STRATEGIC CHURCH PLANTING IN THE LEAST CHURCHED CITY IN AMERICA

SALT L A K E C I T Y, U TA H

PRESSING ON

FOR THE GOSPEL

KEEP PLANTING, GOSPEL GRACE

As we round the corner on our second year in Salt Lake City, we wanted you to see that the church planting
vision is being realized. People are being changed through the transforming power of Gods Word. Your partnership in the gospel is producing fruit for the Glory of God. Lets rejoice together...and keep on planting!

A VISITOR

During the summer, I met a group of

teenagers in a downtown park. They
asked me spiritual questions and invited
me to a church plantI didnt know
what that was until I found their website
and started reading. I decided to go to
Church in the Park on a Wednesday
night. They fed me, spoke from the
Bible, and invited me to church. When
I went to the service up at the university, I felt encouraged by the uplifting
worship and Bible-centered preaching.
I was immediately confronted about my
relationship with God, but in a loving
way. Thank you Gospel Grace Church
keep on planting!

A NEIGHBOR

Who are all those young people that

load the Gospel Grace Church trailer or
stop by your house all the time? Youll
pick up my kids for childrens choir, really? Youre coaching community soccer?
Youll host the community BBQ? Youre
the ones feeding people in the park and
doing church? Youre foster parents?
Nice flyer in my door, impressed! You
guys are hosting a discussion at the University? Sure, well go! Thanks for loving
our neighborhood and our city! Keep on
planting, whoever you are!

A CHURCH
MEMBER

My roots are in SLC, and I grew up first

as a Mormon, and then an atheist. I had
felt my heart opened to Jesus while
attending church in the South. Then in
the summer I moved back to the city
and found Gospel Grace. I was taught
the Bible in services and community groups, but also in one-on-one
Bible studies. I found assurance of my
salvation and was baptized. I learned
the history of Biblical churches and my
role in the church in my membership
classes. From Sunday to Sunday, I have
appreciated the community of believers
and have been strengthened for my
next role as a military wife who wants to
serve Jesus in another healthy church.
Keep on planting, Gospel Grace!

A CHILD

I love to sing, I love to learn, and I love

to meet new people. All these things
happen at my church. I like to invite my
friends from school and sports, especially since we have a new ministry for
Middle School at a city rec center nearby. My LDS friends can hear the true
gospel and have an awesome church
experience, because my church cares
about kids. Keep on planting, GGC!

A NEW BELIEVER

My boyfriend found this church and

listened to sermons online before we
ever even attended. I had been involved
on the fringes of Christianity, and to be
honest, had seen a lot of hypocrisy. I
had a lot of doubts about God and questions about the Bible. I started going to
community group. I had never experienced the level of spiritual openness
that was displayed there. These people
got God, and I soon began to long
for the same thing. Able to be open
personally in the community group,
I threw myself out there with all my
fears and questions...and then people
prayed for me. From the dear older
lady to the community group leaders
wife...they prayed for me. And then they
taught me in a one-on-one Bible study
called Gospel Seed. I was encouraged
to ask hard questions, and I found direct
answers from Scripture. Finally, after
the last Gospel Seed study, my eyes
were opened and I received Jesus as my
personal Savior. I now get Jesus too,
and want to know Him more. Gospel
Grace, through you, God has broken
into my life and is at work in me: KEEP
ON PLANTING!

A UNIVERSITY
STUDENT

When I came to Plant Camp as a senior

in high school, I fell in love with Salt
Lake City and Gospel Grace Church. My
family and I looked into the University
of Utah, visited, prayedand here I am
as a freshman. God put a Christian in
my room, who wanted to grow in Christ.
We both joined the church last Sunday.
During the week, I meet with one of the
pastors, and I have somehow gotten a
Bible study going in my dorm. 10 guys
are coming! God has burdened my heart
for fellow students and has put me into
a wonderful church that has a student
organization as a part of of its ministry.
We pray, we study, we fellowship. We
go to pastors home for Cereal Night
and pack out his little city house with
friends. God is at work, and I am thankful to be along for the ride. God planted
me here and I am excited to help my
church keep on planting!

