Read what's happening in our small groups in response to the COVID-19 crisis

February 5, 2021
Single Adoptive Father Receives Support From Saddleback

Many people have heard the saying, "It takes a village to raise a child." For one saddleback member and his two children, however, that saying feels more like a life motto.

In August 2016, David Adams became a foster parent of a 7-year-old girl and a 9-year-old boy. Two years later, he adopted his children as his own. Up until that point, the young siblings had spent the majority of their lives in foster care and had lived in five different homes.

"Unfortunately, every single person involved in their life before coming to me is no longer involved in their lives," he said.

Prior to their adoption, the two children endured trauma and instability, which led to difficult behavioral concerns - but David has provided a safe, loving, and forever family to them. As a single adoptive parent, he takes all the help he can get.

"Having to manage cooking meals, doing laundry, cleaning the house, working, and taking them to appointments, I don't always have time to prepare meals," he said.

Despite the challenges David continues to face on a daily basis as a single father, his family is not alone. A group of people from Saddleback who are part of the church's Care Community have helped him in a number of ways.

"The Care Community goes alongside and helps train up small groups, and then the small groups try to support families just like myself," he said. "My small group actually comes every Wednesday and spends time with [my kids], and they drop off a meal for them."

He also said a number of other volunteers have assisted his family by providing clothing and school supply donations, child care, and emotional support on a regular basis. David believes the help he receives from his Saddleback family has allowed him to have a family of his own and a ministry of fatherhood - one of the greatest joys of his life.

"I think about [my kids] and all of those years they never really had a father in their life," he said, "and [I also think about how] God has adopted me as his child. What a privilege it is to know that, for my kids, when they look at me and call me 'Daddy,' I can't help but reflect on the very heart and nature of God and what he has done for me."

January 29, 2021
Small Group Steps Up to Support Sister in Christ

While it's been nearly a year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Southern California and pushed weekend worship services online, our Saddleback family hasn't stopped growing. Lives are being changed everyday - people are finding love, hope, and community.

One of the primary ways our church family has been able to stay connected is through our small groups. Not only are people still growing in faith together, many of our small group members are finding support in a time when feelings of hopelessness are all too common. One Saddleback member at our Laguna Woods campus said she doesn't think she would have survived the pandemic and a number of recent medical issues if it were not for her small group.

After several months of staying at home amid the global crisis, the woman severely injured her hip and could not walk. When doctors told her that she was going to need surgery, she turned to her small group for help. They immediately started making a plan to care for her during her recovery and they met together online and prayed for her when she had the operation.

Complications arose shortly after the surgery, and an infection started taking over the woman's body. Her small group covered her in prayer once again as she went under the knife for a second time. The operation was successful, but the road to recovery was long - the woman was nearly immobile and relied on a caretaker, along with her small group, to meet her needs.

"There wasn't a day that went by when someone from my group wouldn't call me and say, 'I'm going to the store for you,'" she said. "They were my little angels."

At first, the woman's caretaker was skeptical about the support she was receiving from her small group. She worried they would eventually stop providing for her; but as time went on, she saw how committed they were to serving the woman. Not only was the small group caring for one of their own by running errands and delivering groceries, they were demonstrating to the caretaker what it means to be connected through Christ.

"I never worried about my needs being met because I felt God working through each one of them," she said. "I simply knew they were there for me, and I knew they were also setting an example. I have the most amazing small group in the world - they are my sisters in Christ."

January 20, 2021 
Family Receives Gifts, Household Necessities, and Hope Through Saddleback Adopt-a-Family

For many people, last year was one of the most difficult years of their lives as they faced unforeseeable hardships and unthinkable losses. Still, many of those same people also experienced the love of God in tangible ways as Saddleback volunteers worked to spread hope by giving to those in need.

This past holiday season, our church donated gifts and other practical items to 1,300 families who are currently facing financial difficulties. Those families were able to open presents and celebrate Christmas in a way they would not have otherwise been able to, thanks to all of the volunteers who participated in Saddleback's Adopt-a-Family program.

One family that received a few items from our church said it meant a lot to them to be cared for during the holidays after such a difficult year.

