South Prong and Remedy

The story of South Prong Baptist Church and Remedy Church is a powerful testament to the impact of churches working together, demonstrating how God can use generosity and vision to further His kingdom.

South Prong Baptist Church in Waxahachie, established in 1879, faced significant challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The older congregation struggled to return to normalcy, and the church’s future seemed uncertain. Pastor Mike Gilchrist, who had stepped away a year earlier to pursue a chaplaincy residency, returned on a part-time basis to help guide the church through this difficult season.

Despite his faithful leadership, the demands of his schedule eventually required Pastor Mike to step down. Before doing so, however, he led South Prong through a remarkable act of faith and generosity. Recognizing that the church was not in a position to continue on its own, Pastor Mike reached out to Richard Cody, Executive Director of the Ellis Baptist Association (EBA), to discuss the future of the church. In that conversation, Richard suggested the possibility of passing their building on to another congregation.

Pastor Mike was familiar with Remedy Church, a young and thriving ministry that had previously used South Prong’s building for events such as a marriage conference and as sleeping quarters for mission teams. Remedy Church, led by Pastors Aaron Clayton and Bryan Wooten, was rapidly growing and in desperate need of a permanent facility to support their ministry.

Pastor Mike, along with Raymond Gay from South Prong, met with Remedy’s leadership. It quickly became clear that this was a "God-thing.” Both churches, though different in ministry approach, worship style, and congregation age, shared a kingdom-focused mission. Within a month, South Prong made the decision to pass on their building to Remedy Church.

Remedy Church embraced the opportunity with gratitude and a vision for transformation. They renovated the existing space to meet the needs of their younger congregation. The original 90-seat worship area was converted into four children’s classrooms. The old fellowship hall was transformed into a 280-seat worship space, and the final phase of renovation involved gutting the preschool area to create a large gathering space.

Through this remarkable partnership, the legacy of South Prong Baptist Church lives on. A church that had served its community faithfully for over a century found a way to continue its ministry through Remedy Church, a newer congregation designed to reach a younger generation.

This inspiring story highlights the power of churches working together, guided by the Ellis Baptist Association. It demonstrates how God can use even difficult circumstances to bring about renewal and growth. The faithful generosity of South Prong and the innovative spirit of Remedy Church stand as a beacon of hope and encouragement—reminding us that when churches partner for the kingdom, incredible things happen.