A MINISTRY
INTERN COUPLE

Oh, the places, youll go. . . and God

led us both to Salt Lake City. We came
to serve and learn church planting separately, but God brought us together.
We were married here in the city, and
God is teaching us to serve together.
We have enjoyed being mentored and
pursuing ministry. Saturday mornings,
the guys meet with the lead pastor for
book studies, prayer, and life/ministry
insight. During the week, we meet with
another pastor or with someone we are
seeking to evangelize or disciple. We are
encouraged to pursue deeper theological education, even receiving funds for
that specific reason. A huge part of our
life is our public workplace, which has
become our opportunity to share the
gospel with many people and to develop
friendships with Utahans. God has been
faithful to provide for our needs, and we
continue to thank Him for sending us
here, no matter how many of our hours
are filled with ministry or work! Keep on
Planting, GGC!

AN ATHLETE

Moving into Mormon country to play

football at the University of Utah was
a concern for me and for my family at
home. But almost immediately on arriving at the University of Utah, I found out
about Gospel Grace Campus Fellowship.
I love the preaching and teaching at the
church and the personal pastoral care
I have received. Though I travel with
my sports team, I am privileged to be
a part of discipleship through GGCF
and when I am in town, I love worshiping
with my Gospel Grace Church family.
Keep on planting!

AN ESL STUDENT

My husband wants me to learn English.

I have been in the United States for a
short time. The local LDS chapel offers
free ESL classes, but I felt uncomfortable there. Then I found this great English class hosted by some of the ladies
at Gospel Grace Church. The teachers
are friendly and have introduced me to
new friends through the email partner
program. We get to meet together and
learn each others culture. These women
care about us! We have made friends
with Christians from Gospel Grace
Church. Keep on Planting!

A CHRISTIAN SINGLE

From older singles to young, we connect with this church,

because this church connects with us. We need families to
love us, we need mentorship and counseling, we need ministry
opportunities, and we need to see Jesus in all things. From the
preaching and teaching, to community group Bible studies,
to prayer team, to receiving Biblical counsel, we are learning
Christ! Through this community, we are engaged in the three
parts of man, in which we have often felt compartmentalized.
Through real church and true worship, we are wholly met
by our Lord-in the mind, the will, and the emotions. We feel
equipped also to share with others the hope that is within us,
just through our interaction with this special place. Keep on
PLANTING, GGC!

A BUSINESS-PERSON

Can someone in the workforce really help a church plant? This

was my question, and after relocating my career to SLC, I have
found that the answer is resoundingly, YES. First of all, church
planting helps me; it shakes me to the core of whats important. I may have enjoyed certain programs or comforts in the
church from which I came, but I have come to understand that
the growing of a church is not the production of programs or
comforts, but the growing of a church is the development of
a body who submits their all to the Lords leadership in every
how and why and when of life. I love giving my life to be a
part of what God is doing in this city to build His church. The
church leadership is in tune with culture as they live, breathe,
and bleed Bible. And we are all equipped to handle the questions and distractions that are so much a part of our lives as we
lead in the business world. I am more desperate for Gods will
and work in and through me than ever before in my life and so
I repeat, Keep on Planting, Gospel Grace!

A SEASONED CHRISTIAN

Over the years, I have been taught many Christian things, but
at GGC, I am taught the pure Word of God. My appreciation
for Bible education grows as my life grows closer to heaven.
I thank God for this church that holds to the inerrancy and
authority of Gods precious Word. This valley is a confusingly
deceptive, and yet a surprisingly winsome place. The only way
we are going to make it here is by wisdom from God. I support
what this church is doing in giving toward the furthering of
theological education in the leadership. Dig deep, young men,
so we are continually filled with truth and wisdom to pass on to
the next generation. Keep on planting, GGC, our prayers are
constant for you.

