Community Blog

Good Neighbor Project Aims to Keep Kids Out of Gangs

Tue, 15 May 2012 03:27:00 GMT

The city of San Clemente is known for its sprawling oceanfront houses, great surf, and stunning beaches. But in its midst of all this beauty lies a dangerous gang presence. In 2008, a clash between San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano gang members left a 14-year- old boy dead and seven others under arrest. The tragic event cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and the city soon realized the need to implement gang-prevention programs.

One solution was the Gang Reduction Intervention Partnership (GRIP), a program aimed at keeping at-risk kids out of gangs. Though statistics show that young kids are joining gangs at a higher rate than ever before, Janet Buell of the Orange County Grand Jury reports that "GRIP is one of the most effective programs in existence." The program relies on multiple groups, including schools, the District Attorney's office, the Sheriff's department, and now Saddleback Church, to work effectively. GRIP offers classroom lessons for kids aimed at keeping them out of gangs, as well as parent and teacher instruction on how to identify early signs of gang involvement.

Saddleback has teamed up with GRIP as part of the Good Neighbor Initiative. This initiative provides a chance for Saddleback members to get to know the people who live in their communities and to make a positive impact on the surrounding neighborhoods through service projects. These projects take place in Compton, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, and San Clemente.

As part of the Good Neighbor Initiative, Saddleback has teamed up with GRIP in order to show love to these at-risk children. This past spring break, 40 at-risk kids , ages 10-13, participated in a three-day GRIP-sponsored soccer camp at a Shorecliffs Middle School in San Clemente. The students, all 4th through 6th graders, enjoyed professional soccer training, fun scrimmages, daily meals, special demonstrations, and speakers. Members of Saddleback Church showed up to volunteer their time with this co-ed group; assisting with set-up, organization, and interaction with the kids.

According to Vivian Tabb, Investigator for the Orange County District Attorney's Office and GRIP team member, the program was an immense success."I received a lot of great feedback from principals and community liaisons from our schools that the students thoroughly enjoyed their three days at camp," said Tabb.

GRIP plans to do the camp again next year, and Saddleback looks forward to continuing their partnership with them. To learn more about the Good Neighborhood projects and how you can get involved, visit the Good Neighbor page.�

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Weekend Announcements

Sat, 12 May 2012 11:30:00 GMT

Hey Saddleback! Want to know what's going on at Saddleback? Check out the weekly announcement video which gives you a glimpse of some recent events like Bear Grylls and Rwanda Rocks, and also some important upcoming info including the anti-bullying campaign that Saddleback is championing.

Click on the video below, and make plans to join us this weekend at a campus near you.

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Poster Art Project

Fri, 11 May 2012 09:21:00 GMT

You may have seen it in your weekly bulletin - a link to download poster art. What exactly is poster art and why should you download it? Read on to find out more!

To coincide with the Love-Powered Parenting series, the Saddleback creative team has been designing custom poster art each week. Poster Art is a piece of art that�incorporates words and creative design.�It's a fun�way to share thoughts and bible verse through Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. You also have the option to download the Saddleback poster art designs�to use as your desktop or mobile device background,�screen saver, and more.�Or, if you want to go completely old school, you can order a physical print of the design and hang it in your office or your home.

If you're running low on tech skills, not to worry. Here's how to access, view, and use the poster art designs:

Click on the link below. You'll see a gallery of designs (neat, right?). Click on the image, and a larger version will open, click on it again and you'll be taken to a Smug Mug (an image hosting website) page. From that page, use the buttons to share, or download. To order a print (this purchase is not affiliated with Saddleback, and the church does not receive any proceeds of this sale), click on the "buy" button and follow the instructions.

To view all the poster art designs available, including a special Mother's Day poster art design we created just for mom (which would make a great Mother's Day gift...hint hint!), click here.

