Unofficial Profile by Mark Wildman. Grace Community Church was founded in 1965 by four families with a vision to build a community church on the southern edge of Tempe Arizona to minister to all of the new families moving into this rapidly growing community. By the summer of 1966, the first of many miracles took place as land became available, and construction began on a new worship center. The first service was held on Jan. 8, 1967, led by Pastor Guy Davidson, and 355 people attended, 55 more than the worship center was built to seat. The next week, Sunday School for all ages began, and by Palm Sunday of that year, a second service was added. During the first month, the congregation also began its long involvement in Global Outreach by supporting the work of a couple doing Bible translation in Mexico. Over the next several years construction continued at a steady pace to keep up with the rapid growth of the church: classroom buildings in the spring of 1967, gymnasium and additional classrooms in 1968, and a larger worship center in 1972 with seating for 1,000. While building this center, the congregation also committed to build Grace Ling Liang Church in Calcutta, India under the ministry of David and Mary Lamb. Grace Lodge, located on Rainbow Lake, was donated to the church to be used for seminars and weekend retreats. In 1975 Grace Community Christian School was birthed, requiring additional classroom space to be built, and then in 1967 an additional acre of land east of the electrical substation became available and was added to the campus, now totaling 18 acres for ministry. We are a bible believing teaching community church divers in age, ethnicity, and background. Sunday attendance ranges from 1000-1200. We are passionate about worship, discipleship and reaching our community in Tempe Arizona and throughout the world.
