Our Story
Grace Community Church began as a new congregation launched from Faith Missionary Church on the north side of Indianapolis. Services began in 1991 when over 600 people gathered in a leased warehouse near 146th Street and U.S. 31, where the Greyhound Plaza shopping center is located. Dave Rodriguez began as the Senior Pastor of Grace after serving as the Youth Pastor at Faith Missionary Church. Growth was rapid and standing room only crowds soon had the leadership securing new ground at the current location just west of Hazel Dell Parkway on 146th Street. Construction followed and in 1997, services began at the current location.
From these beginnings, Grace grew beyond anyone’s wildest dreams as people discovered inspiring biblical teaching and a welcoming place to take the next steps in their journey of faith. This led to an expansion of the facility that was completed in the fall of 2008. These facilities were built so that Grace can continue to accommodate the many people who come to have their lives changed by their ever powerful Creator. But Grace is so much more than "that big church on 146th Street." Grace exists to love people into a responsive and maturing relationship with Jesus Christ, connect them into authentic, redemptive communities, and launch them into God's Kingdom revolution.
We are not interested in how many people walk through our doors, but how many people are changed as they continue to grow in their walk with Jesus Christ. Our services each weekend are just one aspect of who we are. There are many opportunities to serve at Grace and in many other ministries through our partnerships with Shepherd Community Center, Loving South Africa, and Nairobi Chapel. In addition, we have numerous Frontline Ministries to help people get launched into God's Kingdom revolution.
Grace has also helped launched several churches with the purpose of working together to form a “Grace Family” of churches linked by a common purpose. Two of these churches have successfully launched their own daughter churches, including Trinity Church planting The Porch in Fountain Square. The Grace Family of Churches include:
- Bridgeway Community Church, Fishers, IN - Launched on November 19, 2000.
- Evergreen Community Church, Raleigh, NC - Launched on November 18, 2001.
- Genesis Church, Noblesville, IN - Launched on September 7, 2003.
- Trinity Church, Indianapolis, IN - Launched in April 2004.
- Centro Cristiano de Celebracion, Noblesville, IN - Met at Grace Community Church since September 2005 and launched out on their own in January 2010.
What does the future hold for Grace Community Church? An adventure. Not a new pursuit, but an age-old quest to know the heart of our passionate God, seeking His desires, His destiny for us. Not a one-time feat, but a life-long endeavor to follow in the footsteps of His Son, Jesus Christ, allowing God to create in us a more vibrant and true reflection of His Son. Not an apathetic response, but whole-hearted resolve to answer God's urgent call, taking His love and hope to a world in desperate need.
As with any adventure, there are unknowns. But ultimately we know that God remains steadfast. He doesn't abandon us to explore this path alone. He is here, watching us, guiding us, shaping us, loving us and His creation, and working through us to reach the people in our lives who don't yet know Him.
We hope you'll join us as we continue on this awesome journey that God is taking us on!
