Grace Bible Church: For Those Who Love to Study the Word

Some people choose their church based on the music, some on programs, and many on how the Bible is preached. If you choose your church based on a thirst for Biblical knowledge and understanding, Grace Bible Church in Richmond might be for you.

A new church celebrating its one year anniversary in April, Grace Bible Church focuses on 2nd Timothy 2:15, which says we are to: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (KJV) This emphasis on Bible study makes sense, given the pastor who started the church just a year ago has devoted his life to delving into the Word.

Jim Phillips had previously pastored at Grace Baptist Church in Liverpool, TX, before coming to Richmond to start up the new church. For 20 years, he ministered in Israel, where much of the Bible was written and many of the events took place.  Pastor Jim began writing commentaries on the books of the Bible, which he now makes available for free on the church website.

In more recent years, Phillips did mission work in Greece, where Paul spent much of his time writing the church epistles on the dispensation of grace. This inspired Phillips to write commentaries on those books as well, in an effort to bring those stories to life for contemporary fellow believers.

He even took part in an educational movie called The Apostle of the Gentiles, where he played the apostle Paul. The movie was designed to teach its viewers Bible doctrine and is also available for free on the church website.

Visitors to the church will immediately recognize the focus on education, as they will find a number of sign-up tables in the auditorium for enhanced study opportunities.  “Another important focus at Grace Bible Church is to fulfill Ephesians 3:8,” said Phillips. “’To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God.’ Our people love to help one another do this by putting together discipleship material to distribute to churches and pastors everywhere.

“In addition, we are the home of Grace Bible Institute, which is a free, online Bible College and Seminary that is self-paced and has had over 5,000 students enroll over the years. We have hundreds of students in many countries that study with GBI for free, and many churches overseas use our Bible College free of charge to establish local Bible Institutes in their own areas.”

In the past year, the church has grown to 40 people who love learning the word of God. Most members drive between 20 and 45 minutes from different towns in the Houston area to attend the church, which represents all ages and ethnicities. Grace Bible also offers a junior church for kids up to 12 years of age, and a nursery on Sunday mornings. They have a 6 pm Sunday Evening Bible Study, as well as a 7 pm Thursday Evening Bible Study.

Phillips added, “Our ultimate desire at Grace Bible Church is found in 1st Timothy 2:4 and that is, ‘for all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.’ We hope to start numerous churches in the Houston area, in the years ahead, and around the world if the Lord tarries His coming. We would love to fellowship with you.”

Grace Bible Church is located at 222 FM 359 Suite D. in Richmond, next to Frank’s Nursery

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Rebecca Becker

Rebecca has been a lifelong writer committed to telling stories that illuminate special people, places, and causes. She writes for local, regional, national, and international publications and is based in Houston. She’s been a lifelong Christian dedicated to bringing that perspective forth and keeping the Christian voice within the larger conversation.