our heritage
timeline
1977
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.
1978
Grace Baptist purchased the "G" Avenue building in February 1978 and continued to prosper under the leadership of Pastor White.
1980
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.
1985
Denny Neal became pastor on August 4, 1985, and has shepherded Grace Baptist Church’s flock since that time. Stan White also joined the staff of Grace Baptist Church as its youth pastor.
1987
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.
1997
A second building program was begun in 1997, and on November 23 of that year, the new addition was dedicated.
1998
In the fall of 1998, Pastor Rick Moore joined Grace Baptist as youth pastor. He continued in this capacity until the Lord called him to be an evangelist.
2003
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 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
In April of 2021, Pastor Stan White retired from the position of associate pastor.
2022
In October, Pastor Dennis Neal retired after thirty seven years as Senior Pastor.