The History of Graceview Church

Graceview will celebrate 36 years of faithful ministry on March 28, 2010. God has been faithful over these years and He has certainly seen us through many dangers, toils and snares. The Church has gone through many stages of growth, challenges and changes to get where we are today. We are especially thankful for those in leadership roles and the faithful people who continue to keep the worship and service of God a priority. 

The Church was organized in 1974 by Rev. Robert L. Penny who at the time was pastor of the Sharon ARP Church in Brighton, TN. Bobby came to that Church with a strong vision of starting a mission work in Desoto county. He faced many unforeseen difficulties. The first was securing a regular place of worship. The mission moved three times before locating the land we currently occupy. After four grueling years he felt called to return to his beloved Louisiana and moved to Lake Charles, LA to start a PCA Church in 1978. He served several other Churches and is currently the Vice President of Development for RTS in Jackson, MS.

The current property was purchased sometime in early 1978 and a double wide trailer was secured which served for Sunday school classes, worship, and fellowship. The second mission developer was Rev. Jac Coad. Jac and his wife Debbie began their work in July 1979. The name of the Church was changed again to Greenview Heights Presbyterian Church on August 26, 1979. In March of 1980 Jack & Barbara Anthony and their 2 sons, John, age 9 and Darrell, age 5, became members. There were struggles and difficulties to face nursing a baby Church.  Jac Coad served faithfully to the point of exhaustion and resigned in August of 1983 to accept a call to the Concord ARP Church in Concord, NC, where he enjoyed a successful ministry. He now serves as pastor of the Trinity ARP Church in Tampa, FL.

In August of 1984 the Tucker family accepted the call to the Church which was then Greenview Heights to be mission developer. John & Kathy moved from Columbus, MS where he was the associate pastor with their 2 sons, Josh, age 6 and Caleb, age 2.  They  were concerned with raising 2 young children, locating work for Kathy, and getting to know people in the Church and community.  In 1989 we merged with Gracewood Presbyterian Church from Memphis and the name was changed to Graceview. Mellany Reed Rayburn, daughter of David and Alice Rayburn, the first child raised in this Church was married in 1990.  In 1992 our first deacons were elected: Steve Delugach, Bill Lincoln and Buddy Gray. Our fellowship hall was finished and dedication services were held in February of 1992.

Mr David Dobbs was called to be youth pastor in May of 2003. He was born in Ackerman, MS and graduated from RTS in Jackson. David served faithfully with our children and youth and loved them dearly. He maintained an active schedule of events and activities that ministered to their needs. David spent much time with them individually, “hanging out” as he says. In November of 2005 David was ordained as the first associate pastor of the Church. The presbytery exam was rigorous and was something he would not like to do again. In December David was married to Helen Van Doesburg who was also a valuable asset to our Church. David and Helen accepted a call to Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Auburn, AL in August of 2006.

We have discovered three things that have kept this Church going: (1) God’s faithfulness in providing for our needs and answering our prayers. (2) A sense of mission to reach people with the Gospel. (3) Faithful servants and leaders who saw something bigger than themselves in the cross of Christ and united with others to make their vision a reality. If we keep those 3 things in our minds, God will surely bless us with many more years as we seek to do His Will.

The ministry grows stronger every year as we know and love God more. Last year we went through a Revitalization Program and learned much about decline and growth. We are trying to put these into practice by reaching out to the community. We have a strong children's ministry with Bible instruction, and choir, as well as an adult choir, a strong pulpit ministry that stands upon the authority of God's word and the Westminster Confession of Faith and preaches the whole counsel of God.

The Lord continues to add to the Church and strengthening us for the work of advancing His kingdom. We are thankful for everyone who uses their gifts for the work of ministry. We look forward to serving the community with the Good News that Jesus rose from the dead the third day, and to challange belivers in growth.