Marshall Drive Baptist Church
Designed to help us worship in spirit and truth
Our History and Mission
Church History
In The Beginning
Our history as a church started in the fall of 1952. A group of residents in Grand Prairie who had a common belief about God and the Scriptures, desired a place to meet and worship together. A missionary pastor was contacted and the small group formed a mission. As people responded to its message and mission, it was organized as a church on December 12th of that same year.
The church was named Grand Prairie Missionary Baptist Church and met at 2021 Dallas Street with R.E. Rogers as their pastor. As the church quickly grew, it purchased some land on Dalworth Street in the spring of 1953 and a sanctuary was built.
In 1978, the land located at 717 East Marshall Drive was purchased and a 6,000 square foot structure was erected. Later, the building was enlarged by an additional 7,000 square feet and modifications were made to the original structure. A paved parking lot was also constructed.
Over the years, the church has changed its name several times to meet the demands of its mission. Not very many remember us as Grand Prairie Missionary Baptist Church or Great Southwest Missionary Baptist Church, but some of you will still remember us as First Missionary Baptist Church. Now, we are known as Marshall Drive Baptist Church.
Marshall Drive Baptist Church
Mouse over photo to visit inside.
Our Beliefs & Values
It could be argued that one’s character reveals his heart just as the heart reveals the man (As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7 and Galatians 6:3). It is a way of saying that if a person has good beliefs, he will have good character. And if he has good character, he will naturally have good deeds (Matthew 12:35 and Luke 6:45).
As religion is an expression of one’s beliefs and character, even an atheist is religious in the fact that he expresses a belief. At Marshall Drive Baptist Church, the expression of our beliefs, and our heart, is summarized in these important truths:
God
We believe God is the Supreme Deity who created everything and everybody that ever existed.
Christ
Jesus Christ is God who manifested Himself in the flesh and paid our sin debt by being crucified upon the cross.
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God who manifested Himself in spirit, convicting our hearts and minds of sin and turning us to repentance and salvation.
Bible
The Bible is God’s inspired Word, His revelation to us, written to be unchangeable so we can witness and know the truth from generation to generation.
Sin
Sin is any act, thought, or belief of unrighteousness which as humans we have inherited from birth.
Salvation
Salvation is receiving the forgiveness of sin and receiving eternal life with God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Baptism
Baptism is the immersion in water of a person who confesses his belief in Christ which represents his dying to his old way of life, being buried and raised to walk a new way of life as it testifies to his belief in the Lord’s death, burial and resurrecton.
Church
A church is a gathering of believers of like faith and order, commissioned to carry out the Great Commission.
This is what our religion is based upon. It expresses our faith and reveals our character.
It is how we live being led of the Holy Spirit and waiting anxiously for our Lord’s return.
Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission
Our vision and mission is to help connect people to faith.
Mission & Purpose
We believe our mission and purpose is given to us in the Great Commission where it is said that we should go to the world and make disciples.
We do that as we connect people to faith. Here are some ways we accomplish our mission:
- Meet as a church (providing a place where God’s people can come and worship Him)
- Witness to others (telling them about Christ)
- Be a good example (living a life that follows Christian principles)
- Support Mission work (promoteing those who minister in other areas of the world)
The Great Commission
“Then the eleven disciple went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,
‘ All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’
Amen”
– Matthew 28:16-20 KJV
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible translation do you use?
We prefer to use the King James Version in our worship, but don’t object to using other translations, commentaries, concordances, etc. in our Bible studies. The reason for this is that the KJV of the Bible is one of the most accurate translations. The reason some people object to it is that it does not sound like modern English so they find a translation that does. But we should be careful in doing that. Some of the modern translations are so loosely translated in order to make it sound like modern language that they actually contain errors which obscures the truth of God. You can’t go wrong with the King James Version of the Bible.
Why do you have English and Spanish services?
It’s not unusual for a church to have two services nowadays: one modern and one traditional. In our case, we have always supported mission work and have a close relationship with a church in Mexico. When the opportunity came, we invited a group of Spanish speaking people to use our church building for their services. Some of them wanted to hear the sermons in their own native language. So, our two services came to be Spanish and English. However, in early 2022, because of crowded conditions or desire to acquire their own building, our Spanish guests left.
Do I have to give any money when you pass the offering plates?
No. You are our visitor. Offering plates are used as a means for our members to contribute to the needs and upkeep of our church. That’s our responsibility. However, if you would like to contribute to our needs, please know that it will be used to help us maintain a meeting place for worshiping God.
Is it required that I attend Sunday School?
No. Sunday School was started by a Baptist deacon in the 1800’s. It was used to help educate children in many subjects. When secular schools were started, Sunday School remained as a Bible study for church members. It’s not a must, but we do invite and encourage you to join us in learning more about the Bible.
How can I join your church?
According to the Scriptures, there are two requirements for church membership: salvation and baptism. We receive your testimony and/or letter of endorsement from another church of like faith and order.
Can I lose my salvation?
No. You cannot lose your salvation. If you have ever trusted Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, then you are saved eternally because of what Christ did for you when He was crucified on the cross. The Book of Hebrews explains it without mincing any words: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” (Hebrews 6: 4-6)
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” (Hebrews 6: 4-6) KJV
Location
717 E. Marshall Drive
Grand Prairie, TX
church@marshalldrive.org
Services
Bible Study— 10:00 am
Worship— 11:00 am
Copyright
© 2005-2023 by Marshall Drive Baptist Church. All Rights Reserved.