Grace Maricopa

Victory is a powerful word.

Theologically, Christians rejoice in our victory over sin and death through faith in Jesus Christ. But there is another kind of victory we rightly remember—the victory over tyranny, oppression, and every force that threatens human freedom.

This month, as the United States of America celebrates 250 years of independence, I’ve chosen to include a poem written by my older brother, Jon.

Jon is an American hero. He served in the intelligence community of the United States Air Force for 30 years. He willingly sacrificed personal freedoms to protect and preserve the freedoms we enjoy every day. His poem reflects his deep love for this nation and for the people who call it home.

So join Jon and me as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s independence— and give thanks for the victory God has granted both spiritually and nationally.

“Victory”

by Jonathan Graver

With darkness cast on fertile lands,

The men took muskets in their hands

And wives took charge of farms and fields.

They hoped for peace and blessed yields.

And then, the King sent forth, by night

Relentless waves of crimson blight

That raided homes and burned the towns,

And struck down all who spurned the Crown.

So many mothers wept for sons

Who fought the Red on countless runs,

Yet fell by cannon, fell by sword.

They prayed for merciful reward.

Thus, when their General swore they'd fight

And hold their ground through day and night,

Young Rebels in blue, and blood and snow

Rained Hell upon their scarlet foe.

They fought for things one can't empart

Yet from such depths of mind and heart.

Thirteen amongst the tyranny,

One Union now, for liberty.

They raised thier flag and charged ahead,

They struck and shot and beat the Red

Then forced it back into the sea.

This home of hope, so borne, was free.

And now, when rest gives way to war,

New sentinels preserve our shores.

Citizens they, of blue and green:

Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine.

So charged and like our fathers then,

Our freedoms they protect again.

With strength and courage, so they stand

On watch about this sacred land.

They'll fight for it, if called to arms,

And win for it, when called to arms.

Though Union's sanctity we mind,

The path to victory they find.

Our nation’s story is marked by courage, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of liberty. Jon’s poem reminds us that victory is never accidental—it is won through conviction and perseverance.

As we celebrate 250 years of independence, let us recommit ourselves to being people who defend truth, pursue righteousness, and honor the freedoms entrusted to us. Victory is our heritage, and responsibility is our calling.

Post tenebras lux,

Pastor Dan | Ps. 46

Grace Maricopa is a Southern Baptist church, and that means something profoundly important: we are part of one of the largest, most effective missions movements in the world. Through our giving to the Cooperative Program, every member of our church participates in planting churches, sending missionaries, training pastors, caring for the hurting, and advancing the gospel across the globe.

International Mission Board (IMB): Taking the Gospel to the Nations

The International Mission Board exists to solve the world’s greatest problem—lostness. More than 3,500 IMB missionaries serve across the globe, bringing the gospel to unreached peoples, planting churches, and meeting urgent needs through compassion ministries. Their vision is rooted in Revelation 7:9: "a multitude from every nation worshiping Jesus."

Southern Baptists have sent over 25,000 missionaries since 1845, and today IMB missionaries work among more than 7,000 unreached people groups, striving to bring gospel access where it has never existed.

The IMB is funded primarily through the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering—meaning your giving directly supports missionaries, their families, their training, their care, and their work on the field.

North American Mission Board (NAMB): Reaching Our Continent

Closer to home, the North American Mission Board leads the charge in evangelism, church planting, compassion ministry, and disaster relief across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. NAMB coordinates one of the nation’s largest disaster relief networks through state Baptist partners, mobilizing thousands of volunteers to bring help and hope in crisis.

Through Send Network, Southern Baptists are planting churches “everywhere for everyone,” and through Send Relief, they are meeting needs with the love of Christ—from food distribution to refugee care to rebuilding communities after natural disasters.

Every dollar we give helps support missionaries, chaplains, church planters, and compassion ministries across North America.

Arizona Mission Network: Serving Our State

As part of the Arizona Mission Network, Grace Maricopa joins churches across our state to make disciples in Arizona and around the world. Cooperative Program giving supports:

Church planting and revitalization
Disaster relief teams serving communities in crisis
Arizona Baptist Children’s Services, providing Christ‑centered care for hurting families
Training events for pastors, leaders, and churches statewide

Why This Matters for You

Here’s the beautiful truth: every member of Grace Maricopa is already part of this mission. When you give, pray, serve, or go—you join a global movement of gospel advance.

But participation doesn’t stop with giving.

You can:

Pray for missionaries and unreached peoples
Go on short‑term mission trips
Serve in disaster relief
Support church planters
Explore pathways to become a missionary yourself

The IMB reminds us that God is inviting Southern Baptists to join Him in reaching the nations, and NAMB calls us to reach our neighbors across North America. Both agencies emphasize that missions is for everyone—every age, every background, every skill set.

Our Calling as a Church

Grace Maricopa is not just a church in Maricopa—we are part of a worldwide family of churches committed to the Great Commission. Through the Cooperative Program, our obedience here fuels gospel work everywhere.

Let’s continue to pray boldly, give faithfully, and step forward courageously. The mission is big. The need is urgent. And the opportunity is ours.

If you want to learn more about how you can participate—locally, nationally, or globally—contact Pastor Dan.

Over the past three years, Grace Maricopa has prayed, planned, and worked faithfully toward building a campus that will serve our church family for generations. Last month, we celebrated the submission of our final engineering drawings to the City of Maricopa—a major milestone and a clear sign of God’s continued leading.

This month, we have reached another important step: we have now received two formal construction bids for our new worship building, parking lot, and retention basins. Both bids came in significantly higher than anticipated—approximately $1 million above what we have currently saved.

While this news is challenging, it is not discouraging. It simply means we are entering a new season— a season of prayer, commitment, and perseverance.

Where We Stand Now

Our Team is prayerfully reviewing the bids, exploring options, and seeking wisdom for the best path forward. We remain committed to moving ahead with this project, but doing so will require:

Financial sacrifice from our church family
Hands‑on labor support where possible
Patience as we navigate timelines and decisions
God’s provision, which has sustained us every step of the way

We will present the full details of the bids, along with our recommendation, at an upcoming Members Meeting. Nothing will be decided without the unified voice of our church.

Why We Continue Forward

This building is not about square footage or architectural plans. It is about future ministry.

It is about creating a place where children will learn the gospel, where families will worship together, where disciples will be made, and where the Word of God will be preached for decades to come. It is about building a home for the mission God has entrusted to Grace Maricopa.

And we believe—deeply—that God finishes what He starts.

A Call to Prayer

So we invite our entire church into this moment. Pray for wisdom. Pray for unity. Pray for provision. Pray for God to do what only He can do.

We have seen His faithfulness again and again. We trust we will see it once more.

Together, we will build—not just a campus, but a legacy of faith for generations.

If you would like to be a member of the Construction Management Team for these projects, or learn more about how you can help, please email the church office.