Written by Ben Cox – Grace Baptist Church in Early sits just off 377 on the left as you are headed out of town, only a few moments after passing Early High School.
Pastored by Phillip Scott since 2013, the church has been going since the early 1980’s. The church started in the carport of their current pianist, one of two original church members still in attendance.
Scott came to the ministry field after thinking at one time he was not cut out for it. “I grew up in a pastors home, and ministry was always something I had seen as being pretty tough.” “Scott says his time growing up and watching his fathers ministry originally lead him down a different path. “I took the quickest track out of high school and planned to go into the military, be an MP, and be a police officer.”
When Scott felt he was being called to the ministry, he says he just knew that while he might be good at other jobs, he wouldn’t be truly “happy doing anything else.”
His passion for teaching others about God were evident even while working in other jobs. “When I worked in the oilfield, my boss was also a believer and he asked me to lead a bible study on Tuesday mornings.” Scott also said his passion was so evident when he worked for the windmill industry in Abilene, his “hardhat said ‘Preacher Man’ on it, because everybody knew that was me.”
Coming to Brownwood from Odessa, Scott is a Central Texas boy from way back. “My dad pastored churches in Clyde, Merkel, and Snyder, so the Abilene area is home.”
Grace Baptist church is a traditional Baptist church that has their eye on the mission field, directly sponsoring a couple in Nicaragua. Along with that couple, the church supports other missionaries worldwide. “About 17 percent of our budget goes towards world missions.”
The church is focused on the younger generations here at home as well, offering children’s and youth services. One recent Sunday, the congregation walked out to a parking lot of freshly washed windshields after a youth lesson in servant leadership. “Those teenagers went out to the parking lot and we all got a note that said your windshield was cleaned with love.”
Scott says that people who are looking for different things from church will find many of them at Grace Baptist. “If you want to come and are looking for a place to serve, this is a great place to do that. If you need to come and be served this is also a great place to do that. We have a desire to do both.”
Scott says that he uses humor and visuals among other things to get his point across during his sermons, which are are centered around a single purpose. “If people leave here loving the Word of God then I’ve achieved my goal.”
Grace Baptist Church is located at 103 Salt Creek Dr in Early, and their phone number is 325-643-5312. They have Sunday morning bible study at 10 a.m., Worship at 11:00, and Sunday and Wednesday evening services at 6 p.m.
