City Growth & Gospel Hope: A Home for Grace Community Church, Mabank
Photo Credit: Amanda Cooper
Grace Community Church, located in Mabank, Texas, is a church committed to exalting Jesus by making disciples and transforming their community with the gospel. In 2019, the church began to consider building a new worship facility. This desire was motivated by both internal and external factors. The city of Mabank is located at the far southeastern edge of Kaufman County, which according to current population estimates, is the fastest-growing county in the state of Texas.
As major city centers continue to grow, many people are choosing to relocate their families to outlying communities. Smaller cities like Mabank, which is located just 54 miles southeast of downtown Dallas, are already seeing population increases.
Some projections estimate that Mabank will experience an increase of 10,000 people over the next ten years. “For a rural community, that’s a lot of people. More people means more opportunities to share Christ,” says Michael Cooper, lead pastor of Grace Community.
Photo Credit: Amanda Cooper
The decision to build a new facility was accompanied by a period of waiting, prayer, and trust—and the church was rewarded by seeing God’s hand at work. Grace Community paid off its existing building loan in 2020, and received a substantial donation in 2021. 2022 saw the church continuing to wait on the Lord for his guidance and provision, before deciding to move forward with building plans. All the while, the church continued to grow and expand, especially amongst younger families.
Grace Community had already reached maximum capacity in their old sanctuary—going so far as to knock out a wall to make room for more seating. When it came time to pursue their new building project, the church reached out to the Foundation without hesitation. “They walked us through each step of the way in determining what was most beneficial for the congregation,” Cooper recalls. The expansion has brought its share of growing pains for the church. Even simple questions about parking or building entry are an opportunity for growth. Cooper sees the logistical challenges as a pastoral teaching moment, and expresses gratitude for how the church has adapted with grace and flexibility. “We’ve had some problems, but nothing that the gospel can’t fix.”
The response from the church has been one of excitement and anticipation. Before pouring the foundation, they buried a Bible where the new pulpit would be located. Church members highlighted their favorite verses, wrote prayers, and signed the Bible. When they broke ground on the building, the church celebrated with prayer and worship. The expansion is more than just a new facility, it’s an outward demonstration of love for their growing community and commitment to the gospel mission—kingdom building begins with the local community. “We aren’t building a new space for ourselves,” says Cooper. Although they are preparing for growth, the church has intentionally limited the seating space in their new facility to between 250 and 300. When the church grows to that point, they anticipate planting a new church or helping revitalize another church. “Outward mission is the goal,” says Cooper.
To pastors who wish to remodel or build a new facility, Cooper’s advice is simple: “Pray, take your time, communicate the vision, and pray some more.” He cites the lockdowns and aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic as a blessing, because it allowed them to slow down and carefully examine their plans. He urges pastors to have a support network who will speak honestly, and to reach out to others who have gone through the same process. But in the midst of it all, recall your vocation. “Pastor the congregation step by step. Keep the gospel in front of them at all times.”
Photo Credit: Amanda Cooper
Article written by: Raelea Sutton