About GBF - Our Story

Grace Bible Fellowship of Silicon Valley (GBF) is a handiwork of Jesus, conspicuously and distinctively marked with His indelible fingerprints. Who else can produce such results? Its expeditious beginning, ministry-minded charter members, and suitable location are remarkable examples of the Lord’s design. Yes, it is Christ who will build His Church (Matthew 16:18)!

May 12, 2006 marks the day of conception for GBF in a business warehouse in Sunnyvale, California. That is when Cliff and Debbie McManis were asked to be the initial coordinators of a new church venture by those in attendance at an informational meeting sponsored by Pastor Mike Burchfield of West Hills Community Church (WHCC). Exactly 100 days later, on August 20, 2006, GBF held a First Fruits Worship Service with its charter members. This was followed the next week on its official birthday of August 27th with the first set of Sunday school classes and initial public worship service. All key foundational documents[i] were set in place meticulously, yet rapidly, during this brief period of time, because God brought great unity to the Advisory Council and also had planted the seeds of this church eight years earlier when the initial drafts of some of these documents were initially penned. God quickly provided the finances through the charter members, blessing some of them with new jobs or a maturing bank CD. Though GBF is not affiliated with WHCC, Pastor Mike’s catalytic influence on GBF remains a source of joy, as does his prayer of dedication at our first service. Is any timeline too short for Jesus to achieve as He builds His Church?

Charter membership of 22 adults makes for a solid nucleus to begin a church. Add to this 23 lively children, and one quickly understands why children and youth ministries are of utmost importance at GBF. Within two months GBF was holding one adult and three children’s Sunday school classes[ii] and Children’s Church for the final 40 minutes of the service. God’s grace and orchestration brought together highly experienced youth workers, teachers, musicians, and hostesses who exercise gifts as varied as pastor-teacher, helps, leadership, encouragement, teaching, administration, and giving. Jesus continues to draw people to GBF – at this writing we are a congregation of over 60 with at least one new visitor every week of our 15-week existence. Represented in our body are children, parents, and grandparents, along with singles, divorcés, widows and couples. Is any team makeup too diverse for Jesus to assemble as He builds His Church?

Most groups being formed would want to know early on in the embryonic process where they will meet. So did we! Alas, God had another way. The final piece of the planning to fall into place by His design was the facility. Trusting that the Holy Spirit would direct us to a location where He wanted His church, we searched out churches, schools, reception halls, and warehouses. We looked in all directions, from Palo Alto to south San Jose, from Campbell to Milpitas, plus many places in between. Over 125 sites were contacted. Without a doubt, Jesus wanted us in our present location in Mountain View, for it was the single property that simultaneously was available, adaptable, affordable, and amenable to us. We are blessed beyond measure with use of an airy and expansive chapel, multiple classrooms, a newly refurbished kitchen, a sizeable fellowship hall, and a nearby, enclosed play area. Moreover, Pastor Curtis Church from our host church welcomed us as an extension and lighthouse of God’s kingdom. Is any facility too challenging for Jesus to secure as He builds His Church?

When, who, where, and why? Jesus started GBF at His appointed time, with His initial saints and ministries prepared, at His chosen location, and with a specific purpose in mind. Is anything too difficult for the Lord (Genesis 18:14)? Please join us as we rejoice in His blessings showered upon His local church called Grace Bible Fellowship of Silicon Valley, and as we anticipate the fulfillment of His purpose as it unfolds before our eyes!

[i] The key foundational documents are the By-Laws, Statement of Faith, Philosophy of Ministry, Ministry Distinctives, and Membership Covenant.

[ii] The three children’s Sunday school classes are as follows:

1. Preschool to 2^nd grade

2. 3^rd to 5^th grade

3. Middle and high schools

September – December 2006
Pastor Cliff begins expository preaching from the book of Ephesians.

Congregants walk the neighborhood and distribute informational flyers to announce GBF’s presence. This takes place multiple times.

