Ben

Pastor Ben and Michelle Godard

Throughout Ben and Michelle’s time of ministry, they praise God for all the greats that have gone before them setting the example how to follow after Jesus. Ben’s parents taught him the importance of working out his own salvation with fear and trembling.

Pastor Hal and Pam Santos taught Ben and Michelle the importance of prioritizing marriage, parenting, and ministry life. Nathan Bell taught them the importance of having true grit in ministry. Bob and Cindy Sayre taught the importance of blessing others.

The Godard’s started attending Grace Church in Fairview Heights in 2004. Shortly after, October of that year, both Ben and Michelle were saved and started serving the church by teaching Sunday school to middle school students, and leading home groups. In February 2007, Ben and Michelle, along with their three sons, moved to China to serve
under the leadership of Nathan Bell, founder of the Home of Hope Orphanages. Early in 2010, Ben and Michelle opened and administrated the third Home of Hope in Pingyu. They faithfully served the left behind children in China for 13 years.

In January 2020, due to several different circumstances, the Godard family travelled back to America returning to Grace Church. There, they developed the young adult ministry before stepping into the youth pastor position. Seeing that the doors were closed to their return to China, and the need to help their three sons transition back to a life in the US, the opportunity to step into the lead pastoral role at Grace was prayerfully accepted by the Godard’s in January 2023. Pastor Ben’s vision is to lead the church to be committed to have a growing relationship with Jesus. He is passionate about equipping the laborers how to go out into all the world making disciples of all people.