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.
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Faithful
in the Past.
Faithful
Today
Faithful
to His Return |
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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.
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| 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.
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