Grace Baptist Church

New Bedford,  MA

Pastor Joe Mendes

Update 

It was the first Sunday of 2010, snow and ice covered the roads, we arrived a bit late, it was cold but the Lord is always in control.  In spite of such bad weather folks came to worship the Lord on this first Lord's Day of the new year.  We worshiped the Lord and the Lord blessed the preaching of His Word.  Hearts responded to the Gospel preaching and souls were moved at the invitation of the Holy Spirit.

Afterwards a sweet time of fellowship was enjoyed.

Brother Mendes does not let any opportunity go by without presenting the Gospel.  We had a special service with a meal afterwards so folks could invite friends and family. Many heard the Gospel for the first time and several responded to the invitation of salvation and restoration.   In a day when men try to please men it is the plain preaching of the Word of God that still saves souls and pleases God.

When I am at Grace Baptist Church I just never know what will happen.  It's so amazing how the Lord has worked and is working in this inner city ministry.

This trip to New Bedford was an exceptional blessing.  The Morning Service was very well attended and so many responded to the altar call for salvation, dedication and Godly living.  After the service we all went "down to the river" . . . well really to the ocean for a baptism.   The day was bright with sunshine but the sun paled compared to the glow of the Lord upon those being baptized.

Souls are being saved, baptized and instructed in the way of the Word of God.  

Following the baptism we met back at the church for a sweet time of fellowship and preaching. 

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