ABOUT GOD FIRST CHRISTIAN CENTER

Who We Are

God First Christian Center is a Non-denominational church that believes in the Lordship of Jesus Christ and salvation through accepting Him as your Lord and Savior. Our church has been on a journey to spread the love of Christ and share the message of hope with the community. We are dedicated to making a positive impact and helping individuals grow in faith.

OUR PURPOSE

God First Christian Center calling is to train men and women of every race, creed and color in the successful application of God's Word. To establish a family of believers, who by the knowledge of God's Word, the leading of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit, to successfully impact the World for Jesus Christ through worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship and discipleship.

OUR VISION

To win souls to Christ and be a church home for all people of every race, economic status or nationality.
Build an edifice to suffice the ministry needs and vision.
Equip the members for the work of ministry.
Open a Community Outreach Center: To provide for community needs.
Open Nurture Houses for men and women
Provide a forum for substance abuse deliverance
Start and expand our Ministries to the Youth and Young Adults
Provide Relationship ministry to couples
Open a Care facility and housing for our senior citizens.
Equip the members to live the Abundant life in Christ Jesus.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

We believe: The Bible is the inspired Word of God.
All have sinned and come short of the glory of God and are in need of salvation.
Salvation has been provided through Jesus Christ for all men.
We believe in Water Baptism and the observance of the Lord's Supper.

That the infilling of the Holy Spirit is an experience subsequent to salvation, and that it is the will of God that all be filled.
The gifts of the Spirit are available to believers today.
Healing is provided in the redemptive work of Christ and is available to every believer.
The prosperity of the saints.
There shall be a bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust.
In the personal, visible, imminent return of Jesus Christ

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

To glorify God by putting Him first in all things—our worship, our relationships, and our service. We are committed to living out the teachings of Jesus Christ, cultivating a community of love, grace, and truth, and equipping believers to walk boldly in faith, serve others with compassion, and share the Gospel with the world.

OUR JOURNEY

God First Christian Center and the ministry of Pastor Douglas L. Ross & Gwendolyn Ross has progressed through several key organizations and phases, consistently focusing on spiritual growth and community restoration in the Richmond, Virginia, area.

The Early Years and Organizational Foundations

Glory to God Ministries, Inc. (Founded 1994): Pastor Ross began his formal leadership journey by organizing this ministry, which served as the foundation for his later outreach work.
The Nurture House (Founded 1995): Addressing a critical community need, he established this specialized ministry to provide support and rehabilitation for men transitioning out of prison, drug addiction, and homelessness. Pastor Douglas L. Ross founded the Nurture House with the specific goal of providing a supportive, faith-based environment for men facing major life transitions. His primary objectives were to assist those:

Coming out of prison: Providing a structured re-entry path to help reduce recidivism.
Recovering from drug use: Offering spiritual and practical support to maintain sobriety.
Experiencing homelessness: Creating a stable housing environment while helping them rebuild their lives.

This ministry was an early extension of his Glory to God Ministries and reflected his broader mission of community restoration and individual transformation. The principles behind the Nurture House continue today through the God First Christian Center’s annual Overcomer's Award Celebration, which honors those who have triumphed over similar hardships.

Transition to Pastoral Leadership: In 1998, he accepted the call to serve as the pastor of Greenbrier Baptist Church in Powhatan, Virginia, further expanding his ministerial reach.

The Emergence of God First Christian Center: The current ministry at God First Christian Center represents the culmination of these earlier efforts, previously operating under the name Glory to God Ministries and later God Chasers International Church.

Today, the church emphasizes a holistic "God First" lifestyle, offering spiritual guidance alongside practical community services.

Overcomer's Celebration: A signature of the ministry is the annual Overcomer's Award Celebration Service, which honors individuals who have successfully navigated major life hardships, reflecting the mission of the Nurture House on a broader scale.
Community Accessibility & Support: GFCC serves as a vital safety net for the Richmond community through its hands-on benevolence programs. The church’s Prescription Assistance Ministry (PAM) provides direct limited financial aid to help low-income and underinsured residents afford life-saving medications they otherwise couldn't access. Community Grocery Giveaways address local food insecurity by distributing essential supplies to families in need. Together, these initiatives reflect "God First" philosophy—turning faith into tangible action by meeting the urgent physical and medicinal needs of our neighbors. Transportation Ministry, is another community service provided by the ministry to ensure that local residents have free, reliable access to Sunday worship and church resources.
Spiritual Legacy: Throughout these transitions, Pastor Ross has remained a prolific teacher and author, publishing works such as I'm Still in His Hands (2006) and The Blue Book of Faith Confessions (2007) to share his testimony of faith and resilience.