GFC Church History

The Lord gave Carl A. Lucas, Sr. a vision in 1996 to establish a church where God would always be first and the Word would always be heard. After many hours of praying and seeking direction from the Lord, God inspired him from Matthew 6:33 with the name God First.
The initial service was held on January 19, 1997 at the Hazelwood Community Center. Pastor Lucas’ immediate family joined, Evelyn, Deonna & Carl II. The next five years a space in a banquet hall on New Halls Ferry & Parker Road was called home. Pastor & Sis. Lucas’ personal residece served as ministry headquarters for weekly events including bible study, church meetings, rehearsals, Mother’s day brunch and even the church picnic. The path was not easy but Pastor Lucas and his church family remained obedient. God added to the church as he saw fit.
The first five years our church family learned how to wait on God. We became impatient and took matters into our own hands. We bought land, invested in a metal building, renovated a leased property and developed architectural drawings all in an attempt to gain a permanent home for the ministry. Two days before we signed the final papers to build, God sent us to look at a building at 12025 Raymond Avenue. Like the spies from the children of Israel, we were impressed, but the giants (the obstacles) looked overbearing. God instructed Pastor Lucas to take the land. The members, decided to follow their pastor as he followed God. In 2002 God blessed us with a church home of our own. August 4, 2002 we marched into our present location at 12025 Raymond Avenue. We also purchased land across the street. It became obvious if we put God First he would give us the desires of our heart.
Since our inception many ministries have flourished and new advancements have come forth.
  • 1999 Established Gateway Leadership Conference
  • 2004 Open Discovering Academics Child Care Development Center
  • 2004 Launched our Youth department which continues to grow at times exceeding 100 students. Youth on the Move Church (YOM) was also established with services each Sunday morning
  • 2008 Renamed our scholarship to the ‘Carl A. Lucas, Sr. Scholarship Fund’ to honor our Pastor & Founder
  • 2009 Minister Korey Davis became our Assistant Pastor
  • 2009 Minister Leon Delk, Jr. became our Youth Pastor

In 2010 we continued our commitment to the community by giving
back time & resources.
~We gave scholarships totaling $5000 to deserving high school seniors
for college expenses.
~We continued our partnership with the ‘Terrance Sheard Back to
School Foundation’.
~We hosted our first golf tournament which subsidized the ‘Carl A. Lucas, Sr.
Scholarship Fund’.
~We continued to offer time and resources to lend a hand up for those in
need through Helping Hands, Nursing Home & WeCares Ministries.

In order to maximize the use of our building we’ve initiated two worship
services on Sunday mornings on October 2010.

At God First, we truly are
“Striving for a Ministry of Excellence”
God First Always!