Convergence Community Church: community is our middle name

Convergence Community Church

• Contact: 6445 Lake Badin Ave, San Diego 619-797-5050 www.convergencesd.com
• Membership: 50-75
• Pastor: Eric Beeman
• Age: 47
• Born: Medicine Lodge, KS
• Formation: San Diego State University; Christian Heritage College (Now San Diego Christian College); Azusa Pacific University, Azusa.
• Years Ordained: 9

San Diego Reader: Why did you become a minister?

Pastor Eric Beeman: [Christian author] Chuck Swindoll says that if you think you want to be a pastor, you have to ask, “Can I do anything else?” If the answer is “Yes,” then you should go do that instead of becoming a pastor. I worked in different fields for many years – a teacher, a worker at Costco, a construction worker. I landed in the teaching role, but came to a point where I said, “Could I be a teacher in a public school system—or really any school—for the rest of my life?” I felt I couldn’t do it. I felt called to ministry.

SDR: What is the mission of your church?

PB: We want to help people find Christ and fulfill their purpose. We envision a place where the people of God converge with the purpose of God in establishing the Kingdom of God. So “Convergence” comes out of that statement. It’s God’s people coming together and leaning into God’s purpose for not just their lives but the life of every Christian, the life God has called us to as Christians. When we do that, we see the Kingdom of God established on earth as it is in heaven. We want Convergence to be a place of convergence in our community. We say all the time, “Welcome to Convergence Community Church! Community is our middle name.”

SDR: Where is the strangest place you found God?

PB: When we were first starting Convergence – we’ve only been around for four or five years – I wasn’t pulling much of a salary. So, I was driving for Lyft. I had some of the greatest conversations in those car rides. Once, I picked up a college kid down in Pacific Beach. We were driving and he said, “Oh, are you listening to Christian music?” He started telling me his story about how he grew up in the church and went to youth group, but he wasn’t really following Jesus right now. We started talking about music and I started putting on different songs he had listened to as a kid. Next thing I know, I look over and he’s singing at the top of his lungs with a song from some Christian Ska band from the 90s. The chorus was, “There’s no life apart from you.” He’s got his hand in the air and tears are pouring down his face. When we get done, he says, “Thank you so much! I’ve recommitted my life to Jesus. I’m going back to church this Sunday.” You don’t typically expect those kinds of experiences when you’re working. There are a bunch of stories like that from driving for Lyft. It was a great job.

SDR: Where do you go when you die?

PB: There’s definitely a heaven and a hell. When you die, if you put your faith and trust in Jesus, you go immediately into the presence of God where you will forever be. There is also a place prepared for those who reject God’s grace and mercy. Let’s just say it’s not a pleasant place. Ultimately, the worst part about that place, if you want to call it hell, is that you’re absent from the presence of God. I can’t imagine anything worse than that.