201 Kellerhal Drive, Cissna Park, IL 60924
(815) 457- 2977
Grace Bible Church
History of Grace
In the summer of 1968, several families who met for Bible study, began holding worship services. Their numbers gradually increased, and by June of 1970, ground was broken on a three-acre tract purchased at Kellart Lake on which Grace Bible Church's first church building was built.
The infant church prayed much as it struggled for survival and growth over the next few years. God was faithful, and by 1977, an addition to the building was constructed, which included space for Sunday School rooms, a kitchen and a fellowship room. In the fall of 1986 an AWANA program was initiated as an evangelistic outreach to children in the community, and the next year, a second addition, which included a new sanctuary and recreation/game room, doubled the physical size of the building. By the late eighties the attendance at Sunday services was averaging close to 200.As the church saw several pastors come and go in short spurts throughout the nineties, attendance gradually began to decline. The Leadership Team began to evaluate the church and began a process of seeking God's face and rediscovering the mission, vision, and philosophy of the church. Ultimately the leaders decided that GBC would be a church that expressed historic Christianity in a creative, compelling way. They would be a church that would attempt new things, serve in innovative ways, and at the same time remain theologically conservative. This decision initially led some families to leave, but the leadership was determined to be a church that structured itself to reach people for Christ, and not to simply keep the people who were already there. The church now has roughly 100 people on Sunday morning. Volunteers serve in a wide range of ministries including AWANA, Worship, Fellowship, Youth Group, Young Adult Group, Short-term Mission Trips, Small Groups, Nursery, Threads of Hope Clothing Pantry, Sunday Diner Fellowship, and the Common Grounds Cafe.
Experience Grace
Welcome to Grace Bible Church! When you visit us on Sunday mornings, we hope you will have a wonderful worship experience with us. Our main parking lot is on the West side of our property. As you come in through the West door, you will enter into our Cafe area. If you are coming for Sunday School at 9:00 am, Pastor Trey or others will be there to assist you in finding the appropriate rooms for you and/or your children. If you are joining us for worship, our service begins at 10:00 am down the hallway in front of you. As you get to the end of the hall, you will see the Welcome Center. Feel free to stop by and check our publications and sign-up sheets to get a feel for what is happening in the life of Grace. Hope to see you soon!
