GBC's Building Expansion Campaign
Grace Bible Church Then And Now
In 1934, a group of people began meeting every Saturday night for prayer and Bible Study. As opportunities to minister grew, they began meeting in an empty store front on Main Street. Eventually, a new building was dedicated for worship to the LORD, originally with the name of Grace Gospel Tabernacle. As the LORD has blessed and prospered His people here, in 1999 we moved to our current location. The 1999 plans included various Phases for future developments including an expanded Children’s wing (completed in 2002), a larger Worship Center, Welcome Center, Fireside Room, Office and Youth Room (completed in 2004). In 2009, the Upper Room was built to accommodate the growing Junior High ministry. But as in 1934 and along the way, the LORD has continued to provide opportunities for us to minister beyond what the building can cope with. After much prayer and discussion, the elders feel that the time has come to consider proceeding with the next/last Phase of the plans.
We hope you will read the FAQs below and prayerfully consider whether you would be willing to support this project. As always, the leadership of Grace Bible Church covets your prayers for wisdom and direction from the LORD as we seek His will, His glory and His timing in all our lives.
FAQ's
The first phase of the building project is nearly complete! We were able to open the West expansion on Nov. 28, 2021. This phase of the expansion includes a new Youth Room, an ADA-accessible Jr. High Room, a new, larger Activity Center, a new Kitchen, another large classroom, new bathrooms, and several offices.
A few finishing touches are yet to be completed in the new Activity Center, but we look forward to utilizing this new space for the furthering of ministry.
The final piece of the puzzle in this building expansion is one of the primary reasons the expansion was started in the first place: The Chapel.
The Chapel will be a 350 seat auditorium, and will occupy the space where our old Activity Center is now.
The Chapel will fill a major gap in our facility’s available rooms. We have many functions and events that are too large for any of the classroom spaces, yet too small for the Worship Center and for which the Activity Center isn’t suitable (no one wants to get married in a basketball court, right?). The Chapel will provide a perfect alternative for events with up to 350 people, and will have its own Kitchen to easily accommodate events with food.
Grace Bible Church has a no-debt policy, so we will only build in accordance with available funds to cover the costs. Construction on the interior of the Chapel will begin in Feb. 2022. If giving allows, we could apply for occupancy and start using the Chapel by the end of 2022!
As of Nov. 2021, we still need to raise at least $800,000 to be able to complete the Chapel.
The first step was the foundation (completed June 2020), then the shell of the new building, framing was completed in summer, roofing was completed in November and interior work (electrical, ducting, hvac, lighting etc) are still being done as of February 2021. There is more drywall to be done in the new activity center, kitchen and work out room. And floors, carpets, paint, furniture…but the fact is, it is getting done by and by and we praise the Lord! Once the new work is done and approved for occupancy, work will begin on converting the existing activity center into a chapel.
The most important need is prayer for God’s guidance and wisdom. The main material need is financial and you can select BUILDING FUND from the dropdown menu on the GIVE item at the top of this page.
We are planning to hire additional administrative staff members to maintain the now larger space. Utilities will also increase marginally.