About Grace Community Church
Our Story
GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF SADDLEBACK VALLEY BEGAN…
as an independent church in Lake Forest, California in 1975 when a group of devoted Christians wanted to develop a non- Denominational Community church. The church initially met at La Paz Jr. High School, moved to Mission Viejo High School, and finally purchased a nine-acre property in Lake Forest.
Grace Community Church quickly formed a reputation as a church body that held firm to the Word of God’s teaching, discipleship, and evangelism.
Over the next four decades, with the guidance and dedication of three long-term pastors, Grace continued to grow and impact the lives of people in Saddleback Valley and around the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our commitment to Christian education and our efforts to counteract an increasingly secular culture led us to establish three Christian schools—Grace Christian Preschool in 1979, Grace Christian Elementary School in 2004, followed by Grace Christian Jr. High School in 2017.
While the last few years have brought transitions, some expected and some not, God has remained faithful. The “Grace Family” continues to grow in relationship with Jesus, serving with our gifts, and fulfilling God’s great plan for our lives and his Kingdom.
Our Leaders
Jesus Christ is the ultimate leader of Grace Community Church (Ephesians 4:15-16). Also, as the New Testament prescribes for church leadership, Grace is overseen by a team of elder-pastors (Titus 1:7, Acts 14:23, 20:17). We also have deacons who serve as a church-wide care team and many ministry directors who lead the ministries at Grace.
Stephen Paulsen, Lead Pastor
Stephen is an Experienced Pastor, Expository Teacher, Collaborative Team Leader, and Military Veteran with proven expertise in developing robust discipleship strategies and learning programs. He enjoys building long-term relationships and is a shepherd at heart.
Stephen loves spending time with his family and in his spare time, surfing and playing/coaching hockey. He and his wife Julia grew up in Orange County and have been joyfully married since 2003. Together they have four wonderful kids: Grayson, Asher, Kerrick, and River.
Brad Douglass, Director of Worship
Brad Douglass is a long-time member of Grace Community Church and is now serving as our Worship Director. With the assistance of his band, he provides an upbeat and worshipful experience every Sunday morning.
“Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” —Isaiah 25:1 (NIV)
Julia Paulsen, Kids Ministry Director
My name is Julia Paulsen and I have the wonderful privilege of serving kids and families here at Grace Community Church. For over 20 years I have been involved with ministry to children, and here at Grace I am blessed to be serving alongside my husband Stephen, who is the Lead Pastor. My desire is to help children (and their families) discover God’s saving grace so that they can grow to know, love, and live for Jesus.
My husband Stephen and I have been married since 2003 and, together, we have 4 children. When we aren’t running around from one activity to another (hockey, baseball, basketball, gymnastics…) we enjoy relaxing at home watching movies and playing games. Some of my favorite nights include a pizza delivery, microwave popcorn, a fun movie, and of course some squirrely kids!
ELDER PASTORAL TEAM
Don King
Tim Bruton
Galvin Chia
Deacon Team
Tom Anderson
Lynn Anderson
Don Covel
Ward Spielmen
Gina Jussenhoven
Keryn Douglass
Office Team
Grace Christian Schools Board
Galvin Chia, Chairman
Ana Douglas
Charlotte Landis
Steve Douglas
What We Believe
Mission Statement
The mission of Grace Community Church is to glorify God by growing disciples of Jesus Christ who bring hope to a fallen world through God’s truth and grace.
Statement of Faith
Our beliefs
are the biblical and theological doctrines that we hold to concerning God, man, and the most important things in life. With Biblical beliefs guiding us, we can experience the abundant life God designed for us.
1. The Scriptures
The Bible, containing the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, comprising sixty-six books, is the written word of God. It is supernaturally inspired by the Spirit of God, inerrant in the original manuscripts, and infallible in its teaching. It is the divine authority for every person in every age.
2. God and the Holy Trinity
There is one God, who is sovereign Spirit, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three persons are one in substance and equal in power and glory.
3. The Lord Jesus Christ
God the Father, out of love for man, sent Jesus Christ into the world for man's salvation. Jesus Christ in the flesh was both God and man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, worked miracles and taught the perfect truth of God. He died as a sacrifice upon the cross, atoning for man's sin through His shed blood. He was raised from the dead bodily on the third day, ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He is head of the church and intercedes for believers, and is returning again bodily in power and glory.
4. The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit convicts men of sin and calls them to faith. He baptizes and seals all believers at the moment of their salvation, and sanctifies them as they grow in grace. He equips the saints with His gifts, bears His fruit in their lives, comforts, and leads them into all truth.
5. Mankind
All men are created in the image of God, but all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Man is alienated from God by his sin, and stands in need of redemption in Jesus Christ.
6. Salvation
Man's redemption, and reconciliation with God, occur as an act of God's grace, and are entirely apart from the good works of any human being. Salvation comes through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, and results in man's justification before God. God's people are chosen from the foundation of the world, and they are eternally secure. In his salvation man receives forgiveness of sins, the impartation of a new nature, and the assured hope of eternal life.
7. The Church
The universal church is made up of all true believers in Jesus Christ, those in every time and place who have been regenerated by the Spirit of God. In its parts the church consists of individuals and groupings of Christians who have fellowship as the body of Christ. The purpose of the church is to glorify God. This is accomplished primarily through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the end that men might be saved through repentance and faith, and through preaching and teaching to edify the saints. It is accomplished secondarily through good works which represent the love and mercy of God.