Stage 1: Core Group Development

Our first Planning Meeting was held on August 30, 2001. We began meeting twice a month to develop our core values, target audience, worship style, meeting time, and overall strategy. We established a website, an online participation form and an email update list. We located a meeting place and began to plan for our monthly preview services. We decided to begin our monthly services with a Christmas choral/drama production on December 15, 2001 and monthly worship services along with nursery care and a children's church the second Saturday evening of the month at 5pm, January through March of 2002. Enveloped in prayer and planning, the new church began to take shape.

Stage 2: Preview Services

10,000 doorhangers and flyers announced our first public meeting at Mesa Verde Middle School, 14000 Peach Hill Road, Moorpark. Over 300 attended the Christmas production, "All Is Calm, All is Bright," on December 15 at 5pm. Another 10,000 doorhangers and flyers announced our monthly worship services beginning in January 2002. Average attendance at the three "preview services" has been 150 (for pictures of our February 9 service see the photo page). From the very beginning core group members and others have provided financial support. A $10,000 matching gift in December helped boost giving. We consulted with Portable Church Industries on a trailer and equipment setup only to find it cost prohibitive. That's when we were told of a truck, trailer and audiovisual equipment that was available through the Estate of former Pastor/Evangelist Roger Ratcliffe (for a picture of the truck and trailer see the photo page) and discovered that Pastor Ratcliffe's daughter lived just down the street from the Mesa Verde Middle School in Moorpark! Pastor Ratcliffe's wife and daughter are thrilled that their husband and father's tools of ministry will carry on in Moorpark.

Stage 3: Preparatory Worship

We have now moved to stage 3 and are building a solid weekly worship service, children's programs, outreach and small groups. Our weekly services started with an Easter choral and drama production,"Let All Heaven Rejoice," on Saturday evening, March 30, 2002 at 5pm at Mesa Verde Middle School with nearly 400 in attendance. 15,000 doorhangers and flyers advertised the Easter production and then another 15,000 doorhangers and flyers went out the week after Easter advertising the April and May weekly services.

In September of 2002 we established a Ministry Center for weekday events at the Moorpark Gateway Plaza, 484 New Los Angeles Avenue, Suite 213. We also began the Moorpark Community Church Chorale under the direction of Moopark Community College Musician, Donna Cummings.

Each day, each week, each month God continues to help us build confidence in Him and in turn we find the strength and God-given ability to make it happen!

Why not join us so that together with Christ we can build a place where:

We warmly welcome all with the hope that all will welcome Christ into their lives.

Christ's followers will manifest authenticity and a desire for continuous growth.

Loving relationships will permeate every aspect of church life and life-change will happen.

Reverent and relevant worship will take place.

There will be a multigenerational appeal. . . a church for children and youth. . . who just happen to bring along their parents . . . and grandparents!

If that sounds like the kind of church you'd like to be a part of click on the Email List Sign-up link and we will keep you informed of weekly events and activities. Please pray for us as we seek to make a difference for Christ in Moorpark, California.