Jessica, the three-year-old adopted daughter of the Rev. Rob and Theresa Francis, knew the answer.
“Where does Jesus live,” asked Francis, 49, Sunday afternoon in the sanctuary of Grace Baptist Church, 214 W. Madison Ave.
“In my heart,” she replied, with a broad smile.
That response is one he would like to hear from other area youth and children, as well as adults.
“The church (Grace Baptist) has had some challenges,” he said, “but we have a tremendously loving congregation that wants to reach out and share the love of God. Grace Baptist Church is all about Jesus Christ. Our purpose is to bring people face-to-face with Jesus.”
Church services draw 20 to 40 people each Sunday, Francis said, with an average this summer of 27.
“But,” he said, “we’re getting new people just about every Sunday. There were quite a few here Sunday.”
Sunday school is at 9:15 a.m., followed by worship services at 10:30. Bible study is Sunday evening at 6 o’clock and mid-week services are Wednesday evenings at 7 o’clock for children, youth and adults. Thirty to 50 youths often flood the church at mid-week.
Saturday was the first of five monthly Bible Boot Camp sessions, running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“They’ll be the third Saturday of each month, except October when it would conflict with Farm-City Days,” Francis said. “We serve lunch along with Bible lessons, music, crafts and recreation.”
His son, Jeremy, 24, is the Saturday event coordinator. Several other church members also help out.
“The boot camp gives us a chance to minister to kids and give the parents time to do some things by themselves,” he said.
The church also has
vacation Bible school during the summer.
While he’s reluctant to say that youth activities are his favorite, they do fit him nicely. His ministerial experience began as a youth minister.
“I have a heart for everyone but youth are a big part of my ministry,” he said.
“So many kids need help,” he allowed, noting that “many parents don’t attend church. We have a nice community, but it’s hurting spiritually as well as economically.”
Grace Baptist did have a program to help those with alcohol and drug problems, called Overcomers, but it has been on hiatus during the summer.
“We’re working to get it started back,” said Francis, who also provides counseling for people who have difficulties associated with drugs and alcohol.
FRANCIS’ road to the ministry was a long and twisted one.
“Mom was a dedicated Christian but Dad never was and I never got into ‘church,’” he said. “I went down the wrong path for many years, even after we (he and wife Theresa) were married.”
In 1990 the Francises purchased a car and the salesman took the opportunity for a little evangelizing, asking whether they attended church.
“I told him my wife did, but I wasn’t interested,” Francis said.
The salesman was persistent. Finally, Francis agreed to attend a service, and “immediately felt the warmth in the church.” He also started attending a Bible study and learned “I wasn’t too bad to be saved.”
“I saw Christ for who he was,” said Francis. “And, from that point on I knew that God had a purpose for me, although at first I wasn’t sure exactly what.”
Eventually, he realized the ministry was his calling and through “a lot of love and patience” from his professors at Vision Christian Bible College and Seminary in Clermont, Fla., he earned a degree in 1997.
His first assignment was at a small country church near Defiance, Ohio. He has been at Iola’s Grace Baptist since June 2006.
FRANCIS was born in Chicago, lived in New Jersey during his early years of elementary school and spent most of his growing-up years in Ohio.
In addition to Jeremy and Jessica, he and wife Theresa have a daughter, Debbie, 28, who will start graduate school soon at Brigham Youth University in Provo, Utah, to work on a master’s degree in theater and drama.
Francis also serves as an Allen County commissioner.
