Starting New Churches

We believe that starting new churches is one of the most effective means of leading people to follow Jesus and of transforming God’s World.  Since 1997, we have partnered with the following churches. We partner by sharing our people, our money, our experience and our prayers.

Christ Church of Davis – Pastor Eric Dirksen and his family moved to David in 2008 and began regular worship in November 2010. Christ Church is a worshiping community that seeks to both announce and embody the story of Jesus that transforms not only lives, but ultimately all things.

Sacramento City Life – Mid town Sac -  Marc Holland and his family began City Life Church in January of 2004. Centered in mid-town Sacramento, Marc Holland has started City Life with the goal–striving to live the life we were created to live in the city.

Bridge of Life - South Natomas -  In 2002 David Lindner moved to the Gardenland/Northgate area of Sacramento. Driven by a passion for diversity and racial reconciliation, David has used asset based community development strategies to form a worshiping community “between two levies” in the heart of Sacramento.

The Gathering – Natomas – In the winter of 2000 Ron Vanderwell moved to the Sacramento area from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Ron served as a “Resident Pastor” at Granite Springs, learning church planting skills while on site here. One year later he left to begin “The Gathering.” For months musicians and child care workers from Granite Springs served this start-up congregation.

River Rock Church – Folsom -  Tim Blackmon and his family moved to Sacramento from Moreno Valley, CA in 1998. The next year he served as Granite Spring’s music pastor. At the same time he was developing a core group of people to help him launch a new ministry. That ministry began in 1999 and included several musicians and two families from Granite Springs.

Zimbabwe – 1999 Rev. Joseph Juma and Kevin Adams attended seminary together in the 1980′s. In the mid-90′s Rev. Juma wrote Granite Springs asking for financial help to begin a new ministry. Their church stretched over 300 kilometers. With Granite Springs’ financial help, they began a daughter church in an outlying area.

Heartland Church – Tracy – Mark Humphreys was a real estate agent in Ripon/Salida CA when he sensed God calling him to a new task. He began to attend the three year, Evangelist Training Program in Los Angeles and a year long internship at Granite Springs in 1995-1996.  Later, he began a Heartland church in Tracy, CA.