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Every Child Needs a Champion - Orphan Summit VIII

Tue, 08 May 2012 07:58:00 GMT

Over 2,000 people attended the Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit VIII on Thursday and Friday�at Saddleback Church. Thousands more joined the conference via live webcast. These people all had one common focus - to raise awareness and learn how to be a voice for the 163 million orphans in the world. The summit's motto "There are 163 million orphans in the world. Let's get it to zero," could be seen throughout the campus and even online as #letsgettozero trended on Twitter.

The main purpose of the summit was to unpack the vital information necessary to positively impact orphans, the most vulnerable children on the planet. Speakers at the two-day conference challenged participants to focus on uniting orphans with life-long families. A family literally rescues an orphan from homelessness, poverty, and illiteracy. Only in a permanent familiy will children reach their full potential in every aspect of life - economically, socially, physically and most important, spiritually.

The Honourable Inyumba Aloisea traveled from Rwanda to speak at the Summit. The 1994 genocide in her country left a half a million orphans, but Rwanda took the courageous act of reaching out to families willing to adopt orphans. Adoption jump-started the country's healing process since and assisted in making ethnic bloodlines insignificant. Of the 104 orphanages opened after the genocide, 70 are now closed. Just over 3,000 children still wait to be adopted. Rwanda is on track to become the first country to eradicate the need for orphanages.

Sharon Ford, a speaker during the general session, expressed that child safety is the government's responsibility, and that loving and nurturing are a family's responsibility. This hit home for Jean from Auburn, New York. Her hometown church partners with state agencies to provide child respite care. This initiative provides short-term care to children when parents are in crisis.

"We simply facilitate," explained Jean. "Through our association with the state of New York, loving adults are joined with children who need a safe place. The children are cared for and the child abuse is significantly reduced."

Conference breakout sessions provided in-depth study on a variety of concerns including: Leadership Strategy, Global Orphan Care, Advocacy and Foster Care, and more. Jeff from Fort Worth, Texas came to Summit VIII because his friend, a conference exhibitor, encouraged him to attend. He found it difficult to select a breakout session because of the extensive options.

"They are all excellent," said Jeff. "But I found the session on the multiracial family especially impactful since real individuals told their success stories." Stacey from Newport Beach, a recent college graduate, attended Fuel for the Fire, a session for students which left her feeling on fire and armed with practical next steps.

At the conference's conclusion, Bob from Lenoir City, Louisiana eloquently summarized the event. He gathered several attendees together, including many he didn't know, to meditate on the conference's lessons before people scattered.

"The solution is the church," he prayed. "God, I fervently ask that more people will get involved." He then focused his gaze on the people circled around him and quietly whispered, "I implore you to be the one who shows the Father's compassion."

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Bear Grylls on Faith, Fear, and Maggots

Sun, 06 May 2012 05:00:00 GMT

On Saturday morning, explorer, adventurer, and Man vs. Wild star star Bear Grylls made an appearance at Saddleback Church. In classic Grylls fashion, as the show began, he appeared in the rafters of the two-story building. After dropping his rapel cord, Grylls asked for a little help from the show's host, Jamie Haith. "Any ideas for me, mate?" The audience took it in stride - this was nothing new for the man who is famous for finding a way out of sticky situations. After some deliberation, Bear grabbed another wire and repelled down into the middle of the audience and took to the stage amidst applause.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Bear Grylls!" exclaimed Haith. "Don't you ever use the door?"

Over the next two hours, Grylls shared about his upbringing on a small island in the U.K., his schooling, experience as a soldier, and how he came to be the host of cable TV's most watched show.

Grylls grew up in a family that encouraged adventure and exploration. His father was an avid climber and passed along that passion to his son. Grylls studied at Eton College where he quickly became known as the boy who could scale just about anything. He often led other boys in climbing expeditions and even starting the school's first mountaineering club.

After finishing school, Grylls joined and graduated from the elite Special Air Service (SAS). This program showed Grylls' metal - out of 180 recruits who began the program, only four graduated.

"The program looks for spirit," said Grylls. "It's not about the biggest guy, it's about working hard, smiling when the chips are against you, and knowing how to look after yourself."

Grylls indicated that this time in his life gave the skills he would need in his future experiences, including his Man vs. Wild expeditions. It also gave him lifelong buddies that he is still in contact with today.

Grylls was transparent about the challenges he has faced in his life, including an unexpected tragedy that occurred while he was doing something he loved, skydiving. While on leave from the SAS, Grylls went sky diving in South Africa. Though seemingly routine, this dive went horribly wrong when the parachute emerged from its pack ripped and useless. He plummeted through the sky and crashed into the desert floor, his back was broken in three spots.

Grylls shared that his doctors weren't sure if he would ever walk again, and it was the small possibility that he could make a full recovery that fueled Grylls. "It was a dark time. I knew life would never be the same. In rehab, what is happening with you physically also begins to happen to you mentally. I felt guilty, I felt doubts. I had to cling to the simple stuff to make it through; family, friends. And that's when I began to dream about climbing Everest. So much of my identity in life grew around climbing the highest stuff. I wanted to find that identity again. Sometimes everything is going swimmingly and then you get knocked from the side. It takes that knock to realize what you value in life. It gave me a second chance. I was going to do everything in my power to recover."

Not only did Grylls fully recover, but just a short time later, he was climbing Everest. "As I stood up on top of the mountain, on top of the world, I just remember crying. The little part of me that, in the hospital, never believed I could do this was silenced."

His successful Everest climb opened the door to his film and TV career. He was asked to film a piece on joining the French Foreign Legion, an elite military team made up of men from around the world. The Legion's training, which took place in North Africa, is considered the most physically and psychologically challenging training in the world. "It truly showed what kind of man you were inside," said Grylls. "They have a saying in the Legion that it gives you a sense of pride, but that pride comes at the cost of a 1,000 barrels of sweat."

After the filming of the Legion training was completed, Grylls was asked asked to be a part of a show for the Discovery Channel. He originally turned down the request. "I didn't want to be a smiley TV host. TV was nothing I ever aspired to."

But the network assured Grylls that they were looking for a real, raw experience, and Grylls agreed to do one pilot show. His plan was to film one segment and see if he had any interested in continuing. And now, seven seasons later, Man vs. Wild has been ranked as cable TV's most-watched show, and Grylls ranks as one of the world's most influential and popular TV stars.

Grylls shared experiences from Man vs. Wild. He recounted the challenging situations the crew find themselves in, and the camaraderie that exists between them because of these shared experiences. "The difference between success and failure often rests on a knife's edge. But when we're in the zone, what I love is when it starts to go wrong. The adventure begins when things start to go wrong. You form incredible bonds with people when you depend on them for your life every day."

When asked if he ever feels fear, Grylls responded, "Yeah, I'm human. We're not asked to be fearless. But 've learned to channel it into an emotion to sharpen it."

Then the topic moved to the subject that was on everyone's mind - all those disgusting things Bear eats and drinks to obtain sustenance while on expedition.

"What's the worst thing you've eaten?" asked Haith.

"It's a long list," Grylls responded. "They all blend into a bad experience." One meal topped the list, though. Raw goat testicles offered to him by a Saharan tribesman . A symbol of honor that Grylls could not refuse.

Naturally, Haith then asked Grylls to eat a few live bugs. "Listen. It's fine when it's for survivial," said Grylls. "But I don't need to eat it here at home." After a little pressure, Grylls gave in. "I'll eat a worm and a maggot if someone does it with me." He looked out into the audience, looking for a willing victim. He spotted his target, Pastor Rick.

"Who wants to see your pastor eat a maggot?"

Pastor Rick and calmly let Grylls place a few live maggots and worms in the palm of his hand. "Wait, we need to bless this!" said Pastor Rick. "Lord, bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies, and our bodies to your service. Oh, and thank you for protein." He then not only ate the maggots and worms in his palm, but grabbed an extra handful from Grylls and tossed them in his mouth.

