San Diego New Mid-Week Ministry Space

As part of our Daring Faith campaign, we want to grow our church family by filling God’s house with 40,000 worshipers at our weekend services by the year 2020. We do this by engaging the community through an approachable atmosphere, attractive facilities, and a friendly environment. Our campuses make it a priority to offer space where people feel welcome and want to learn and grow in Christ.

Setting the stage for this connection to God and one another are our common areas like ministry offices, patios, family areas, and worship centers. They all express an open invitation to be part of the Saddleback family.

Saddleback San Diego is the latest campus to unveil new facilities through Daring Faith contributions and the help of campus volunteers. On August 22, less than one year after the campus launched, they opened the doors to new midweek ministry office space, dubbed “The Exchange,” to be used for meetings, CLASS, and community outreach.

Located at 12671 High Bluff Drive in suite #170, the multi-purpose space is near the Del Mar Heights Shopping Center and just minutes from the beach. Designed with community in mind, the 2,000 square-foot facility includes two large areas for meetings and classes, and five smaller offices for workspace—three of which are open to the public.

“We’ve aimed for a Starbuck’s-type atmosphere,” says Candy Stokes, Saddleback San Diego’s Team Associate. “There are several open spaces where the public can work with laptops, make phone calls, or just relax. We also have a fully stocked kitchen with healthy snacks and beverages available to guests.”

With help from dedicated volunteers, the San Diego team repurposed the facility and hired out larger tasks like painting and electrical. Saddleback members Jim and Jill Winninger framed and hung their photographed images of the San Diego campus in the entryway. Other assistance came from members like Doug Radwick who built Pastor Jeff an adjustable desk, as well as Jack and Margaret Cook who assembled storage units. With a background in staging homes, Candy Stokes designed furniture layout, decorated the offices, and placed all the finishing touches.

In addition to new offices for staff and Campus Pastor, Jeff Gonzalez, the center provides a midweek space where volunteers can gather for ministry programs including leadership enrichment classes. During business hours, staff and volunteers can utilize the workspace; and during the evenings, teams and ministries—including small groups, Daniel Plan, and Celebrate Recovery—can host courses and step studies.

As Candy explains, “Our goal is to offer the three ‘neutral’ offices to the community as quiet places to work. The common area will be dedicated as a café where people can connect and enjoy snacks and coffee drinks.”

The San Diego office space will officially be unveiled on September 3, following the 11:00 AM service from 1:00–4:00 PM. Everyone is invited to the Open House and enjoy a light lunch at the new facility. To learn more about Saddleback San Diego, visit www.saddleback.com/sandiego.