Origins

Grand Avenue Baptist Church started as a small mission church in December, 1959, with Jim Phillips serving as pastor. In July of 1960, this work was formally established as a mission, and a full program of church training and service began.

In September 1960, with the help of the Missouri Baptist Building Fund, a 2.5 acre plot of ground was purchased at the corner of 24th and Grand Avenue.

The first anniversary of this congregation was celebrated on January 15, 1961. At that time there was a Sunday School attendance of 77.

On February 23, 1964, the “mission” congregation was constituted as a church (with 148 charter members).

Physical facilities

Ground breaking for the first sanctuary was held in May, 1962, and the first services were held in the new building on November 24, 1962.

Continued growth and inadequate education space necessitated two Sunday School sessions beginning in October 1965. In December 1965, the congregation voted to sell $150,000 in bonds to pay off the debt on the building and land, and to erect a two-story education building. The new building was erected and first used in December 1968.

In April 1978, a long-range planning report was presented to the church that described a master plan for completely developing the site at 24th and Grand. The plan also included a remodeling plan to accommodate as many people as possible within the existing building by moving walls and upgrading space. The church voted to take a step of faith by building on a cash basis only. Over $30,000 was given within the first year. Progress at the end of this period was ahead of schedule, both in giving and in construction. The expanded sanctuary and upgraded educational space accommodated approximately 100 additional people.

On June 8, 1983, GABC voted to start construction on a new building for educational purposes. It was named the “Discipleship Building,” and was dedicated by reading through the entire Bible on January 20, 1985.

On November 9, 1988, GABC agreed to purchase 2307 Jensen, a house adjacent to church property, for future growth needs. A member's anonymous gift of $50,000 made the purchase of the house at $59,000 possible on a cash basis. The house was renovated and used for educational space.

In July 2002 a “Building on the Vision” Team presented a report to the Elders for remodeling and expanding GABC facilities to facilitate realization of the church’s vision of being a “sending church.” The multi-phase plan was presented to the congregation on September 8, 2002. Over the next year, people in the body pledged and eventually gave $135,356 as payment toward Phase I of the project.

In the summer of 2004, a developer—New Millennium II, L.C.—approached GABC with an expressed interest to buy the land and accompanying property owned by GABC at 24th/Grand for development as a Walgreen’s store. In December 2004, a 1-year contract was made with New Millennium, in which GABC accepted the terms of their offer—contingent upon their being able to secure necessary approvals for land use change, rezoning, and development from the Ames City Government. Necessary approvals were not obtained within the 1-year period. The contract was later extended through July 31, 2006. In April 2005, the duplex at 2301 Jensen Avenue was purchased for $121,000. GABC now owns all four houses on Jensen Avenue adjacent to the church building.

Leadership and institutional development

• 1960–1964: Pastor Jim Phillips
• 1964–1976: Pastor John Hamilton. A ministry to students of Iowa State University, the Baptist Student Union (BSU), was started by Pastor John Hamilton in the fall of 1964.
• 1972–1985: Jack and Wendy Owens came as BSU directors in the fall of 1972. The BSU held regular Bible studies, fellowship meetings, and discipleship training on the ISU campus.
• 1976–1998: Pastor Tom Nesbitt
• 1986–1994: Assistant Pastor Daniel Stipp
• In 1988 the title of the student ministry (formerly BSU) was changed to “The Salt Company.”
• In 1990, Troy Nesbitt, Salt Company director, was added to the pastoral staff of GABC as “Associate Pastor for Student Ministry.”
• The church voted in April of 1994 to plant a new church that would target college students and young families. Cornerstone Church began meeting on August 21, 1994 in GABC facilities with an attendance of 230 and 25 charter members.
• 1995–1998: Scott Sterner, Minister of Music and Worship.
• 1998–2007: Kip Hamby served GABC as “Pastor of Youth & Discipleship.”
• On March 10, 1998, the church commissioned Tom Nesbitt to serve as “Evangelist-at-Large” with Life Action Ministries.
• 1998–2001: Jack Owens served GABC as “Interim Staff Teacher”
• 1999: Chris Johnson, Minister of Worship & Director of Technical Ministries.
• On March 25, 2001 several families from GABC were sent out to begin a “house church” ministry. Steve Burgason was licensed by GABC to preach the gospel and to lead this church.
• May 2001–December 2004: Larry Lindsey, Pastor of Teaching and Discipleship.
• November 2006–September 2007: Nathan Mayfield, Pastor of Preaching and Evangelism