"Now you know your pastor is totally and utterly crazy," said Grylls.

Pastor Rick stayed on stage to talk with Grylls about his faith. "I've learned that it takes a proud man to say he never needs help," said Grylls. "Faith has been the quiet backbone of my life. We're loved, we're forgiven and empowered. We're home. You know, you don't meet too many atheists in the 'death zone.' But it's not about us. It doesn't matter if we have doubts, because we're forgiven."

Grylls proved to be an inspiration in many ways - as someone who has braved fear and challenges with focus and honesty, a father and husband who places family as his main priority, and a man who relies on his faith to weather the inevitable storms of life.

"Ladies and gentlemen," said Haith, "Bear Grylls."
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Rwanda Rocks Event Tonight

Sat, 05 May 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Want to hear about the great things God's doing in Rwanda? Come to Rwanda Rocks, a time of celebration and inspiration. Join us tonight, Sunday, May 6 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. on the Lake Forest campus in Tent 3 and enjoy live music from Travis Ryan, food, and three of the most influential Christian leaders in Rwanda - Eric and Bonita Munyemana and Apostle Paul Gitwaza. They'll talk about their experiences and opportunities to get involved.

PEACE Center Art Opening Tonight

Sat, 05 May 2012 05:30:00 GMT

The Art Ministry has been at work filling every room of the PEACE Center with original works of art, and you're invited to the grand opening of the art exhibits! The purpose of the art in the PEACE Center is to create a welcoming environment for those who come to take advantage of the Center's services. Join us tonight, Saturday,�May 5, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. You'll be able to view the artwork and interact with PEACE Center staff and volunteers. Come and see how art enables us to put love into action!

If you'd like more information about the Visual Arts Ministry, click here.

Bear Grylls Live at Saddleback Tomorrow!

Thu, 03 May 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Get excited, Saddleback! The star of the hit TV show Man vs. Wild is coming to the Lake Forest campus tomorrow.�Can't make it to the campus? Watch the live webcast here.

Get up close and personal with Bear Grylls, the star of one of TV's most watched shows,�Man vs. Wild. Bear�will take to the stage to share his epic stories of adventure and survival in some of the world's toughest environments. Bear will be joined on stage by Pastor Rick who will take part in a special Man vs. Wild challenge.

Be inspired as Bear relives some of the great escapes and sticky situations of his life as a soldier, mountaineer, and serial adventurer. This is his only appearance in North America this year, so don't miss out!

This FREE event takes place on Saturday, May 5 from 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. in the Lake Forest Worship Center.�Click here for location and directions.

Want to share the event flier with friends? Click here to download.

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Orphan Summit Day One - Touchable Grace

Thu, 03 May 2012 09:52:00 GMT

On Thursday morning, nearly 2,000 people from across the country and around the globe converged on Saddleback Church's Lake Forest campus. They gathered with one, unified focus: orphans. Summit VIII is a conference sponsored by the Christian Alliance for Orphans, an organization that exists to raise awareness of the nearly 163 million orphans in our world.

In addition to the conference which is under way in Orange County, a live webcast expands the Summit's bandwidth and carries the message to every country in the world about making grace touchable through adoption.

There are approximately 163 million orphans in the world. There are 2.4 billion Christians in the world. Empty orphanages are possible by modeling what God did for us - adopting us into his family. Christianity means nothing if we fail to reach out to others. Showing grace to others must crash through the senses, yet touchable grace is costly. It could mean holding a screaming, drug-addicted baby to your chest through the night. It could mean an interracial adoption. Touchable grace takes its clearest form in adopting a child and providing a solid foundation of love, faith, and hope.

Each year, a different local church hosts the event because the church is the solution to supplying a life-long family to every orphan. More importantly, the Summits connect individuals with different ideas, but one passion - no more orphanages!

