Gray Road Baptist Church gathers on the south side of Indianapolis as a multigenerational congregation shaped by a four-part purpose: Exalting Jesus, Equipping Christians, Encouraging One Another, and Engaging the World. The church's commitments are anchored in the conviction that Scripture is authoritative and sufficient, and that God reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. From a single campus on South Gray Road, the church has built a steady weekly rhythm of gathered worship, midweek discipleship, intergenerational Bible study, and global mission partnership. Adjacent to the church building, Gray Road Christian School extends the ministry into the school week.
Sunday Mornings on Gray Road
Sunday mornings follow a clear shape. Adult Sunday School classes meet at 9:30 AM and are open to any adult, regardless of age or life stage. They move through books and sections of the Bible, with occasional doctrinal studies mixed in.
The main worship service begins at 10:30 AM and includes singing, corporate prayer, and a sermon that explains and applies God's Word to daily life. Music draws from older hymns and contemporary praise songs, with the emphasis on biblical truth rather than style. Teaching and preaching typically use the English Standard Version, and ESV Bibles are available in the pews. The Lord's Supper is observed on the first Sunday of each month, and all who trust in Christ as Savior and Lord are welcome to participate. Visitors wondering what to wear or what to expect can find a short guide on the church's I'm New page.
Growth Groups and Wednesday Nights
Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM are the church's midweek anchor. Growth Groups - small, Word-driven communities - gather to pray for one another and discuss the previous Sunday's sermon, focusing on understanding and applying the Bible to daily life and praying for unsaved family, friends, and acquaintances. The stated aim is growth in understanding the Word, growth in living it out, growth in prayer, and growth in speaking the Word into the lives of others.
Childcare and student programming are available on campus during this hour, so families can attend together. The same Wednesday-night rhythm provides the framework for the Student Ministry in grades 6 through 12 and for Praise Factory, the children's Wednesday program.
Children and Students
Children and students are woven into the life of the church rather than set apart from it. Nursery care is available during Sunday School, the worship service, and on Wednesday nights. Preschool classes meet every Sunday morning.
Elementary children join the congregation at the start of worship, sing with the church, and are dismissed to Kids Church. On the first Sunday of each month, they remain for the full service. Children's Sunday School classes work through the storyline of the Bible on a three-year cycle. On Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM, elementary children gather for Praise Factory, where they study the big ideas of the Christian faith in a setting designed to be engaging and fun.
The Student Ministry aims to partner with parents in raising teenagers in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. On Wednesday nights, students in grades 6 through 12 meet together to sing, read Scripture, and break into small groups for discussion and prayer. On Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM, middle school and high school meet in separate classes.
Women in the Word
Women in the Word (WITW) is the church's women's Bible study ministry. Two groups meet on Thursdays during the school year: a morning group at 9:30 AM and an evening group at 7:00 PM. Studies typically move through books of the Bible and classic works of Christian theology.
Grace & Truth Counseling
Grace & Truth Counseling is the church's biblical counseling ministry. The team counsels with a firm commitment to God's Word, helping people walk away from sin and walk through suffering. Counselors are trained, tested, and approved by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
Missions and the Annual Conference
Engaging the world with the gospel shapes the church's calendar and partnerships. The Annual Missions Conference gathers guest speakers from partner ministries for Sunday morning services and a Wednesday evening program, followed by a Praise Banquet. Beyond the annual conference, Gray Road supports mission partners around the world, with a particular burden for unreached people groups.
Beliefs and Membership
Gray Road Baptist Church holds to a confession rooted in biblical orthodoxy: Scripture is authoritative and sufficient; God exists and reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; all people are made in God's image, have rebelled in sin, and need redemption; that redemption was accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, applied by the Holy Spirit to bring spiritual life, repentance, and faith; and Christ will physically return to judge the living and the dead, eternally rewarding those who trust in Him and punishing those who reject Him.
The church encourages Christians not merely to attend but to belong, and offers a membership class for those who want to commit formally to worshipping and serving alongside the congregation.
Pastors and Elders
Toby Johnson serves as Senior Pastor, with Chad McFadden as Pastor. Four elders - Kevin Shingleton, Gary Strange, James Banister, and John Tierney - shepherd the congregation alongside the pastoral staff, providing governance and spiritual care. Ben Flora directs the Student Ministry. The church offices sit at 5500 S. Gray Road and are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM.