Who We Are
Grace Alive is a church made up of ordinary, broken people who have been transformed by the grace of God. We gather each week not because we have it all together, but because we have found hope in Jesus Christ. Here, you’ll find a family learning to follow Him together—growing in love for God, love for one another, and love for our community. Whether you are full of faith or full of questions, there is a place for you here.
Gospel | Family | Mission
Gospel
The gospel is the good news that God, in His love, sent His Son Jesus into our brokenness to bring us life. From the beginning, God designed His creation for joy, unity, and peace. Yet humanity rebelled, and that rebellion has left us marked by sin, shame, grief, and separation from God.
But God was not willing for brokenness to have the final word. Jesus came to take our place—bearing our sin on the cross, rising from the grave, and defeating sin and death forever. Salvation is not about what we accomplish for God, but what Christ has accomplished for us.
At Grace Alive, we believe the gospel is not only how we begin the Christian life—it is how we grow. The grace that saves us is the same grace that transforms us, shapes us, and sustains us every day.
Family
The gospel does not merely reconcile us to God; it brings us into His family. Through Christ, we become sons and daughters of the Father and brothers and sisters to one another.
Church is not simply an event we attend—it is a people we belong to. We are called to love deeply, forgive freely, carry one another’s burdens, and walk together through every season of life. We believe spiritual growth happens best in relationship as we learn to follow Jesus side by side.
At Grace Alive, we are responsible to and for one another. We belong together, and we are committed to growing in unity, humility, and love as one family in Christ.
Mission
Jesus’ mission is now our mission. As the Father sent Him, He sends us. We are called to glorify God, proclaim the gospel, seek the lost, and demonstrate the goodness of God through lives marked by mercy, justice, and love.
We believe every follower of Jesus is sent into everyday life—into homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools—as a witness of the kingdom of God. Together, we make disciples and pursue the flourishing of our city while participating in God’s work to the ends of the earth.
Gospel-Centered
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ stand at the center of everything we believe and practice. The gospel shapes our worship, our relationships, our leadership, and our mission.
Spirit-Empowered
We depend upon the Holy Spirit to guide, convict, transform, and empower us. Apart from Him, we can do nothing of eternal value. Through Him, we bear fruit and grow in maturity as the body of Christ.
Kingdom-Minded
We seek first the kingdom of God, desiring to reflect His rule and reign in how we live now while longing for the fullness of His coming kingdom. We live as citizens of heaven even as we serve faithfully in our city.
Rooted in Scripture
We believe the Bible is the inspired, trustworthy, and life-giving Word of God. It is our final authority in matters of faith and practice and the lens through which we understand all of life.
Meet Our Team
Daniel Bannister
Lead Pastor
Daniel serves as the Lead Pastor of Grace Alive Church. His calling is to seek the kingdom of Jesus and proclaim the good news of the gospel to all who will hear it. He is passionate about seeing lives transformed by the power of the gospel and disciples raised up to lead others toward Christ. Daniel is grateful to see Grace Alive grow as a healthy, vibrant church that multiplies leaders and plants churches as part of a broader gospel movement.
He loves walking alongside people in their spiritual journeys—watching Jesus heal, restore, and transform their lives. Daniel is especially thankful that Grace Alive has become a place of renewal for many who had stepped away from faith or community. He is committed to seeing the church mobilized to proclaim the hope of Jesus and demonstrate the kingdom of God in the everyday rhythms of life.
Daniel holds a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology and is currently pursuing a PhD in Theology. He and his wife, Lili, live in Fontana with their children, Alicia and Ethan, and serve together as a foster family caring for children in need. Outside of ministry, he enjoys good coffee, reef aquariums, traveling, and watching anime with his kids.
CJ Lacuesta
Worship Leader
(Bio coming soon)
Lili Bannister
Children's Ministry Director
(Bio coming soon)
We believe the gospel advances best through cooperation. Grace Alive partners with like-minded churches and mission organizations to support church planting, global missions, theological training, and disaster relief efforts.
We are affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, joining thousands of churches who work together to send missionaries, plant churches, train leaders, and respond to needs around the world. Our partnership allows us to participate in gospel work far beyond what we could accomplish alone.