The Church at Grace Park gathers each Sunday morning on Hester Drive in White House, Tennessee, a growing city along the I-65 corridor just north of Nashville in Robertson County. The church's purpose is summed up in three short words that appear throughout the campus and its ministries: Know. Grow. Show. - to know God, grow with His family, and show His love to the world. From early-morning hymn singing in the white Chapel to a full band leading worship in the Sanctuary, the church offers three Sunday services that share one sermon across all three.
Three Sunday Gatherings, One Message
The day begins at 8:00 a.m. in the white Chapel, where acoustic guitars and a grand piano lead the room in timeless hymns. The 9:15 a.m. Chapel service offers the same intimate feel, a setting for those who grew up with hymnals, meet-and-greets, and a guest singer offering a "special." Both chapel services carry the flavor of "good ol' fashioned country church," and a single pastor preaches the same sermon at every gathering that morning.
At 10:30 a.m., the Sanctuary Service fills the main worship space, blending newer worship songs with hymns, led by a full band and praise team under Worship Leaders Rachel and Jason Fort. This service carries a more contemporary feel while still weaving in older songs the congregation knows by heart. Services last about an hour, and live chat is open on Facebook during each one for those joining from home.
GP Kids and GP Students
Children from birth through fifth grade are welcomed into GP Kids, which meets at 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. in the Kids Wing connected to the Sanctuary. Sunday School and Kids Worship are offered at each hour, and GP Kids Director Nikki Dowlen leads a team of background-checked volunteers - parents, grandparents, and experienced caregivers. Every child checks in at the GP Kids Welcome Desk, where allergy and contact information is printed on a name sticker and a matching parent sticker for security.
GP Students, for grades 6 through 12, meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Student Center, which sits in the Pavilion building across from the campus baseball and football field. Students gather for Bible study and small groups in the lower level of the white Chapel, then head over for the 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Service. Student Pastor Chase Southerland also leads a Wednesday evening gathering from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., followed by open gym on campus until 9:00 p.m.
Family Viewing Areas and a Mother's Room for nursing are available near the Sanctuary, and the worship service is live-streamed into those rooms so parents don't miss a moment if a child needs attention.
Adult Sunday Classes and Midweek Groups
Adult Sunday Classes meet at 9:15 a.m. across the campus, and a Chapel Class is also offered at 10:30 a.m. The classes include small groups and Bible studies for every stage of life. Bible study groups also gather on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. The classes are organized so a visitor can try one the same Sunday they walk through the door.
Women, Men, and the 50+ Community
Three adult ministries extend the church's reach beyond Sunday mornings. Women of Grace, led by Kiri Cooper, gathers women around Bible study, faith conversations, and service projects, with regular events shared through its Facebook group. Kingdom Men, the men's ministry, encourages men to walk through life together - in their jobs, marriages, parenting, accountability, and spiritual growth - and connects them through a GroupMe chat where men hear about events, prayer requests, and Bible studies. The 50+ Ministry, directed by John and Johnda Mahlberg, brings older adults together for fellowship, service, and shared mission, following the same Know, Grow, Show pattern as the wider church.
Christian Community Schools
Grace Park is closely tied to Christian Community Schools, a private Christian school that operates in connection with the church. The school shares the church's faith foundation and serves as an extension of the same disciple-making mission, with the church's pastor and staff often present at school events.
Beliefs and Affiliations
The Church at Grace Park cooperates with the Southern Baptist Convention and aligns its beliefs with the Baptist Faith and Message. Church and school employees also affirm the Nashville Statement of 2017. Locally, the church is affiliated with the Harvest Baptist Association, the regional body of cooperating Baptist churches in the area.
Senior Pastor Josh Waugh leads a staff that includes Associate Pastor of Operations and Discipleship Eddie Jones, Missions Pastor Jim Ring II, Student Pastor Chase Southerland, GP Kids Director Nikki Dowlen, Women's Ministry Director Kiri Cooper, Sanctuary Worship Leaders Rachel and Jason Fort, and 50+ Ministry Directors John and Johnda Mahlberg.
Outreach, Missions, and the Weekly Bulletin
An Outreach ministry and a Missions Pastor connect the congregation to missionaries and local service opportunities. Each Sunday, a bulletin is published with a note from the pastor, the week's Bible reading, upcoming events, and church news. Past bulletins are archived online so anyone who missed a Sunday can follow along.
Visiting the Campus on Hester Drive
The campus is easy to find from two entrances. The Hester Drive entrance has two driveways, the first leading to the Chapel parking lot and the second to the main Sanctuary. The Sage Road entrance at the back of campus leads past the Ministry Center and Pavilion, with a roundabout that points visitors toward either lot. Guests at the early Chapel services enter through the Chapel doors, and Sanctuary guests come through the main doors, where a volunteer greeter will help them find their way.
The church keeps a "come as you are" atmosphere with no dress code. Some dress up, others wear jeans, and the pastor himself jokes that if he shows up in a suit coat, he might be the only one in the room. A full visitor guide is posted online for those planning a first visit.
Joining Online and Giving
For those who can't attend in person, services are live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Central, with a live chat available on Facebook during each service. Past services can also be watched on demand. An online connection card lets visitors share their information with the church. Online giving is available anytime, and a secure drop box sits outside the main Sanctuary Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for those who prefer to give in person.
The Church at Grace Park is a Southern Baptist congregation that has built its identity around three simple verbs - know, grow, and show - and around a campus where three Sunday services share one pulpit, one message, and one mission in the heart of White House.