The story of Grace Church begins on Easter Sunday morning, April 15, 1979, when 12 people gathered in a basement to study the Bible. The church was called Des Moines Baptist Church.

During the next six years the small congregation moved six times. In August of 1983 the church issued a call to two young pastors from Maryland, Pastors David and Lewis Nelms. By unanimous vote the group issued a call for the Nelms brothers to come to Des Moines.

After much prayer, both brothers accepted the call. Pastor Lewis arrived on September 17, 1983, and Pastor David preached his first sermon in Des Moines on November 7, 1983.

With the attendance reaching a high of 321 on Easter Sunday, the church voted on May 30, 1984, to purchase their first building located at 950 35th street. The building was in great need of improvement, but it belonged to DMBC. On June 10, 1984, the church held its first service in the building.

The next 18 years are best summarized by the word "change." To highlight just a few of the major changes:

• The church congregation grew to an average attendance of over 1,300 during its morning worship services.
• The name of the church was changed from Des Moines Baptist Church to Grace Church.
• The building at 950 35th Street was sold and a new facility was constructed in 1992. The facility is located on over 70 acres along I-235 on Des Moines' northeast side.
• In 1995 Grace Church partnered with Pastor Rob Jones and planted Fellowship Community Church in Norwalk, Iowa.
• A new education wing was opened in 1997 providing an additional 21 classes for the growing congregation.
• In April 2000 Grace Church planted Grace West Church in West Des Moines, Iowa.
• In October 2000 the Lord led Pastor David Nelms to accept the call of Berean Baptist Church in West Palm Beach, Florida to serve as their senior pastor.
• In April 2001 the Lord led Pastor Phil Winfield to accept the call of Grace Church to become their senior pastor. Pastor Phil served as co-pastor of Grace/Des Moines Baptist Church from 1984-1988, before surrendering to the foreign mission field. The Winfields served as missionaries in Lima, Peru for 13 years.
• In September 2001 the church dedicated its new, state-of-the-art worship center to the Lord as a tool for both evangelism and edification.
• In November 2003 Grace Church celebrated 20 years of ministry in Central Iowa.

One thing that hasn't changed over the years are the foundational principles that guide the church. Just like the small group that first met in a basement, we want to see people enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We want to help God's children grow in their knowledge understanding of Him. We want to be a house of worship and praise where the name of Jesus is lifted up above every other name. We want to be a church that follows His command to go and make disciples, no matter where in the world He may send us.

The Lord definitely has led and blessed Grace Church. So today, we prayerfully and humbly give Him credit and praise. Rightfully we sing, "To God be the Glory! Great Things He Has Done!"