"Usually, our family is on the other side giving to those in need," they said. "However, this past year was tough for us as we lost our house and all of our belongings in a fire at the same time the pandemic hit."

Putting their lives back together in the aftermath of the fire has been difficult, yet the family has remained hopeful. While it may still be a tough road ahead for that family, our church was able to give them some much-needed assistance during the holidays. The clothes, umbrella, books and toys they received from Saddleback, while only a small symbol of the love God has for them, lifted their spirits immensely.

"We have been living in hotels and various short-term rentals since [the fire], but we are happy to have a roof over our heads," they said. "Despite that and the ongoing pandemic, we feel blessed to be healthy and safe ... We are truly grateful for all of the gifts. Thank you for making our holidays merrier!"

January 8, 2021 
Woman Grows in Spiritual Maturity Online Through Saddleback During Pandemic

Despite the challenges of 2020, God used Saddleback to further his kingdom and grow his church in significant ways. Moving various ministries and events online during the COVID-19 pandemic was and continues to be difficult at times, but it has also allowed many people from around the world an opportunity to become a part of the Saddleback community.

Recently, a woman who lives in New Orleans became a member of Saddleback after completing our online membership class. She had stumbled upon our church's website in the early days of the pandemic while searching for hope in the midst of chaos.

"I had heard of Rick Warren and Purpose Driven Life," she said. "I really needed something uplifting during the pandemic, and I came across Rick Warren online and so I thought to myself, 'I'm just going to go and look at Saddleback's website.'"

After watching online services for a few weeks, the woman knew that God was calling her to take Class 101 and become a Saddleback member.

"The love, acceptance, and teaching at Saddleback is what drew me in, and I knew this is where God wanted me," she said.

During the online seminar, the woman realized that she was learning so much about her own faith. She had always prayed to find a church that would care about her personal life and spiritual growth.

"It was everything I ever wanted in a spiritual maturity class," she said. "It was beyond my hopes and expectations ... and now I'm a member of Saddleback Church!"

While she may be hundreds of miles away from Southern California, the woman has been able to feel connected with our community while serving her own community in New Orleans.

Our new church family member started spreading messages of hope and Christ's love through sidewalk chalk writing after learning some of our members in Orange County were doing the same thing. She also has helped her grandson get plugged into our Junior High Ministry, and she does what she can to provide resources to those around her who are in need.

"We are all one big family of God, and it doesn't matter where we're located," she said. "We are all connected through Christ and in this together."

December 9, 2020
Two Best Friends from Saddleback KSG Baptize Each Other

Despite not having in-person weekend services, thousands of people have come to know Jesus and have been baptized at Saddleback this year. God is working in wonderful ways to expand his family — a family with members of all ages.

Two of our Saddleback Kids Small Group (KSG) students have been friends since kindergarten. Last year, one of the girls invited her best friend to join her in KSG. Together, they are involved in school, soccer, and Girl Scouts. One of the girls had a desire to be baptized ever since she started growing in her faith. When she voiced her interest, her friend also echoed the wish.

The two girls made plans to be baptized in March, but because of the sudden closures due to COVID-19, their baptism was postponed until November, when they were finally able to share their big day together.

“We were thinking that we know Jesus pretty well now and that we should get to know him better and get baptized — to have that experience together,” one of the nine-year-old girls said. “I got a little nervous about it being cold, but I was excited that we got to do this together.”

When the time came to publicly declare their faith, one of their mothers asked if it was alright to let the girls baptize one another. The request was approved, and the girls were thrilled. Not only were they able to share in this life changing experience, they were able to baptize each other.

“It was great,” one of the moms said. “There were a lot of tears.” Those tears of joy were very fitting as the families shared in their excitement and joy for their daughters’ baptisms.

“I hope a lot of people will be inspired and be comfortable to get baptized,” one of the girls said. “We were definitely proud of each other. Anyone can obey God, and best friends can go through [baptism] together.”

Even though KSG has been continuing remotely, the girls enjoy joining in virtually, where they are able to play games, have fun, and learn more about Jesus.

