Grand Parkway Church is an Assemblies of God congregation on FM 1314 in Porter, Texas, whose roots reach back to a small white frame building on Sorters Road in 1947. Today it describes itself as a growing church with a heart for people, where members find warm fellowship, sound biblical teaching and ministries suited for all ages.
Eight Decades on FM 1314
The church was founded in November 1947 by Rev. Floyd Sorters under the name Pinecrest Assembly of God. For several years the congregation met in a modest white frame building on Sorters Road in Porter. As the church grew, a new building was constructed in 1973. The building was only partially finished when Rev. Robert Durham became pastor in February 1977, and the work of completing and remodeling the sanctuary and classrooms continued as attendance increased.
Over the following years the church went through four more building phases, enlarging the existing facilities as the need arose. Eventually the congregation outgrew that location and purchased land on FM 1314, where the first phase of a new complex - the Family Life Center - was completed in November 2002. The church continues to anticipate the next phase, which will add a new sanctuary along with more classrooms and offices.
Sunday Mornings and Wednesday Nights
Sunday School begins at 9:30 am, with the main Worship Service following at 10:30 am; GPC Kids Church meets at the same hour so that families can attend together. The events calendar also lists an 11:00 am Church Service hour. Communion is observed on the first Sunday of each month.
Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm bring an adult Bible Study alongside Royal Rangers and Missionettes for children. The office is open Tuesday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, and the same phone line (281-354-3332) serves as a prayer line.
GPC Kids
GPC Kids is the children's ministry, organized into age-appropriate classrooms: Nursery for ages 0 to 2, GPC Tots for ages 2 to 3, GPC JR for kindergarten through first grade, and GPC Kids for second through fifth grade. Each class uses curriculum suited to its age group, with a format that blends praise, dynamic object lessons and prayer time to engage mind, body and spirit.
Appointed Student Ministries
Appointed Student Ministries is the junior high program, an acronym standing for Appointed, Anointed and Approved. Students meet for their own weekly service at 7:00 pm on Wednesdays while parents attend the adult Bible study, taking part in Bible-oriented activities designed to teach biblical principles.
Iron Men, Women's Ministry and 2 Hearts
Iron Men gathers men ages 16 and up for quarterly meetings centered on worship, service and growing in relationship with Christ. Women's Ministry is open to women 18 and older and centers on praise, worship, fellowship and Bible study, with dinners, trips, weekend getaways and conferences filling out the calendar.
2 Hearts Ministry focuses on marriage, anchored by Romans 12:10: "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." The church also supports Royal Rangers for boys and Missionettes for girls as part of its midweek lineup.
Life Source In-Home Groups
Life Source is the network of In-Home Groups at GPC. Small groups meet on different nights of the week so that nearly any schedule can find a fit. Members gather around God's Word and fellowship, and newcomers can email info@grandparkwaychurch.org or stop by the information center on Sunday to find a group.
Streaming and Giving
Services are livestreamed on YouTube, and audio sermons are posted for later listening. Giving is available online through the church's giving page or by text message: send the desired amount to 812-594-4483 to register an account and contribute from a phone.
What the Church Is Building Toward
Grand Parkway Church states its goal as reaching the lost, establishing strong biblical foundations and raising up spiritually empowered disciples. Its vision is to see believers built up in their personal lives, relationships, marriages, families, finances and businesses on the solid rock of God's Word, ready to face life's challenges and to win the lost for Christ.