Web Verified
Global Methodist Church (GMC)

Gracepoint Global Methodist Church

1100 S Recker Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296 (meets at Cooley Middle School)
GMC plant in Gilbert AZ launched Christmas Eve 2023
Quick Facts
Pastor — the shepherd God holds accountable Rev. Gwen Mader
Founded Christmas Eve 2023
Denomination GMC
Service Times Sundays 10:30 AM
Men's Ministry No
Kids Ministry Yes
Pastor Credentials Ordained 2013 in UMC Dakotas Annual Conference; transitioned to GMC
10-Point Theological Scorecard
Christology
Is Jesus the only way? (John 14:6)
GMC affirms historic Christology.
Strong
Scripture
Inerrancy affirmed? Final authority?
GMC affirms inspiration and authority of Scripture.
Strong
Men's Discipleship
Intentional formation for men?
Not stated.
Strong
Soteriology
Faith alone? How is salvation presented?
Wesleyan-Arminian.
Strong
Gender / Biblical Design
Biblical manhood and womanhood by God's design — patriarchal, complementarian, egalitarian, or affirming gender ideology?
Founding pastor Gwen Mader is female; UMC-era female-clergy holdover (ordained 2013 UMC Dakotas) now serving as GMC pastor.
Female founding pastor (Gwen Mader). GMC polity is complementarian on episcopacy/elder ordination but UMC-era female clergy are grandfathered in. Yellow flag for transparency on this UMC-holdover ordination track.
Caution
Leadership Structure
Male elders/pastors? Accountability?
Gwen Mader (female founding pastor) — UMC-era ordination grandfathered into GMC.
Strong
Preaching Style
Expository or topical/therapeutic?
Wesleyan preaching tradition.
Strong
Mission Clarity
Great Commission central?
Gilbert AZ church plant born of UMC schism, launched Christmas Eve 2023 with Mader and her husband.
Strong
Cultural Alignment
DEI/CRT language? Social justice crowding out gospel?
Conservative Wesleyan posture by GMC affiliation.
Strong
Accountability Structure
Denominational home, elder plurality, or external network — is the pastor answerable to anyone?
GMC Western States Provisional Conference.
Strong
Assessment
Gracepoint Global Methodist Church is a Gilbert, AZ church plant launched Christmas Eve 2023 by Rev. Gwen Mader and her husband Rod following the UMC denominational schism. Mader was originally ordained in the UMC Dakotas Annual Conference in 2013 and transitioned to the GMC. The congregation meets at Cooley Middle School at 1100 S Recker Rd.
#gmc#az#gilbert#phoenix-metro#church-plant#global-methodist#western-states-conference
Visit Their Website ← Back to Church Directory
Sources & Evidence

These are the URLs consulted to arrive at this church's scoring. Score-note claims are synthesized from homepage content, denominational directories, and public statements of faith at the time of review. Church websites change frequently; we're progressively adding Internet Archive snapshots to prevent link rot.

  1. [1] Live source gracepointgmc.org
  2. [2] Live source abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/gilbert/new-gilber…

Transparency note: MOOP ratings are researcher judgments about publicly available theological and ecclesial evidence. They are not infallible. If a church's public posture has changed since our review, or if we've mis-read evidence, tell us — we publish corrections.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-16 — Annual review recommended
← Return to Full Church Directory