Graham Emmanuel Baptist Church is a carefully planned strategic extension effort by the Columbia Baptist Conference and Bethany church in Puyallup to win the lost and build up the believer. The house and ten acres were purchased by Columbia Baptist Conference on December 21, 1979

A "pilot" Bible study started on Wednesday nights in the spring of 1980 with Pastor Carl Linden from Jovita Baptist Church leading and 5 to 8 attending.

On August 19, 1981, Denny Fredrick held our first regular Bible study on Wednesday night. The attendance was 12. On January 3, 1982, we had the first Sunday School and Church meeting with 25 in attendance. On November 1st, Denny Frederick accepted the call as our first pastor.

In January of 1983 we were meeting in the house for worship and Sunday School. Membership was 32 with an average Sunday worship attendance of 55. March 27th was our last Sunday worship in the house. On April 3rd, Easter Sunday, the first services were held in the new church (which is now the chapel).

Pastor Frederick felt the call to start a church in Gig Harbor. So, on September 23, 1984, Pastor Bill Turner had his first service as our second pastor. Pastor Turner served the church until June of 1989. During June and July the pulpit was filled with guest speakers.

From August 1989 through February 1991, Pastor Bill Maclean filled the pulpit, traveling down each Sunday from Marysville to preach. The attendance averaged 40-50 for Sunday worship.

On January 13th and 20th, 1991 Jim Tiefenthaler preached at Graham Emmanuel as a candidate for the Pastorate. On Sunday, January 20th, the membership voted to call him to be the new pastor and he accepted. Pastor Jim began on March 1, 1991.

October 6, 1991 saw the beginning of the Children's Church Ministry. Children ages 3 through 3rd grade met for worship and instruction in the Sunday School house during the worship service, allowing the church to grow.

On September 16, 1992, we started an AWANA program to reach boys and girls with the gospel of Christ and train them to serve Him.

On July 1, 1996, Jay Schilling, and his wife Vicki, joined our congregation as our Youth/Music Pastor, Jay is developing and encouraging activities programs for our youth as well as leading our worship teams and choirs.

Neil Fisher assumed duties as our Associate Pastor on September 1, 1996. He is helping out in many needed areas of the church.

In following God's direction to expand our facilities, we moved into our new 12,000 square foot multi-purpose guiding in September of 1996, giving us much needed room for our growing congregation as well as our expanding AWANA and Sunday School Ministries.

In November 1996, Fellowship Care Groups were started. As the congregation grew, we saw a need to provide Care. Fellowship, and instruction in a smaller more personal setting.

January 1997, a bi-monthly newsletter was started, it was named "The Grapvine".

In March 1997, to greet new visitors to our Church, a visitors reception was started and meets in the lobby after the services.

In September 1997, a college and career Sunday School Class called "Aftermath" was started

In the summer of 1998 the chapel was completely renovated, with folding walls added to allow for flexibility in meeting our needs for more classroom space.

On July 16, 2000, Russel Olson accepted the call to join our congregation as Pastor of Music & Outreach. Russel and wife Rachel join GEBC on September 1, 2000.

With the addition of the new music pastor, Pastor Jay will be focusing his attention on Youth & Family.

In June of 2003, Associate Pastor, Neil Fisher, retired from GEBC.

September of 2003, the website for GEBC launches: GrahamEmmanuel.org

In July, 2004, Pastor Russel Olson resigned from GEBC.

In July 2004, the Serve Mission team of 10 students and adults went and served in Tijuana, Mexico building houses for the Mexican people. This is the 3rd team to be sent by GEBC Student Ministries in 6 years.

In early August 2004, the church board asked Pastor Jay to pray and consider switching from Youth pastor and becoming the church Worship pastor. He accepted and now leads us musically in our weekly celebration services.

In September 2004, the search began for a full-time youth pastor.

In March of 2005, Gaven Marble answered the call to join the church as Youth Pastor. His wife Megan (and 7 month old son Isaac) joined us on May 1st, 2005. In January '08, Gaven resigned as the Youth Pastor.

In Aug. 2008, the Lord guided the leadership to hire an Associate Pastor from within, as Meredith Ayling was called to be a part-time pastor. As an elder and chairman of the Board, he faithfully demonstrated his love for the Lord and the church and as a pastor will oversee the Care Ministry and many other aspects of ministry here at GEBC. Meredith's wife Tina has been our church secretary for 5 years now.

In January '09, Jon Wimmer was called to be our Youth Pastor. After a year-long search , the Lord led us to Jon. He and his wife Tessa with their 2 children (Elijah and Jacobi) will begin serving with us on Feburary 1, 2009!