Our Story
Grace Community Church has a rich history–full of men and women who stepped out in faith to live out the gospel. We strive to be a healthy church that is defined by grace, discipleship, and outreach. To find out more about where we came from and where God is leading us, we look back at Grace Community Church’s history.
What is Grace?
It is more than a church name. As followers of Jesus, grace is “the unearned love of God given freely by him for the sake of relationship and empowerment to serve him and others.” God offers this grace to all people, so we might be in right relationship with him. People like you and me. People whom He loves. Grace is given not because we are “religious” or “good enough,” but because God’s love is great enough to break the chains of our brokenness and restore us to right relationship with him.
This grace came in the form of Jesus, the Son of God. He gave his life on the cross so that we might experience the grace of God and find new life in Him.
We believe so passionately in our need for grace, we named our church Grace Community Church. We are defined by this undeserved gift. Grace binds us together and compels us to share the love of God with everyone around us.
Grace Community Church is a diverse, multi-ethnic church family—a group of people on a spiritual journey. We are not perfect, but we are serious about loving God, loving people, reaching people and developing people for him.
You are welcome here. Wherever you are in your journey, we welcome you to our church family.
Early Years
In 1981, a group of church planters from Montavilla Baptist Church were commissioned to start Gresham Hills Baptist Church in East County. Over the next 16 years, Gresham Hills Baptist Church consolidated and merged with a number of churches to become Grace Community Church—eventually moving to Hogan Road in 1997.
Growth & Leadership
Led by a number of Elders and Pastors—including Dennis Friesen, Larry Gadbaugh, Bill Russell, Jim Hislop, and our current Lead Pastor, Jay Messenger, the church continued to seek to build lasting relationships in our neighborhood and to share the grace and love of Jesus. It soon became apparent the church would outgrow the one level facility we occupied. In 2008, Grace Community Church expanded its facility to include more classrooms, offices, a café, an area for Children’s Ministry, and a Student Ministry room. In 2016 we became one church with Comunidad de Gracia.
Ministries & Outreach
Grace Community Church continues to grow and to build relationships with our neighbors and community. In 2016 we became one church with Comunidad De Gracia, a multi-ethnic Hispanic fellowship that reaches into East County. We work closely with East Gresham Grade School to assist them in better serving the families in their district through mentorship and an annual Christmas Party. We also collaborate with organizations like Oregon Food Bank—ensuring those around us have access to food, Faithful Friends—providing mentors to kids in our community, and Living Water—who puts in wells throughout the world to provide clean drinking water. And for one week every summer, Grace Community Church transforms into Vacation Bible School—reaching 100’s of kids in our neighborhood and community. Finally, in 2010, a portion of Grace Community Church’s undeveloped property was plowed up to create the Hogan Road Community Garden, which is open to all our neighbors.
The Future
Since the beginning, Grace Community Church has been committed to being Jesus Followers Extending Grace. We meet every Sunday morning to worship, learn & serve together. We are committed to Loving God, Loving People, Reaching People and Developing People all for God’s glory and in Jesus’ name.