12 Months in DC - July Update

It’s hard to believe that it was almost exactly one year ago today that Jessica, Liam and myself packed up our U-Haul and moved away from our precious community in Atlanta and Grace Midtown to start our new lives in DC.  Though our heads where full of dreams and plans, if we’re honest our hearts swayed back and forth between the peace that surpasses understanding and moments of sheer terror. Looking back, it’s gone in a blink, while at the same time in a strange way it feels like we’ve lived in Washington, DC our entire lives.

From our very first gathering of 10 people in our living room where we ate pancakes, opened the Bible and prayed, to our months in the ‘Upper Room’ of the Starbucks on Capitol Hill where God began to add amazing men and women to our Church, to now a regular group of 80-90 meeting for worship in Foggy Bottom, in 5 House Churches spread across the city and preparing to officially launch in September, we truly have seen God come through with the ‘Immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine’ that Paul claims in Ephesians 3. We have seen just the first glimpses already of the vision God gave us back in Atlanta; the city that seemed so daunting has become a home, the church that seemed an impossible dream has started to become a reality and people who where once strangers have become family. We are grateful.

Please continue to pray and support. For all the growth and victories we have seen along the way, I’m more convinced then ever that the enemy does not want this church to prevail, we need sisters and brothers all across the country partnering with us in prayer, in resources and encouragement. Thank you for all of you who have already given so much and supported us so well.

Kingdom come,

Chris Moerman
Lead Pastor

MEET THE LAUNCH TEAM!

Time to introduce you to some members of our incredible GCC launch team. We have so many amazing people with so many different gifts and passions as part of this community, and this month’s members are no exception.

Let me introduce you to Monica Randolph! Monica has been involved with the GCC launch team since the announcement of the church plant in 2014, and has recently had the ability to move to the DC area. Monica has a huge, passionate heart for the international community, being a director of the Perspectives program at Grace Midtown, and we’re so happy she’s been able to make the move and be a huge part of the team!

Why did you decide to be a part of the GCC launch team?

I felt God’s call on my heart for the GCC Launch team when I first heard the announcement of a church plant in the heart of Washington, DC. At the time, the world was a tumultuous place; today it’s even worse. I believe Jesus is the answer to all the ‘wars and rumors of wars,’ and what better place to reach the world for His glory than Washington, DC, a gateway to the world.

What do you love about the city of Washington DC and the GCC community?

On my first Saturday morning here, I woke up and discovered – to my delight – that there are SO MANY things to do, I couldn’t even choose!!! I love that my part of the DC area is very international and diverse. People are friendly and welcoming, and they don’t think you’re a complete nerd because you want to spend a whole day in a museum. What I love to my core about the GCC community is that, to quote Jamie Winship, “you guys still believe that God can do something.” GCC’ers are an intrepid group of folks and I’m so thankful to be a part of them.

How would you describe the kind of church community you want to be a part of establishing in DC?

In the same way that I see Washington, DC, as a gateway city, I envision GCC as a gateway church, a church that welcomes in people from every part of the world: to love on them, strengthen and equip them, and send them out in Jesus’ name. I also see GCC as a body willing to stand up against the deceptions, injustices, and ungodliness that are plaguing the US and offer the changes and healing that only Jesus can bring.