“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” Titus 2:11 NKJV
A Bible-believing congregation in Mount Carmel, Illinois determined to continue serving the Lord together.
A March 23, 1940 article in the Mt. Carmel Daily Republican Register carried the headline: “Grace Memorial Church is name chosen by group.” Pastor Albert Fauth stated: “it will be undenominational, but will fellowship with the churches of the city and all Christians who believe and cherish the fundamental doctrines of faith. We will meet in the Masonic Hall until our new church is completed. We wish to express our appreciation to the people of Mt. Carmel for their words of encouragement and assistance in this new undertaking and trust that as the days come and go we’ll be of service in a spiritual way to our entire community.”
Albert Fauth and his wife Alma, graduates of Moody Bible Institute, continued the ministry of Grace Memorial, following the prior leadership of the Reverend Leroy “Preach” and Audry Blackburn.
June 1940, Grace Memorial purchased property at the corner of Fourth and Poplar Streets and immediately began to remodel it into a church worship facility. In the meantime, the congregation continued to worship in the lower floor of the Masonic Hall. A member of the congregation said, “In unity there is strength; in strength there is power; and in power to reach lost souls there is great joy.”
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.'” Romans 1:16-17 NKJV
The newly remodeled Grace Memorial Church building was dedicated September 15, 1940, with Rev. Herman Reich preaching.
During their student years at Moody Bible Institute, the Blackburns connected with Paul Rader and the Chicago Gospel Tabernacle. It was Rader who challenged Victor Cory to leave secular employment and to use his talents in full-time ministry, beginning with the founding of Tabernacle Press, publisher of Tabernacle Hymns.
It became the official hymnal of Second Street Baptist (forerunner of Grace Memorial).
In 1931, Victor Cory founded Scripture Press: “The Whole Word for the Whole World.”
Grace Memorial chose Scripture Press for Sunday school and Bible teaching materials.
Grace Memorial Church selected “Wonderful Grace of Jesus,” by Haldor Lillenas, as their theme song.
Warren Wiersbe comments on Titus 2:11: “People could not save themselves. God’s grace had to bring salvation to lost mankind. This salvation was not discovered by sinners; it appeared to them via the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God in His grace sent His Son to redeem those in the bondage of sin. This salvation is for ‘all men’ who receive it. There is a universal need, and God provided a universal remedy for all who will believe.”
Because pastor Albert Fauth wanted to qualify as a candidate for chaplaincy in the Armed Forces, Grace Memorial affiliated with the Independent Fundamental Churches of America.
When I was a student at Greenville (Illinois) College, Haldor Lillenas was a guest speaker in chapel, and I had the privilege of meeting him. He shared the story of arriving just after a Chicagoland Youth for Christ rally was getting underway, being thrilled as he listened to the band and chorus perform “Wonderful Grace of Jesus.”
While a student at Bob Jones University, Loren Jones, who had been soloist and choir director for Billy Sunday and others, turned the entire student body into a mass choir, singing “Wonderful Grace of Jesus.”
In Scripture Press publications “Sunday” and “Power,” I read articles about outstanding Christian leaders, including “Singing I Go” – George Beverly Shea; and “Young Man on Fire,” the story of Torrey Johnson and Youth for Christ.
When Charles and Mary Pedersen took over the pastorate at Grace Memorial, they brought the Youth for Christ concept to Mount Carmel.
Pedersen encouraged participation by the pastors and people of First Baptist, First Methodist, Free Methodist, Evangelical United Brethren, Pentecostal Assembly of God, and Church of God. Each pastor chose two teenagers for the steering committee. Every Sunday following evening services, a local church hosted a “Singspiration.” A monthly Youth for Christ rally was held at the Mt. Carmel High School girls gym.
My personal involvement as a high school student with Youth for Christ set the stage, provided a platform, and thrust me into a lifetime of sharing the wonderful grace of Jesus.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Praise His name!