Adoption advocates, interested individuals, and adoptive parents are here at Summit VIII to learn from speakers, advocates, educators and each other. Sue from Kansas City shared her church's experiences of their South Sudan orphanage with Chuck from Las Cruses, New Mexico, whose church is only just beginning to develop an orphan strategy. Amanda from Pennsylvania enjoyed a fulfilling conversation with Sarah from Hickman, Nebraska. Both are members of churches with orphanages in China. And Joe from Nashville, Tennessee was so excited to be at the Summit, he told everyone who'd talk to him, "Christ cared about widows and orphans, we should also."

The Summit's two days will be devoted to understanding how Christ is the source of deliverance for both us and the world's orphans. The Summit will celebrate the family as a gospel unit, since the family is God's primary avenue to teach purpose and direction. And while every question won't be answered and every problem won't be solved, the Summit will highlight the message that when we make the gospel visible through adoption, Christians reveal God's heart and character.

In-person registration is still available via walk up on the Lake Forest campus on the Worship Center patio. To watch the free live�webcast, click here.

Are you at the conference? Join the conversation and share your thoughts on Twitter @saddleback, #summit8, on Instagram @saddlebackchurch, or on�Facebook.

Easter Mural a Finished Work of Art

Wed, 02 May 2012 17:00:00 GMT

On Easter weekend, the Visual Arts Ministry laid out a blank canvas in front of the Lake Forest Worship Center. They scattered brushes and paints around the canvas and beckoned service attendees to pick up a brush and contribute to Saddleback's first collaborative art mural.

The purpose of the mural was more than just adding color to a piece of canvas. "We want to bring the arts to the broader Saddleback community," said ministry leader Jason Leith. "We want to give people the opportunity to touch paint and brushes, and give them a chance to appreciate art and respond to it in different ways."

The theme of the mural was the Ascension of Christ, to coincide with Easter Sunday. Participants were asked to think about their lives in the 40 days prior to Easter (Lent), and pick a color that best represented that season. They were then encouraged to use that color on the canvas in any way they wanted.

The reaction of people encountering the mural project was varied. Some were eager to join in, some cautious. Others thought the project was just for artists. But the Visual Arts Ministry wanted to encourage everyone to take part. "It's only when everyone puts their color on the canvas that the full spectrum of color is seen." Over 500 people stopped at the canvas during the Saturday and Sunday services. In fact, so many people took part in the project, that the first canvas was filled by Saturday night, so the reverse side was used for the Sunday services, creating a beautiful, colorful, two-sided mural that now hangs near the Worship Center entrance.

A plaque that hangs near the mural reads:
Both individually and collectively, from the dark blue areas to the bright yellow, Christ sees us. He knows our pain and joys in a deep way because he walked here too, living through a full range of life experiences. But even in the event of being taken up to heaven, Christ acted self sacrificially. He loved us by leaving part of himself here - his Spirit and Word - to stay with us as we journey through life. Now, we can have Christ at the center of our spectrum, partnering with us to embody our life experiences, and resurrecting us to a full and vibrant life within his family.

The Visual Arts Ministry plans to continue the spread of art throughout the Saddleback community both in exhibits participatory projects. Once such event is taking place this Saturday night in the PEACE Center.

The ministry's artists have been hard at work creating pieces for the PEACE Center walls. The purpose of the art in the PEACE Center is to create a welcoming environment for those who come to take advantage of the Center's services. And this Saturday night, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., stop by the PEACE Center, view the works of art, enjoy live music, and chat with the center's volunteers. This event is free, and is a great way to experience both the PEACE Center and the Visual Arts Ministry.

If you'd like more information about the Visual Arts Ministry, click here.
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Orphan Care Summit Begins Today

Wed, 02 May 2012 04:49:00 GMT

The Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit begins today on the Lake Forest campus with a pre-conference (free for Saddleback members with registration). And, there's still time to register for the main portion of the conference which begins tomorrow. Visit the Orphan Summit website and enter code "saddleback" at checkout for a special discount.

