News

Update • Fresno Church Plant

Grace Church of the Valley — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:00:00 -0400

We are pleased to share an unexpected and exciting step in God’s providence for the Fresno church plant.

As you know, Aaron Logan, Brendan Tomassian, and the core team were originally preparing to plant Shepherd’s Bible Church in Fresno this October. Over the last few weeks, they have received a call to instead unite in a work of renewal with Redemption Bible Church (RBC) in Fresno. Through much prayer and counsel, Aaron and Brendan have decided to lead their team to pursue this new opportunity.

Lord-willing, at the culmination of a candidating process over the next several weeks, Aaron will be stepping into the role of Lead Pastor and Brendan will be serving as Executive Pastor. They are excited to be working alongside their Core Team as well as Redemption’s existing elders and congregation to lead the church into its next chapter.

Aaron, Brendan, and the Grace Church of the Valley elders believe this may serve as a significant advancement to the original goal of a stand-alone local church while aligning with RBC’s leadership needs. Please join us in praying for Aaron and Brendan, their families, the core team members, and Redemption Bible Church during this process.

Fresno Church Plant Update

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 13:20:00 -0400

Shepherd's Bible Church
Launching October 4, 2026

Tenaya Middle School: 1239 W Mesa Ave, Fresno

As Aaron Logan & Brendan Tomassian move forward with the Fresno Church Plant, here are some ways you can be praying for this effort:

For the continued growth and faithfulness of the Core Team of initial members who have been meeting regularly to learn, pray, and fellowship.
For the effective outreach of the Core Team to the surrounding community for the proclamation of the gospel and the building of this local church.
For the Lord’s provision of financial and logistical support to launch and sustain an effective gospel outpost in Fresno.

For more information on Shepherd's Bible Church, click here.

Cornu Family

Grace Church of the Valley — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:30:00 -0400

Isaias and Brittany Cornu will be serving at Grace Church of the Valley. They have four sons—Mateo, Marco, Luka, and John—with baby number five on the way.
Isaias was born and raised in Santiago, Chile, where God graciously saved him and gave him a love for his Word and the local church. At the age of 21, Isaias moved to New Zealand. Brittany was born in Texas and grew up in Michigan, USA, where the Lord brought her to saving faith and gave her a heart for women’s and children’s ministry. She moved to New Zealand when she was 19. Isaias and Brittany met and married in New Zealand and have been serving at Riverbend Bible Church. The Cornu family is looking forward to serving the body at Grace Church of the Valley.

Future Ministry Update ∙ Garrett Costi

Grace Church of the Valley — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 12:04:00 -0400

We are grateful for the last three years the Costi family has served Grace Church of the Valley. Garrett & Maddy are headed to Redeemer Bible Church in Santa Barbara as Garrett becomes the Minister for Young Adults and Students serving alongside Michael Boys. Please pray for them as they transition to Santa Barbara in July and prepare for the birth of their first child due in October.

Please plan to join us on Sunday, July 19, after the worship service for a time to honor Garrett & Maddy before they leave for Santa Barbara. Please bring a card or gift of encouragement and share how God has used the Costis and their ministry to impact your life.

Church Staff Update ∙ Caleb Smith

Mon, 18 May 2026 15:32:31 -0400

Caleb Smith
Director of Outreach

Caleb grew up in Papua New Guinea as a tribal missionary kid to the Dinangat people. He and Alyssa met in 2019 at Hume Lake, after he attended the Joshua Wilderness Institute and they were married in 2020. They have Meadow (5), Liam (3), Goldie (1), and a baby on the way. Caleb has been working at The Summit PT for the past seven years, where he Co-founded and led ProTrain. His greatest delight is knowing the Lord and making his name known to believers and unbelievers. He and Alyssa have a huge heart for hospitality and helping people walk with the Lord in their daily life.

Caleb will oversee the ministries of evangelism and outreach at Grace Church of the Valley beginning June 22. He will use his gifts in public relations as well as leading, evangelizing, equipping, and coming alongside families to help them use their gifts in evangelizing the lost. Caleb's role is directly connected with the GCV Warehouse using it as a strategic tool for ministry through education, training, sports, and social gathering aligned with the mission of the church.

Future Ministry Update ∙ Fresno Church Plant

Grace Church of the Valley — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:16:32 -0500

God has blessed Grace Church of the Valley in a way to influence churches and believers well beyond the bounds of our city. Every week people join us with a desire to hear the Word of God which speaks to the need in our surrounding communities for more faithful churches.

Aaron Logan and Brendan Tomassian have been praying and researching about the possibility of planting a church in the Fresno area. They have approached the elder team to be sent out as church planters from Grace Church of the Valley.

After much prayer, planning, and collaboration, the elders have affirmed to send out Pastor Aaron and Pastor Brendan as church planters in Fresno this coming fall.

There will be more dates and details to come but please begin to pray for this opportunity, for Aaron and Brendan, and how you can be involved through giving, prayer, or even being a part of the church plant.

Church Staff Update ∙ Daniel Russell

Grace Church of the Valley — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:14:45 -0500

Daniel Russell is grateful to serve as the new Director of Family Ministries at Grace Church of the Valley. In this role, he will provide oversight to Children's Ministries with a special focus on equipping parents in the faithful discipleship of their children. Daniel looks forward to walking alongside the families of Grace Church as together they exalt Christ through the ministry of the Word in their homes.