December 2, 2020
Saddleback Men’s Group Builds Relationships Across State Lines

Adjusting to life in the midst of a pandemic has not been easy for most people. But despite the challenges we all face in this difficult season, one big benefit has been that people from all over the country have a unique opportunity to be a part of Saddleback.

One man found Saddleback by watching an online service from his home in Colorado. He soon joined a virtual men’s small group on Friday mornings and found a new community. During this pandemic, the man has not only become more involved with the church, he has also become a Saddleback member.

Recently, the man had the opportunity to visit California during a brief out-of-state trip. Three men from his new online group met him at the airport and took him to breakfast. They spent hours together building their relationships with one another and growing closer to God.

When the topic of baptism came up in their conversation, the man shared his interest in publicly declaring his faith in Christ at our Lake Forest campus. Soon after, he was baptized with his men’s group present, cheering him on.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the men’s leadership in this season across all our gatherings,” said one of Saddleback’s Small Groups pastors, “for shepherding so well all those that are seeking Jesus, searching for community, needing encouragement after losing their job, or simply struggling in this season,”

"This has been a difficult season but it has also been one where we are reminded that, amidst all circumstances that can come in this world, God is at work and his kingdom thrives in adversity,” he said. “This is a year of great fruit, just in a way we never saw coming.”

October 30, 2020
Small Group Rallies Around Housebound Mother and Daughter

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities have told people to remain socially distant from one another to slow the spread of the disease. As counties enter various stages of reopening, some people have been able to partially return to their pre-quarantine routines. However, those who struggle with illness and immunodeficiencies remain at home, doing their best to stay safe from the virus.

One Saddleback family that remains in an extremely high-risk category has found an abundance of joy thanks to their small group. Several months ago, a few members reached out to the single mother of three, offering to help with shopping and grocery deliveries. Whether they might be at pharmacies or grocery stores, the small group members pick up anything the woman might need. Sometimes, they’ll drop off ready-to-eat meals for the family. They even brought autumn decorations like pumpkins to the home.

Early this year, the woman’s college-aged daughter was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Forced to return home from her university because of the illness, the young woman has not left her house since she was diagnosed. For more than seven months, both mother and daughter have remained at the house, as the risk of bringing home COVID-19 is too great. It could prove to be fatal.

For now, there is no cure for the young woman’s illness. Daily, her mother displays an immense amount of faithfulness as she graciously tends to her needs. Her two other adult children have stayed away from home, afraid of bringing back the virus that could endanger their sister’s life.

The woman began using food delivery apps, however the items she needed were not always offered. That’s when her small group stepped up. They regularly bought and dropped off whatever she might need. This way, the woman could continue to care for her daughter without fear of exposure to the virus.

Her small group rallied around her, showing the importance that community and friendship have in our lives. “It is truly the hand of God reaching out,” she said. The outpouring of love has brightened some of her darkest days. The small group’s thoughtfulness and care has made an immense impact on her life. “It’s not something that you’re used to seeing.”

“God is the provider,” she said. “He will always use whatever hardships come our way, and they will never be wasted.” The women's small group has poured into her — providing groceries and meals so that she can focus on caring for her daughter.

“Without that support, it would have been really tough to make it through,” she said. Because of the generosity of her small group, the woman has the strength and health to continue taking care of her daughter.

October 14, 2020    
Men’s Group Kicks Off “Beautify Rancho” Project

About a decade ago, our Rancho Capistrano campus officially opened and became a part of the Saddleback family. For 10 years, the vast majority of maintenance and landscaping on the 160-acre property has been done by volunteers. This campus is very visible in our community as it serves as a hub for many Saddleback events, including grocery distributions and retreats.

Recently, a men’s small group from Saddleback Rancho Capistrano was looking for a service project to do together as they dive deeper into their faith and apply what they are learning through God’s Word to their daily lives.

One person in the group found out that campus leaders were getting ready to launch a project called Beautify Rancho. The goal is to give the campus a makeover so our church can better serve those who use the facility.

“Hearing about this project was an answer to prayer,” he said. “It was God’s perfect timing because we wanted to find a service opportunity for the group and the campus needed our help.”