If you can't join us in person, You can view the event for free online via live�webcast.

Join the global network aimed at caring for the children that society has forgotten. This is not simply an adoption conference-this is a gathering of people who will stand up and be a voice for the voiceless.

Join Pastor Rick and Kay Warren, Francis Chan, Crawford Lorritts, Dennis Rainey, Steven Curtis Chapman, and other global leaders who will inspire you to care for and defend the orphans in our world.

Attending the conference? We'd love to hear what you think. Share your thoughts on Twitter @saddleback, on Instagram @saddlebackchurch, or at facebook.com/saddlebackchurch.

What's Going On? Watch This!

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Check out the latest Weekend Announcements video to find out what's going on at Saddleback Church and how you can get involved. Don't miss out on all the great things taking place at Saddleback!

Click on the video to watch.

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Hey Couples! This Is For You!

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Saddleback is committed to helping you and your partner achieve a healthy marriage. We have two opportunities for couples to grow closer to God and to each other. Married Essentials: Spiritual Intimacy is for dating, engaged, or married couples, and the Keeping the Marriage Alive four-week workshop is for married couples who are looking to refresh their marriage.

Married Essentials: Spiritual Intimacy
Does God really have anything to say about our marriage? Why is it so hard for us to pray together? We don't have time for each other, let alone time to focus on God.

This event is designed to give you a picture of what a healthy relationship looks like. So whether you're thinking about marriage, engaged to be married, or have been married for years, join us for Marriage Essentials: Spiritual Intimacy! This free class is on Wednesday, May 9 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in Tent 2. Contact Meredith at meredithg@saddleback.com for more information.

Keeping The Marriage Alive Workshops
Would you like to have a new and enriched marriage? Join us for this fun, four week marriage workshop where you will learn new tools that will help you have a marriage that will last a lifetime. The workshop starts on Monday, May 14 at 6:45 p.m. in Tent 2. The cost is $20.00 a couple or $10.00 a person. Contact Sue at (949) 609-8389 or sueb@saddleback.com for more information.

Sharing the Comfort of Christ: Bob Huey (1931-2012)

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 03:03:00 GMT

We've all been there, fumbling through forced conversations, prying open awkward connections. How do you build a bridge to a new way of understanding and living that won't fall on deaf ears?

Bob Huey, who died on April 13 at the age of 80, found an exceptional method. He designed crosses as a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice for us. The simple crosses made out of nails, screws and even golf tees invited comfortable, yet evangelistic conversations. When Bob talked, the gospel came to life. His story was an active, breathing tale of redemption since the broken parts, the imperfect parts, the beautiful parts were all transformed by God's love.

He enjoyed making poignant inroads into people's lives; crafting hundreds of crosses and giving them away on the spot to anyone who admired them, to those who would listen to his story. People of all ages heard the sacred, transforming narrative of what God did in Bob's heart and what God could do in theirs. Bob loved Christ and presented him as a wound-healer, a comforter, a burden-carrier.

Retiring after years as a teacher and counselor in the southern California school system, Bob dedicated himself to service at Saddleback. In addition to making crosses, he was an integral part of a behind-the-scenes team, absolutely essential to every weekend service, major Saddleback event and all holidays. He and his wife of 62 years, Esther, stuffed bulletins every weekend. This allowed Bob to serve even as the COPD, the pulmonary disease which eventually took his life, worsened. He passionately embraced his two "sit down ministries" of cross-making and bulletin stuffing - working late into the night on his crosses and rarely, if ever, missing the Saturday afternoon gatherings, assuring every Saddleback attendee received all the necessary communications pieces.