Daniel and his wife, Ally, are blessed with three sons: Judah, Philip, and Shepherd. The Russell family is thankful to the Lord Jesus Christ for his faithfulness, kindness, and grace toward them and look forward to loving and serving the church for the glory of God.

Future Ministry Update ∙ Spencer Long

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:27:54 -0500

Over the past four years, Tara and I have been privileged to serve alongside the saints here at Grace Church of the Valley and these have been some of the sweetest years of our lives. Yet with our church being a training center for men pursuing pastoral ministry, the bittersweet reality is that some will leave to continue the mission of the church in other areas of the world where the Gospel has yet to mature.

It is because of this that Tara and I have decided, and been affirmed by the Elders, to move to Albania in the summer of 2026 to serve alongside our missionaries, Cory and Kristine Cramer.

Our goal in partnering with the Cramers would be to see the mission of the Church go forth in teaching the whole counsel of God so that many would be saved and equipped to glorify the Lord as they walk with him. Some of the work I will be engaged in will be:

Coming alongside Cory to see men in this church mature in Christ and pursue leadership within their homes, jobs, and in the Church.
Provide support to the Mission of Thrive to see the church in Albania nationally established and strengthened.
Bring stability and leadership to the fruitful youth ministry of Kisha e Krishtit Pogradec.
Be an example in faith and conduct of what it looks like to daily live for Christ.

Ultimately, we all have been saved and sanctified in order that we may walk in good works that the Lord has prepared for us so that we may see God’s name magnified in all we do!

We praise the Lord for his kindness, grace, and for you whom we have labored alongside in the Gospel these past few years. As Paul says in Philippians 1:8, Tara and I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. Please pray that God’s name may be hallowed in all the earth through our continued efforts of seeing men equipped and sent out through GCV.

Please continue to support us through your prayers; the Lord will use them!

To support us financially, please go to: thrivemissions.org/give

In Christ,

Spencer and Tara Long

Future Ministry Update ∙ Jack Barley

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:46:26 -0400

Jack Barley has spent the last four years training in pastoral ministry at The Master’s Seminary while serving under the leadership of Grace Church of the Valley (GCV). Having relocated his family from New Zealand, Jack has expressed deep gratitude for the church’s financial, practical, and spiritual support, which enabled his graduation from seminary on May 11, 2025. Jack and Michelle plan to remain with GCV until March of 2026 before transitioning back to New Zealand for pastoral ministry at his home church, Onekawa Bible Church (OBC).

Upon returning, Jack will assume an Associate Pastor role at OBC where he aims to strengthen the church by focusing on training men, enhancing family ministry, and meeting shepherding needs. Supporting Senior Pastor Phil Henderson and Music/Children’s Pastor Benji Carey, Jack will work to develop leaders, bolster adult ministries, and provide servant leadership to care for OBC’s flock. His long-term vision includes building on OBC’s foundation to create a healthy church model for others to emulate. Additionally, Jack has accepted the role of Director of EDIFY NZ, a ministry partnered with OBC to strengthen New Zealand churches through biblical truth, sound doctrine, and courageous pastoral leadership.

As Director of EDIFY NZ, Jack will lead initiatives to foster unity among New Zealand pastors and enhance their pastoral training. The elders at GCV are committed to partnering with Jack as a supported church strengthener that will, Lord willing, have generational gospel impact in New Zealand through local church ministry and Edify NZ. Please begin to pray for the Barleys as they prepare over the next nine months to return to New Zealand and talk to Jack to find out more ways you can be involved.

GCV's Involvement:

Bi-Annual short-term Mission Teams to NZ to help with strengthen local churches.
Supplying speakers and pastoral training for EDIFY NZ conferences and retreats.
Establishment of a bi-annual NZ/GCV internship program
Kiwi group visits and updates at GCV
The potential training of New Zealand seminary students at GCV TMS campus
Regular prayer support for the Barley’s and the EDIFY NZ ministry
Financial support for Jack and Michelle as church strengtheners in NZ

Missions Update ∙ Cramers

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 11:26:07 -0500

“We are so thankful for Grace Church of the Valley! Our church is encouraged, growing and faithful! Praise the Lord. The recent conference was a huge blessing to all who attended and we want to thank you for sending the help! As I continue to pastor in our church we know the next goal is to raise up future qualified and godly leaders. This will take time and focus and God is blessing that. We praise God for the many new opportunities to share Christ that have come into our lives!

Please pray:

That we would be faithful in our mission. In our small church and as the only pastor, I have a full plate shepherding and preaching every week. Pray for my faithfulness to Christ!
Kristine has been given a new opportunity to go into a new prison for women that opened near our city. She is evangelizing to these ladies each week. Pray for their salvation. Most have never heard the gospel and less have understood it.
Pray for the men in our church to be matured and raised up to help shepherd this congregation.
Praise for the recent conference and pray that each family will apply all that we learned about God's love.
Pray that God provides abundant health, wisdom and endurance as we press on! Those three things keep us going here.”