Our Church History...

In December, 1979, the Lord directed a few faithful, dedicated people in the establishment of Grace Bible Church. This represented the end of a long period during which this group earnestly prayed for the founding of a fundamental New Testament Church.

The organizational meeting was attended by ten adults and three children. At this meeting a full-time pastor, Lyndel Stone, was named and all leadership positions were filled. The organizing members were: Rev. Lyndel Stone, Betty Stone, James M. Page, Miriam Page, Ruth Page, Ruth G. Page, James Page Jr., Mary Toliver, Thomas Toliver and Phyllis Toliver. Outstanding among outreach functions of this group would be missions support, preaching and teaching the Word of God, and discipleship. An abandoned sanctuary located at 1534 East Washington Street was rented and worship services began in February, 1980.

During Pastor Stone's tenure, the church constitution was written and ratified. Pastor Stone worked tirelessly and faithfully in his position until June, 1980. In the seven months following Pastor Stone's departure, the pulpit was adequately filled by seminary students and others.

In December 1980, Rev. Aaron Lavender, sensing the leading of the Holy Spirit, requested that he be considered for the position of pastor. The church membership reacted affirmatively and unanimously, and on March 1, 1981, Aaron Lavender became full-time pastor. He provided leadership and continued progress toward accomplishing the church's vision. Under Pastor Lavender's leadership, the church continued to grow. The Lord blessed and the building was purchased. In September, 1986, Pastor Lavender was called to a full-time ministry in Kansas City, Missouri.

With the pulpit vacant again, visiting ministers from Appalachian Bible College and others preached and taught the Word. During that period Rev. Matthew Watts and several members of the church he had pastored began to worship with our congregation. Rev. Watts became interim pastor on June 1, 1987, and served until September 30 of that year. While he was interim pastor, Rev. Watts lead the church in the acquisition of the lot next door, which is now the parking lot.

In October, 1987, Rev. Ray Hoskins accepted the full-time pastorate. During his tenure here at Grace, he introduced a number of ministries and continued the work of evangelism and discipleship. In 1991, he launched "Project Z" with the intent of rebuilding or remodeling the existing building. Pastor Hoskins departed in 1994 and Rev. Matthew J. Watts accepted the pastorate here on October 2, 1994.

Pastor Watts has spearheaded many community ministries and continues to lead the church in the area of evangelism and discipleship. Under his leadership, "Project Z" was fulfilled and we moved into our current worship facilities in February, 1996. The establishment and existence of Grace Bible Church was and continues to be the marvelous work of God. Because we chose to listen to Christ's leading, we can thankfully say that there, "Ain't No Doubt, He Brought Us Out".