Bob was friendly and outgoing, and thought of these two ministries as his home, and he placed a high priority on serving the church anywhere he could. Bob's legacy is his heart for the church and his service which continued despite the confines of his illness. Even when his disease made it difficult to volunteer, he arrived with a great sense of humor and his excitement about heaven uplifted his fellow servants.

Though he knew he was dying, Bob remained tethered to God through service. He continued to create and serve, because he knew he was formed in the image of God, who is the Master Creator. In his final days, Bob was still volunteering and teaching people to be to others the things God is to us: forgivers, second-chance givers and servants. Bob embraced everyone and counted many people of other faiths among his friends. He strongly believed this: judge no man and love everyone.

Bob is survived by his wife, Esther, two daughters, Vicki and Sherrill, grandsons and great-grandchildren.

What's Going On? Watch This!

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 05:07:00 GMT

Watch the weekend announcements video to find out what's going on at Saddleback this week. From the PEACE Center and the Parking Lot Justice Event to the upcoming Orphan Summit, there's so much going on at Saddleback!

Click on the video to watch the weekend announcements.

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Blood Drive On Sunday

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Take part in the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Sunday, April 29th, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Room 405 on the Lake Forest campus. Red Cross saw an eight percent decline in blood donations this past March compared to March of 2011. Make a difference in someone's life by donating your blood. Visit the table on the Lake Forest Worship Center patio after the weekend services or call Laura at (949)439-0551 to learn more.

Scrambled Eggs and Hope - Saddleback's Motel Ministry

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:52:00 GMT

Poverty lives right down the street. In residential motels throughout the county, individuals and families huddle against financial adversity. Tossed, churned and beaten up by life, all too often, they blame God for their situation.

Which is why on Easter Sunday, individuals from Saddleback's Motel Ministry spoke affirmation, dignity and hope into approximately 400 of Orange County's working poor or homeless with expansion into four motels in Anaheim. Building on the success of the ministry's Santa Ana residential motel church plant, approximately 70 volunteers representing Saddleback's southern California campuses lived out the ministry's mission of "reaching into the darkness with the light of Christ."

Residents enjoyed a hot breakfast, a children's Easter egg hunt and a message of God's love as evidenced by the resurrection. Approximately 300 Givebags were also distributed; each contained high nutritional snacks and a fresh pair of socks.

But the true story lies in the faces of those served. There was Sadie, who is just a child herself, but snuggling her infant son. She was elated that a church came to her - she wanted to attend Easter Sunday services, but didn't have transportation.

Jaden, who made clear he normally can't afford meals on weekends, came back for seconds to bolster his only weekend meal.

Tawanda peddled her bicycle in from the street. She was covered from head to toe with open sores, yet smiled from ear to ear when listened to and given some deeply-craved attention.

Loud, joyful Lillian was emotionally uplifted when volunteers returned to her room to pray over her husband who was once a tough biker but is now brain-damaged and bedridden.

Bruce explained that he first tasted homelessness in 1971. Now he peddles his bicycle through Buena Park and Anaheim, and teaches others from his own experience about how to minimize the harshness of life on the street.

These stories are difficult to hear, but each one is poignant and deserving of redemption. Each person is warmly greeted, celebrated with, and told there is new, eternal, real life in Jesus Christ. It's about more than a hot breakfast - each handshake, each smile, and each hug contain the gift of hope.

These small kindnesses have a profound effect. At the church in Santa Ana, volunteers have welcomed dozens into a relationship with Christ. Haggard alcoholics stressed out veterans, recent paroles, single mothers and many others have been baptized in the pool. Men from the Santa Ana church came full circle as they shared powerful testimonies about how their lives have been changed.

If you or your small group are looking for a place to serve, have a heart for the homeless, or would just enjoy making a breakfast dish and talking with people, you are invited to serve at one of the monthly breakfasts. To learn more about the Motel Ministry, contact Max at breakfastoutreach@gmail.com.

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Weekend Announcements

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 09:30:00 GMT

Want to know what's going on at Saddleback Church? Check out our weekend video. From our Good Neighbor projects to an amazing Easter weekend, we've got lots to share with you!

