COPPELL, Texas — About a year ago under the direction of Lead Pastor Chris Meads, the staff and elders of GracePoint Church took an inventory of the state of the church and its standing in the community. Many were surprised at what they discovered.

Although most people in the area knew about the church because of its large indoor playground called The Ark, local residents didn’t know much else about the church or what the church had to offer, said GracePoint’s Operations Director Ashlyn Brothers.

Forced to look deep within, it motivated the staff and church members to redirect their focus. GracePoint has been on a mission over the past year to engage with its neighbors and “Serve the City.” Church members submitted ideas for service projects.

Volunteers have taken breakfasts to teachers at five local schools and also provided breakfasts to first responders at fire stations and police stations. Other service projects have included distributing water bottles at local parks on hot days, setting up a craft fair, putting together an Easter egg hunt at a local park and hosting a daddy-daughter dance.

“It has given us tangible, consistent ways to be present in our community and just love the people of Coppell,” Brothers said. “The heart behind it from the beginning has been to serve people in the Coppell community with no strings attached. We want to build relationships with the community and let them know that GracePoint exists and that we care for them.”

Brothers says that the community has responded with great appreciation, which has opened doors for conversations and visits to GracePoint.

“We often had people who didn’t understand why we were giving them free food, water or crafts, but the response was always so appreciative,” she said. “We’ve built relationships with local schools, first responders and community members that have been really encouraging to our church.” 

Additional service projects are being planned this summer.

“There are few things better than a free, cold water on a hot day,” Brothers said. “We have goals to do more water bottle and park outreaches this summer at the Coppell splash pad when the farmers market is in town.”

This fall, Brothers said volunteers are planning to visit more schools and serve breakfast to teachers. At Christmastime, volunteers from GracePoint also plan to help with the efforts for Operation Christmas Child by serving at the Samaritan’s Purse processing center in Coppell.

“We are always open to new service ideas and encourage members to think of other opportunities in the community we could participate in,” Brothers said. “We’ve had many families visit our church because of Serve the City, and it’s been really sweet to connect with them on a more personal level. We’ve also been able to meet some tangible needs and strengthen our community through that.

“It’s been so encouraging to see our members say ‘yes’ to serving others without any expectations,” she continued. “I have spoken to quite a few members who served with these projects, and they have shared how it has built up their faith to actively be the hands and feet of Jesus. Our members have been more engaged with the community and willing to invest in it since we started Serve the City. It also helps by constantly putting service at the forefront of our minds. It can be so easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget about serving others.”