History

Grace Free Will Baptist Church began as a dream in a tent meeting that happened near the Rockport Elementary School in the late 1950s. Later, an old store building located at 1524 Jeffco Boulevard was rented and renovated to serve as the first church. A local chiropractor owned the building and maintained a small office on the north side of it, while the rest of the building and a small room in the basement was rented. One church member paid the rent for 6 months in advance while other congregations and the Mission Board provided chairs, hymnals, and other resources to facilitate the church’s worship and ministry.

The official organizational meeting was conducted on July 28, 1961. Twenty-two people were presented, with Reverend Johnnie Land serving as pastor.

Fifty-two cents was found while cleaning the old store building and placed on the altar during the first service, which became the genesis of the building fund. The Lord has since multiplied this many times over. Within a few months, the new church needed more space. Bonds were sold and four lots at the corner of Leolia and Tenbrook Road were purchased. A building program, began in the spring of 1962, and was completed in October. A dedication service was conducted in the new building on October 21st. A three-bedroom ranch style was added shortly thereafter to serve as the parsonage.

Following Reverend Land’s resignation in the fall of 1967, Reverend Glenn Rehkop, previously of Kansas City, accepted the pastorate. He began his ministry on December 17 of that year after Brother Bob Wilfong had served as the interim preacher. The ministry continued to grow such that the sanctuary was expanded significantly and necessary classroom space was added. Another building program was started in October, 1977 due to meet the church’s needs. The sanctuary was enlarged to seat up to 500, and other additions, including a new fellowship hall, were made. In 1996, the church purchased the lot behind the church property.

Pastor Glenn Rehkop retired in March 2008 after nearly 41 years of service. He continued to preach until Reverend Brent Hutsell arrived in December, along with his wife and three children. The Hutsells served until May, 2011 when they departed to serve Summerton Baptist Church in South Carolina.

In August, 2011, Reverend Jackson Watts was called to be the fourth pastor in Grace’s 50th year of ministry. He moved to Grace after having ministered for several years in North Carolina.

The Lord has continued to be faithful by blessing our church in so many ways. We look forward many more years of fruitful ministry, laboring for Christ until He returns.