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Our Story

Gospel Grace Church began in 2012 when four pastors (Lukus Counterman, Jonathan Albright, Jon Kopp, and Will Galkin) moved their families from across the country to Salt Lake City. Many supporters gave financially for the church planting effort. Several people moved to Salt Lake City as well to be part of GGC. When the church chartered in September 2013, we packed out the Fort Douglas Post Chapel, located on the campus of the University of Utah. 

God’s hand upon our small church plant was evident as people began to invest their lives in church-planting efforts. Within five years, we were able to purchase our own building next to Liberty Park. Over a decade of gospel ministry has allowed a Gospel Family of Churches to be born. Through the preaching of God’s Word, community groups, evangelism, discipleship, leadership training, and a focus on gospel-centered, grace-saturated living, Gospel Grace Church continues to grow in central Salt Lake City.

On August 19, 2012, about 70 people gathered in the Post Chapel on the University of Utah campus for our first meeting.

Gospel Grace Church Timeline

Spring of 2015 – Our congregation outgrows the Post Chapel and moves next door into the Ballroom at the University Guest House.

Fall 2016 – Fundraising begins to purchase the church on the corner of 7th East and 13th South. A developer offer the sellers over a half million more than we could manage, but the sellers reject the offer. Through generous giving by GGC and outside supporters, we purchase the church building. In 2016, GGC moves into our first non-rented building.

Easter 2018 – Our Gospel Family of Churches is born when Gospel Hope Church (a revitalization in Riverton) launches, with Danny Brooks, Kevin Inafuku, Matt Parker, and Daniel Kaminsky as the pastoral team.

Spring 2019 – Josh MacAvoy and Jotham Manoranjan are ordained to gospel ministry and join the GGC pastoral team. Pastor Will Galkin and his family move permanently to Salt Lake City.

August 2021 – Salt Lake School of Theology begins with three PhDs from Utah: Lukus Counterman, Matthew Emadi, and Jared Jenkins. 

September 2021 – Gospel Peace Church (a daughter church in Logan) launches. The pastoral team includes Paul Campbell, Jonathan Jarrett, and John Moon.

October 2023 – GGC’s church-planting fellow, Pastor Luke Bylsma is voted in at Cornerstone Church in Rose Park, where a revitalization begins and the church is launched as Gospel Light Church in the spring of 2024.

Our prayer is that God would use us more and more as a church to glorify Him by making disciples of Jesus who are gospel-centered and grace-saturated.