Peace Lutheran Church in Groves, Texas is a community of everyday people who follow Jesus and want to share His peace with others. We were formed in 2022 when two longtime congregations—St. Paul Lutheran in Groves and Trinity Lutheran in Port Arthur—came together as one. Both churches had deep roots in Southeast Texas, and after prayerful reflection, they saw that they could make a greater impact together than apart.

In February 2022, Peace Lutheran Church was born with a simple goal: to help people put Jesus first. As we’ve grown, so has our mission. Today, we say that
"We are Sharing the Peace" by "Going with Jesus into our Community,
Bringing the Gospel of Peace."

Creeds and Confessions
At Peace Lutheran, our beliefs are anchored in the core teachings Christians have shared for centuries. You’ll hear us talk about the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds—these are short, powerful statements that express what the Bible says about God, Jesus, and salvation.  We also hold to the Lutheran Confessions, which help explain how the Bible speaks into everyday life. That’s what we mean when we say we’re “Lutheran”—not that we follow Martin Luther in every word, but that we walk the same path he did: centered on Jesus, grounded in the Bible, and eager to share the good news with others. 

The Problem: What’s Gone Wrong?
Something is broken—not just in the world, but in us. The Bible calls this brokenness sin. It’s not just bad behavior—it’s a deep separation from God that affects everything.
Sin entered the story when humanity first turned away from God (Genesis 3:1–15), and it’s been showing up ever since: in pain, division, injustice, and death. No matter how good we try to be, we can’t fix it on our own. As Scripture says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  Thankfully, the story doesn’t end there. Jesus stepped into our brokenness to heal, forgive, and restore. That’s why we need a Savior—and why we believe Jesus is that Savior.

Faith: Trusting Jesus with Your Life
Faith isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about trust. Like a child resting in a parent’s arms, faith means leaning on Jesus, trusting that His promises are true and His grace is for you.  Faith is a gift from God, sparked by His Word and shaped over time. As we grow in that relationship, faith shows up in how we live, speak, and love. But it always begins with simple trust in Jesus.

The Church: More Than a Building
Church isn’t just a Sunday activity—it’s a family. We believe that the Church is made up of all who trust in Jesus, brought together by baptism and bound together by the Holy Spirit.  At Peace, we worship together, grow in God’s Word, support one another, and serve our community. We’re far from perfect—but we’re learning together what it means to follow Jesus.  Wherever God’s Word is preached and His gifts (like baptism and the Lord’s Supper) are shared, the Church is alive and active.

Baptism: A New Start
Baptism is a sacred gift. In it, God claims us as His own, washes us clean, and gives the Holy Spirit. It’s not about our commitment to God—it’s about His commitment to us.
We baptize people of all ages, including infants, because we believe God’s promises are for everyone. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me…” (Matthew 18:6), and Scripture says even infants can have faith (Acts 2:38–39; 1 Peter 3:21).
Whether you're starting your journey or have been walking with Jesus for a while, baptism is a powerful sign that God is with you—and for you.

Every Life Has Value
The Bible says we are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). That means every life—every person—has worth, dignity, and purpose.  We care about the vulnerable, the forgotten, and those who feel lost—because that’s who Jesus came for. And we believe that God’s design for human life, including relationships, identity, and sexuality, is for our good—even when it’s challenging. His design leads to life.

God’s Word: Still Speaking, Still Changing Lives
We believe that God still speaks today—through His written Word (the Bible), His spoken Word (when the Gospel is shared), and His living Word—Jesus Christ Himself.
The Bible isn’t just an old book. It tells the story of everything—of creation, brokenness, rescue, and restoration—with Jesus at the center. In it, God speaks both truth and grace. He shows us where we fall short (Law) and points us to His love and forgiveness (Gospel). That’s why we turn to Scripture as our foundation. It gives direction, sets healthy boundaries, and most of all, points us to the hope we have in Jesus.

Grace: You Don’t Have to Earn It
Grace means getting what you don’t deserve—in the best way possible. It’s God’s love, freely given, even when we haven’t earned it. We believe that God looks on us with compassion, not because we’re good, but because He is.
Jesus lived the life we couldn’t live and took on the punishment we deserved so that we could be welcomed into God’s family. That offer is for everyone—no matter your past, your doubts, or your story.

Salvation: Forgiven, Free, and Fully Loved
Salvation is about rescue. Through Jesus, we are forgiven, reconnected with God, and promised eternal life. It's not something we achieve—it’s something we receive.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8–9). When doubts creep in, we don’t look inward—we look to what God has said and done for us in Jesus. His promises are our peace.

How God Reaches Us: His Grace, Delivered
God doesn’t leave us guessing—He comes to us in real, tangible ways. We call these His Means of Grace—especially the Word, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper.
These are the ways God personally delivers His promises. They’re not just symbols—they’re how God brings His love, forgiveness, and presence into our lives today.

How God Reaches Us: His Grace, Delivered
God doesn’t leave us guessing—He comes to us in real, tangible ways. We call these His Means of Grace—especially the Word, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper.
These are the ways God personally delivers His promises. They’re not just symbols—they’re how God brings His love, forgiveness, and presence into our lives today.

The Lord’s Supper: Jesus at the Table
In Communion—also called the Lord’s Supper—we believe that Jesus gives us more than just bread and wine. He gives us Himself—His body and blood, for the forgiveness of our sins.  This meal is a gift meant to strengthen our faith and remind us that Jesus is always with us. It’s for those who are baptized, trust in Jesus, and have received basic instruction in the meaning of the meal (1 Corinthians 11:28–29). If you're not sure where you are in that journey, you're welcome to come forward for a blessing—we’d love to talk more about it.

Our Mission: Love First, Because Jesus Did
We believe that Christians are called to reflect Jesus—not by judging the world, but by offering hope. “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” (John 3:16), and now we’re sent to do the same.  Our mission is simple: to live out the love of Jesus through our words and actions. To bring good news into hard places. To offer grace and truth, just like Jesus did.