At 2001 West Pioneer Parkway in Grand Prairie, Texas, Trinity Baptist Church is known by the motto “Where Church Is Still Church.” Founded in 1957, this independent, fundamental Baptist church is committed to King James preaching, traditional hymns, and a steady rhythm of gatherings for every age. Sunday school, two worship services, and Wednesday Bible study give families, students, adults, and seniors regular places to study the Bible and serve together.
Where Church Is Still Church in Grand Prairie
Trinity Baptist Church describes itself as independent and distinctively Baptist. It pairs conservative theology with an intentionally welcoming spirit, saying that firm doctrine does not make the church “dull or dry.” The Bible shapes both belief and practice. Trinity receives the 66 books from Genesis through Revelation, uses the Masoretic Text for the Old Testament and the Received Text for the New Testament, and names the King James Version as its only official English translation. Its identity centers on preaching, teaching, and living by what Scripture says.
The church summarizes its posture as “conservative in our theology yet liberal in our love.” Its stated aim is for people to gain saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, recognize that grace is not a reason to lower standards, separate unto Jesus, and become “meet for the Master’s use.” The word “Whosoever” expresses its welcome: the church holds a firm view of God’s Word while asking visitors and members alike to experience its love.
From Skyline Road to Pioneer Parkway
Trinity Baptist Church began on November 13, 1957, under Pastor Cecil Vaughn. Its first location was 314 Skyline Road, where Vaughn served until 1963. Pastor Louis Acree succeeded him, and the church built a Sunday School building on that property. Pastor Tom Heath became the next pastor in November 1970, continuing the congregation’s growth.
A new building project began in 1999, and the completed building opened in 2002 at 2001 West Pioneer Parkway. Heath retired in March 2003. Tommy O’Dell later served as pastor; after his death in 2015, Trinity called Steven Giordano, who began as pastor on December 13, 2015. A 2016 internal remodel brought the sanctuary, offices, restrooms, and east and west entrances into a connected foyer arrangement. The work was completed that October.
Under Giordano, Trinity has continued to emphasize global missions and age-specific Sunday School growth. The established groups include children’s ministry, teen ministry, young adults, adults, and senior adults, each with a distinct name and purpose within the life of the church.
Three Gatherings That Help Faith “Thrive”
The weekly rhythm includes three primary services plus Sunday school:
- Sunday School: 9:30 a.m. for all ages
- Sunday Morning Worship: 10:30 a.m.
- Sunday Evening Worship: 6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00 p.m.
All four gatherings take place at Trinity Baptist Church on West Pioneer Parkway. The Sunday services gather people from varied backgrounds around a common purpose of honoring and glorifying the Lord. The evening service explains the motto “Three to Thrive,” which points to Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday gatherings as ways congregants can strengthen their spiritual lives through more than one weekly opportunity for worship and teaching. Wednesday night is specifically a Bible-study service rather than a traditional sermon service.
A First Visit Without Pressure
Church leaders describe a first visit as comfortable, refreshing, friendly, and enjoyable for the entire family. The worship setting combines inspiring music, helpful teaching, Bible preaching, and friendly people. Trinity emphasizes historic hymns and a welcoming atmosphere, with the goal that guests will feel welcome and “at home.”
There is no dress code for members or guests. Some ministry leaders and church families wear more traditional “Sunday Best,” but comfort is the priority. A guest is also not expected to participate in the offering. Trinity wants the service to be a gift, without an obligation for a first-time visitor to give.
Safe, clean, highly staffed nursery care is provided during every service for children three years old and under. Older children participate in age-graded Sunday school classes rather than the nursery.
CREW 252, TRUTH and Crossroads
CREW 252: Children During Worship
CREW 252 spans four-year-olds through sixth grade and meets each Sunday morning during the 10:30 service. The children’s ministry combines faith with fun through singing, games, relationship building, Bible teaching, and activities designed to meet children’s spiritual and relational needs. Trinity also seeks to help parents raise godly children by making this one memorable hour of the week.
For children older than three, the Sunday school classes are:
- Beginners: ages four and five
- Primary: grades one through three
- Juniors: grades four through six
TRUTH: A Biblical Foundation for Teens
TRUTH Ministry serves students in grades seven through twelve and meets Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The name stands for Teens Resolved Unto True Holiness. Each week, teens study God’s Word, encourage one another, discuss the challenges they face, and consider how Christian principles can be applied in daily life. Bible-study groups, teen activities, camps, and special events support the ministry’s wider goal of building a strong Biblical foundation and helping teenagers remain devoted to following Jesus Christ.
Crossroads: Young Adults in Transitions
Crossroads is designed for singles and married couples ages 18 through 30. It meets at 9:30 a.m. during Sunday school and helps young adults navigate life-changing and difficult transitions through Biblical direction, doctrine, practical application, and teaching connected to Christian principles and ethics.
Adult Learning, Service and Lifelong Fellowship
Salt and Light for Adults
Trinity’s Salt and Light ministry addresses the need for relationships both with God and with God’s people. During Sunday school, adults study how the Bible relates to daily life in a practical setting. Group activities offered throughout the year create opportunities to connect with others of similar ages and build relationships intended to encourage and strengthen a walk with Christ.
EPICS for Senior Adults
EPICS stands for “Experienced Persons in Christ’s Service.” The ministry recognizes the value and experience of older men and women in the church and emphasizes the biblical role of older believers in teaching younger ones. Trinity’s philosophy is that growing older does not diminish usefulness; experience can increase a person’s effectiveness in serving the Lord.
Additional Bible study gatherings include a ladies’ group that meets at 10:00 a.m. on Thursdays from August through May. Men’s devotionals and Bible studies meet at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. These gatherings are part of the church’s broader emphasis on practical Bible learning for adults.
