Pastor Ernest J. Gruen

Pastor Ernest J. Gruen, 72, Lenexa, Kansas, passed away Monday, June 1, 2009 at home. Pastor Ernest J. Gruen

Born in Salina, Kansas, the son of Samuel and Edna May (Wells) Gruen, Pastor Ernest J. Gruen was raised on a Kansas wheat farm outside of Abilene. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Samuel Edward and Richard Eugene.

Ernie accepted the Lord as his personal Saviour at the age of nine and was called to preach at age 19. After graduating from Friends University (Wichita, Kansas) with honors, he received his Masters of Divinity from Central Baptist Seminary (Kansas City, Kansas.) He pastored Baptist churches for ten years in Wichita and in the Kansas City area before founding Full Faith Church of Love in 1966. He pastored that church for twenty-seven years including twenty-eight years of radio and television broadcasting.

Ernie married his wife, Delores, on April 28th, 1956. They have four children, Michele (spouse: J.D. Noble), Renée, Michael (spouse: Charina), and Cheryl (spouse: Randy Ringeisen), and six grandchildren, Rachel Ringeisen, Grant Noble, Kylie Noble, Jacquelyn Gruen, Elizabeth Ringeisen, and Justine Gruen all living in the greater Kansas City area.

Pastor Gruen wrote six books and as a result, started Grace and Mercy Ministries in order to distribute his books. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to Grace and Mercy Ministries in order to facilitate translations of his books in Thailand and India. (7819 Twilight Lane, Lenexa, KS 66216, www.erniegruen.com)

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Grace and Mercy Ministries, 7819 Twilight Lane, Lenexa, Kansas 66216.

Visitation and Memorial Service

Visitation will be 6-8:00 p.m., Thursday, June 4, 2009 at The Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. A Memorial Service will be 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 5, 2009 at Westside Family Church, 8500 Woodsonia Drive, Lenexa, Kansas 66227.