A PASTOR

Bi-vocational may not have made its way into Websters

dictionary yet, but the term has made its way into each one
of the pastors lives. We basically work full-time jobs for the
church and also outside of the church in order to support our
families. Though we have received deputation funds that help
us out greatly, the difference has had to be made up through
other means. For me, God opened an active duty military
chaplaincy for 21 months. In this time, Gospel Grace was able
to serve the Air Force with a team who spent six months
assisting me by running chapel services on base. My weekly job
was counseling, and specifically handling the suicide crises on
the civilian side of things. I thank God for the opportunities to
share His Word with hurting, confused and desperate people.
In being actively involved in the workplace, we have seen
many people attend services and community groups. We have
also been able to counsel and help many in between teaching
a music lesson, chaplaining, or designing a website or logo.
Though we hope to one day be supported by the church we
love, we can only thank God for how he has provided for us
financially and ministerially here in this needy valley. And so we
. . . Keep on Planting!

2014 MINISTRY UPDATE

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE

47%
attendance
growth
this year

27%
giving
growth
this year

secured
new location
for future
growth

WEEKLY GIVING

community
groups

90%
Sunday
attendance
active in
community
group

51

guests
reached in
neighborhood
BBQs

240

mercy bags
distributed
to the needy

37

average
attendance
at Hill AFB
Service

12

gospel
Bible
studies

207+
guests at
summer
church in
the park

baptisms

10

enrolled in
theological
education

weekly
kids
& middle
school
program

40K

invitations and
doorhangers
distributed

168

plant camp
participants

A MISSION FIELD IN THE USA

2010 Report, Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB)

In the heart of the desperately needy West and reflecting the state of the New North American Mission Field,
Utah trails all other states of the country with gospel
luminance. Though it has a population of 2.9 million
people, only 2.2% attend services at any evangelical
church.
Utah is a mission field within our own borders! When
it comes to missions, Utah has a unique advantage.
Without leaving the country or learning a new language, we can immediately begin building relationships
with our neighbors, co-workers and friends to share
the liberating good news of Gods grace through Jesus
Christ--97% of which have not trusted in Jesus Christ to
save them from their sins.
Utah is a dark state in need of gospel light!

Utah ranked 1st place as the Most

Religious state in America. More than 79%
of the people in Utah claim to be adherents
of a religious group.
Utah is the Least Evangelical Christian
state in America. Only 2.2% of the people
in Utah claim to be Evangelical Christians.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints (LDS) makes up more than 68% of
Utahs religious affiliates.
World Comparison: There are less Christians in Utah than any country in the Western Hemisphere! The next closest would be
Cuba at 6%.
Mormonism is a global religion with
15,082,028 members worldwide in 2013.
Its epicenter is Salt Lake City where
1 out of 3 Mormons in the world live.

In Utah, there are many cities without

a single Christian church. More than
140,000 Utah residents live in these cities.
Utah has [by far] the lowest median age in
the USA (29.2 yrs.)
Salt Lake City has been called The Vainest
City in America, with the highest percentage of per capita cosmetic surgeries in the
nation.
Utah reports the highest rates of clinical
depression in the country and prescribes
more anti-depressants than any other state.
Utah has one of the highest suicide rates in
the nation.
Utah boasts the highest percentage of
internet pornography subscriptions in
America.

SALT LAKE CITY PROFILE

THE NEED

CHURCH-PLANTING CHURCHES

We believe the gospel must be proclaimed in places where it isnt. Gods plan is
that the organic product of great commission work is the planting of churches.
We long to reach one of the neediest areas of our country by taking what God
has poured into our lives and investing it in the lives of others such that new
churches are formed in Salt Lake City.
USA - 1 EVANGELICAL CHURCH FOR EVERY 2,000
SLC - 1 EVANGELICAL CHURCH FOR EVERY 10,000
There is a great missionary need here, and our hearts desire to see many healthy
churches planted in the years ahead.

EXPOSITIONAL PREACHING

We want Gods revealed truth to permeate all of life and ministry. To live means
to consume Gods Word (Matt. 4:4). Our goal is to see believers get past the
milk of the Word and dig into doctrinal meat. We seek to give the Bible priority
and prominence in our worship services, because it has the power to change
lives. We seek to proclaim Gods Word in this valley because it has the power to
save souls (Rom. 1:16). We are committed to expository preaching because the
Word is whats needed in Salt Lake City.
2.6% EVANGELICAL - But, most do not approach the Word expositionally
60% LDS - Embrace a twisting of the Word
26% SECULAR - Represent an absence of the Word altogether
11% OTHER - Religions and denominations misapplying or rejecting the Word
In so many ways, this valley is dying for the Word. We want to be an outpost for
the WORD!

