“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” Colossians 1:28
ELDERS
Pastor John Giarrizzo
John was born and raised in a Roman Catholic home in upstate New York. He attended parochial school through 4th grade, after which his family moved to Mesa, Arizona, where he has lived ever since. John acquired his real estate license at the age of 18, and was a full-time realtor for 6 years. The Lord powerfully converted John to Christ one day in 1979 while watching a television program about the second coming of Christ. Shortly afterwards, the Lord led him to a Calvinistic Baptist church in Mesa, where he came to embrace the doctrines of grace. John married Roberta in 1980, and in 1983 they were blessed with their first child, David. The following year John graduated from Redeemer Theological Seminary and was commissioned by his church to plant a new church. On September 8, 1985, Grace Covenant Church held their first worship service in a restaurant banquet hall in west Mesa. In 1986, John and Roberta were again blessed with their second child, Paul. Both of their sons were saved by God’s grace in their teenage years and have been involved in the ministry of the church ever since. David and Paul both married beautiful, godly women and have given John and Roberta 6 grandchildren (so far). In 2005, John received his Master of Divinity degree from Phoenix Seminary.
Pastor Rob Holmes
Rob Holmes is one of two sons of a lay pastor and a very godly mother. He married his wife Cathy in 1981. They have 4 children and 5 grandchildren. In 1987, Rob and his family began attending Grace Covenant Church under the ministry of John Giarrizzo. Since joining GCC, he has led youth evangelism efforts, has taught Sunday School for various age groups, and has held Bible studies in his home. He was also of the church’s first three deacons. In 2017, Rob was ordained as an elder by Grace Covenant Church to work as a church planter and is now assisting fellow pastor John Giarrizzo. Rob is currently enrolled in distance learning through Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary, based in Owensboro, KY.
Pastor DAVID GIARRIZZO
David was brought up in Grace Covenant Church since he was two years old. His parents, Pastor John and Roberta, pointed David to Jesus from the day he was born. David enjoyed the many blessings of being raised in a Christian home, attending a classical Christian school, and belonging to a confessional church. David was baptized at GCC when he was 19 years old. In 2005, David married his high school sweetheart, Paige, and they have been blessed by God with four children (Tatum, Athan, Roman, & Caedmon). David has served at GCC in various capacities over the years, from teaching and preaching, to leading music, to running the audio-visual ministry, to starting and directing the Building Tomorrow’s Church conference ministry since 2008. David holds a BA in English, a Master in Business Administration, and works as a full-time real estate agent.
Have questions? Need counsel?
We’d be happy to speak to you.
DEACONS
John Stafford
John Stafford was born in Ithaca, New York. He moved to Venice, Florida at the age of eleven and then on to Arizona at age twenty-one. In 1966, John married his high school sweetheart Debbie. They were both born again while attending Church of the Redeemer in Mesa, AZ. John graduated from Arizona State University in 1971. John and Debbie started their family that same year. They have three boys and one girl and many grandchildren. John and Debbie have known Pastor John Giarrizzo since before he was a pastor. John is currently retired from Senior Project Estimator for Chanen Construction Co. in Phoenix.
Steven Gonzales
Steven Gonzales was brought up in Albuquerque, New Mexico in a Roman Catholic home. Steven was converted at the age of 26. At 25 years old, Steven professed his faith in Christ; however, found out a year later that he was not truly saved. He only saw an outward change in his life but when able, practiced sin and never was given assurance that he was truly saved. He was convicted after reading 2 Corinthians 7:10, "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death." He saw that he only had worldly sorrow and was still in his sin and was headed for damnation in eternal Hell. When Steven was given the eyes to see his sin before a Holy God, The Lord granted him true repentance that leads to salvation in Christ and was converted. Steven and his wife Kelly were married in 2008. The have two sons given to them by the Lord's grace—Josiah, born in 2010, and Jonah, born in 2013. The Gonzales family lives in Mesa, AZ, where they serve the Lord. Steven was called to the office of deacon in January of 2011, and was recognized by the congregation as a Gifted Brother in January of 2019.
NATHAN JOHNSON
Nathan grew up at GCC and has been attending for nearly 25 years. He came to know the Lord in his later teens and has sought to faithfully serve the church ever since. Nathan cares deeply for others and loves serving as a Deacon. Nathan and his wife Aubrie were married in 2012 and regularly host classes on helping others achieve financial peace as well as seeking to give financial advice to others based on biblical principles. Nathan and Aubrie have been blessed with a wonderful young family including Emmett, Owen, and Lyla. Nathan has been serving as a Deacon for the church since September, 2018. One of Nathan's favorite verses is Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." To God alone be all the glory!
Jake Sullivan
(Bio coming soon)
CHURCH STAFF
KELLY GONZALES, OFFICE MANAGER
Kelly Gonzales was born in Mission Viejo, CA, but was raised in Lena, IL. In 2003, Kelly moved to Arizona to attend Arizona State University. The Lord converted Kelly in 2006. Shortly after, she met her husband Steven. Kelly and Steven were married in November of 2008 and began attending Grace Covenant Church in January of 2009. God has blessed them with two boys, Josiah and Jonah. Kelly has served as the registrar for the BTC conference since 2013 and became the Office Manager of Grace Covenant Church in 2018.
