December 4, 2025 at 9:10 a.m.
Grace Baptist Church Unveils New Facility This Christmas Season
Grace Baptist Church, located at 8435 N. State Rd 9, will unveil its new space for its first Christmas-themed service of the holiday season at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 6.
A journey that began more than a year and a half ago culminated in breaking ground for the new site on May 12, says Pastor Scott Bourland of Grace Baptist Church.
"We just knew in our current space, which is good for us, was just getting small," Bourland says. "When we initially bought the shopping center, and this land that the new building is on, it was all part of our plan and direction."
Grace Baptist Church will open it's new space Saturday, December 6. Photo credit; Scott Bourland.
Preliminary work carried on though progress was slow, he says. Then, for two weeks in July, a mass of people came and really helped get so much done, he says.
Compared to the original space's auditorium, which was crowded to capacity with a congregation of 70, the new facility will seat 150 very comfortably.
New worship space at Grace Baptist Church's new facility. Photo credit: Scott Bourland."The former space will still be used at least in part," Bourland says. "We will still use two of those because the new building does not have a dining hall. The other space, where Subway used to be, we aren't quite sure yet. Maybe some creative ministry ideas, we will wait and see."
Grace Baptist first opened its doors with services in March 2020 - in tandem with COVID.
Since that time, the church has experienced continued growth with an uptick in attendance following the assassination of Charlie Kirk in September.
"I think people are returning to the faith," Bourland says. "Strangely, following the Charlie Kirk incident, we've had people express interest. I'm sure it is much bigger than that, but it was part of what some people said caused them to start asking questions and come inquire about our services."
Since it opened, Grace Baptist has welcomed individuals who are new to the faith and don't have much Biblical knowledge, those who have faith but have not had any church affiliation, or those looking to renew their faith.
Historically, there isn't much transfer growth from other churches, Bourland adds.
"There's two sides, one side is you kind of expect the growth because this is what we are working towards and God is on our side," he says. "But, at the same time, there are no guarantees. You do the right thing, but can't control the results. It is very fulfilling to see the church is being used to change lives and bring hope into people's hearts."
Bourland says the church will continue sharing the Gospel with more people in terms of salvation where their faith really makes a difference in their life.
It is one thing to say one has faith, he says, but it is quite another to live it out and see the positive effect it has in one's life.
"The first service [on Saturday] will be kicking off our Christmas theme all month long," Bourland says. "We will continue with the theme throughout the season. it is a happy coincidence, so to speak, that those who have dovetailed together."