GOSPEL-CENTERED COMMUNITY

Since Gospel-centered community is the context for discipleship, we want to

see an ever expanding network of localized community group Bible studies
across the city. These are made up of men and women at various ages and
stages of life brought together geographically for fellowship, care, accountability and the study of Gods Word in the neighborhoods they live in. As people live
Gospel-centered, grace-saturated lives in this context we believe Salt Lakers will
be reached, the church will grow, and the city will be transformed.

THE
VISION

PHILOSOPHY OF CHURCH PLANTING

Strategic Multiplication

The church is Gods means of displaying His character to a lost and dying
world therefore we are committed to investing in reproducing church-planting churches in strategic communities throughout the Salt Lake Valley. We
envision this happening through cloning, daughter, and sister church planting
relationships.

Leadership Development

If we are to really see the entire city, valley, and state reached with the
Gospel, we must have workers and leaders multiplying at every level. We
have a vision to develop a Church Planting Center and a City Seminary in the
years ahead. This will involve formalized leadership development, theological
training in the city, ministry mentoring, and church planting assessment and
accountability.
CHURCH PLANTING CENTER
to assess, train, and send church planters.
CITY SEMINARY
to offer graduate theological education in a cohort model.

Regional Training

We see the need and are burdened to provide educational and ministerial
training not only to meet our own church development goals, but also to
serve church leaders in the Intermountain West. Presently Gospel Grace
Church provides three opportunities a year for Church leaders to participate
in our Enrich Seminars. The primary focus of Enrich is to equip leaders for
healthy church ministry. Secondarily, Enrich serves to connect like-minded
ministries so that they are able to partner more strategically.

Strategic Partnerships

Inside the Salt Lake Valley - The mission and the opportunities of the Salt
Lake Valley are beyond the capacity of just one church. It is our desire that we
would be able to partner with those of like faith and philosophy to spread the
Gospel in Salt Lake Valley.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH SUMMER 2015

t

Outside the Salt Lake Valley - Each summer we lead a ministry called Plant
Camp (a mission opportunity for partnering churches outside of Salt Lake
City). We currently host a combined total of 120 150 teens and adults who
come to the city for one of the 4 week-long camps. They labor alongside Gospel Grace Church to serve church planting endeavors. Lord willing, as more
church plants are launched in the city we could see a facility like this providing
a place to house these teams and serve as a hub to facilitate their ministry.

LEADERSHIP TEAM
PASTORAL
TEAM

LUKUS
COUNTERMAN

After ministering for several years in pastoral ministry, the Lord

brought together four friends and called them to move their families
to the Salt Lake Valley for the purpose of planting church-planting
churches. They find great joy in serving each other and the church
with the gifts God has given them.

JONATHAN
ALBRIGHT

WILL
GALKIN

JON
KOPP

Lead for Preaching & Vision

Worship & College Outreach

Evangelism & Discipleship

Students, Media & Administration

Lukus most recently pastored Wichita Falls Baptist

Church in Wichita Falls,
Texas. Having completed
his doctoral work in expository preaching from Dallas
Theological Seminary, he
brings fourteen years of
preaching, teaching, and
pastoral ministry experience
with him to Salt Lake City.
While providing leadership
through preaching, teaching,
and ministerial team development he also serves as an
industrial chaplain at Hill Air
Force Base in Layton, Utah.
Lukus has been a reserve
chaplain in the U.S. Air Force
for almost six years.

Jonathan has over 10 years

of experience as a pastor for
worship and college ministry.
Before sensing Gods call to
serve here in Salt Lake City,
Jonathan served in various
capacities at Brookside
Baptist Church in Milwaukee,
WI. During that time, God
prepared Jonathan with the
skills and gifts to coordinate
the shepherding, worship
and college ministries at
Gospel Grace Church. His
relational drive deepens
relationships and strengthens connections among the
members of Gospel Grace.
He is also a gifted musician
and works bi-vocationally
as a violin, piano, voice and
guitar teacher in the city.

