Church

My family and I are members of Sovereign Grace Church of Orange County. Though officially planted as a Sovereign Grace Ministries church in mid-2009, the church’s roots go back years earlier with a small group of people studying the book Peacemaker by Ken Sande.  Over the years, this group grew into some 50 people who desired to plant a gospel-centered, reformed and charismatic church in their city.  I know what your thinking…a bunch of dreamers!

During this “pre-plant” season, Sovereign Grace Church of Pasadena began to support the effort, eventually sending Mike Davis and his family down to lead what became a satellite campus of the Pasadena church.  I can still remember how confused I was as I observed the action from San Diego (where I served as a pastor in our sister church).  Why were they forming a church planting team without a church planter?

However, God was working all of this according to his plan.  The team formed, they built ministries, and they prayed for a pastor.  And whether all this was for my benefit (since I am that church planter) or for the group of people who beat me to the starting line, I have grown to love our church’s story.  I was the last person to join the church planting team.
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The story of how we began will always reminds me that Sovereign Grace Church is God’s church.  Wherever I go (especially as a pastor), God will always be there first.  God is working all thing out for the good of those who love Him and I mustn’t presume to know just how He plans to accomplish this.

Now I’m not sure this is so “politically correct” but I love my church and so does my family.  My guess is that for many of you that sounds strange…you would find it easier to list off all the ways you find your church disappointing or deficient.  Of course our church has areas that need fixing too, same as every other church.  But overall, I can’t shake off the idea that this is what Christ died for…churches like us.  We are his bride and he loves the church!  And by grace so do I.

Come visit us sometime.  I’d love to hear your story and introduce you to the dearest place on earth.