2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord...

Peter concluded his second epistle with a challenge broad enough to cover all of life and yet specific enough to affect each day. Growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ implies continual movement in this quest of the lifetime. It assumes an unending growth. There are no limits to the grace and knowledge of our Lord in which we grow.

Just as people grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, so congregations grow as well. Each generation has the opportunity to continue this grand exploration. Admittedly, this growth is not always forward. The church, just like an individual, has sometimes seen reversals, as these pages will show. And it has not always been balanced. Sometimes the scale has dipped in favor of grace and at other times the knowledge of Christ seemed to be dominant.

Yet in spite of all the growing pains and blunders along the way, Locust Grove has indeed grown in the grace and knowledge of our Lord over the past century. I have chosen in this book to highlight the church's growth in grace, not because the knowledge of Christ is not significant, but because this story is a relational story. And grace or its lack is clearly evident in relationships.

The story of Locust Grove has already been written in the lives of all who have ever been a part of the church family. Lives shaped and characters forged endure far longer than ink on pages. In that sense, Locust Grove's story will continue to be written as long as the last family member survives, and her story will be read throughout eternity in heaven.

My role has mostly been that of editor and not writer. I cannot take credit for much of the research or original writing. The first historical overview that we now have was compiled, written, and presented by Gideon S. Glick on the Fiftieth Anniversary and Dedicatory Services held on October 15 & 16, 1949. Bishop Emanuel B. Peachey added to that historical account in an article published in the October 1957 edition of the Locust Grove Echoes. Gerald Peachey, as a student at Eastern Mennonite College and Seminary, conducted more extensive research and compiled his work into a college term paper, just before his ordination in 1971. In 1973 Jonas J. Yoder wrote and published a 70 page booklet, History of the Locust Grove Conservative Mennonite Church, to mark the Seventy-fifth Anniversary of the congregation which was observed on October 13 & 14, 1973. In more recent years, Sanford King has invested countless hours in interviews with older church members. He was appointed Church Historian in April 1977. His numerous articles have appeared in nearly every edition of Locust Grove's Connection during the 1980's and 1990's. I have made extensive use of each of these works.

I make no claim of objectivity in writing. Locust Grove is my home congregation where I first heard of the grace of Jesus. Locust Grove has also been my sphere of ministry for the past fourteen years. I am as proud as a Mennonite can be of the church. I have tried, however, not to ignore Locust Grove's failures.

I am indebted to members of the Centennial Planning Committee and to Lena Yoder for their assistance with compiling information, checking drafts, and assisting with various parts of this project. Marion Hartzler, our church secretary, helped by typing much of the information into the computer. My sister, Jean Byler, was the final proofreader. Her help is deeply appreciated.

I am thankful as well for the patience of my family over the past few months as I have worked on this project. Erie Renno and Mayard Beitzel helped to meet some of the pastoral needs of the church, and the elders encouraged me and helped to free my time as well. This has, indeed, been a team project.

- J. Max Zook, Pastor and Editor