History

A SHORT ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY OF GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH

Early in 2001, God spoke to Ward and Cheryl Smith’s hearts about the need for a new Fundamental Baptist Church in Parker, CO. Together they sought God’s Will through prayer and fasting. In April, following two survey trips to Parker, Pastor Les Heinz of South Sheridan Baptist Church in Lakewood, CO, officially announced his support of a new church plant under the leadership of the Smiths.

Ward & Cheryl then relocated from Lakewood to Parker in June 2001 after enlisting prayer and financial support from a broad array of churches in Colorado and around the nation. A core group of eleven families from South Sheridan became the new congregation at Grace Baptist Church of Parker, CO.

Grace Baptist Church reflected the vision that came to these families when they thought of what Jesus meant to them. The idea of “Coming to Grace” inspired all of them and so the church name was chosen.

The church first gathered on September 2, 2001 with 45 in attendance at the Lutheran High School of the Rockies. That afternoon meeting was set to determine the church jobs, ministries, outreach, and hospitality to visitors and parking until a suitable location could be found for a meeting place.

September 16, 2001 marked the first official public worship service of Grace Baptist Church with 68 in attendance! The congregation was led in celebrating God’s goodness and praying for His continued provision. Those prayers were answered as GBC became independent just one year later. At the first anniversary, Ward Smith was officially called to become Pastor.

In 2003, a Building Committee was formed to seek out suitable property upon which a permanent church building could be built. The church assembled for eleven years in the shopping center off Plaza Drive and Parker Road. God closed the door on the first property that was considered on Hilltop Road after many city meetings. However, on August 15, 2005, the church purchased 17.9 acres on Pine Drive at Lincoln Ave. The congregation paid off this land debt in only five years!

Then, by God’s Grace, GBC was able to consider a traditional church facility at 10816 S Parker Rd. This building, which had been the First Baptist Church of Parker and then Crossroads Community Church, was purchased in April 2012. The building was partially renovated, and services began there in July of 2012. After months of strategic planning, Grace Baptist is currently in the process of working with the City of Parker to determine a renovation plan for this building. The goal is to expand the children’s classrooms, expand the foyer, and improve the front façade to better represent a traditional church building. 

GBC hired a Youth Pastor, Jake Hilton, who came on board the staff in May of 2023. God is bringing us new families seeking to worship the Lord in a loving and respectful way. We are excited to see what the Lord has in store for 2024 after seeing numbers saved, baptized, and joining the church in 2023.

GBC currently supports 28 missionary families. As our congregation continues to grow physically and spiritually, new studies and opportunities for discipleship have increased in pursuit of our church mission statement which reads: 

GBC strives to glorify God by loving Him and those He created through making disciples. 

If you are searching or have not experienced God’s love in a personal way, we welcome you to come and see that the Lord is real at GBC!