A Haven of Hope in Sun Valley
Greater Light Christian Center sits on Sun Valley Boulevard in Sun Valley, Nevada, just outside Reno, where it has become known as a "Haven of Hope" for many in the surrounding community. The church's outreach ministries reach into some of the most difficult realities of the city: domestic violence, HIV/AIDS prevention, jail outreach, gang outreach, and substance abuse.
The motto under which the church gathers is straightforward and resilient: "For Me To Fail, Impossible. For You To Fail, Impossible," drawn from Romans 8:37 - "Nay, In All These Things, We Are More Than Conquerors Through Him Who Loved Us." A shorter tagline travels with the church wherever it goes: "We love God, connect people, and live truth."
The mission is rooted in service and proclamation: to serve God, share His love, and reach out to the world by teaching and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The vision is threefold - a Bible teaching church, a family oriented church, and a world outreach ministry reaching the individual, the home, the community, the city, the state, the nation, and the world.
The Taylors: A Ministry of Five Decades
Senior Pastor and Founder Glenn E. Taylor Sr. has been a part of the Reno community since January of 1970. He is known nationally and internationally for his inspirational preaching and musical talents, and he has ministered in Australia, Indonesia, and Jamaica. His multi-cultural ministry helped him establish five additional churches - four of them with Spanish-speaking services in the Reno-Stead area, and one in Covelo, California, addressing the local Native American community.
Before full-time ministry, Rev. Taylor spent 29 years with the State of Nevada and the City of Reno. He served several Nevada Governors and three Reno City Managers as Mediator-Conciliator, Arbitrator for the Nevada Labor Commission, Assistant Director of the Nevada Equal Rights Commission, and Affirmative Action Officer/Training and Development Manager for the City of Reno. Locally, he has served as a Commissioner for the Reno Housing Authority (appointed by the Reno City Council), Trustee of the Washoe Affordable Housing Board, and Trustee of the Washoe Housing Corporation. Nationally, he serves on the board of Directors for the National Alliance of Faith Based and Community Based Organizations.
Co-Pastor Gwen Taylor has been involved in Christian ministry since the age of 15. She began serving alongside her husband on their 1967 wedding day. With a background in sociology and marketing communication, she draws audiences as she complements her husband's ministry. She serves as Director of the church's Women's Ministry and speaks for women's organizations on marriage, family, and women's issues with an emphasis on depression. In 1999, she traveled to Israel and walked the homeland of Jesus.
After more than 53 years of marriage, the Taylors reside in Reno and are the parents of three adult children - Glenn II, Terrell Lamar, and Sherria Donae Taylor - and six grandchildren.
Sunday Mornings and Wednesday Nights
Greater Light Christian Center gathers for two weekly rhythms. Sunday Morning Worship begins at 10:00 am, and Wednesday Night Bible Study meets at 7:00 pm. Services are held in person at the Sun Valley Boulevard campus and are also broadcast online via Facebook and a streaming platform, so worshipers can join from wherever they are.
The Music Ministry leads the way in worship - an anointed, progressive and exciting effort that incorporates praise and worship teams, singers, musicians, praise choirs, choirs for special performances, dramatizations, and live recordings. Ushers arrive first to greet and seat visitors, set the tone for the morning, and keep perfect order throughout the service. The Hospitality Ministry extends the pastor's love through reception and warm welcome to members, strangers, and guests alike, following Peter's instruction to "offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."
A Pastoral Team for Every Need
Around Pastor and Co-Pastor Taylor, a team of assistant pastors carries the work of the church. Assistant Pastor Vincent Stewart, a native of Los Angeles, has been in ministry for more than 20 years. He was licensed as a minister in 1988 at Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Reno and ordained in 1995 at Greater Light Christian Center, where he now oversees Security/Safety, the Men's Ministry, and Ushers & Greeters.