Watch this video and get up to speed on all that's taking place at Saddleback Church.

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CLASS Sunday and CLASS in Spanish

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:00:00 GMT

What is the story behind Saddleback Church? What does the church believe, and why? How can I learn more about getting baptized or becoming a member? How do I start to grow spiritually? How can I learn to share my faith with others?

If you've ever asked any of these questions, C.L.A.S.S. is for you! This Sunday, April 15 from 3:00-7:30 p.m., we are offering all four classes. No registration necessary, just show up to the locations listed below:

Class 101 (tent 3) - A basic introduction to our church family and our beliefs on salvation and purpose.

Class 201 (tent 2) - Learn the four spiritual habits every Christian needs in order to grow: daily time in the Bible, prayer, tithing, and fellowship.

Class 301 (tent 1) - Learn how to use your Spiritual Gifts, your Heart, your Abilities, your Personality, and your Experiences (S.H.A.P.E.) to minister to others.

Class 401 (room 404) - Discover your life mission and how to reach the world with God's love.

Spanish Language C.L.A.S.S.!
Class 101, 201, and 301 will be offered en espanol on Sunday, April 15 at 1:00 p.m. in Room 409 and 411.

Visit the Saddleback Events page to learn more and to register.

The PEACE Center Continues to Grow

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:14:00 GMT

The PEACE Center has only been open a few months, but it is already bustling with activity. Conveniently located at the edge of the Saddleback Lake Forest campus and Portola Parkway, the 6,000 square foot building serves to meet �basic needs and provide resources for the community. Rana Muncy, PEACE Center Director, says, "Everything we do is with the purpose of leading people to Jesus and letting them know how much he loves them."

The Food Pantry comprises the largest section of the PEACE center. Once every thirty days, those in need can visit the pantry and select from �a large selection of fresh food, canned goods, protein items, bread and other grocery staples. Produce grown in the campus' PEACE Garden and the Saddleback Organic Farm goes right back into the Pantry. Other necessities such as �diapers, baby wipes and school supplies are available as well. Volunteers keep busy sorting deliveries, stocking shelves and assisting visitors. "We give our shoppers choices," says Muncy, adding that less food goes to waste if visitors pick items they will truly use.

Visitors can enjoy comfortable seating in the waiting room while their paperwork is processed; the space holds up to 40 people and is decorated with unique artwork painted by Saddleback members. A volunteer then leads them back to the Pantry, where they walk through each aisle and make their selection.� Designated volunteers, called "evangelists," then help them to their car to load their goods. These "evangelists" have the unique opportunity to listen to each person's story, pray with them and share God's love.

Just down the hall from the pantry sits the "classroom" where visitors can participate in free ESL classes two days a week. Muncy says the PEACE Center solicited local schools and had an overwhelming response to their first few classes. The curriculum is designed to not just help visitors refine their English, but to learn parenting skills as well. Teachers �have the opportunity to share about God during the classes. On Thursday afternoons, while parents enjoy ESL, children can take advantage of the Homework Club. Saddleback Boy Scouts have partnered with the Homework Club to help tutor children in various subjects.

Other rooms in the PEACE Center are designated for the Legal Aid Ministry, MSI emergency insurance applications for low income residents, and an upcoming medical clinic. The clinic will include a full lab where visitors can undergo a variety of medical tests, as well as two large wheelchair-compliant bathrooms.

The PEACE Center will soon be looking for PEACE guides, or volunteers who will connect visitors with the resources they need through the county and through Saddleback Church. They are also in need of administrative support, food pantry volunteers, volunteer lawyers and tutors. The center is currently open from 9-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To learn more, visit the PEACE Center website. If you are in need, you are welcome to visit the Center and take advantage of the resources. If you would like to volunteer at the PEACE Center, email peacecenter@saddleback.com.

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