We would rather answer your questions directly than let others answer them for you.

Throughout history, communities that choose to live outside mainstream culture have often been misunderstood — and GCCA is no exception. For more than two decades, some media outlets have incorrectly applied the word "cult" to our community. We understand that intentional spiritual communities attract scrutiny, and we welcome honest inquiry.

The facts speak for themselves. GCCA is a registered 501(c)(3) church that has operated openly in Arizona for more than 35 years. Our members are free to come and go. We hold no policy of isolating members from family or the outside world, though we do try to live by the direction that Jesus gave, “To be in the world, but not of it.” — which other spiritual communities and religious orders strive to also do.

We welcome visitors who are sincerely seeking to improve their lives, engage with members of the press when their coverage is ethical and honest, and invite those who are genuinely open and interested to attend our public events, workshops, and Sunday teachings — without prior commitment or obligation.

We are not a closed community hiding from the world. We are an open, working, spiritually-devoted community that simply chooses to live with greater intention — aligned with divine pattern rather than the pop culture around us. Anyone with sincere questions is welcome to contact us directly.

We are a faith community guided by the teachings of The URANTIA Book, The Cosmic Family volumes, and other spiritual texts — one that welcomes those from prior faith traditions and anyone sincerely seeking a serious, living faith.

The Cosmic Family volumes are a continuation of the revelation that was first introduced in The URANTIA Book.

The URANTIA Book is a spiritual text first published in 1955. It is not secret — it is widely available in print in more than 25 languages, and online. It presents an expansive account of the nature of God, the structure of the universe, and the life of Jesus in remarkable detail. In the book's cosmology, our planet is referred to as "Urantia," the name used in the celestial realms for Earth. When we use this word, we simply mean Earth.

Rooted in vision. Guided by love. Growing forward. GCCA was co-founded in 1989 in Sedona, Arizona by Van of Urantia and Niánn Emerson Chase — two visionaries whose lives embodied the integration of cosmic truth, earth stewardship, and the living teachings of Jesus. Van of Urantia passed from this world in August 2025, and his legacy of revelation, service, and conscious community lives on in everything we do. Niánn Emerson Chase continues to serve as Spiritual Director of GCCA, guiding the community with the same depth of wisdom and love she has carried since our founding nearly 40 years ago. The community is also governed by a council of elders who share in the sacred responsibility of leadership.

We are a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Our EIN is 74-2553156. Governance documentation is available upon request.

GCCA is an intentional spiritual community and religious order. Full membership follows a period of mutual discernment — a time for both the individual and the community to explore alignment, values, and long-term fit. Those who choose to move forward make a voluntary lifetime vow of spiritual commitment. That vow is honored freely, and any member may choose to release it at any time. Many people have participated in our community over the years in various capacities and have moved on — we wish all of them well on their continuing journey.

Van of Urantia was our co-founder's legal name, changed by personal and spiritual choice. The practice of taking a spiritual name is common across many traditions — from Catholic religious orders to Sufi communities to Buddhist monastics. Van's name at birth was Anthony J. Delevin. His legal name was changed to Van of Urantia. "Urantia" refers to Earth in the cosmology of The URANTIA Book, which he studied and taught.

GCCA is financed through member contributions, donations from supporters, and proceeds from publications and media. As an IRC § 501(c)(3) tax-exempt church, we are not required to file Federal tax returns with the IRS. Some affiliated organizations are independently operated and separately financed. Donations to GCCA are tax-deductible as permitted by law.

We are aware that our community has been the subject of critical media coverage and legal proceedings. We take those matters seriously and address them through appropriate legal and institutional channels. Intentional faith communities that choose to live differently from the mainstream have historically attracted suspicion — sometimes warranted, and often not. Our response is transparency: we are an open community, our leadership is named and available, we comply with all applicable law, and we invite others to visit, attend a Sunday service or other events open to the public year round, and form their own view.

Media inquiries are welcome and will be treated professionally. Please contact us at info@gccalliance.org or by phone at (520) 603-9932. Please identify yourself and your publication. We ask for reasonable response time. We are committed to engaging with the press in good faith and providing accurate information about our community.