Grace Baptist Church

New Bedford,  MA

Pastor Joe Mendes

Glory To God

It was more than a dream come true, it was the hand of God.  For so many many years this inner city church, attacked over and over by the devil saw what God can do.  This is the new and permanent home of the Grace Baptist Church.  The God of Heaven always rewards faithfulness.  I can think of the many years, the river of tears, the hours of despair that have strengthened the faith of God's people here.  Giving up was never an option.  Store front to store front,  rented building to rented buildings, at times in homes but the church kept going in soul winning.  Reaching out to the lost and desperate need of this city was always and still is its heart beat and vision of the believers. 

Our gracious Lord worked it out with the members of the Haven Baptist Church to merge with Grace Baptist Church to form the Grace Haven Baptist Church calling Brother Mendes as pastor.  I recently preached  in this beautiful and spacious building and felt the anticipation of the growing vision of God's continual blessing.

Meeting in this old store front building the church one day found a city notice posted on the door. The building was shut down due to the landlord not keeping the city standards.

But the Lord's hand was not slack!  He had a plan.  A wonderful plan. 

The inner city is often devoid of a fundamental Baptist witness.  Thank God for Grace Baptist Church which is truly an uncompromising, separated and gospel preaching ministry.  The church has not been without its share of struggles and attacks.  But Pastor Mendes, his family, and the faithful membership determined to stand true no matter what the cost.  The Lord keeps providing their need through souls saved and  new members added. 

I have seen first hand the power of prayer in this ministry.

Faithful in the Past. Faithful Today Faithful to His Return

Pastor Mendes and the people of this Independent Baptist Church had a dream and vision of reaching the city of New Bedford.  The offered a FREE Thanksgiving dinner to all who would attend.  It was advertised all over town.  Super markets donated turnkeys and other food.  The turn out was wonderful.  They come in wheel chairs, crutches and canes as well as walk-ins'.

It was special is so many ways.  Never have I ever preached in this church to so many lost people at the same time.  It was special also because my son Matt also preached with me.  There was special music and great congregational singing.  We started at 10am and finished about 1:30 and fully ready for our Thanksgiving dinner. 

Matt preached a hard and powerful sermon on what God can do.  It softened the hearts of all as the Word of God went forth.  After some more music I preached a salvation message and at the invitation time twenty men and women came forward to be saved.  I met with them and they assured me they meant it.  Some got up off their wheel chairs No not a healing service - just a determination to come to the altar even if they had to hobble their way.  Others stood with canes and others bowed the knee.

People Rejoiced	Plenty of food	Good fellowship	Good music

As if all  that was not enough . . . after the dinner and before the dessert I preached again as many came in after the service just for meal.  So again the Word of God was preached.  After dessert we all went upstairs again to the main auditorium and yet and other music and preaching time.  What a great day.