Grace Baptist Church

1461 E. Post Road, Marion IA
(319) 377-9448 

GBC Staff

Pastor Ballard
Pastor Cecil R. Ballard was born on June 13, 1960 in Baton Rouge Louisiana. He grew up attending Central Baptist Church under Pastor Bob Smith and then Pastor Bob Buchanan. He grew up in Christian home where his dad and mom faithfully served in the ministries of Central Baptist church. Pastor Ballard graduated from the Christian academy and surrendered to preach the Gospel. He married his high school sweetheart Mrs. Susan Ballard who also attended and served in the ministries of Central Baptist church. He attended and graduated from Hyles Anderson College. Pastor Ballard began to work for Pastor Keith Gomez at Northwest Bible Baptist Church in Prospect Heights Illinois for and then became the youth pastor for Dr. BG Buchanan for 11 years. He was called to be the pastor of Grace Baptist church in 1993 where he is presently serving. Pastor Ballard and Mrs Susie have 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren.
 

Associate Pastor Bill Graham

Pastor Bill Graham was born on July 22, 1963. He graduated from Denham Springs high school in Louisiana. Soon after high school he married his high school sweetheart Debbie. Bill joined and served in the US Army for 4 years. In 1987 Pastor Bill Graham became a police officer for the Baton Rouge police department. While working as a police officer Bill was invited to a Law Enforcement Appreciation day at Central Baptist church and met Pastor Bob Buchanan. Bill and Debbie joined the church and became involved in the ministries of the church and helped Youth Pastor Cecil Ballard minister to the young people of the church. After Pastor Ballard moved to Iowa to become the pastor, he offered Bill a position as his youth pastor at Grace Baptist church in Marion Iowa to which he accepted. Pastor Bill Graham has been the youth pastor/Associate pastor since 1998 and is presently serving in the same capacity. While serving at Grace Baptist Church, God instilled a desire in Bro. Graham to reach other law enforcement personnel. Thus, Signal 63 Ministry was born. This ministry provides for the safety needs as well as the spiritual needs of law enforcement personal around the world. You can learn more about Signal 63 Ministry under our Ministries tab. Pastor Graham and Mrs. Debbie have three grown children.