“Seeking an extraordinary God” is not just a motto here. It is the heartbeat of Helotes Independent Baptist Church. Founded in 1982, Helotes Independent Baptist Church began with just seven faithful believers.
Pastor Don Stone was called to lead them. He arrived in the fall of 1982. These few members were what remained of Helotes Bible Church. Before that, it was Grey Forest Chapel.
The chapel first met in a home on July 10, 1977. Nine founding members gathered. By September, they outgrew the house. They moved to the Grey Forest Youth Building. In November, Rusty Maddox became their pastor.
But they needed a permanent home. In 1979, they built a church in Helotes. This is now the fellowship area of Helotes Independent Baptist Church. The congregation grew to over 100 members. They held many weekly services. These included visitation, nursery, and music ministries.
The church changed its name on November 24, 1981. Grey Forest Chapel became Helotes Bible Church. Soon after, Pastor Maddox left for a church in Corpus Christi.
John Hernandez, one of the seven remaining members, contacted Pastor Stone. Stone was an associate pastor in Marion, Texas. He felt God wanted him elsewhere. On August 29, 1982, Pastor Stone visited the church. He knew immediately this was where he belonged.
Pastor Stone preached his first service on September 12, 1982. It was the church’s anniversary Sunday. The church began to grow again. Seven members quickly became over 100. The Lord provided everything they needed. They built the present-day sanctuary. An anonymous donor even gave land behind the church.
Under Pastor Stone, Helotes Independent Baptist Church helped start three other churches. They sent a missionary to Honduras. They began a bus ministry. They also mentored many future preachers. Pastor Stone baptized an 84-year-old man after he was saved. This was one of his greatest honors.
Pastor Stone led Helotes Independent Baptist Church for 29 years. He passed away on October 5, 2011. He had battled liver cancer for a year.
For several years, God filled the pulpit. The church struggled. But God was preparing a new pastor. In April 2017, Pastor Joshua Kelley was called. God had been preparing him for this role.
The church started growing again. God was working through Helotes Independent Baptist Church. They restarted old ministries and began new ones.
Pastor Kelley needed help. In May 2020, Austin Binkley and his family joined the church. Binkley assisted Pastor Kelley with the ministries.
Pastor Kelley continues to lead Helotes Independent Baptist Church. God is still working through the church.
For over 40 years, Helotes Independent Baptist Church has been a light in Helotes. It is a family-oriented church. It is a place where members and visitors learn from the Bible. They do this in a friendly and loving environment. Helotes Independent Baptist Church is an independent fundamental KJV Baptist church. It has served the San Antonio area since 1982. Here, all services are interpreted in American Sign Language. You will find grace among friends at Helotes Independent Baptist.