About Gray’s Creek Church
Gray’s Creek Church is more than a congregation; we are a vibrant community of Christian believers united by a common mission to transform lives by spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our passion is to meet the diverse needs of both our community and members, by actively sharing Christ’s love through preaching, teaching, outreach, serving, and equipping. We have a steadfast commitment to living out our faith, deeply rooted and established in the Word of God. Join us at “The Creek” and discover firsthand the profound impact of God in our lives. Here, faith comes alive, love is tangible, and lives are continually shaped by the transformative presence of Jesus Christ.
Mission Statement
We are Transformed and Equipped By God to Serve Each Other, and to Saturate Our Communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus answered and said unto her,
Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again; But whosoever drinketh of this water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
St. John 4:13-14 KJV
About the Pastor
Meet Pastor Patrick Tucker the Pastor of Gray’s Creek Church
A native of Memphis, Pastor Tucker has come full circle as the proud leader of Gray’s Creek Church in Arlington, TN—the very church where he was raised. His journey in ministry began in 2004 when he accepted his call to ministry, and on September 30, 2012, he assumed the role of Pastor at Gray’s Creek. Pastor Tucker is a scholar of the faith, having studied at Crichton College in Memphis, TN. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Faith Evangelical Seminary in Tacoma, Washington. His pursuit of knowledge continued at Luther Rice College & Seminary in Lithonia, Georgia, where he earned a Master of Arts in ministry. Beyond his dedication to the church, Pastor Tucker finds immense joy and fulfillment in his family. He and his wife, Camille, are blessed with three wonderful children: Ariel, Caleb, and Jalen. Pastor Tucker brings a wealth of experience, a passion for ministry, and a deep love for the community to Gray’s Creek Church.
History
In the heart of Shelby County, amidst the scars of human slavery, a resilient community of slaves and free persons of color came together to establish Gray’s Creek Missionary Baptist Church in the rural enclave of Eads.
Marking its inception in 1843, Gray’s Creek Missionary Baptist Church holds a unique and storied history as Shelby County’s oldest African American congregation. The church’s roots are deeply embedded in the community. Notable founders included Joseph “Free Joe” Harris and Simon Price, both free persons of color, alongside numerous slaves. Gray’s Creek swiftly evolved into a vital institution for the African American community in northeastern Shelby County.
Joseph “Free Joe” Harris, a key founder, not only played a pivotal role in establishing the church but also served as the first preacher and master carpenter during its construction. (WKNO) Historical evidence indicates that the elder Price was the congregation’s first pastor. (The Historical Marker Database) In February 1843, Harris commenced preaching at Gray’s Creek, addressing a congregation primarily composed of slaves who gathered twice a month in a small, white-frame building in Eads. The annual revival, starting every third Sunday in August and concluding with Baptism on the first Sunday in September, became a cherished tradition.
Beyond providing spiritual solace, the church played a crucial role in enhancing educational opportunities for Eads’s African American children. As the African American population in Shelby County burgeoned, Gray’s Creek became a beacon for those seeking comfort and community. The church played a pivotal role in aiding members’ transition to freedom after the abolition of involuntary servitude in 1865. Collaborating with the American Missionary Association, Gray’s Creek established a school that operated from the end of slavery in 1865 until the establishment of county schools in 1918.
Despite facing the challenges of wars, economic depressions, and periods of prosperity, Gray’s Creek Missionary Baptist Church has endured. Today, it proudly stands at the intersection of Airline Road and Highway 64, a testament to its enduring legacy and commitment to serving the community. Throughout its history, Gray’s Creek Church has been a resilient and enduring institution, adapting to the changing needs of its members and the broader community.
At present, Gray’s Creek stands strongly as a church on a mission to be “Transformed and Equipped By God to Serve Each Other, and to Saturate Our Communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” This powerful commitment reflects our dedication to personal transformation and community outreach, grounded in the belief that the gospel has the power to change lives, families, and communities. Guiding us on this mission is Pastor Patrick D. Tucker, a dynamic leader, Memphis native, and proud product of Gray’s Creek Church himself. Alongside his wife, Camille, and their three children – Ariel, Caleb, and Jalen – Pastor Tucker leads our church with dedication, passion, and an unwavering commitment to the transformative power of the gospel. As we continue our journey, Gray’s Creek Church remains united in its purpose to discover and share the profound impact of God’s love at “The Creek.” Through unwavering faith, community engagement and dedicated leadership, Gray’s Creek Church remains a beacon of hope and transformation in Eads, Tennessee, on the hallowed grounds on which it was founded.
Sources:
https://www.ruralheritagetrust.com/eads.htm
https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=148239
https://www.wknofm.org/news-and-features/2013-02-07/grays-creek-baptist-church
