San Diego Reader: How long do you spend preparing your sermon?Pastor Drew Davis: My sermons are topically based. I usually spend Fridays working on my sermons, but I am daily processing what my sermon will …
April 4, 2024
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Stories by Joseph O'Brien
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North Coast United Methodist wants to be the hands and feet of Christ
Summit Fellowship wants to be a home of belonging
Summit Unitarian Universalist FellowshipContact: 8778 Cottonwood Ave., Santee 619-562-0833 www.summituuf.orgMembership: 100Pastor: KC Marie Pendell Age: 34Born: Orange County, CAFormation: Chapman University, Orange; Meadville-Lombard Theological School, Chicago Ordination: in processSan Diego Reader: What’s the mission of your church?Pastor KC …
March 22, 2024
A poem for March by Joseph O’Brien
The property line melts into forest, its late winter browns speakAn unknown beast’s pelt; felled oaks hunch over like sleeping bears While beech and birch extend into ugly candid possum hair,And elms and maples muster into …
March 15, 2024
Plymouth Church pastor had a vision
Plymouth ChurchContact: 2717 University Ave., San Diego www.plymouthsd.com/homeMembership: 105 Pastor: Michael GonzalesAge: 45 Born: SangerFormation: University of San Diego; Fordham University, NY Years Ordained: 11 San Diego Reader: What’s the mission of your church?Pastor Michael Gonzales: Plymouth is a place …
March 8, 2024
Pilgrim Progressive Baptist Church: sojourning through this world
Pilgrim Progressive Baptist ChurchContact: 4995 A St., San Diego, 619-264-3369, [email protected]: 500 (attendance: 200-300)Pastor: Donnell TownsendAge: 63Born: Tupelo, MSFormation: U.S. Navy, Corpsman; Anderson University, Anderson, INYears Ordained: 19 San Diego Reader: Why did you become a …
February 23, 2024
Lifepoint Church: Embrace, Adopt, and Equip
Lifepoint ChurchContact: 5480 Lake Murray Blvd., La Mesa (619) 776-9834 www.lifepointsd.comMembership: 100Pastor: Tony Orlando Age: 50Born: La MesaFormation: Bethany College (closed in 2011), Santa Cruz Years Ordained: 17 San Diego Reader: What’s your favorite subject on which to preach?Pastor …
January 19, 2024
Clairemont Lutheran Church: to experience God while being grounded
Clairemont Lutheran ChurchContact: 4271 Clairemont Mesa Blvd,San Diego, 858-273-7423 www.clairemontlc.orgMembership: 130 in person/40 onlinePastor: Cyndi JonesAge: 72Born: Terra Haute, INFormation: University of California-San Diego; Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, MA; Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MNYears Ordained: 4.5San …
December 15, 2023
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church: restoring hope, empowering community, and growing in grace
St. Mark’s United Methodist ChurchContact: 3502 Clairemont Dr., San Diego www.stmarksumcsd.org 626-714-8097Membership: 350Pastor: Darin ArntsonAge: 40Born: San DiegoFormation: University of California-Irvine; Candler School of Theology, Altanta, GAYears Ordained: 7San Diego Reader: What is your favorite subject on …
December 1, 2023
A poem for Thanksgiving by Joseph O’Brien
…et nihil mihi deerit.The living room is over-heated, like a gaping kitchen oven-door,Long past the payoff in savory odors resulting from bowls of color.The back parlor launches its many campaigns of hushed conversation.Sunlight glistens farewells …
November 24, 2023
New Song Community Church: to help unchurched people become fully devoted followers of Christ
New Song Community ChurchContact: 3985 Mission Ave., Oceanside 760-560-5000 (Carlsbad Campus: 3780 Pio Pico Dr., Carlsbad) www.newsongchurch.comMembership: 800Pastor: Hal SeedAge: 66Born: Santa BarbaraFormation: Wheaton College, Denver Seminary, Littleton, CO; Fuller Seminary, PasadenaYears Ordained: 38San Diego Reader: …
November 1, 2023
Non-denominational Neighbors
Neighbors ChurchContact: 4672 35th St, San Diego [email protected] www.sdneighbors.churchMembership: 150Lead Pastor: Dan Braga (and Alexa Braga) Age: 46Born: Gooding, IDFormation: Western Seminary, Portland, ORYears Ordained: 24San Diego Reader: What is your favorite subject on which to preach?Pastor …
October 13, 2023
New Seasons Transformation Church: forgiving and letting go
New Seasons Transformation ChurchContact: 2300 Bancroft Dr., Spring Valley, 619-775-2994, www.nscsv.orgMembership: 600+Pastor: Bishop A.B. Vines Age: 58Born: Bronx, NYFormation: Point Loma Nazarene University; Andersonville Theological Seminary, Camilla, GA; Cornell University, Ithaca, NYYears Ordained: 28San Diego Reader: What’s …
