COME OVER AND HELP US!

I recently climbed around in an abandoned mine shaft in Southern California’s Mojave Desert. Tens of thousands of abandoned mines are scattered throughout California, remnants of the gold rush of 1849 and the mining frenzy that followed. The state of California even has an “Office of Mine Reclamation” to try to deal with hazards from these forsaken shafts.

Like these mines, many of Southern California’s cities have been nearly abandoned by conservative, Christ-centered churches. Like the dark shafts of the abandoned mines, these cities present a serious spiritual hazard for the tens of thousands of people that are pouring in each month. Twenty million people already live here in a metropolitan area that is nearly as large as Massachusetts. Los Angeles County itself (one of 5 counties in metro Southern California) has a population greater than that of 42 states. Only eleven nations in the world have economies larger than that of L.A. County. You can find nearly any mission field here – from Arab-Americans and Mexicans to Germans and Chinese. For example, look at these numbers from L.A. County alone: 60,000 Asian Indians; 78,000 Vietnamese; 100,000 Guatemalans; 111,000 Japanese; 186,000 Koreans; 187,000 El Salvadorians; 260,000 Filipinos; 294,000 Chinese; and over three million Mexicans.

Southern California also has an impact around the world. Mexico lies right next door, a gateway to Latin America. Because of its location on the Pacific Rim, Los Angeles has close connections with the major Asian nations. Hollywood influences the world with television programming and movies. Southern California truly is a gateway to the world – a strategic place for ministry. The book of Acts shows that the early church prioritized just this kind of opportunity: strategic cities with broad impact.

Why then does Southern California lie abandoned by conservative, Christ-centered churches? Some may fear the city, California itself, or the rapidly changing ethnic mix. But surely Christ would call us to “lift up our eyes and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” There is spiritual “mining” to be done! The gospel needs proclaimed; churches need to be planted; believers need to be discipled; men need to be trained for leadership; churches need to plant more churches. We’ve put together this brochure to challenge you to consider the needs and opportunities in Southern California and say to the Lord: “Here am I! Send me!”

The Lord brought Tim and Kristalyn Lovegrove to Southern California in October of 2003 to plant Grace Bible Church in Menifee. Menifee is a rapidly growing area in the eastern suburbs of metro Southern California. This church chartered in October of 2004 with 6 families as the first members.

God recently directed Bryan and Rebecca Brock to the “High Desert” area of Southern California, generally considered to be the outer growth ring of the Los Angeles area. The population of the Victor Valley is well over 300,000 and is growing rapidly. They are planting Life Point Baptist Church in Apple Valley, one of the key cities in the region. This will be the first Fundamental church in this city of over 60,000.

Both of these ministries are in the Inland Empire area of Southern California, which is expected to grow by 6 million people in the next decades. Our goal is to disciple faithful followers of Christ and build strong local churches. As God builds these two churches, our desire is to see many other churches planted across Southern California, from the beach towns to the high desert, from downtown Los Angeles to the sprawling suburbs of the Inland Empire.

Our two little churches are just a small part of what God is doing, and a small start toward the goal of church planting throughout the area. Other church planters are already preparing to come, and they will need team members too. Come to Southern California and help us! Do you know another language? Do you have a special desire to work with children; teens; college students; the military; senior citizens; abused women and children; recovering drug addicts or alcoholics; or homeless people? Do you enjoy music, art, reading, personal finance, sports, or a language? All of these provide wonderful opportunities for ministry in the city. Do you have experience in business, finance, law, or construction? You could be a great help to a young church. Whatever your gifts and interests, Southern California gives you endless opportunities to use them in reaching people for Christ and building the church. We would love to see a dynamic, Christ-centered church planting movement in Southern California. Will you ask God if he wants you to "come over and help us?"