A Work for the Glory of God
It began with the Lord working in the lives of some of His choice servants. On one side God was burdening the heart of Henry Rice to see a fundamental Baptist Church established in the Royston area that would hold to the Word of God as its sole authority and preach the Gospel of Christ. Though Henry was a “soul winner”, he never felt like the Lord had “called him to preach/pastor”; so he continued to pray from this burden.
At the same time, the Lord was working in the heart of a young preacher, Frank Owens. God had placed in Frank’s heart a burning fire to see Independent Baptist Churches raised up that would stand on the pillar and ground of the Truth of God’s Word. A sovereign God put the two together. On the first Sunday in December of 1965, in the home of Henry and Jean Rice, along with their three young daughters, Sheila, Pam, and Denise; and Pastor Frank and LouAnn Owens and their two children, Frank Jr. and Stephanie, Grace Baptist Church of Royston was established for the Glory of God. Jean refers to it as a “Humble Beginning” and what would become a ministry that God would use to literally reach around the world!
In 1966, the church moved into a store front/warehouse in the town area of Royston. The Lord was blessing and souls were being saved and added to the church. Pastor Owens saw the need for the church to have “its own church building”, so after much prayer and the leading of the Lord, a tract of land was purchased on what is now “Grace Baptist Church Road”. Construction was soon started and in 1967 they moved into the building, again to the Glory of God in how He provided in the construction of the church building.
At the same time, the Lord was working in the heart of a young preacher, Frank Owens. God had placed in Frank’s heart a burning fire to see Independent Baptist Churches raised up that would stand on the pillar and ground of the Truth of God’s Word. A sovereign God put the two together. On the first Sunday in December of 1965, in the home of Henry and Jean Rice, along with their three young daughters, Sheila, Pam, and Denise; and Pastor Frank and LouAnn Owens and their two children, Frank Jr. and Stephanie, Grace Baptist Church of Royston was established for the Glory of God. Jean refers to it as a “Humble Beginning” and what would become a ministry that God would use to literally reach around the world!
In 1966, the church moved into a store front/warehouse in the town area of Royston. The Lord was blessing and souls were being saved and added to the church. Pastor Owens saw the need for the church to have “its own church building”, so after much prayer and the leading of the Lord, a tract of land was purchased on what is now “Grace Baptist Church Road”. Construction was soon started and in 1967 they moved into the building, again to the Glory of God in how He provided in the construction of the church building.
The Lord has continued to bless the ministry of GBC, and in 2011, once again to the honor and glory of the Lord, it was able to move into the current building totally debt free by the Goodness of God. From such a “Humble Beginning”, the Lord has richly blessed Grace Baptist Church and its outreach. Not only is GBC reaching the area around it, but the Lord has allowed GBC to have missions support in over eight different countries around the world. To God be the Glory!
“Only fear the LORD, and serve him in the truth with all your heart:
for consider how great things he hath done for you.”
I Samuel 12:24
for consider how great things he hath done for you.”
I Samuel 12:24