In October 2014, the Tonini family moved to San Diego with a call to plant a new church through a church planting organization called Stadia. God led the Tonini's and a small group of others to plant Grace City Church in UTC/University City. Grace City started with the vision of being a church for the city that seeks new life in Jesus. This meant building long lasting relationships in the community through serving at local events and neighborhood meetings, desiring to tangibly love the city with no strings attached. Small backyard bible studies, worship, and prayer were the humble beginnings of what would turn into weekly gatherings of many more, doing the same thing. 

Grace City launched its first Sunday service at University City High School on October 4, 2015, with the support of Momentum Christian Church, Rise City Church and the San Diego Church Planting Movement. Grace City celebrated its first baptism on Valentine’s Day of 2016, and has since seen many more people pronounce faith in Jesus Christ. God has grown Grace City to be a place where people of all cultures, ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds come together to be equipped with the gospel for everyday life, and who are then sent out to share the hope of the gospel wherever God has placed them. 

As UTC/University City continues to grow and become more urban, Grace City is seeing more people walk through its doors in search of truth, community, hope, healing, and so much more. By God’s grace, we are committed to being a faithful presence in this influential area of San Diego to reach all generations of people with the gospel for as long as God allows.