The men of the church minister to the ladies by serving the Thanksgiving Sunday fellowship meal and taking care of all the clean-up.

GBF joins Crossroads Bible Church to reach out to the less privileged during the Christmas holiday season.

January 2007
The baptisms of 11 children who desire to follow the Lord in obedience punctuates this month. Great care is taken by Pastor Cliff as he meets deliberately with each candidate individually, parents sitting side by side with their child, to ensure that each young believer has placed faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and has a basic understanding of the Christian life.

February 2007
Sunday afternoons from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. is when GBF met for its first five months of existence. While our desire was always to gather for worship on Sunday mornings, that was not God’s initial plan. February 4th marks the rescheduling of the teaching, worship, and fellowship times to 9:30 a.m. through 1:30 p.m. God’s timing is always perfect. One observer remarks that God used the first months of meeting in the afternoon to allow us to establish an identity as a local church and work out some kinks. Now He wants us to serve more people who will be coming now that GBF meets in the morning.

March 2007
Four more first-time events happen in March. Five of six people on the Advisory Council (Cliff and the aspiring elders) head down to Sun Valley, California to attend the annual Shepherd’s Conference sponsored by Grace Community Church. The women of GBF hold their first Ladies’ Retreat in San Francisco. A Home Bible Study group starts meeting on Friday nights to learn inductive Bible study skills while studying First John. The monthly all-church prayer meeting commences.

April 2007
Not only do we have an Easter service, but we also precede that with a Good Friday service. Both the planned and spontaneous testimonials encourage our hearts. The extra participation by our children makes it more meaningful for the whole family. The preached message about “The Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross” during His final few hours of life declares the magnificence of God’s redemption plan for us with Jesus dying on the cross, and then being buried later that day. On the third day, Jesus is risen! He is risen, indeed!

May 2007
Charter members Walt and Nancy Heine retire and relocate to Mexico. Since they also head up the Worship Ministry, God raises up many individuals who rotate duties in their stead. Walt, also a member of the Advisory Council, preaches on his last Sunday with GBF and then stays in contact with the other Advisory Council members via e-mail to give advice from afar.

June 2007
We begin the first of eight Summer Poolside Fellowship gatherings on Wednesday evenings at various homes. What a refreshing opportunity to practice the “one-anothers,” such as “encourage one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11), “be hospitable to one another” (1 Peter 4:9), and “be devoted to one another” (“one-anothers,” such as “encourage one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11), “be hospitable to one another” (1 Peter 4:9), and “be devoted to one another” (Romans 12:10)!

With colleges completing their school year, we see an influx of over a dozen collegiates and young adults. GBF’s response includes both a Sunday school class and a Friday night Bible study dedicated to this age group.

July 2007
Our weeklong Basketball FUNdamentals Clinic for elementary aged children is held at one of the premier gyms in Sunnyvale. We need 20 campers to break even, but we pray for the maximum capacity of 50. The clinic begins with registration in the high 40s and ends with exactly 50 campers! Does God know how to answer prayers to encourage the heart, or what? Basketball skills with a Christian work ethic and the life-changing message of the gospel are dispensed liberally throughout the week. The GBF youth in middle and high school pitch in to help with coaching, worship, and leading small groups. After the clinic ends on Friday, a non-GBF parent drives away, but circles back to ask, “You are planning to have this camp next year, too, aren’t you?”

August 2007
Happy Birthday, GBF! Sunday, August 26th marks a full year of worship services for GBF. Fittingly, the exact day of birth, August 27th, is highlighted by our normal monthly prayer meeting where we thank God for His goodness and pray for each regular attender by name.

All six Advisory Council members have preached during the first year of GBF’s existence: Sam in October; Walt in May; Paul in July; Tim and Bob in August; and Cliff all the other weeks!

First-year totals include a total of 29 members, 14 baptisms, and a high of 118 people at Worship Service.

This update was written on September 3, 2007

About Grace Bible Fellowship

Our Story