September 22, 2023
Coastlands Community Church: teaching and believing “in manner and mode” thanks to Flannery O’Connor
Coastlands Community ChurchContact: 3552 College Ave., San Diego; 619-630-8315; www.thecoastlandchurch.netMembership: 120Pastor: Jacob McDonnellAge: 41Born: Ferguson, MOFormation: St. Louis Christian College, St. Louis, MO (since closed); University of Missouri-St. Louis; California State University-East Bay; Biola University-Talbot School …
September 1, 2023
Faith Lutheran Church: the mission for a Great Commission
Faith Lutheran ChurchContact: 700 E. Bobier Dr., Vista 760-724-7700 www.faithvista.orgMembership: 200Pastor: Paul MartinAge: 61Born: PomonaFormation: California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks; Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO. Years Ordained: 11San Diego Reader: What is your main concern as member …
August 11, 2023
Horizon SouthBay Church: to win, disciple, and send
Horizon SouthBay Church Contact: 3737 Sweetwater Rd., National City, 619-500-2663, www.horizonsouthbay.com Membership: 100+ Pastor: Eric Martin Age: 51 Born: Charleston, SC Formation: San Diego State University; Horizon Christian Fellowship-School of Evangelism, San Diego Years Ordained: …
July 14, 2023
A sestina for summer
Mailbox Sestina So, here’s the edge of summer’s moment, cutting deep Into protracted memories like sharpened blades of grass You’d again taken for granted, cow-spittle-glazed, And cutting open the crickets’ measured elegy— Their legworks’ liquid …
June 29, 2023
Community Congregational: honoring diversity
Community Congregational Church of Chula Vista Contact: 276 F St., Chula Vista 619-223-8986 www.chulavistachurch.com Membership: 120 (Attendance 60) Pastor: Victoria Freiheit Age: 84 Born: San Diego Formation: San Diego State University; Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, …
June 23, 2023
Lighthouse Bible Church: nondenominational with a firm commitment to teaching the Bible
Lighthouse Bible Church Contact: 4760 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego www.lighthousebc.com Membership: 500 (attendance: 650) Pastor: Patrick Cho Age: 45 Born: Chicago Formation: University of California San Diego; The Masters Seminary, Sun Valley Years Ordained: …
June 2, 2023
933 more bedrooms for Rolando stirs up locals
San Diego sides with Carmel Partners in Rolando project The Boulevard at 63rd, formerly known as Centrepoint Luxury Apartments from developer Carmel Partners, has been at the center of a controversy that so far has …
May 29, 2023
Coastal Vineyard: building a community of love
Coastal Vineyard Contact: 5663 Balboa Ave. #605, San Diego ( Sunday gatherings: 10 am at Kavod Charter School, 6991 Balboa Ave.) 858-456-5045 www.coastvineyard.org Membership: 70 Pastor: Michelle Wilson Age: 53 Born: Lawrence, KS Formation: University …
May 19, 2023
Calvary Chapel Escondido: “Just come as you are!”
Calvary Chapel Escondido Contact: 2245 E Valley Pkwy, Escondido 760-487-8098 www.calvarychapelescondido.com Membership: 100 Pastor: Rick Greene Age: 44 Born: Oceanside Formation: Marietta Calvary Bible College Years Ordained: 14 San Diego Reader: How long do you …
April 21, 2023
Tifereth Israel Synagogue: redemption through good works and God’s grace
Tifereth Israel Synagogue Contact: 6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd., San Carlos 619-697-6001 Membership: 240 Pastor: Rabbi Mathew Marko Age: 56 Born: Brooklyn, NY Formation: University of Florida, Gainesville Years Ordained: 7 San Diego Reader: What is …
April 7, 2023
Find simplicity and connection with community at SD.Church
SD.Church Contact: 13223-1 Black Mountain Rd., Suite 433, San Diego 619-280-2999 www.sd.church Membership: 1100 Pastor: Joseph Silipo Age: 62 Born: Pittsburgh Formation: University of Cincinnati, OH Years Ordained: 39 San Diego Reader: What’s your favorite …
March 24, 2023
The Pub Theology of Oceanside First Presbyterian
Oceanside First Presbyterian Contact: 2001 S. El Camino Real, Oceanside 760-757-3560 www.oceansidepres.org Membership: 300 Pastor: Mike Killeen Age: 54 Born: Marina del Rey Formation: California State University-Northridge, Los Angeles; California State University- Dominguez Hills, Carson; …
March 10, 2023
Hilltop Baptist Church: To help people to become followers of Jesus Christ
