Our first worship service was held March 15, 1998 with 136 in attendance. We became affiliated with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church denomination on May 16, 1998 at a meeting of the Presbytery of the West in which the Reverend Dr. E. Perry Mobley was called as our first interim pastor.

In July 1998, we were commissioned as a "Mission Church." That same month, three missionary families were selected to receive both financial and prayerful support by our church. From the outset, our congregation enthusiastically agreed to financially support both overseas and stateside missionaries. Today, we support seven career missionaries, of which three are affiliated with the EPC denomination.

In February 1999, less than a year after becoming a Mission Church, GCC fulfilled all of the necessary requirements to become a self-sustaining, particular church with an official roll of 143 members. In July 1999, the Reverend Bob Thompson began serving as our second interim pastor. He ably served the needs of this congregation for twenty-one months.

In December of 1999, the Session of GCC approved the formation of a Land Site Committee for the purpose of surveying possible sites for a future church building. In the span of just six months the future site of GCC (located in Sun City Grand, Surprise, Arizona on 5.4 acres of prime real estate property) was purchased and paid for!

In March of 2000, the Land Site Committee was disbanded and a new committee was established and given the name, the Church Development Committee (CDC).

In February of 2001, the CDC was granted permission by the Session for the expressed purpose of hiring a professional architect; one who specializes in church design.

In March of 2001, GCC called as its first full-time pastor, the Reverend Cooper McWhirter. Through the remainder of 2001 and midway through 2002, the members and friends of GCC pledged over $960,000 of the approximately $1,000,000 required for the construction of our newly designed multi-purpose facility. We officially broke ground on June 26, 2002 and construction was completed in late December, 2002.

Our first church service was held in our new facility on Sunday, January 5, 2003. A Dedication Service was conducted on the afternoon of Sunday, January 19, 2003 in which officiates from both the Presbytery of the West and the General Assembly office were present. The Reverend Dr. Mike Glodo, Stated Clerk of the EPC, presented the message on this momentous occasion.

From the outset, Pastor Cooper has worked closely with the Ruling Elders of Session. Both in regular monthly meetings as well as periodic retreats, the Elders have gained an appreciation of guiding principles of biblical leadership in their role as "overseers."

GCC is acutely aware of the unique ministerial opportunities which exist in the Sun Cities area. Therefore, whenever possible, the people of GCC will endeavor to partner with other local churches where viable ministries are already underway. When necessary, however, GCC will use whatever resources are available in order to tend to the immediate needs of those less fortunate as well as to the extended community.

To help us focus upon the Lord, the Session adopted a Vision Statement in the spring of 2003, which states: "Making Christ KNOWN, LOVED, and SERVED". In the fall of 2003 a sermon series was presented about this Vision Statement for the expressed purpose of defining who we are and what we are about. Because it is our belief that the Lord Jesus Christ has a vision and a purpose for this church and that such a vision will help to direct our path as we continue to seek and to serve Him faithfully.

In a word, GCC is a church "in-process!" As Philip said to his friend, Nathanel, "Come and see!" ... we invite you to come and see for yourself how lives are being transformed, and witness the love of Christ through us to you!

Sincerely,

The People of Grace