GVCC Celebrates 40 Years!
Grace Valley Christian Center celebrated its fortieth anniversary on May 17 with a joyous worship service filled with special music, slide shows, remembrances of God’s mercies, and an inspiring message, followed by a catered sit-down dinner on the quad for several hundred friends and members.
Founded in 1974 as Davis Evangelical Church by the Reverend P. G. Mathew, the church has grown from a small gathering of mostly college students into a vibrant, multi-national, multi-generational congregation (including many original members, their children, and grandchildren). Over the years, members have come to Grace Valley from Davis, Winters, Vacaville, Dixon, Sacramento, and the Bay Area, as well as from many other places throughout the world.
Grace Valley Christian Center is characterized by its commitment to boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, for the gospel “is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). Such life-transforming preaching is the direct result of the ministry of its senior minister, P. G. Mathew. Born and raised in South India, Pastor Mathew worked as a scientist before coming to the United States to pursue graduate studies in chemistry. However, God had a different idea, calling Pastor Mathew to preach the gospel. Pastor Mathew stopped his chemistry studies and began seven years of theological studies, earning graduate degrees from Central Bible Seminary and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, before coming to Davis in 1974 and founding the church.
The distinguishing mark of Grace Valley Christian Center is the word of God, faithfully interpreted and exposited in the most theologically precise way, which is in the Reformed tradition. Pastor Mathew says, “The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace alone by faith alone through Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. The Westminster Shorter Catechism teaches that the Scriptures, consisting in the Old and New Testament, are the only rule God has given us to teach us what to believe and what duty God requires of man. In short, Jesus is Lord of all of life. So we focus on correctly interpreting the Bible, with an emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit, and living a godly life.”
When the church first started, members met at Cranbrook Court apartments on J Street and the Davis Friends meeting hall at Fourth and L Streets. As the congregation grew, it rented facilities from the Lutheran Church of the Incarnation (1976 to 1987). During that time, the church was able to purchase twenty-one acres in far West Davis and eventually build its current sanctuary building debt free. Pastor Mathew has always taught that God will provide for his work. Certainly, God did abundantly provide for his people, beyond what they could ask or imagine.
With great joy, the congregation moved to its current location at 27173 County Road 98 in May 1987. To meet further growth, an education building was completed in 1997, and in 1998 Grace Valley Christian Academy opened its doors for students from kindergarten through ninth grade. Now in its seventeenth year, the academy is known throughout the region for academic excellence combined with Christian character training.
Pastor Mathew’s ministry, especially his sermons, has blessed many over the years. His sermons have had a worldwide impact through the church’s website. Pastor Mathew has also recently published several books based on his sermons, including commentaries on 1 John, Joshua, Hebrews, Acts, and Romans, with several more to be published soon.
The preaching of the gospel always transforms lives and results in good works. Space does not permit listing the many activities that Grace Valley has been involved in. There have been youth camps, campus seminars, migrant outreaches, convalescent hospital ministries, community service at the Farmers Market and Chamber of Commerce events, study tours of Bible lands (including a trip this past month to Israel), and support of many domestic and foreign missions.
One thing is certain: after forty years, Pastor Mathew and Grace Valley Christian Center look forward to many more years of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to Davis, to the surrounding communities, and to the world. To God be all glory!