Granger Smith to Speak at Grapeland Man Church Event
By Greg Ritchie
Messenger Reporter
GRAPELAND — First Baptist Church of Grapeland will host a special Man Church gathering Sunday, Oct. 25, featuring former country music artist and Christian minister Granger Smith.
The event will begin with dinner at 5 p.m., followed by worship at 6 p.m. at the church, located at 408 Chestnut St. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased through the church website or by scanning the QR code on event flyers.
Tim Smith, pastor of First Baptist Church, said the event is part of an ongoing effort to bring men from different churches and communities together for fellowship, encouragement and spiritual growth.
Man Church has been meeting for approximately a year and a half, with gatherings held about four or five times a year. The ministry includes men from Grapeland, Crockett, Palestine and surrounding communities, with participation from as many as 10 to 15 churches depending on the location.
“This is not a First Baptist Church ministry,” Smith said. “We’re trying to make it a kingdom ministry. So it’s not a Baptist ministry. It’s just about reaching men, period.”
The Oct. 25 gathering is being planned around the idea of fathers, sons, grandfathers and grandsons attending together. Smith said the invitation is also open to men who may benefit from an intentional relationship with someone who can serve as a father figure, son, grandfather or mentor.
“The events bring us together, but our desire is to build relationships and help churches disciple men,” Smith said. “What happens between the Man Church events is more important than what happens at the events.”
Smith said the organization’s planning group includes men from four or five churches and welcomes laypeople as well as pastors. The group’s goal is to help churches encourage men in their faith and to build relationships that continue after each gathering.
The upcoming event will feature Granger Smith, who spent 24 years as a country music performer before stepping away from touring to pursue ministry. Smith has spoken publicly about how the loss of his young son, River, changed the direction of his life. His book, “Like a River,” reflects on grief, faith and moving forward after loss.
Timothy Smith said Granger Smith is now focused on ministry and will not be performing country music at the Grapeland event.
“He’s not playing his music,” Smith said. “He’s literally put the guitar up. He does not play at his church. He shares God’s Word, period.”
The Grapeland pastor said the opportunity to bring in a speaker with a recognizable name is meaningful, but the larger purpose is to help men connect with one another.
Smith said the idea for the gathering developed after Dr. Gene Getz visited First Baptist last November. Getz’s visit led to additional men’s studies and encouraged local churches to work together on discipleship efforts.
The Oct. 25 gathering will be the first Man Church event hosted by Smith’s group that requires a ticket. Previous gatherings were free, with donations requested to help cover expenses. This event will be held in the church’s Family Life Center and will include a catered meal from Docs in Crockett.
Smith said seating will be limited because tables and chairs will be arranged for the meal. The event is expected to accommodate approximately 200 to 220 people, with a waiting list once capacity is reached.
“The other part is we’re having it catered,” Smith said. “So we’re actually working with Doc’s out of Crockett. And, of course, barbecue ain’t cheap these days.”
Although the $10 ticket does not cover the entire cost of the meal, Smith said the church wants the event to remain accessible.
“If anybody’s got a problem and they can’t do that, if they’ll just contact us and let us know, we’ll find a way to make it work,” he said.
Those interested in attending can purchase tickets online through the First Baptist Church of Grapeland website, fbcgrapeland.org. Tickets may also be accessed through the QR code on event flyers.
The upcoming gathering is part of a broader season of activity at First Baptist, which also recently resumed its Wednesday Awana program.
Awana is a children’s ministry focused on teaching Scripture through age-based groups, activities and relationships with adult leaders. First Baptist’s program begins at 4:15 p.m. on Wednesdays during the school year and continues until 6 p.m.
Smith said the program serves children from three years old through sixth grade, with groups known as Cubbies, Sparks and T&T. Approximately 100 children attend each week, supported by roughly 50 adult and youth workers.
The program attracts children and volunteers from several communities. Smith said some families are now traveling from Palestine because nearby churches no longer offer Awana.
“It’s really a community thing,” Smith said. “You see kids that come from all over the area.”
For Smith, both Awana and Man Church are part of the same broader goal: helping churches reach people in their communities and build relationships that last beyond a single meeting.
The Oct. 25 Man Church gathering will offer food, worship and an opportunity to hear Granger Smith’s testimony, but organizers hope the relationships formed that evening will continue long afterward.
Greg Ritchie can be reached at [email protected]
