Grace First Baptist Church was originally organized on June 6, 1975, in the home of the late Rev. Linwood F. Russ with three family members, wife, Blanche A. Russ, son, Linwood C. Russ and daughter, Audrey Russ. On June 22, 1975, the first worship service was held at the Pastors home with 20 visitors in attendance including the three family members. The first public worship service was held at the J.B. Passmore Elementary School, located on Pinn Road, on June 29, 1975.
Six visitors united with the small Grace Family. By December 1975, the membership had grown to 83. The membership was growing fast and the small auditorium at Passmore Elementary School was being filled each Sunday. On May 23, 1976, it was resolved to build a church building on the purchased property. The membership had grown to 94. On June 22, 1976, Pastor Linwood Russ and 7 trustees signed a contract with "Berlee Lumber Company", to build a single story structure at 2510 Observation Drive, San Antonio, Texas. On December 15, 1976, Pastor Russ and 118 members moved from J.B. Passmore Elementary School auditorium into the new Church Building. By 1979, the membership had grown to 257 and additional property was purchased, paved and made into parking lots. On March 14, 1985, Grace First Baptist Church was incorporated.
On May 17, 1986, Pastor Russ succumbed to a massive heart attack. Associate Minister Eddie McCrary, Sr. was appointed as Spiritual Leader until a new Pastor could be selected. The church had grown to 449 and on June 4, 1987, Rev. Aaron Brasfield, Jr. was called and installed as the new Pastor. The membership continued to grow under the leadership of Pastor Brasfield. Grace contracted with Quality Steele, Inc., of Sequin, Texas, in 1988 to build a new sanctuary, adjacent to the original building.
On February 16, 1992, the dream, envisioned by Rev. Russ and perpetuated by the membership, was brought to fruition, by the power of God, when Pastor Brasfield conducted the first worship service in the new facility. This facility, with a seating capacity of approximately 800, reflects the tremendous growth of the church. Grace purchased another piece of property in August 1994, to expand the parking lot adjacent to the main sanctuary. Pastor Brasfield preached his last sermon on January 5, 1997.
On January 19, 1997, Rev. Dr. Walter L. Starks, became Interim Pastor of Grace First Baptist Church. Dr. Starks was officially selected as pastor on October 13, 1997 and later installed on December 14, 1997. He is a Bible scholar, teacher, community leader, organizer, builder and a man of God. Under his leadership and administration, Grace First Baptist Church has continued to pursue the original dream of Reverend Russ and pressed forward with its growth and vision, including being very instrumental in the upward trend in the Church’s financial blessings. Pastor Starks announced his retirement effective on December 21, 2008.
On December 22, 2008, Reverend Allen Ford became Spiritual Leader.
