The Grove in Riverside honors retiring Senior Pastor Tom Lance

The Grove Community Church came together to celebrate its Senior Pastor Tom Lance and his wife, Carol, for 45 years of service.

• Tom Lance, senior pastor of The Grove Community Church in Riverside, was saluted for his years of service during Celebration Weekend the weekend of Feb. 8, 2020. From left are Lance; his wife, Carol Lance; Natalie Bishop; and Daniel Bishop. The Bishops will succeed the Lances, who will remain on staff in different roles. (Photo courtesy of The Grove Community Church)

• During Celebration Weekend, the weekend of Feb. 8, 2020, The Grove Community Church in Riverside, thanked Senior Pastor Tom Lance and his wife, Carol, for their 45 years of service. Lance is retiring but will stay on as pastor emeritus. Carol Lance will be small group director. (Photo courtesy of The Grove Community Church)

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• Tom Lance, senior pastor of The Grove Community Church in Riverside, right, is seen during his retirement celebration the weekend of Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. To Lance's left is Pastor Daniel Bishop, his successor. (Photo courtesy of The Grove Community Church)

• Tom Lance, senior pastor at The Grove Community Church in Riverside, prays for his successor Daniel Bishop during Lance's retirement celebration the weekend of Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020. (Photo courtesy of The Grove Community Church)

Events the weekend of Saturday, Feb. 8, thanked the couple, while officially welcoming the new lead pastor, Daniel Bishop, and his wife, Natalie. Bishop already was a pastor at the church.

The Lances, who were senior pastors for 25 years, will take a six-month sabbatical but stay on the church's staff as pastor emeritus and small groups director, respectively.

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