Grace Bible Church in Grandville, Michigan, is an independent, non-denominational congregation founded in 1933. It is known for consistent biblical teaching through expository preaching, a blended service of traditional hymns and contemporary worship songs, Bible study for every generation, close Care Groups, and sustained support for foreign and local missions.
Its motto, "Know Christ, Grow in His grace, and Go for His glory," captures the church's pattern: hear the truth of God's Word, grow through discipleship and fellowship, and serve with the gifts God has given. Grace Bible Church regards the Bible as God's inspired Word and final authority, and it regularly celebrates Communion and believer's baptism. A typical Sunday brings about 170 to 190 people, with attendance fluctuating between summer and winter.
Growing in Grace in Grandville Since 1933
Grace Bible Church began in 1933 as a local fellowship of believers with one final authoritative standard for faith and conduct: the Bible. More than nine decades later, the church still centers on growing in grace, biblical teaching and a church life shared across generations. Its mission is to make Christ known, stand on the authority of God's Word and encourage believers to grow in grace within a biblical community.
Members and attenders are each part of a Care Group, a team of elders, deacons and deaconesses that provides care, prayer and fellowship. Occasional all-church gatherings include an annual picnic as well as game nights, while regular ladies' fellowship gatherings and men's breakfasts offer smaller settings for connection. The church also emphasizes being kind and compassionate, forgiving as Christ forgives, so that people can experience grace while being built up in the Word.
Sunday at 10:15: Scripture, Song and Expository Preaching
The weekly Sunday worship service begins at 10:15 a.m. and typically runs 75 minutes, ending at 11:30 a.m. Scripture-based worship includes corporate singing, responsive public readings, corporate prayer and expository preaching that delves deeply into the text. The style is primarily traditional, while modern worship songs led by a praise band create a blended experience. The Grace Choir performs most Sundays and adds a substantial musical dimension to the service.
The congregation sings both hymns and worship songs rooted in biblical truths, with music intended to be singable by the whole assembly. Scripture is woven throughout the service through public and corporate readings and the sermon. Each Sunday's worship is also livestreamed through Grace Bible Church's YouTube channel.
Clothing at Grace ranges from more formal dress to very casual attire, and the church's practical direction is to come dressed as comfortably as possible. The worship is Christ-centered and biblically based, acknowledging God's holiness and practicing worship both corporately and individually within the body of Christ.
One Hour for Adults, Children and Youth
Before worship, the 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Sunday Bible study hour gathers adults, children and youth in separate classes. Grace Kids serves ages 2 to 5 and age 6 through fifth grade with singing, Bible teaching and games intended to show children who Jesus is and to help them live for Him. The youth class covers grades 6 through 12. Nursery is available during both the Bible study hour and worship.
Grace Bible Church comes alongside parents to disciple children with biblical truth and help them practice that truth every day. The children's teaching emphasizes Jesus, God's grace and salvation through Christ. The youth ministry sets three primary goals: teach what is good, right and true according to the Bible, lead those lost in sin to the light of Jesus Christ's finished work, and encourage students to live for God's glory.
Adult classes vary as much in content as in format. Some are lecture-style while others are interactive, and men's discipleship, ladies' Bible study, church history and other classes are among the Bible study hour's offerings. The informal approach allows participants to interact and both give and receive benefit from the class.
Care Groups, Life Groups and a Welcome for Newcomers
Life Groups extend fellowship and teaching beyond the Sunday morning hour. They pursue deep Christian community through caring relationships, becoming more like Christ, spiritual transformation in loving environments, encouragement toward love and good works, and mutual discipleship in which experienced believers share with those who are learning. Groups can meet on different nights and at different frequencies during the week.
Grace surrounds people with care through its Care Groups. Every member or attender belongs to a group made up of elders, deacons and deaconesses. New people are welcomed by the Hospitality group and regular attenders, then integrated into Care Groups so they are supported and informed. Occasional greeting times for new attenders follow the morning worship service.
