Jack McDonald is new senior pastor at Grace Bible Church

WALL TOWNSHIP — Inside the sacred doors of Grace Bible Church (GBC), the clergy have named a new senior pastor to fill recently retired Randy Smith’s role.

“It’s been a bit of a transition, I used to preach every week on Wednesdays for youth students,” newly-appointed Senior Pastor Jack McDonald said. “Now I’m teaching to the adults on Sunday, which is a little different, but it’s going well.”

Smith, who lives in Lake Como, preached at the Allenwood Church on Squankum-Allenwood Road for 23 years before announcing his retirement from the position earlier this year.

McDonald, a New York native and Brick Township resident, took the helm after being at the church since 2013 on June 23.

“It is an absolute honor and privilege to serve this incredible church. They love Christ deeply, one another selflessly and long to hear the word of God taught so they can express their love for Christ through obedience,” said McDonald in a June 24 Facebook post. “This is what we long to be, pleasing to our lord and savior Jesus Christ is all respects and fruitful as our knowledge and love for him deepens.” Of course, Smith led the ministry one last time before McDonald’s installment.

“Massive shoes to fill, which is not possible for me to do that,” McDonald told The Coast Star. “He’s (Pastor Smith) been a mentor to me for over a decade, basically everything I’ve learned on how to shepherd and guide and care for people I learned from him. He’s a big name not just for our church, but for the town and the Christian community.”

GBC now has eight total pastors/elderman, including McDonald. The church also has 10 deacons.

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