Sunday Mornings on Monroe Street
City of Grace meets at 402 W Monroe Street in downtown Phoenix, just a few blocks from the state capitol and a short walk from the central business district. Two Sunday morning services are offered, at 9 AM and 11 AM, with the same teaching and the same kids programs at both hours. The room fills with a steady mix of downtown workers, families from nearby neighborhoods, college students, and visitors stepping through the doors for the first time.
Free parking is available on Sundays at the lot on the northwest corner of 5th Avenue and Monroe, with overflow parking on the southwest corner of the same intersection and at 317 North 4th Avenue, just north of Van Buren. A printable parking map is posted online so first-time guests can plan their route into the building and find a spot close to the entrance.
A Place for Every Age
Children from infancy through 5th grade are welcomed into cityKiDS, the children's ministry that runs during both Sunday services. Check-in opens 30 minutes before each service, and the rooms are set up so that kids can experience the love of Jesus in a safe, friendly environment while their parents worship in the main room. The team sees cityKiDS as a partner with parents, supporting families as they raise their children in the knowledge of God.
Middle and high schoolers have their own gathering. YTH Society meets during the 11 AM service for students in 6th through 12th grade, with teaching, community, and space to grow in faith alongside peers. Many parents of younger children and teens choose the 11 AM hour so the whole family is on site together. The youth ministry is designed to be a place where young people are wanted, can learn to depend on Jesus, and are encouraged on their spiritual journey.
Lead Pastors Terry and Judith Crist
Terry and Judith Crist are the lead pastors of City of Grace. They are fifth generation pastors, and together they have spent more than forty years investing in the church and serving people around the world. Terry is an avid outdoorsman and a gifted communicator who has preached and traveled in more than 64 nations. He is also deeply involved in community transformation and promotes adoption and foster care through his work in state government.
Judith serves as an Executive Coach and has devoted her life to championing the cause of women and bringing good news to underserved communities through compassionate outreach and service. The Crists have three sons and five grandchildren, and the entire family is engaged in loving, serving, and spreading the good news of Jesus. The Crists' life and ministry set the tone for a church that is family-focused, locally rooted, and globally aware.
Mission, Vision, and Values
City of Grace's mission is to love the city into a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. The vision is to live out the gospel in such a way that the surrounding communities know they are loved, valued, and welcomed into the story of Jesus re-making the world. The church describes itself as "a people inspired by love, empowered by grace, and engaged in community."
Eight values shape the life of the church: We are Jesus people. We value everyone. We love our neighborhoods. We build longer tables. We always bring our best. We live to give ourselves away. We honor but don't idolize. We enjoy the journey. The phrases "longer tables" and "loving our neighborhoods" speak directly to the church's commitment to the city of Phoenix and to the people who live there.
Get Connected: Groups, Alpha, and Serve Teams
City of Grace believes that life was not meant to be lived alone, and the church offers several ways to plug in. Connect Groups are small gatherings that meet around the city throughout the week for study, friendship, and prayer. The Alpha Course is offered as an open, no-pressure introduction to the basics of the Christian faith, and it is a common next step for visitors and new believers who want to explore what Christianity is all about.
For those who want to serve, a Serve Team roster is open in the lobby on Sundays. Roles range from greeting and hospitality to children's ministry, production, and outreach. First-time guests are encouraged to stop by the connection area, fill out a Plan Your Visit form, or simply start a conversation with the team in the lobby.
The Online Campus and the City of Grace App
For those who cannot make it to Monroe Street, City of Grace streams a live service on Sundays at 9 AM through its YouTube channel. Previous messages are available on demand in the same place, so anyone can catch up on a recent sermon at any time. The channel is the home of the live broadcast and the full message archive.
The City of Grace app, available through Subsplash, gives members and guests a single place to watch services, manage giving, sign up for events, and access sermons on the go. Materials in Spanish are available for the city's Spanish-speaking neighbors, and prayer requests and praise reports can be submitted online at any time.
Generosity
City of Grace offers several giving options, including a Phoenix campus fund and a general online fund, both processed through PushPay. A pledge option is available for those who want to make a recurring commitment, and giving can also be set up through the church app. The church frames generosity around a verse from Ephesians 3: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever."
Practical Details for a First Visit
City of Grace is at 402 W Monroe Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Sunday services are at 9 AM and 11 AM, and the online campus streams at 9 AM. cityKiDS runs during both services for children from birth through 5th grade, and YTH Society is open to 6th through 12th graders at the 11 AM service. The church office can be reached at (480) 834-1822 or info@cityofgrace.com, and the mailing address is 655 East University Drive, Mesa, AZ 85203.