Our History

Grace Fellowship was born in the heart of Pastor Gerald Morris and in the hearts of a number of other believers in February of 1999.  On February 22, 1999, eight of those believers met in Pastor Morris' home and prayed together and began the process of becoming a church.

This group of believers felt that a new fellowship was needed to try and reach lost and un-churched persons who were not being reached by the traditional church.  A second organizational meeting was held on March 2nd, 1999.  Officers were chosen to continue to guide the process of becoming a Church. At this meeting plans were made for the first worship service to be held at the Country Time Music Theater, 1613 W. 8th.  Plans for Cell Groups to be formed for the purpose of fellowship and for Bible Study were discussed and places for these groups would be in the homes of those who would like to share in this way.

Also at this second meeting a budget was accepted for the new Church and plans were put in motion to get the word out announcing the date and time of our first worship service.

That first worship service was held Sunday, March 7, 1999 at 9:30 A.M. with 186 persons present.  Grace Fellowship started taking membership the week after Easter in April of 1999, six weeks after the first service.  Those 111 persons who signed a commitment of membership during April are the Charter Members of Grace Fellowship.

Grace Fellowship started with a full time pastor, Gerald Morris working from his study in his home, and within two weeks of her beginnings, a full time secretary was employed, who also worked from her home.

In April of 1999, the young church was realizing the need for office space for counseling and for a presence in the community.  In May a new 28' x 80' manufactured home was purchased and put on leased space at the back of Christmore Car Lot, 1519 W. 8th.  In July of 1999, the new office had been set and was ready for use.  In addition to offices, this space provides wonderful accommodations for our nursery (being only 1/2 block east of the theater) and for some class rooms.  Small fellowships, weddings and funeral dinners are accommodated in the great room.

From the beginning Grace Fellowship has supported missions.  We began with support for a Pastor in Mexico, a Campus Minister in Idaho, the Midwest Pregnancy Care Center in Independence and Coffeyville as well as Genesis Incorporated of Coffeyville, a ministry to the distressed in Coffeyville.  In June of 1999 our first mission team was sent to Mexico for a week of mission work.  Six of our youth and sponsors made the trip.

While all of this has been going forward, our attorney has completed all necessary paper work and filings so that Grace Fellowship is a 501 (C) 3 not for profit corporation.

In September of 2000, Grace Fellowship began a half hour radio program called "Moments of Grace."  Music and message from our worship service are shared with the radio audience on KGGF, AM 690 here in Coffeyville.

In March of 2001, the Grace Fellowship family began the study of the "Model of the Twelve."  Following the example of Jesus in choosing twelve, Grace expects to continue growth, both spiritually and numerically by implementing this scriptural model.

During much of 2002 the Grace Fellowship Church Council was looking for land upon which to build our first building.  In February of 2003, 19 acres of land was purchased.  In late 2003 and continuing into early 2004 plans were being made for the first building of the long range plan.

On March 7, 2004, ground was broken for our first building to house the ministry of Grace Fellowship. This building is 60’ wide by 150’ long and includes offices to the West end of the building, a preschool room, nursery, women’s and men’s restrooms, small kitchen and store rooms at the East end with a sanctuary that seats a little over 300 in the middle. A contractor erected the building and our men completed the interior. Our first worship service was held in the building Christmas Eve of 2004. The building was nearly completed by the end of February and the first Sunday in March a service of dedication was held in the afternoon.

In the fall of 2004, Grace Academy Preschool was added to the ministries of Grace Fellowship. First classes were held in the large assembly room of our office complex on 8th street. In the spring of 2005, Grace Academy moved into our new building along with the office staff moving in to the new building. Our office building on 8th was then sold.

In March of 2006 a part time Pastor of Student Ministries was added. Brian Morris, an ordained Southern Baptist Minister, and our Pastor’s youngest son began working with us and later was ask to lead the Praise Team.
In the fall of 2007 the AWANA program was added as another ministry for the children. This program continues to grow.

Also in the fall of 2007, property to the North and West of our existing property became available. The Latter Day Saints removed their building from this land and we were able to purchase their eight lots along with four additional lots extending our property along Woodland all the way to Overlook. We then sold twelve lots on the east edge of our property for housing that is desperately needed following the devastating flood that occurred the end of June and first of July destroying nearly a third of our city on the east side.

Late in 2007, as space was becoming more and more crowded, the Church Council and Pastor sought God’s direction as to the additional ministries God might have in store and sought His vision. Pastor shared this vision and late in the year this vision was conveyed to an architectural firm that is interested in building ministry, not just buildings and in early 2008 brought back to us a footprint of buildings and spaces needed for God to be able to bring these additional ministries to fulfillment. The Council and Congregation are praying as to the next steps Grace Fellowship should take as we move forward in His ministry.

If you are looking for a place of acceptance and a fresh experience in worship, we invite you to come and be our guest any Sunday morning at 9:30 A.M.  You will find a very loving church family that genuinely enjoys being together for worship and a fellowship that loves to welcome friends.  Here at Grace Fellowship, "YOU" really are important.