Our History
While acknowledging there have been many independent Baptist churches in Townsville over the years, Grace Baptist Church of Townsville began in February of 2003. For five years, we met at a local PCYC and in 2008, the Lord made available the present facilities in which we now worship and serve the Lord.
Our church is comprised of people from all ages, nationalities, and walks of life. Although we are different in many ways, we join together in our desire to worship and serve God; to encourage one another in Christian growth and to help others in our church and community. Our church is not a perfect church, but we are learning to be more like Christ daily.
Our Purpose
Our purpose, though carried out through various ministries, remains focused on:
Glorifying God: Everyone and everything was created to give glory to God (Revelation 4:11). We glorify God by acknowledging His greatness through praise and by following His Word daily (Ephesians 3:21).
Carrying out the Great Commission: Jesus came into the world to make it possible for us to have a right relationship with God now and for all eternity. This message is the foundation of hope and peace for all men (John 10:10). The Lord has given all Christians wonderful privilege and responsibility of telling and showing others who Jesus is (Matthew 28:19–20).
Fulfilling the Great Commandments: To love God completely and to love others as you love yourself is the fulfillment of these commandments. As we seek to love God more we will also show care and compassion to those around us (Mark 12:30–31). Our goal is to fulfill these commandments in practical everyday life.
Our Pastor
Pastor Kelly Gilliam grew up in a small town in North Carolina, USA. He trusted Christ as his personal Saviour when almost sixteen. He then helped in various ministries in his church. At age twenty five, while working full-time as a dockworker, he surrendered to full-time ministry willing to do whatever or go wherever the Lord wanted.
While attending Piedmont Bible College and Bob Jones University, the Lord confirmed through His Word and ministry experience that He was calling Pastor Gilliam and his wife, Becca, to come to Australia. The Gilliams were married in May 1998, have been in Australia since early 2001, and are Australian citizens. To them, Australia is home. The Gilliams have three children: Reese, Bryce and Emmalyn (went to be with the Lord at the age of twenty-two months).
Our Beliefs
A more detailed statement of beliefs is available upon request.
About the Bible
We affirm the Holy Bible as the inspired, infallible, inerrant word of God and the basis for our beliefs and practices. It was written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. (2 Timothy 3:16; 1:13 | 2 Peter 1:20-21 | Psalm 119:105, 160 | Proverbs 30:5) The pastor or any visiting speaker at our church preaches from the King James Bible.
About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God (Genesis 1:1, 26, 27; Psalm 90:2, Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2).
About Jesus
Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin woman, lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect lamb of God as a sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He was buried and after three days arose from the dead to demonstrate His power over death, sin, hell, and the grave. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13).
About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is in the world to convict lost people of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He lives in every Christian and gives power for living, understanding spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. Every believer should seek to live under his control (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 3:16; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25).
About Man
Man is made in the image of God. He is the supreme object of God’s creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by disobedience toward God call “sin” This sinfulness separates man from God. (Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15).
About Salvation
Salvation is a gift from God. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as God’s only offer for forgiveness can man be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal life with God begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ by faith (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6; 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1).
About Eternal Security
Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is begun and maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and power of God that gives this security (John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5).
About Heaven and Hell
Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God means eternal existence in a real place of eternal fire and torment called Hell. To be eternally in union with God means eternal life in a real place of eternal bliss called Heaven. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence (John 3:16; 1 John 2:25; 5:11-13; Romans 6:23: Revelation 20:15).
About Church Ordinances
Baptism
A person who receives Jesus Christ as Saviour by personal faith; who professes him publicly at any regular worship service of the church, and who indicated a commitment to follow Christ as Lord will be received for baptism. Baptism will be by immersion, and will be administered by the pastor or whomever the church will authorise.
The Lord’s Supper
The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is a proclamation of a past act, the pronouncement of a present experience, and the prophecy of a future event. Those who sit at the Lord’s Table are to turn their eyes of hope to Christ’s coming again, and are to open their hearts to fellowship with his Spirit. The Lord’s Supper deals with believers in three tenses—past, present, and future. As to the past, it is a commemoration; as to the present, it is a meditation; as to the future, it is anticipation.