Hilltop Baptist Church Contact: 740 Hilltop Dr., Chula Vista 619-422-7246 www.hilltopbc.com Weekly Attendance: 50 Pastor: Walt Hatch Age: 61 Born: El Cajon Formation: Pacific Coast Baptist College, San Dimas (now Heartland Baptist Bible College, Oklahoma …
February 24, 2023
Fraternal Spiritualist Fellowship: “With charity for all and malice toward none”
Fraternal Spiritualist Fellowship Church Contact: 4720 Kensington Dr., San Diego 619-281-4557 www.fraternalspiritualistchurch.org Membership: 75 Pastor: Kimberly Hicks Age: 50 Born: Phoenix, AZ Formation: University of Phoenix; Fraternal Spiritualist Fellowship Church Years Ordained: 7 San Diego …
February 8, 2023
The Light Church: learning how to be human
The Light Church Contact: 831 3rd St., Encinitas 760-975-2403, www.lightsandiego.com Attendance: 700-800 “on any given Sunday.” Associate Pastor: Stevy York Age: 29 Born: Escondido Formation: Biola University, La Mirada Years Ordained: 8 San Diego Reader: …
January 27, 2023
Kadampa Meditation Center: Buddhism basics
Kadampa Meditation Center San Diego Contact: 3502 Adams Ave, San Diego 619-230-5832 www.meditateinsandiego.org Membership: 70 Resident Teacher (Gen): Kelsang Lhadron Age: 49 Born: Chattanooga, TN Formation: Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Kadampa Meditation Center, Glen Spey, …
January 11, 2023
Canyon View Church of Christ: to seek and save the lost
Canyon View Church of Christ Contact: 4292 Balboa Ave., San Diego 858-273-5140 www.canyonview.org Membership: 200+ Pulpit Minister: Barry Day Age: 59 Born: San Diego Formation: Sunset International Bible Institute, Lubbock, TX; Amridge University, Montgomery, AL …
December 30, 2022
Two poems for Christmas by Joseph O’Brien
White Christmas Forecasters generally consider a white Christmas to be an inch of snow on the ground or an inch falling that day. -News Item But along the river bottoms, snow found no place, When …
December 23, 2022
Anchor Baptist: to exalt our savior
Anchor Baptist Church Contact: 8245 Ronson Road, Suite D, San Diego 619-804-3413 www.anchorbaptistchurchsd.org Membership: 45 Pastor: David Cajiuat Age: 55 Born: Bajuio, Philippines. Formation: Ambassador Baptist College, Shelby, North Carolina Years Ordained: 15 San Diego …
December 9, 2022
First Christian Church of Ramona: a season of Jesus’ teachings delivering packages for Amazon
First Christian Church of Ramona Contact: 1970 Vermont St., Ramona 760-789-2371 www.fccoframona.org Membership: 45-50 Pastor: Johnny Diaz Age: 38 Born: Santa Ana Formation: Vanguard University, Costa Mesa Years Ordained: 5 San Diego Reader: How long …
November 25, 2022
Resurrection Presbyterian: representing goodness, beauty and truth
Resurrection Presbyterian Church Contact: 320 Date St., San Diego, CA 92101 www.resurrectionsd.com Membership: 100+ Pastor: Robert Novak Age: 57 Born: La Mesa Formation: Southern California Seminary, El Cajon; Westminster Seminary, Escondido; Years Ordained: 9 San …
November 11, 2022
Morning Star Lutheran: an opportunity for “Life, Light and Love in Christ”
Morning Star Lutheran Church Contact: 12821 Ha Hana Road, Lakeside, CA 619-443-6032 www.morningstarlcms.org Membership: 60 Pastor: Richard Ross Age: 62 Born: Tacoma, WA Formation: Lutheran Bible Institute, Seattle; North Idaho College, Coeur d’Alene, ID; Oregon …
October 28, 2022
St. Mark’s Lutheran: God worshipped in four languages
St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Contact: 580 Hilltop Dr., Chula Vista 619 427-5515 www.stmarkschulavista.org Membership: 190 Pastor: Karla Halvorson Age: 54 Born: St. Paul, MN Formation: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Lutheran Bible Institute, Issaquah, WA; Pacific …
October 14, 2022
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church: to “Come and see” from the Gospel of John
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church Contact: 4175 Poplar St., San Diego 858-837-9270 www.saintgeorgesd.org Membership: 200 families Pastor: Father Anthony Bahou Age: 56 Born: Damascus, Syria Formation: University of Hawaii, Honolulu; Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu; Holy …
September 30, 2022
North Coast Calvary Chapel: transforming our world
North Coast Calvary Chapel Contact: 1330 Poinsettia Lane, Carlsbad 760-9290029 www.northcoastcalvary.org Membership: 4000 Pastor: Mark Foreman Age: 70 Born: Whittier Formation: Westmont College, Santa Barbara; Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena; William and Mary University, Northrop, VA; …
