About Us
We are a church body who thrives on God’s grace; we know it is only by faith in Jesus that we are saved, that we can live a godly life for Him, that we can turn from ourselves and follow His lead, that we can accomplish anything good! We believe that Jesus is exactly who He says He is. We take seriously the command to “Love one another” and realize the importance of Christian fellowship as well as the importance of showing His love to anyone, regardless of their beliefs. We are here to help each other in every way, to encourage each other on our individual Walks through life and, ultimately, to be a family.
Our History
Grace Bible Fellowship is an elder led church that was organized as Strathmore First Baptist Church in 1914 and is affiliated with the Baptist General Conference. We are located at the heart of central California, only an hour from the giant sequoias and 3 hours from the coast. Strathmore has a population of over 2500 and is largely Hispanic. Many of our members come from surrounding communities such as Porterville and Lindsay which both are within 10 miles.
From 1978 to 2003 it ministered through Orange Belt Christian School, a private elementary school. Throughout the 1970’s and 80’s, our church had youth and associate pastors and the last 3 senior pastors have all led long term pastorates of 10 years and longer. Church facilities are all well maintained and are all owned by the church body.
Over the last several years, the church has been transformed from a declining body to a thriving family of Christ-like disciples, creating a welcoming environment and a community of grace. In the same years, the worship style moved from traditional to a contemporary blend of creative variety, adapting the talents and desires of many of our people. We continue to experience good, strong leadership.
Our small groups have developed deep and intimate connections and a passionate spirituality permeates this small but energetic body. As we continue to find ways to minister out of our spiritual gifts, we seek to love more fully, abide in Christ in new and deeper ways, to grow in grace and to glorify God before those who do not know Jesus as well as further the lives of His disciples. In the coming years, we hope to see and will endeavor to develop a more established and consistent outreach to the unchurched in our surrounding community.