Our church was founded in 1976 by Pastor Don Austin (a graduate of Florida Bible College) and others looking to
provide an evangelistic oriented church to families in the Hudson area that would teach the Scriptures acurately and
preach the Gospel clearly. It was the conviction of the founding pastor and members that the message of salvation needed
to be presented consistently, clearly, acurately and in a easy to understand presentation. The church is a non-denominational
, independent Bible believing fellowship of about 200(+) believers in Jesus Christ. Its doctrinal beliefs are very similar
to those of many Baptist churches. Its leadership consists of a plurality of spiritually qualified Elders. If
you would like to see a detailed doctrinal statement please go to the link "What We Believe" in the left hand column.
After meeting in a rented store the Church built its first building on its present property in 1978. Since that first
building the church has had five building programs the last one, a Multipurpose Family Life Center with an
official size Basketball court. Pastor Don resigned in 1989 and the church hired Pastor C. David Rogers who filled the
pulpit till 1996.
Pastor Dean Pratt, the current senior pastor, is the third pastor in the thirty years of Grace Bible Church
history. He attended Florida Bible College, Bryan College, Tampa Bay Theological Seminary and Moody Graduate School.
Dean started as a teaher in the Christian School in 1982, became part time minister of Christian Education in 1988 and full
time Associate Pastor in 1990. In 1996, after Pastor Rogers resigned, Pastor Dean was voted in as senior pastor.
The church started Grace Christian School in 1979. Mr. Richard Robertson was its first principal. The school
added twelth grade and had its first senior graduation in 1986. The school's current enrollment is about 160 students
in K-4 through 12th grade.
The church has many other ministries including an active teen group, kids club and ladies ministry as well as others.
The church supports 24 missionaries/ mission organizations.
With each challenge we have encountered, we became stronger in our faith.
We invite you to become a part of the church
today and a piece of its history tomorrow.