September 2, 2022
Pathways: to walk through loss, death or grief and find growth
Pathways Church Contact: 9639 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee 619-449-1269 www.pathways.cc/ Average Attendance: 600 Pastor: Phil Herrington Age: 64 Born: Waco, TX Formation: Houston Baptist University; Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX; Biola University-Talbot School …
August 19, 2022
Skyline Church pastor: from baseball to the Bible
Skyline Church Contact: 11330 Campo Rd, La Mesa 619-660-5000 www.skylinechurch.org Membership: 5,225 Pastor: Jeremy McGarity Age: 51 Born: San Diego Formation: Christian Heritage College (now San Diego Christian College); Azusa Pacific University-Haggard Graduate School of …
August 5, 2022
St. John’s Episcopal: to discuss and decide
St. John’s Episcopal Church Contact: 760 1st Ave., Chula Vista 619-422-4141 www.saint-johns.org Membership: 200 Rector: Roger Haenke Age: 60 Born: Hastings, MN Formation: Minnesota State University-Moorhead; St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, St. Paul, MN; …
July 22, 2022
First Congregational Church of Ramona: belonging, believing and becoming
First Congregational Church of Ramona Contact: 404 West 8th St., Ramona 760-789-3348 www.fccramona.org Membership: 250 Pastor: Wes Ellis Age: 36 Born: Ramona Formation: Azusa Pacific University; Princeton Theological Seminary, NJ; University of Aberdeen, Scotland Years …
July 1, 2022
Bahá’ís of San Diego: an independent search for truth
Bahá’ís of San Diego Contact: 6545 Alcala Knolls Dr., San Diego 858-268-3999 www.sandiegobahai.org Membership: 800+ Community Member: Michelle Goering Age: 57 Born: In the Mennonite community of Goessel, KS. Formation: Bethel College, North Newton, KS; …
June 17, 2022
St. Peter’s by the Sea Lutheran: “Seeking and sharing the love of God.”
St. Peter’s by the Sea Lutheran Church Contact: 1371 Sunset Cliffs Blvd, San Diego 619-224-2894 www.stpetersbythesea.org Membership: 150 Pastor: Bekki Lohrmann Age: 35 Born: Carlyle, PA Formation: Valparaiso University, IN; The Lutheran School of Theology …
June 3, 2022
New Life Presbyterian: growing organically
New Life Presbyterian Church Contact: 615 West Citracado Pkwy., Escondido 760-489-5714 www.newlifepca.com Membership: 450 (pre-covid 720; online household views, about 150 a week). Executive Pastor: Robin Lee Age: 48 Born: Glendale Formation: University of California-Berkeley; …
May 20, 2022
Crosspointe Life Church: empowering people, fulfilling destiny, and leaving a legacy
Crosspointe Life Church Contact: 8809 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa 619.464.3077 www.crosspointelife.org Membership: 160 Pastor: Craig Osborne (Co-pastor with wife, Renee Osborne) Age: 45 Born: Alberta, Canada Formation: Northwest Bible College (now Vanguard College), Alberta …
May 6, 2022
Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim: “the community of the gates of heaven”
Kehillat Shaar HaShamayim Contact: 3232 Governor Dr., Suite K, San Diego 858-752-1025 www.kshsd.org Membership: 50 Rabbi: Yonatan Halevy Age: 32 Born: San Diego Formation: Ner Israel Rabbinical College, Baltimore, MD; Shehebar Sephardic Center, Jerusalem, Israel. …
April 15, 2022
The Rosicrucian Fellowship: to know your spiritual astrology
The Rosicrucian Fellowship Contact: 2222 Mission Ave., Oceanside 760-757-6600 www.rosicrucian.com Membership: “Worldwide” President: Jean de Galzain Age: 73 Born: Perigueux, France Formation: Lycee Bertran de Born, Perigueux Years Ordained: 44 San Diego Reader: What is …
April 1, 2022
Linda Vista Second Baptist Church: reaching the lost
Linda Vista Second Baptist Church Contact: 2706 Korink Ave, San Diego 858-277-4008 www.lvsbc.com Membership: 97 (pre-covid: 200-300) Pastor: Norris Jarmon Age: 64 Born: Pine Bluff, AK Formation: Andersonville Theological Seminary, Camilla, GA Years Ordained: 12 …
March 18, 2022
March: “Kent House”
After a picture by Jamie Wyeth After arriving on Monhegan Island in spring 1906, Rockwell Kent bought a lot on Horn’s Hill overlooking the village and began to build himself a house, which he finished …
March 4, 2022
Trinity Lutheran Church: why we love
Trinity Lutheran Church Contact: 7210 Lisbon St., San Diego 619-262-1089 www.tlcsd.org Membership: 100 Pastor: Richard Stark Age: 57 Born: National City Formation: San Diego Police Academy; Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO Years Ordained: 10 (deacon); …
March 4, 2022