Pastor's Bio:
Pastor Artis Lovelady, III is the founding pastor of the Word of Grace Missionary Baptist from February 1983 to present. He is also the Director of Library Services and Assistant Professor at the College of Biblical Studies Houston. He has been married to his wife, Carol for 42 years and the proud father of four children and six grandchildren and is a native Houstonian. Pastor is also the founder of the Biblical Resource Training Center.
Pastor's Educational Background:
: Dallas Theological Seminary - Masters of Arts in Christian Education (M.A.C.E.)
Sam Houston State University - Master of Library Science (M.L.S.)
LeTourneau University - Bachelor of Science Business Management (B.S.)
College of Biblical Studies Houston- Associates of Biblical Studies (A.B.S.)
Houston Community College - Real Estate
Houston Bible Institute - 32 hour Bible Certificate
University of Houston
Texas Southern University - Drafting and Technology School -
Jack Yates Senior High School, Houston, Texas
Church's History:
The Word of Grace Missionary Baptist Church was officially organized on February 15, 1983 by Pastor Artis Lovelady, III with the help of Harmony Missionary Baptist Church and then Pastor C.E. Payne. The church began with two families (nine members) Pastor Artis Lovelady, III and his wife Carol and family and Rev. James O’Neal and his wife and family.The church met in the home of the pastor for 21 months (1983-1984) and eventual moved to 5532 Grapevine in November 1984 in wood frame house. In January 2009 moved to it's new building on the same property.
This church was founded with a commitment to expositional preaching and teaching for the solid biblical development of the saints. Leadership of the Word of Grace is committed to fulfilling our mission statement which is based on the Great Commission of Jesus to the church Matthew 28:19-20, and the elements included in the early church’s life and Paul’s charge to Timothy to keep on reproducing Christians by building reproducing Christians. These are summarized in our following church motto, mission statement and core values
Motto:
The Word of Grace……..Making Disciples
Mission Statement:
The Word of Grace’s mission is to reach the lost and mature Christians so that they can make disciples and provide a church fellowship that has sound doctrine, fellowship, observance of church ordinances, prayer, mutual support, worship and praise. Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Timothy 2:2, Acts 2:40-47.
Eight Core Values (based on Mission Statement verses):
1 - Evangelism - reach and saved the lost
2- Discipleship - mature the believer
3 - Exaltation - lifting up the name of God and His Son Jesus Christ
4 - Intercession - praying for the individual and the church body locally and globally and praying for the lost
5 - Exposition - systematically teaching and explaining the whole Word of God
6 - Edification - building up the individual and the body of Christ in every area of ministry and personal life
7 -Fellowship - providing opportunities and activities for the church to fellowship together
8 - Worship - providing a time and place of holy worship exalting God with, praise, prayer, offerings and exposition and application of the Holy Scriptures.
