10/14/2026
Before there was GCF, God was already preparing the way.
He placed three special pastors in our lives during different seasons: our late Pastor Paul Lacanilao, Cornerstone International Christian Church (CICC), who planted the seed of God’s Word in us;
our late Pastor Vic Maddela, Light of the World Evangelical Christian Church, who discipled us and taught us to love God, love His people, and go out and reach others;
and Pastor John Johnson, Covenant Ministries, who walked alongside Dennis and helped prepare him for the calling God had placed upon his life and his eventual ordination.
Each one had a different role, but God used all three as part of His plan.
Looking back, we can see that GCF didn’t begin the day we became a church—God was preparing the foundation long before we even knew what He was building.
And now, 15 years later, here we are.
Through every season, God has brought people alongside us to pray, serve, encourage, and carry the work of the ministry together.
That’s why our anniversary theme means so much to us:
“Stronger Together – It Really Is Amazing Grace.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
When we look back at where we started and where God has brought us today, we can only say:
Look what the Lord has done. To God be all the glory! ❤️🙏
GCF History — 15 Years of God’s Faithfulness
Great Commission Fellowship is a small church with a big heart for God and His people.
GCF began simply—as a group of friends gathering together to study the Word of God.
As we grew in His Word, our desire to know Him and do more for His Kingdom grew too.
That desire took us outside the walls.
Every other month, we gathered in local parks with our families, some chairs, a guitar, and hearts ready to worship.
Kuya Dennis, who was simply our Bible study teacher at the time, would share the Word.
Soon, people walking through the park began stopping to listen.
Some pulled up their chairs, others listened from a distance, and during altar calls, people accepted the Lord.
God was already showing us that the church was never just about a building—it was about reaching people.
Eventually, we knew we needed to gather more often.
We prayed, and in God's timing, Kuya Dennis was ordained as Pastor Dennis, aka Pastor D.
We didn't have much financially, so our first regular services were held on the patio of a member's home.
But what we lacked in resources, God supplied through His grace.
We grew in number, in faith, and in our love for people.
Eventually, God opened the door for us to move into a center in Fullerton.
There, God gave us another mission field.
Many homeless men and women were in the surrounding area, and we simply invited them: “Come as you are.”
We gave them coffee and donuts, shared meals with them, learned their names, shook their hands, listened to their needs, and most importantly, shared Jesus with them.
Some came once, some returned, and some became part of the GCF family and began serving alongside us.
Then COVID happened, and like so many churches, we wondered, “Lord, what are we going to do?” But little did we know that God was preparing to expand the ministry.
During that season, He blessed us to hold two Sunday services and Bible studies five days and nights a week online.
What looked like it could stop the ministry became another opportunity for God to move.
After COVID, God led us to Searchlight Ministries.
Later, He moved us for six months to Agua Aviva Ministries, where God blessed us with another church family.
Then, in His timing, He led us back to Searchlight.
Through every move and every season, we held on wherever God led us.
We stayed together.
There have been changes.
There have been difficult seasons.
People have come and gone.
Locations have changed.
But the calling has remained the same: Love God. Love people. Share His Word. Reach the lost. And remain faithful.
And now, 15 years later, here we are—still standing.
Stronger together, not because of our own strength, but because God allowed it.
It really is amazing grace.
We serve the God who owns everything, and as long as He gives us the opportunity, we will continue to serve Him and His people until He says otherwise.
We have never needed a complicated program.
We simply love those God sends through our doors, minister the Word, offer them Jesus, and fellowship together until strangers become friends and friends become family.
And that is why we still say at GCF:
“When you come through those doors, you’re a guest. When you sit down, you become a member—a lifetime member of the Kingdom.”
As we celebrate 15 years, let’s not only look back at what God has done—let’s look forward to what He is still calling us to do.
There are still people who need to hear about Jesus.
There are still people who need to know they are loved.
There are still families to reach, lives to encourage, and a Gospel to share.
So let us continue what was planted in us from the beginning: Love God. Love His people.
Never grow weary in serving. And keep going out to reach people.
GCF, after 15 years, our story is not finished.
We are stronger together, and it really is amazing grace.
To God be all the glory! ❤️🙏
