Gazing upon Grace Bible Church today, it’s hard to fathom its humble beginnings rooted in dissent. The story of Grace Bible Church begins in the 1940s. It started with a disagreement within the Nacogdoches Presbyterian Church. Some Sunday school teachers questioned the divine inspiration of scripture.
These teachers were dismissed from their duties. In the fall of 1940, thirty-six people committed to Christian fundamentals formed what we now know as Grace Bible Church. Their first meetings were held in the basement of the Liberty Hotel. That building is now known as the Gladys Hampton Building.
In the spring of 1941, James Comstock became the pastor. He was a recent graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary. In March 1942, the church bought a building on Fredonia Street and Hospital Street. The Southern Presbyterian Church had disbanded and left it vacant.
James Comstock resigned in October 1943. He accepted a chaplaincy in Dallas, Texas. Later, he founded Shenandoah Bible College of Roanoke, Virginia. Elmer Henderson began his ministry at Grace Bible Church in November 1944. He served until his retirement in 1968.
Recognizing the need for expansion, Grace Bible Church purchased a lot on Hayter Street and Raguet Street. A building committee was formed. The new building was dedicated on July 29, 1951. The large bell next to the present sanctuary was moved from the old church’s belfry.
A spiritual revival swept across college campuses in 1969 including Stephen F. Austin. Many college students started attending Grace Bible Church. This led to two services each Sunday morning in the old chapel. Pastor John Smeltzer taught systematic theology on Sunday nights. These meetings were very popular. Several women of Grace decided to feed the college students on Sunday nights because Stephen F. Austin closed its dining halls on Sunday evenings. These free meals became known as “Lupper” and later “College Night Out.” Six students went on to graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary. They became full-time Christian workers.
Grace Bible Church began implementing small group Bible studies in 1975. There were seven small groups that met in private homes. These groups invited new families into the church. Today, Grace has over 20 small groups. They meet all over Nacogdoches County. In the late 1970s, the church built a new sanctuary facing Hayter Street. They also built a new Educational Complex and a Fellowship Hall on Wettermark Street.
The congregation grew rapidly in 1993. Two services were instituted on Sunday mornings. Small group ministry was emphasized again. The college ministry was expanded and renamed “Crosspoint.” Missions have always been a large part of the ministry at Grace Bible Church.
In 2000, the church grew again. It built a new sanctuary across Hayter Street. This almost doubled the seating capacity. The former sanctuary space was converted to classrooms.
From 2014 to 2016, differences arose over doctrine, vision, and church governance. These differences led to a “split”. The remaining leaders relied on the Lord for wisdom. The congregation focused on four key discipleship values. These are Word, Worship, Service, and Family. In April 2018, Dr. Brent Bullard became the senior pastor.
Grace Bible Church has always rested on the authority of the Word of God. The elders oversee the ministries. They maintain the mission of making fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. The church has a skilled and loving staff team.
Grace’s members drive three specific ministry teams. These are Facilities and Maintenance, Finance and Administration, and Campus Development. These teams care for the facilities, manage the budget, and anticipate growth.
Grace Bible Church has sent thousands of disciples into churches around the world. They serve as healthy church leaders and members. Grace Bible Church stands as a testament to faith, resilience, and commitment to Christian values. Its history is one of growth, adaptation, and unwavering devotion to God’s word.