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Grace Baptist
CHURCH
our story
timeline
1977
1978
1980
1985
1987
1997
Grace Baptist Church held its first business meeting in December 1977. Plans were made to rent an existing building at the corner of South 23rd Street and "G" Avenue. Kenneth White was the founding pastor. The first Sunday School was held with 31 in attendance. The name "Grace Baptist," suggested by Dorothy White, was based on the scriptural truth that God's grace is sufficient to meet all our needs.
Grace Baptist purchased the "G" Avenue building in February 1978 and continued to prosper under the leadership of Pastor White.
The Lord took Pastor White home on April 22, 1980, and John Allen became Pastor in August of that year. A warehouse at 2510 Grand Avenue was leased and transformed into a church; the youth facility remained at the "G" Avenue building. The ground was purchased for a future building site at 2649 "Q" Avenue.
Denny Neal became the Senior Pastor on August 4, 1985. Stan White also joined the staff of Grace Baptist Church as its Youth Pastor.
In March 1987, Pastor White was ordained into the ministry and became the Associate Pastor. That fall, Grace Baptist held its first service in the new church building.
A second building program was begun in 1997, and on November 23 of that year, the new addition was dedicated.
1998
2003
In the fall of 1998, Pastor Rick Moore joined Grace Baptist as Youth Pastor. He continued in this capacity until the Lord called him into evangelism.
In September of 2003, Pastor James Johnson became Grace Baptist’s new Youth Pastor. He continued as Youth Pastor until the Lord called him to the Good News Mission in Indianapolis.
2007
In July of 2007, Pastor Jeremiah Clark became Grace Baptist's Youth Pastor. He continued as Youth Pastor until the Lord called him into evangelism.
2012
In the summer of 2012, Brian Neal was added to the pastoral staff as Children's Pastor. He continued in this capacity until Pastor Jeremiah Clark went into evangelism in 2014. Pastor Brian Neal then became Youth Pastor.
2021
2022
2024
In April of 2021, Pastor Stan White retired from the position of Associate Pastor. Joseph Neal was hired in August of 2021 as Associate Pastor to oversee the Music ministry.
In October of 2022, Pastor Dennis Neal retired after thirty seven years as Senior Pastor and Brian Neal was subsequently voted in as the Senior Pastor.
In the summer of 2024, Matt Malone joined the team as Family Pastor to oversee family ministries and children's programs.