Our Story
BGA Church began as a church plant of Spirit & Truth Fellowship, a Christian Reformed Church in the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia, in November of 2004. It started as a bible study reaching out to young people in high school and college. In May 2005, BGA Church started meeting in a building in the Frankford area of Philadelphia at 4730 Oxford Avenue. In 2010 Pastor Gabriel and his family moved into the Frankford area to live and serve there.
In 2015 the congregation of BGA began leasing the “Social Hall” of the Frankford Memorial United Methodist Church on 1300 Dyre Street. And in 2022 they began using the sanctuary upstairs as they began to grow and reach their community.
Our mission
Through the power of Jesus Christ, BGA Church transforms lives by loving and serving our Frankford and Northwood neighbors. We are a diverse community that values the talents and creativity of every person.
Our Vision
Our vision is to be a welcoming church that helps people become rooted in Christ, fruitful disciples, and future leaders. We are a safe haven for the broken to be transformed through the joy of knowing and following Jesus. As we show Christ’s love, families will be restored and our community will experience renewal.
Our Team
Lead Servant Pastor, Elder
Gabriel Wang-Herrera, MDiv
I was born in New York City. At first, my family and I attended a small Pentecostal church in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Then we moved to another Pentecostal church which was more embracing of God’s love and grace for people and less legalistic. By the age of 12, I prayed the prayer of salvation and was baptized and began speaking in tongues by the age of 14. Thereafter, I was dutifully discipled by my pastors and a few brothers from the church.
I entered New York University and the Lord led me to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. I grew a lot under their leadership as a result of their intentional leadership programs.
I graduated from NYU in 1996, moved to Philadelphia in 1998, and went to Palmer Seminary (formerly Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary) for a year. After my brief stint in seminary, my wife and I (we were married on July 1st, 2000) started attending Spirit & Truth Fellowship in Hunting Park. At which point I felt God’s call to teach at Hunting Park Christian Academy. I taught kindergarteners for six years and became the Development Director for three years afterwards until God called my wife and I, along with another couple, to start By Grace Alone Frankford Fellowship.
I obtained my Masters in Divinity degree from Biblical Theological Seminary (now Missio Seminary) in June of 2012 and have been working as Servant Lead Pastor of By Grace Alone ever since. My wife (Pearl) and I, along with our two girls – Mia and Juliet – moved into the Frankford community in 2010. We are fully committed to serving our community and excited about the plans God has in store for us all.
Associate Servant Pastor, Elder
Ben Soto, MDiv
I was born in Hunting Park, Philadelphia. I grew up going to church but at a Billy Graham Crusade, in 1992, I felt the Lord “tugging” at my heart and calling me to surrender to His Lordship. That day I did. I was 11 years old when I made that public confession. At age 17, I was baptized at Spirit and Truth Fellowship by Manny Ortiz and Hector Vasquez (I still remember how the water felt, it was so cold!)
A few years later, I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Temple University. During that time, I was a youth helper at Spirit and Truth. Even at a young age, the Lord had put on my heart the passion to see young people in the city submit to Christ’s Lordship and worship Him.
In 2004, I became a member of a church plant team which started 8th Street Community Church (a sister church to BGA). After helping plant that church, the Lord called me and my wife to BGA in 2009, which was the same year I started my studies at Biblical Theological Seminary (now Missio Seminary). In June of 2012, I graduated from Missio Seminary with an MDiv. Currently, I am the Associate Servant Pastor and an elder at BGA.
I am on mission with my wife Stephanie who also serves the church in various ways. The Lord has blessed us with a son named Jeremiah. I am a true fan of all Philadelphia teams especially the Philadelphia Eagles.
Elder-in-training
Timothy Johnston
Born in Indianapolis in 1970, I came to know Jesus through my parents and the invitation of my Sunday School teacher, Thelma Van Sickle. I have been in Philadelphia with my wife (and later daughters) since 2006. Christ Jesus has been moving me towards Him through His Word, His Spirit, and His people through various struggles, and has been teaching me that movement to Him ultimately comes from Him as a gift. I am excited about helping others at By Grace Alone Church know this generous Savior. Our family has been at BGA since 2021.
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Deaconess
Denise Williams
I have been serving the Lord as Deaconess at BGA Church since 2011. I've thoroughly enjoyed serving in the Frankford & Northwood areas of Philadelphia, PA. In total, I have been in the Lord's service for over thirty-five years, specializing in evangelism, prayer ministry & prophetic gifting. It has been an honor to serve, assist and direct lost and hurting souls to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in all of these years.
Deacon
Oli Ortiz
I have been a member of BGA Church since it was originally created as a home-based Bible study and subsequent church plant. I have been part of the worship team since the early years while learning the drums and eventually beginning to lead worship and play guitar. Right now, I am the main Worship Leader of the church and the Deacon of Building Maintenance. I look forward to seeing what God will do in and through me for years to come!
Deaconess-in-training
Norma Nicolas
I began attending By Grace Alone Church in 2019 with my entire family, but my relationship with the Lord started when I was a teenager. One of my greatest joys is serving others in my community, particularly Spanish-speaking individuals, as I am bilingual. This allows me to communicate effectively and meet their needs.
In addition to my role as a Deacon-in-training, I am also a greeter at the church. I love to show the love of Christ and a warm welcome through this greeting ministry. Furthermore, I assist with food distribution, as serving others is a true passion of mine. My love for the Lord Jesus fuels my desire to encourage others to serve and make a difference in our community.