This Sunday, I attended the 50th anniversary of Cypress Valley Bible Church in Marshall, TX. Cypress has strong children’s, youth, and adult ministries and solid free grace teaching. Through its mission efforts, it has connected with several international partners. But beyond all that, Cypress Valley has a special place in my heart, as it is the church where my wife grew up, her father served as elder for decades, and I was mentored and learned so much from the pastor and other ministers. Cypress even paid for a substantial majority of my seminary degree. I’m grateful to Cypress Valley and their pastor, Bob Bryant, for the foundation laid, the knowledged gained, and the friends made.

Cypress Valley was also instrumental in the genesis of Free Grace International, the ministry of this website. Cypress made the launch of this ministry possible through the support of our founders, John Goodding and Amy Paige. Without those years of support and the partnership we shared, it’s likely this ministry wouldn’t exist. 

The church has always been focused on helping people gain assurance of salvation. Learning from them, that vital ministry focus is baked into all we do at Free Grace International. We are so thankful for Cypress Valley and what their people have meant to us over the years.

New Beginnings

One town over, one day after Cypress Valley celebrated its 50th anniversary, the church where I serve was looking at our first lease agreement for a building to meet in. The Pines Church, which we started a little over a year ago, has been meeting in homes during that time, but we’ve now reached the point where we need a building. 

It was an interesting couple of days—celebrating Cypress Valley’s history while also experiencing the beginnings of another free grace church in a city not too far away. 

We don’t yet know what this new church will mean to the people who attend or are influenced by it, but we’re looking forward to the exciting days ahead. We look forward to using what we’ve learned at Cypress and elsewhere to expand into a new town, an area that needs assurance and the clear message of grace.

Our long-term vision is for more free grace, sister churches to be planted and for a growing network of congregations to thrive together across a broad region where assurance is preached and shared.

As Cypress Valley continues to grow and presses forward in its mission of bringing assurance to those who need it, we hope there are another 50 years in store for the church. We eagerly watch for what God will do.

Congratulations, Cypress Valley Bible Church of Marshall, on 50 years, and happy beginnings to The Pines Church of Longview! These are truly exciting times!