Having traveled across the

United States for 19 years
as an evangelist, Will brings
unique gifts, abilities, and
opportunities to mobilize
co-laborers from across the
country for the purpose of
strategic church planting
ministry. Will engages in
several months of itinerant
ministry throughout the year
with his family and ministry team by equipping and
serving local churches. While
spending much of the year
in Salt Lake City, Will serves
as pastor for evangelism,
discipleship, and leads our
ministry equipping seminars
and summer ministry partnership ministries we host
for local churches across the
country.

Prior to serving at GGC,

Jon served for 8 years as an
assistant pastor at Oak Ridge
Baptist Church in Oak Ridge
Tennessee. Jon is a passionate disciple-maker who loves
to proclaim Gods Word and
see it transform lives. Our
church body and ministry
team are strengthened by
his love for people and gift
of administration. God has
also given him a blend of
gifts that allow him to fuse
his love for the Gospel with
powerful and effective communication through media.
Jon currently serves not only
as pastor for student, media,
community outreach and administration, but also works
bi-vocationally as a graphic
designer.

LEVERAGING LEADERS
FOR MULTIPLICATION
Deacon

MARK
KOPP

After spending 30 years as a business owner and university

facilities director, God called my wife and I to Salt Lake City
to invest our lives in this ministry. God has given me the
privilege of serving as a deacon, and my wife and I find great
joy in leveraging our life experiences to support the work
God is doing in this city.

Deacon

God has been very

kind to bring together
a diversity of gifted
co-laborers to partner
with us in strategic
multiplication.

STEVE
FRAZEE

It has been amazing to see how

the Lord has paired our burdens,
business, and ministerial experiences with the ministry vision
and strategy of Gospel Grace
Church. We are thankful for the
privilege to spend ourselves for
the mission.

Ministry Intern

LAURA
KENNEDY

I love communicating truth

through video and media, and
along with my ministry training and discipleship at GGC, I
am currently pursuing formal
training in communications
and theology to help me share
the gospel with the world as
clearly as possible.

JONATHAN
JARRETT
NIC
HIGGINS
Pastoral Assistant

I moved to SLC two years ago with my

masters degree in theology, but wanted
to be mentored toward practical pastoral
ministry. I have seen and experienced first
hand the reality of front lines ministry,
shepherding care, and the joys and challenges of the life of a disciple-maker.

Pastoral Assistant

Since moving to SLC

in 2013, God has given
me countless opportunities to receive one on
one instruction as well
as practical ministry
experience. Currently,
Im pursuing more theological education and
am being discipled as a
worship and community
group leader.

JOSH
LONGORIA
Pastoral Intern

As part of my internship, I am honing my ministry skills in preaching, teaching and church life.
I just finished a masters degree in theological
studies and am coordinating the Sunday Word
component for the children of Gospel Grace.

PARTNERING FOR THE GOSPEL

WILL YOU PARTNER WITH US?

standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. Phil. 1:27

PRAYER NEEDS
Conversions and baptisms
Wisdom for future church plants
Unity in the Gospel Grace body
Safety for families
Preservation of disciples

FINANCIAL NEEDS
Outreach Supplies ($5,000)
Publications and Media ($3,500)
Enrich Pastoral Training Seminars ($6,000)
PlantCamp Summer Missions ($5,000)
Gospel Grace Campus Fellowship ($3,500)

God would break through false teaching

Summer Evangelism Interns Support ($10,000)
To join our mailing list:
gospelgracechurch.com/prayer

Pastoral Missions Support ($85,000)

Investment in Sustainable Business Model ($1 million)
Multi-Use Downtown Facility ($1.5-2 million)

MINISTRY NEEDS
PlantCamp participants
Tentmakers for partnering in the next church plant
Lead Planters and Pastoral Team Members
Spanish speaking Pastors

To partner financially (501c3 tax-deductible):

discuss - Will Galkin - 303.726.3467
online - gospelgracechurch.com/give
checks - Gospel Grace Church
1216 South 500 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84105

To fill out an interest form:

plant4thegospel.com/partner

We exist as a church to glorify God

by making gospel-centered,
grace-saturated disciples of Jesus Christ.
[email protected] | www.gospelgracechurch.com | text or call: 801.508.4610

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