How it all started
In the mid 1950’s, God called a retired Air Force Veteran to start a church in the tiny town of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Pastor Bill Riddick started Ocean Springs Baptist Church in his home. The church grew and soon bought property on Highway 90 in Ocean Springs, which, at the time, was a very rural area. Buildings were built as the church continued to grow, and was renamed Gulf Coast Baptist Temple. Pastor Riddick resigned in the mid 1980s, and was called into evangelism...
Through the years
The church experienced some trying times, and eventually went through a church split, leaving much hurt. One side of the split stayed at the Highway 90 location before eventually moving to Gulfport, MS as Faith Baptist Church. The other side of the split moved to a small building on Ocean Springs Road and became Grace Fellowship Baptist Church. This church thrived under the leadership of Ed Decker, who was called to Pastor in May of 1995.
In 1997, the Lord laid it on the hearts of Pastor Ed Decker and Pastor Dan Carr of Faith Baptist Church to begin the process of reuniting the two churches from the split over 10 years earlier. After much prayer, Grace Fellowship Baptist Church relocated to the old Highway 90 property and reopened under the name Grace Independent Baptist Church. Pastor Decker and Pastor Carr held a revival service, during which both sides from the split met together, apologized, and reconciled.
The Lord blessed the obedience and the church continued to grow and multiply. Pastor Decker faithfully led the church until May 2007, when he was called to serve in another church. Paul Perkins was called in August of 2007 to be the new pastor. He and his family have been serving together at Grace since then. Under his leadership, the church has continued to see the Lord work in tremendous ways. Grace has been blessed with growth and a thriving church family who loves God. We have a desire to make a difference in this location for God's glory.
In 1997, the Lord laid it on the hearts of Pastor Ed Decker and Pastor Dan Carr of Faith Baptist Church to begin the process of reuniting the two churches from the split over 10 years earlier. After much prayer, Grace Fellowship Baptist Church relocated to the old Highway 90 property and reopened under the name Grace Independent Baptist Church. Pastor Decker and Pastor Carr held a revival service, during which both sides from the split met together, apologized, and reconciled.
The Lord blessed the obedience and the church continued to grow and multiply. Pastor Decker faithfully led the church until May 2007, when he was called to serve in another church. Paul Perkins was called in August of 2007 to be the new pastor. He and his family have been serving together at Grace since then. Under his leadership, the church has continued to see the Lord work in tremendous ways. Grace has been blessed with growth and a thriving church family who loves God. We have a desire to make a difference in this location for God's glory.