Our History

Grace Baptist Church is a family-oriented ministry concerned with nurturing relationships within the institution ordained, established and structured by God. It is our desire to help strengthen marriages, assist parents in raising children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and encourage unity in the home. It is our vision that the ministries of the church be an asset to each family, and the family, in turn, an asset both to the church and community.

Our Mission Statement

The mission of Grace Baptist Church is to glorify God by carrying out the Great Commission of Jesus Christ (preaching, teaching, baptizing). We desire to reach the City of Parker, the State of Colorado, our country, and ultimately the world with the Good News of salvation. We also welcome new believers into the body of Christ, to bring them to maturity, and commission them in the world-wide missionary endeavor. 

 Grace Baptist Church History

  History of Formative Years

Plans to plant a church in Parker, Colo. began to take shape in early 2001. Ward and Cheryl Smith, who at the time were serving at South Sheridan Baptist Church, were burdened for, and believed they were called, to plant a church in Colorado. After prayerful consideration, they determined that Parker was the area to which the Lord was leading, even though it would not be as convenient as other areas.

      A list of "Prospective Church-Planting Families" was formulated. The list evolved to a “Potential Church-Planting Families” list and after much prayer, many conversations and phone calls, it became a “Core Church-Planting Families” list. The list at that time consisted of 11 families, with 35 adults and children, and we began to grow.

      Pastor Smith established an itinerary reaching from May 6, though September 16, 2001, during which time he would be preaching at various churches throughout Colorado, into Kansas, Nebraska and Michigan. At the various churches, he presented information regarding his call to plant a church in Parker, and enlisted prayer and financial support to aid the establishment of that church. He envisioned September 16, 2001 as a target date for the first public service, and October 1 as the potential date for the purchase of property.

     A meeting with the core family group was held Wednesday, July 11, 2001 in the Nelson Building at South Sheridan Baptist Church. On Tuesday, July 24, 2001 in the evening, a potluck fellowship was held at the Smith Residence in Parker. Pastor Les Heinze was in attendance and spoke, giving a challenge, instruction and encouragement. At this meeting, a list of leadership team opportunities was circulated, a list of ideas as potential for incorporation into the church program, and a list of one-time needs for the church.

     During the weeks of this period, extensive prayer, investigation, and meetings for comparative analysis with regard to cost and convenience were conducted in order to determine the best possible location for a temporary meeting place.

     A meeting was held on August 15, 2001 and by then the location had been narrowed down to two possible meeting places. It seemed the probable choice would be the Lutheran High School. A potential schedule of services as well as a layout of the property was then introduced. 

     On August 22, 2001, a meeting was held and by unanimous vote, the meeting place was to be at the Lutheran High School. Leadership in the various ministries, including the music program and signs for the church, was considered during this meeting.  

     A meeting was held on September 2, 2001 at the Smith Residence. The primary purpose of this meeting was to discuss jobs relative to the functioning of the church, parking, items still needed, types and methods of outreach and hospitality towards visitors.

     An afternoon worship service for the Core Family Group was held in the afternoon of September 9, 2001 at Lutheran High School. Pastor Scott from Woodside Baptist Church, along with a group from that church, joined with Grace Baptist for the meeting. After a period of question and answers, they decided to do visitation work and hand out maps with invitations to visit Grace Baptist Church. The Core Family Group remained for discussion of several matters among which was the Church Constitution. The Constitution of South Sheridan Baptist Church was discussed, addressing specific changes with regard to church name, leadership teams, Deacons, and a finalization of a Constitution for Grace Baptist in approximately 6 months.

     On September 16, 2001, God answered our prayers and by much hard, concentrated effort and cooperation on the part of so many, the first public service was held at Lutheran High School at 1:00 p.m.