It's Sunday! A day of love. A day of hope. A day of faith.

As I awake to my alarm, I look outside and see the sun rising over Southern California. It fills me with a sense of gratitude and possibilities.

“Good morning God, thank you for getting me up,” I pray. “This is the day that you have made, I will rejoice in it. How can I be a blessing to others today? How can I be a part of your agenda today?”

After getting ready for the day, I hop in the car and head to 1621 Alton, Irvine, CA. I am on my way to church. This campus acts as a gateway connecting North and South Orange County and is a regional hub for Saddleback Church.

It is a place where 3,000 members call home, 3,000 lives have declared their faith through baptism, and 4,000 people meet regularly in small groups. It has the potential to reach over 600,000 people who live in nearby cities.

It is a place that helped birth four new regional Saddleback campuses, assisted in launching 10 international campuses in gateway cities similar to Irvine, and sends missionaries around the world in an effort to heal our broken world.

It is a place that ministers to peoples' holistic health and personal growth in Jesus Christ through our love. It then equips, develops, trains, and redeploys those individuals to reach more people for Jesus. Celebrate Recovery, Kids and Student Ministries, Small groups, and prayer are staples of this regional hub that also trains other churches to effectively utilize these ministries.

It is a regional leadership training center where students from all over the world come to receive training, technology, and tools to further the kingdom of God.

It is a place that stands for what we believe in, celebrates diversity, and continues to reflect what heaven will look like. The never changing gospel message of Jesus Christ is proclaimed here in a way that brings life to an ever-changing, dying world.

It is a place for life change, transformation, and reconciliation. It is a place for connection with God and connection with fellow seekers and journeyers.

As I pull into the parking lot, I see Leo and Ron joyfully directing traffic. I think about their stories of transformation at Saddleback Irvine South. I remember how God transformed Leo's heart after a failed business partnership and how Ron found hope, joy, and love again after losing his wife.

Sarah, serving as a greeter, welcomes me with a hug and a smile as I walk from my car. When she first came to Saddleback Irvine South, she was broken from a failed marriage and struggling with addiction. She is now free of that pain thanks to Celebrate Recovery, the love of her church family, and the support of her small group. She has found purpose and meaning.

I look around at the inviting and laid-back facilities as I hear upbeat worship music being played throughout the campus and feel a sense of excitement. The sights and sounds let me know this place is alive. The continued friendly greetings, handshakes, and hugs remind me how much we care for people. We've designed this place with them in mind.

The welcoming lobby entrance brings with it a sense of familiarity and coming home. I see Darren and Tiffany at the Connection Center helping a new guest. I think about how God saved their marriage and how they now share their story of reconciliation to bring hope to others.

Tears begin to well up in my eyes. I am overwhelmed with love, gratitude, and amazement at what God has done in the lives of so many people who have found a family and a home at Saddleback Irvine South. I am filled with awe over those who have sacrificed, served, and joyfully welcomed others to our church so their lives could be transformed as well.

I know that this is where I belong. I am home.

A word from Pastor Andy

Hello Saddleback Irvine South! What a legacy and foundation Pastor Rick and Kay have laid for Saddleback in its first 40 years. We are so grateful. Now, we begin writing a new chapter in the Saddleback story where Jesus is the hero, and we are his supporting characters. What will the next 40 years hold for Saddleback?

Limited only by our faith, we strive toward a God-sized vision, fully holding to this promise:

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” – Philippians 1:6

We believe Saddleback will witness over 100,000 lives forever changed, going public with their faith through baptism.

We believe Saddleback will be a multigenerational community with sons and granddaughters who know and reflect the love of God.

We believe Saddleback will be a center of PEACE and reconciliation.

We believe Saddleback is and will continue to be, an all-nation congregation that celebrates diversity while modeling and leading unity in Christ.

We believe Saddleback will be on the cutting edge of technology to connect people in a digital culture, and to reach people no one else is reaching.

We believe Saddleback will partner with Finishing The Task to have a Bible, a believer, and a local body of Christ in every people group.

We believe Saddleback will have thriving Next Gen ministries where thousands upon thousands of children and students have given their hearts and lives to Jesus.

In every way, God is faithful and will exceed our expectations! He is good and worthy of our celebration. As your pastor, from the bottom of my heart, serving you is one of the greatest joys of my life. Stacie and I love you and want to say, thank you, thank you, thank you! Let's go Irvine South!

A word from Pastor Kyung