is presently supporting M'Liss Spero, a Grace Bible member who is serving with a team of missionaries in Papua, New Guinea.

Co-pastor Urquidez came to the area 20 years ago and is now leading Grace Bible with Hale.

"I was rudderless in the world, but when I came into this church I found direction," said Urquidez, a hardwood flooring contractor.

He became a deacon at Grace Bible in 1992 and subsequently served as an elder. In 1997, Uriquidez and his family went to Mexico for two years and lived and worked at an orphanage.

When Urquidez returned in 1999, he became involved in many aspects of ministry, including leadership, missions and outreach, maintenance, and teaching in both children's Sunday school and adult meetings. He became a staff member at the church in 2002 and was ordained last month.

For more information and/or meeting times, contact the church office at (805) 529-5577.