At each building entrance and near the sanctuary doors, greeters are ready to answer questions and point people in the right direction. A Welcome Center gives first-time visitors a welcome gift. The three entrances are on the north, west and east sides of the building, with greeters positioned to direct people through the building.
Choir, Handbells and Instrumental Praise
The Grace Choir is made up of men and women in high school and above. Beyond leading the congregation, the choir sings a variety of musical styles, shares regular prayer and fellowship, and rehearses Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. from September through May. Membership is open to anyone high school age and older.
The Grace Handbell Ensemble offers another way to use musical ability in worship. It plays throughout the year and rehearses Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.; training can be provided. Instrumental praise teams vary the instrumentation from week to week, using organ, piano, guitars, percussion, brass and strings to support congregational praise.
During the summer, when the choir is on break, smaller praise teams help lead Sunday worship. Their Sunday morning rehearsal runs from 8:00 to 8:30 a.m., and musicians do not have to belong to the choir to participate. Dr. Mark Taylor, the church's Director of Music & Worship, leads these music ministries.
Foreign Mission Support and Local Service
Foreign missionary support is one of Grace Bible Church's longest-standing traditions. For more than 90 years the church has provided regular monthly support, along with project-based gifts for particular needs. Some missionaries serve in other parts of the world and others serve stateside. An annual missionary conference helps the congregation understand their work, and a Christmas Card drive sends hundreds of cards to missionaries each year.
About 23 percent of all gifts to Grace goes to missionary support. This global focus accompanies the church's practical care for families and neighbors in Grandville. Local outreach includes Backpack Buddies, which provides food for children during the school year, and Garments of Praise, which helps clothe local children and occasionally adults. Grace partners with East Elementary, working with the principal and teachers to support families and occasionally provide meals for school staff.
Members also provide meals for families in need and transportation for people who cannot drive. The church's annual July 4 outreach provides water and opens its building for parade participants who need to cool off or use a restroom. A Child Evangelism Fellowship 5-Day club gives children a summer outreach opportunity. Contributions to local and global ministry can be made through secure online giving.
A Bible-Centered Statement of Faith
Grace Bible Church is independent and non-denominational, embracing the biblical teachings of historically confessing evangelicals. Its understanding of basic biblical truth aligns with the ancient Creeds, the New Hampshire Confession and the First London Confession of 1646. The Bible is God-inspired, without error and final authority for faith, conduct and church life.
The church teaches that one God exists eternally as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God created humanity, but people fell into sin and cannot restore themselves. Salvation comes wholly by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ and repentance. Jesus died as the substitute for sinners, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven and will return for all who trust him. The Holy Spirit draws sinners to Christ and equips believers for holiness and service.
The church's role is to exalt God in worship, build up believers through teaching and care, and evangelize a lost world. Grace practices two ordinances: water baptism for those who testify to faith in Christ and desire a new life, and the Lord's Table in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. The church understands itself as a spiritual body marked by love, unity and peace rather than denominational labels.
Parking, Entrances and a Building Made for Access
Grace Bible Church is located at 3715 Wilson Ave. SW in Grandville, Michigan, with a church phone number of 616-538-9350. Multiple parking lots serve the congregation, including accessible parking for people with limited mobility and senior parking. The north, west and east entrances accommodate those with limited mobility, including a wheelchair- or walker-accessible ramp and an elevator. The north entrance is closest to the elevator, while the east entrance has the wheelchair-accessible ramp.
People at each door greet arrivals and point them in the right direction. Restrooms are clearly marked, and people in the foyer can provide additional directions when needed. These practical arrangements support the church's emphasis on making newcomers feel welcome while helping them move comfortably through the building.
Grace for the Long Haul
For more than ninety years, Grace Bible Church has built its identity around the Bible, worship, discipleship, caring relationships and service. Its 1933 beginning, blended Sunday worship, multigenerational classes, longstanding Care Groups, missionary commitment and practical outreach all point to the same central aim: to know Christ, grow in grace and serve His glory in Grandville and beyond.