Pastor Spivey Says Goodbye to Grace Pointe Church

It's been said that a good pastor can make or break a church, and for the last five years, the Grace Pointe Community Church of God has had a phenomenal pastor in Jim Spivey. It was announced earlier this month that Spivey had taken on a new church in Danville, Va. Feb. 26 was his last official service at the church.

For Spivey, this goodbye is nothing short of bittersweet.

"We loved being here - my family came together here," Spivey said.

Spivey and his wife Ondria finalized the adoption of their three daughters while living in Williamsburg.

"Williamsburg will hold a special place in our heart on what it is meant to our family," Spivey said. "This community is an opportunity to do God's Work – and it's full of loving, wonderful kind people. It's a great place to go to church."

When asked what he will miss most about Grace Pointe – immediately, the people come to mind.

"I've made some long-lasting friendships with the church, my family has been well-loved and well-taken care of and it has truly been an honor to be the Pastor of this church, and a part of this great community," Spivey said.

When questioned about the area, Spivey said that he will miss Ritchey's Ice Cream, Mamie's Café, and Curve baseball.

Shirley Kurtz-Flaugh and her husband Paul presented Spivey with a Curve baseball as a going-away present.

"Pastor Spivey loved and was very compassionate toward the needs of his parishioners," Shirley said. "Your hurts were his hurts, and he had a special way of comforting you. He and his family will be sadly missed, but we support his new advancement in his pastoral work in the Church of God denomination."

The Grace Pointe Community Church of God has had a long-standing list of pastors that have come and gone and left an indelible mark on the people of the church.

"I want to be remembered for loving the community, caring about the people and was always willing to do what needed to be done," Spivey said.

Martinsburg Mayor and Grace Pointe Church member Rich Brantner Sr. will remember the Spivey family with love and respect.

"We will absolutely miss them. We understand that pastors come and go, but we want them to know that they can come back anytime to visit," Brantner said.

Spivey said the Veteran's Day Service is his highlight every year. Following the Veteran's Day service, the church puts on a fellowship meal for church members and guests, which Spivey said is another highlight.

"Just being able to fellowship with the veterans is treat enough. Williamsburg should be proud of all the veterans in the community, and it was my honor to honor them," Spivey said.

On Sunday's emotional church service, Pastor Spivey praised a lot of the people in the church and offered communion as their last time together.

Spivey also noted that the former pastor of the church Dennis Pruitt died earlier this week, and offered condolences to his wife Linda and family.

"This church was built on the foundation that the Pruitt's left here," Spivey said.