Our History

The Church is people - God's people in relationship with Him and with each other. It is far more than its leaders and its buildings. But they are, admittedly, two of the most visible aspects of the Church. To see God's most important work here, get to know the people of Grace Church. But just to give you some benchmarks in our history, here's a brief record of the leaders God has given us and the buildings He has led us to erect in order to worship and serve Him.

In 1969 God called together a group of believers with a burden to establish an Evangelical Free Church in the Newfoundland, New Jersey area. Their purpose? -- To worship and serve God and minister to their community. With the encouragement of District Superintendent Rev. Arne Hansen and under the leadership of Bud Voreland, prayer meetings and Bible studies began in the Paradise Knolls School. By the fall of 1972 the pioneer group was able to call their first full-time pastor, Ronald Hugill. Services were held at the St. Thomas the Apostle Church until 1973 when the group moved to the White Rock School.

During Pastor Wallace Bloomquist's ministry (1974-1983) the church purchased the 5 1/2 acre site of our present church. Dedication of the sanctuary in 1977 was attended by over 500 people. In 1981 the foyer at the back of our sanctuary and the classrooms below were added to accommodate the growing congregation. That same year, about a dozen families were commissioned to become the nucleus of a new church body in Sussex, New Jersey. Hope Evangelical Free Church continues an effective ministry there today.

Pastor Richard Hess served Grace Church as pastor from 1983 until 1987, when Edward Scherlacher became the interim pastor and then the full time pastor here. Growth during Pastor Scherlacher's ministry led to the addition of a new wing for classrooms and a meeting room. Pastor Scherlacher served until early in 1996. Pastor Barry Liffiton was called to serve Grace Church in the fall of 1996 and began his ministry as our Senior Pastor at the start of 1997. As of 2008 our current Senior Pastor is Rev. Terry Komrska.

Rev. Terry R. Komrska - Senior Pastor

pastorterry@gefcnj.org

Pastor Terry heard the call to ministry in 1980 while serving in the United States Air Force. Since then, he has developed strong Bible teaching and preaching skills and has successfully designed, implemented, and directed ministries for children and youth, as well as successful ministries among adults, including small groups, mission trips and numerous outreach events. He has also served as a counselor, written and directed several plays, and has played and sung in a number of musical groups.

Pastor Terry holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Elmhurst College in Illinois. He also holds a Masters of Divinity degree from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.

A full-time pastor since 1990, Pastor Terry’s passion is on helping people grasp the meaning of faith and to make it real in their everyday lives. Pastor Terry, his wife Tamera, and their daughter Jeana are originally from the Midwest.

Mrs. Margaret Brandell - Worship Director

music@gefcnj.org

Margaret serves Grace Church as Music Director. Her primary focus is to coordinate the planning and directing of a blend of traditional and contemporary music for our Sunday morning worship, and she occasionally works with children in holiday programs and/or Vacation Bible School. She also participates in our mid-week Coffeehouse, which focuses on contemporary worship music and discussion. Margaret previously served as the Office Manager here at Grace for many years.

Margaret holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Princeton, NJ, where her major was in Church Music and Organ. Her career as a musician has always included church music and piano teaching.

She and Roy have lived in Jefferson Township for over 30 years. They have two grown children and two grandsons.

Mrs. Robin Roodenburg - Office Manager

office@gefcnj.org

Robin became a staff member of Grace in January of 2008. Previously she would come in to cover for Margaret when she was out of town. She has attended Grace for 22 years.

Robin has worked with children and youth of all ages for most of her life. She grew up in Bergen County the eldest of 6 children. She has volunteered for various positions in church: nursery, 2/3’s, Sunday school teacher, VBS teacher, Children’s Church Coordinator and Youth Leader.

Robin has lived in Jefferson Township since 1984. She and her husband, Ted, have two children, Rebecca and Stephen.