Trinity Baptist Academy and a Biblical Education
Trinity Baptist Academy grew from a long-standing desire to provide Christian education grounded in a biblical worldview. The academy was formed after church members expressed concern about the education of their children as many schools shifted to virtual learning. It uses the Abeka ProTeach Master Video Program and seeks to educate the whole child, combining academic learning with attention to body, soul, and spirit.
The academy’s goal is to equip students intellectually, help them recognize and use their God-given talents, and develop people who are Christlike, capable, and community-minded. Hannah Swiatkowski serves as administrator. Enrollment is limited to church members in good standing, making the academy an extension of Trinity’s educational ministry within the congregation.
Traditional Hymns and Purposeful Church Music
Traditional hymn singing is central to Trinity’s identity. The church describes hymns as music that can reach the lost, encourage believers, and honor Christ through every note, rhythm, and lyric. Its Music Ministry seeks to exalt the Lord, educate and encourage believers, build up the church, and use music as a means of presenting the change Christ has worked in the hearts of those who sing.
Trinity considers musical instruments and the basic elements of music neutral, but it does not regard an arranged performance as neutral because music can have physical, emotional, and spiritual influence. Its statement of faith calls for music that is inoffensive and conforming to biblical instruction. The church also states that it stands against Christian rock and other worldly, rebellious forms of music.
Scripture, Salvation and a Local Church
Trinity calls this position “Bible Baptist” and confesses one true God in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It believes the Genesis creation account literally, teaches that humanity was created directly in God’s image, and holds that the voluntary transgression of Adam brought all people under sin. The Holy Spirit is affirmed as God’s Spirit who convicts of sin, bears witness to the Gospel, brings about the new birth, and guides believers.
Jesus Christ is affirmed as the Son of God and God the Son, born of the Virgin Mary. His death is described as a full and substitutionary atonement for sin. Salvation is wholly by grace, the new birth is the work of the Holy Spirit through divine truth, and justification comes through faith in Christ rather than works of righteousness. Repentance and faith are inseparable duties, with repentance understood as turning from sin and faith as receiving Christ as Savior.
The church is defined as a congregation of baptized believers associated by faith and fellowship in the Gospel, with Christ as its head and the Holy Spirit as its guide. Its two ordinances are immersion in water for believers and the Lord’s Supper, using bread and the fruit of the vine. Trinity affirms the authority of pastors and elders, the Great Commission, and the local church’s right of self-government. It teaches that Christ is the only superintendent over the church.
The church also holds to the imminent return of Christ, a seven-year period of tribulation following the Rapture, a millennial reign on earth, final judgment, and the eternal fate of the righteous and the wicked. Its moral teaching defines marriage as the joining of one man and one woman according to biological sex at birth. Men and women are described as spiritually equal before God but assigned distinct roles in the home and church, and only men are eligible for church licensure and ordination. Trinity further states that it stands apart from modernism, new evangelicalism, ecumenicalism, the charismatic movement, the New Age movement, the social gospel, socialism, and organizations it regards as holding or practicing beliefs it rejects.
Global Missions From Nation to Nation
Trinity treats the command in Matthew 28 to teach all nations as a central part of the church’s mission. Its aim is to spread the Gospel so people in the United States and other countries can hear it, trust Jesus, and receive Him as Savior and Lord. Missions support is an expression of the church’s dependence on God and its willingness to send and sustain people who carry the Gospel beyond its own community.
The church gives particular priority to missionaries who plant churches. Its vision includes indigenous churches that reflect the culture where they are planted and are led by trained national leaders. The pastor and missions committee research supported missionaries, while the congregation provides prayer, ongoing support, and financial participation toward global evangelism.
Pastoral and Ministry Leadership
Pastor Steven A. Giordano began serving Trinity in December 2015 after previous ministry at Mesa Baptist Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and New Heights Baptist Church in Wylie, Texas. Before entering ministry, he served in the United States Army. After his conversion in 2001, he accepted a call to ministry in 2009. His stated objectives are to preach the Gospel, teach the whole counsel of God, remain true to Scripture, evangelize the lost, strengthen faith, cultivate spiritual maturity, and prepare believers for ministry.
Matt Swiatkowski has served as Trinity’s music minister since January 2019. He developed his musical abilities through camps and lessons, attended International Bible College and New England Baptist College, and led music at Gospel Light Baptist Church before joining Trinity. Hannah Swiatkowski serves as Trinity Baptist Academy’s administrator. She studied at The Crown College of the Bible, Golden State Baptist College, and New England Baptist College, and directs the academy’s work to provide a Christ-centered education within a biblical worldview.
Giving, Learning and Media
Trinity treats giving as a biblical principle and teaches its members to tithe or give liberally, including financial participation in support of global evangelism. It presents giving as an act of grace rather than payment. Members are taught to bring time, talents, and treasure through the local church, with the tithe directed into the church’s common treasury and offerings supporting the advance of the Gospel.
Financial gifts can be made through online giving. Trinity also provides a Trinity Baptist Church app, a sermon collection, and a service video area for online access to church teaching and worship.
A Deliberate Church Identity
Trinity’s motto says it is “large enough to serve you, small enough to know you.” At its West Pioneer Parkway home, that identity is expressed through three weekly services, Bible-centered classes from childhood through senior adulthood, traditional hymn singing, nursery care, Christian education, practical discipleship, and a sustained commitment to missions. Trinity Baptist Church continues as an independent, fundamental Baptist church in Grand Prairie, rooted in the Word, orderly in its worship, intentional in its ministry, and unashamed in its call to “preach, teach, and stand on the foundation of God’s Word.”