Grace Community Church

About Us

A community of faith rooted in Scripture, serving Madera since 1977.

Our Purpose

Who We Are

Grace Community Church of Madera is a Bible church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, committed to teaching God's Word faithfully and building a community of genuine believers.

Vision

To be a Biblically functioning community of believers impacting Madera and the World.

Mission

To bring all people to the knowledge and worship of Jesus Christ.

Purpose

To exalt the Lord, edify the Lord's people, and evangelize the lost.

Preaching

Faithful, expository preaching of God's Word every Sunday, equipping believers for life and godliness.

Evangelism

Sharing the Gospel with our neighbors in Madera and partnering with missionaries around the world.

Discipleship

Growing together through Bible studies, small groups, and intentional mentoring relationships.

Love

Caring for one another and our neighbors with the love of Christ in practical, meaningful ways.

What We Believe

Our Beliefs

Our faith is anchored in the historic truths of Scripture as summarized in our Statement of Faith.

Read our full beliefs and explanations

Statement of Faith (PDF)The Nashville Statement (PDF)La Declaracion de Nashville (PDF)Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws (PDF)

2 Tim 3:16-17

Holy Scriptures

The Bible is the verbally inspired Word of God, inerrant in the original writings, and the final authority for all matters of faith and practice.

Deut 6:4; 2 Cor 13:14

The Godhead

We believe in one Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, co-eternal, co-identical in nature, and co-equal in power.

John 1:14

Person & Work of Christ

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, born of the Virgin Mary, who died for our redemption and rose bodily from the dead.

John 16:8

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, regenerates, baptizes believers into the body of Christ, and indwells and seals every believer.

Rom 3:23

The Nature of Man

All people fell in Adam and are born with a sinful nature, unable on their own to remedy their lost condition.

Eph 2:8-9

Salvation

Salvation is a gift of God by grace through personal faith in Jesus Christ, whose shed blood provides forgiveness for sin.

Baptism

We practice believers' baptism by immersion only, based on the Greek baptizo, 'to dip or submerge.' To arrange baptism, call (559) 674-1172.

Communion

We observe the Lord's Supper as a memorial of Christ's death and resurrection. We use bread and grape juice, and we invite believers to participate after a time of personal reflection and self-examination.

Marriage

We hold that marriage is a permanent, lifelong covenant between one man and one woman, as defined in Scripture.

Our Story

Our History

Grace Community Church began in 1977 as a home Bible study that kept outgrowing the room it met in.

The congregation met in a home, then a business office, then a community hall, with Northwest Church of Fresno supplying preaching help on Sunday mornings. It incorporated in May 1978 as Madera Community Church, took the name Grace Community Church of Madera shortly after, and called its first full-time pastor in 1980.

In 1983 Randy Brannon moved from Portland, Oregon to take up pastoral responsibilities, and services moved to John Adams School. The church built its own home under his leadership: over five months in 1985 the congregation raised a worship center, financed through church notes its own members bought, and moved onto the Road 26 campus that October. The first Faith Promise Missions Conference followed in 1987, and in 1989 and 1990 the congregation added the educational building that still houses Bible studies and children's ministry.

Nearly fifty years on, GCC Madera continues as a Biblically faithful, Gospel-centered church serving Madera and the world.

1977

Founded as a home Bible study

1983

Randy Brannon called to lead

1985

Worship center built on Road 26

1987

Missions conference begins

Leadership

Our Team

Pastoral Staff

Pastoral staff

Pastor Brandon Hopkins

Senior Pastor

Born and raised in the Central Valley, Pastor Brandon has been a member of Grace Community Church since early childhood. He has served in numerous roles including teaching adult Bible studies, leading youth ministry, and serving on the Elder Board. He was voted in as Senior Pastor on June 6, 2022. He is pursuing a Master of Divinity in Christian Ministry (emphasis on preaching) from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife homeschool their seven children.

Pastoral staff

Pastor Jake Beckman

Associate Pastor, Youth Ministry

Jake grew up in the Central Valley and holds a Business degree from Colorado Christian University. He earned his Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He enjoys hymns, serving the church, and sharing the Gospel. His favorite verse is John 15:13.

Staff

Serving our church

Lavonne Marshall

Children's Ministry Director

B.A. Linguistics, UC San Diego. Married to Noah; homeschools four children.

Serving our church

Mary Cunningham

Church Secretary

Attending GCC since 1993. Youth Ministries Small Group Leader. 30 years in the travel industry.

Serving our church

Sherry Olguin

Fill-in Secretary

Covers the office when Mary is away. Former Bookkeeper for GCC. Married to Oscar.

Serving our church

David Vickery II

IT/Media & Ministry Assistant

On staff since 2018. Liberal Studies degree from Fresno State. Serves in media and children's ministries.

Council of Elders

GCC is governed by a Council of Elders responsible for developing and implementing all church policies. The council includes both lay elders and pastoral staff. Congregational votes are held to confirm new elders, approve constitutional changes, and authorize property purchases.

Pastor Brandon Hopkins

Pastor Jake Beckman

Mark Hutson

David Dougherty

Jerry King

Corey Miller

Come Join Us

We'd Love to Meet You

Visit us this Sunday, Bible studies at 9:00 AM and worship at 11:00 AM. You're welcome here.

Plan Your Visit Listen to a Sermon