A Bible Church Anchored on 99th Avenue
Grace Bible Church meets at 19280 North 99th Avenue in Sun City, Arizona, where two Sunday morning services, a midweek Bible study, and a network of small groups fill the weekly calendar. The congregation describes its purpose in three words: "make, mature, and multiply disciples of Jesus Christ." Around that mission, everything at the church - preaching, music, missions, and counseling - is organized.
The church holds to a carefully worded doctrinal statement that begins with the inerrancy of Scripture and ends with the resurrection of the just and the unjust. In between, it affirms the Trinity, the virgin birth and deity of Christ, salvation by faith, the personal and premillennial return of Jesus, and two ordinances: the Lord's Supper and baptism by immersion. The statement also takes a confessional position on gender as male and female, determined at conception. Teaching flows from those convictions week by week.
Sunday Worship
Two identical Sunday morning services are held at 8:30 am and 10:30 am in the Worship Center. The later service is live streamed on the church's YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person. Communion is observed on the first Sunday of each month.
The Music and Worship Department frames its calling around three verses: Psalm 150:6 ("Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord"), Ephesians 5:19 (singing "psalms and hymns and spiritual songs"), and Colossians 3:16. The ministry welcomes singers and instrumentalists to join the choir or band.
Midweek Bible Study
Wednesdays are built around the Word. Associate Pastor Gene McIntosh leads a Bible study at 10:00 am in the Worship Center, and that gathering is also live streamed. A separate Women's Bible Study with Nancy Stiller follows at 1:00 pm in the Missions Room. For men, Saturday mornings at 7:30 am in Gerig Hall open with a men's Bible study featuring rotating speakers.
Pastors and Elders
The pastoral staff is led by two senior pastors. Bill Bjork and Eric Bargerhuff both carry the title of Senior Pastor, with Claudio Priolo serving as Pastor of Administration and Gene McIntosh as Associate Pastor. Corey Hirsch oversees worship and music.
Governance is shared with a board of elders chaired by Roger Hampson-Taylor, with Bob Williams as vice chairman and Larry Feigal as secretary. Other elders include Dave Deaver (treasurer), Ken Fahnestock, Granville Lounds, Rod Dosier, Jim Allen, Bill Elliott, and Charles Southall. Elders serve on councils covering Administration, Christian Education, Church Life, Worship, Outreach, Care, and Missions. They can be reached at elders@gbcsuncity.org.
Small Groups and Weekly Ministries
A range of smaller gatherings fill the rest of the week. Women of Prayer meets Mondays at 9:30 am in the Library. A care group also meets Mondays at 9:30 am in the Missions Room for those caring for loved ones with memory challenges, with a separate respite group available. Tuesdays at 7:30 am bring a prayer meeting in the Library. On Wednesdays, a group gathers at 8:30 am in the Fireside Room in addition to the two Bible studies. The Grace Missionary Fellowship, made up of women who craft items for missionaries and members in need, meets Thursdays from 9:00 to 11:00 am in the Missions Room.
Pastoral care is a noticeable thread. The church employs a Church Nurse, Brenda Staples, and GriefShare runs as a recurring support group for people grieving the loss of a spouse, family member, or friend. A separate ministry serves caregivers of those with memory loss.
Missions Around the World
Missions is more than an annual conference at Grace Bible Church. The congregation partners with a network of missionaries and ministry organizations in countries across the globe and maintains an interactive map so members can follow each worker. Members are invited to subscribe to missionary newsletters, host visiting missionaries, join short-term trips to the field, and give directly to specific ministries. Prayer is woven in as well, with focused requests for open doors, boldness, fruitfulness, and provision.
Teaching Resources and Library
A weekly bulletin, Sunday sermon notes, and Wednesday Bible study notes are published online so members can follow along before, during, or after each gathering. Sermon recordings are archived for later listening. The church also runs a library, open between Sunday services and following the Wednesday Bible study, where members can check out books and reference materials.
Giving and Stewardship
The church treats giving as part of discipleship, quoting 2 Corinthians 9:7-8: "God loves a cheerful giver." Online giving is available one time or through a secure recurring account, and gifts can be designated to support the general ministry or specific missionaries.
Visiting Grace Bible Church
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Sunday services are casual but respectful, and a Welcome Center staffed by volunteers greets visitors. Parking is available on site, and a map with directions is provided. For those unable to attend in person, the 10:30 am Sunday service and the 10:00 am Wednesday Bible study can be watched live on the church's YouTube channel, with past sermons archived for later viewing.