Assistant Pastor Doris Freeman-Broadnax, a native of Herlong, California, accepted her ministerial calling in 2002. She serves as Choir Coordinator, leads the Care/Witness team, and serves on the Finance Team. Outside the church, she founded "It's Such a Blessing," a non-medical in-home service for seniors and people with disabilities, and volunteers at the Crisis Pregnancy Center.
Dr. Angie Taylor serves as Administrative Pastor, responsible for the leadership team, administrative and leadership training, special projects, and church organization - in effect serving as the chief operating officer on behalf of the senior pastor. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership, a Master's in Public Administration, and a Bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno, and completed a 20-year career at the university before retiring into ministry. She is also President and CEO of Guardian Quest, Inc., a diversity, leadership, and organizational development consulting firm.
Ministries for Every Stage of Life
Beyond the worship gathering, Greater Light Christian Center runs a wide slate of ministries that meet people across seasons of life.
The Men's Ministry exists to build up and mobilize men - saved and unsaved - for work in God's Kingdom, focusing on the transformation of their hearts into godly leadership at home, church, workplace, and community. As the ministry puts it, "as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." The work ties closely to the Christian Men's Alliance, whose vision is to come alongside men as they reach their maximum potential as leaders in home, church, and community through Biblical training, accountability, and friendship.
The Women's Ministry aims to be a community connecting with God and caring for people. Its vision: every woman who comes in contact with the church family will have an unforgettable experience of encouragement and empowerment. The ministry cultivates "Women of Power" (WOP's) and "Young Women of Power" (YWOP's), who find their validation in God alone, and grounds its work in 2 Timothy 1:7 - "God has not given us a spirit of fear: but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Co-Pastor Gwen Taylor directs the work.
The Couples Ministry, called Two Becoming One, equips and strengthens marriages by helping couples discover God's plan and their unique roles through the study of His Word. It connects couples with other couples in the body of Christ for fellowship, encouragement, and shared service.
Cross Trainers' Youth Ministry creates an atmosphere of "spiritual activity" through cross-training and discipleship, teaching young people a sense of purpose according to God's plan. It demonstrates that youth are indeed the Church of today, through fellowship, discipleship, worship, ministry, service, missions, and evangelism.
The Witnessing Ministry serves as the voice and hand that encourages people to change their lives with hope, comfort, and peace. Members build strong relationships rooted in Christian values and work to help others become Christians and grow in their relationship with Christ, taking seriously the truth that witnessing is not just something one merely does - it is something one lives by.
The Security Team ensures every visitor and member feels safe and relaxed, creating an environment where the word of the Lord can be received in peace.
ACCEPT: Reaching Beyond the Walls
In 1995, Pastor Glenn E. Taylor Sr. founded ACCEPT (the African-American Community Cultural Education Program and Training) as an outreach ministry of Greater Light Christian Center. ACCEPT acquired its own 501(c)(3) status in 1999. It is the only community-based organization providing HIV/AIDS prevention education, intervention, and support services targeting African Americans in Washoe County.
The organization does not discriminate in its provision of services and serves all ethnic groups and races. ACCEPT also provides substance abuse prevention classes for children and parents, parenting education, wellness groups and trainings, capacity building trainings, and supportive care services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
Co-Pastor Gwen Taylor serves as Executive Director/Program Coordinator and public spokesperson for the organization, speaking at schools and community venues on HIV/AIDS prevention and overseeing a weekly HIV Positive Support Group.
Getting Connected
Newcomers are welcomed warmly. The church invites visitors to come just as they are. Each week begins with Sunday Morning Worship at 10:00 am, followed by Wednesday Night Bible Study at 7:00 pm. The church is located at 5150 Sun Valley Blvd, Sun Valley, Nevada 89433, and can be reached at (775) 348-2050 or admin@glccministries.org. Online giving is available, and services can be watched live online. Weekly encouragement from Pastor Glenn appears in the Pastor's Corner, and the church shares updates on Facebook.
Those who want to connect during the week can join any of the ministries described above - Men's, Women's, Couples, Cross Trainers' Youth, Music, Witnessing, Hospitality, Usher, or Security - or jump straight into service through ACCEPT.