ED GROSS BIO SKETCH

• Born 1954 in upstate NY - the 3rd of 5 sons of Dr. Ralph Gross (Ruth) - who became dental missionaries to Africa in 1972.

• Married 1976 to Deborah Dickerson and parents of Charity (1979), John (1981), Faith (1983) and Hope (1985). Charity married South African Tshepo Mutloatse in 2002. Faith married South African Christo Schutte in 2004. First grandchild - De’Amour Jeremiah Mutloatse - born May 15, 2008.

• BA in Biblical Literature (Shelton College, Cape Canaveral, FL - 1975). MDiv (Faith Theological Seminary, Elkins Park, PA-1978), Doctor of Missiology (Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL -1988) Diss - Power Encounter in Selected Writings of the Major Princeton Theologians.

• Pastored in Knoxville, TN prior to going to Africa in 1980. Led church planting teams in organizing new congregations in Philadelphia and Gwynedd Valley, PA and in South Africa (Pretoria area). Led the development of the NCA (Northwest Christian Alliance) of evangelical churches in Philly’s NW section.

• Made many mission trips to Africa (including Liberia, Chad, Kenya and most recently South Africa) ranging from 2 weeks to 3 years. Principal of the Bible College of East Africa (Kenya). Taught the full range of missiology courses* at Biblical Seminary (Hatfield, PA 1991-94). In SA helped to plant a multi-ethnic church near Pretoria and helped start the King’s Hope Development Foundation.

• Taught 20 courses at the Bible College (BA) level in Kenya. Has taught 10 courses on Theology and Pastoral/Practical Theology at the M Div American seminary level plus the following missiological courses: Theology of Mission, History of Missions, Intro to Cultural Anthropology, World Religions, Contextualization, Missionary Problems, Issues in Missiology, Intro to Urban Church Planting, Spiritual Warfare’ Intro to Missions.

• See – “Ed’s Other Books” for published works and “Our Ministry” for present ministry.

ED'S MINISTRY DESCRIPTION:

Regional Ministry-

• Serving with CityNet Ministries as “Coordinator of Strategic Alliances”
• Connecting with and encouraging struggling, lonely Evangelical pastors
• Gathering the pastors in community-based Alliances for mutual edification, accountability and in-community ministry
• Linking these leaders with CityNet’s LAMP (Leadership and Ministry Preparation) courses for further seminary-quality theological studies.
• Starting Men’s Fraternity Groups in each new Alliance
• Identifying unreached immigrant groups in Philly for missional outreach
• Merging churches to achieve the critical mass needed for urban ministry
• Bringing Alliances throughout city together for nights of praise & prayer
• Writing works relevant to American Christian’s need for love and unity

International Ministry-

• Praying with Debby for Back to the Bible Training Center (BBTC) and S Africa
• Teaching the students at BBTC 6 courses per year
• Counseling and mentoring male students and staff at BBTC one on one
• Assisting P Moengai, P Noge & E Lekodiba with their ministries
• Travelling with Debby to churches and homes throughout South Africa preaching the Gospel and encouraging unity among SA’s Christians
• Writing works relevant to the needs of Christians in Africa 
• Helping a pastor and his European ministry to MMBs (Muslim Background Believers) in Europe.

DEBBY'S MINISTRY DESCRIPTIONS

Regional Ministry-

• Engage with Ed in a ministry of prayer for Philly pastors and their wives.
• Through relationships help encourage and strengthen pastor’s wives.
• Join Ed to give my perspective when consulting female leaders.
• Travel with Ed to share speaking at churches in or out of the area.
• Host pastors and their wives in our home to encourage and build relationships

International Ministry-

• Pray with Ed while at Back to the Bible Training Center (BBTC) in South Africa for its ministry and the personal concerns of its students and staff.
• Establish relationships with female students and staff at BBTC to influence them in the Gospel of Jesus.
• Strengthen women with biblical counsel at BBTC one on one as needed.
• Join Ed with counseling and encouraging couples at BBTC as needed.
• Instruct female students in areas of Christian life and home.
• Travel with Ed to churches and homes throughout South Africa sharing my testimony and the Gospel.
• Pray with Ed for the European ministry to Muslim Background Believers (MBB’s) and for the many concerns of team members some from other mission
   agencies.
• Establish relationships to disciple female MBB’s and evangelize female seekers.
• Engage in a ministry of love, encouragement and help to encourage MBB leaders concerning their marriages, kids and ministry.