So, a couple dozen men of all ages recently showed up to the campus on a Saturday morning and got to work. Some painted walls, others were tasked with carpentry work. One man in his early 80s even showed up to help pull weeds while others started planting an herb garden. The group found the experience to be incredibly rewarding.

“When you see something that needs some love and you clean it up, it’s an example of seeing how anything that’s broken can be fixed with the proper care,” one member said. “Plus, it strengthened our brotherhood as we served together.”

Beautify Rancho is a long-term project, and many of the men plan to continue serving every Saturday alongside other volunteers who want to take part in this transformation of this campus.

October 9, 2020    
Saddleback Small Group Discovers the Joy of Serving

One of our women’s small groups had the opportunity to serve together and deepen their relationships with one another. Since the start of their group in early February, the women have been meeting online regularly despite their busy work schedules. After studying what it looks like to put their faith into action, the group felt led to find a way to serve God and their community.

One of the women had heard about a Saddleback grocery distribution event and presented the idea to the group. They were thrilled to get started.

“It was amazing how God put us all together with the same mind,” she said. “We wanted to serve.”

While the women were excited to serve, they were also thrilled to meet one another in person for the first time. For months, they had forged relationships through video calls and online Bible studies. Finally, they were going to spend time together in person.

So, on a crisp Saturday morning, the group of four ladies met at the grocery distribution event at 7:00 AM. Even through the disguise of masks and sunglasses, they were able to find one another and unite at last. Together, they served on multiple teams — directing traffic, handing out food, and sharing the love of Jesus with each person they met.

“We were there representing Saddleback Church, representing the body of Christ,” one of the members said. “I loved being able to tell people, ‘God bless you.’”

Many people came to the grocery distribution event in search of food, but little did they know they would also encounter a group of women who loved them and were passionate about serving the community.

Even after an extensive day of volunteering, the ladies felt uplifted. Not only was the time spent together heartening, they described the opportunity to serve as a truly gratifying experience.

“We were together with a purpose in the community to serve the Lord,” she said. “As a small group, just being able to serve together meant so much to us. A group that serves together, stays together.”

October 7, 2020   
Saddleback Member Finds Healing and Hope Through CLASS

For 40 years, Saddleback has been dedicated to helping people live out God’s purposes for their life. One of the ways we do that is through CLASS, a seminar series designed to help our church family members grow in their faith.

Class 201 helps people dive deeper into their relationship with Jesus Christ through reading Scripture, memorizing Bible verses, and starting a daily quiet time. Like many of Saddleback’s ministries and events, our classes look different during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the seminars are now offered virtually, but the message remains the same.

Recently, one of our members in the city of Corona decided to take Class 201 because she was searching for guidance in her life. The woman was let go from a job she absolutely loved earlier this year and felt lost and confused.

“I felt excited to take [Class] 201,” she said. “I immediately knew this is what I needed.”

During the seminar, the woman felt encouraged to continue reading her Bible every day and to spend more time talking to God about what is going on in her life. Now, she and her mother call each other every morning and study God’s Word together.

“We talk about things that are happening, that we feel uncomfortable about, or that we feel challenged with,” she said. “We just share with each other, and it helps us immensely.”

Nearly two decades ago, the woman’s brother lost his life to suicide, which caused her mother to struggle with her faith. Now that the two are studying the Bible together every day, they are discovering God’s peace together.

“It has strengthened all of our belief in God, it strengthened our faith, and our family is so tight, connected, and united in love,” she said. “Saddleback and the Word have been the glue to my family for healing and for hope.”

September 14, 2020 
Saddleback Anaheim Cheers for Teachers on First Day of School

For the past few weeks, many Saddleback campuses and ministries have been focusing their attention on meeting the needs of teachers, parents, and students as they begin an unprecedented school year in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.

Recently, a small team from Saddleback Anaheim came up with a simple yet impactful way to encourage educators on the first day of school. They gathered a few leftover signs from previous Saddleback events and wrote new messages for teachers on the blank sides. They also found some old signs with timeless words of encouragement that they were able to utilize, as well.

The group of five then gathered outside a local elementary school near Saddleback Anaheim at 6:45 AM on the first day of school. Every teacher and faculty member that pulled into the parking lot was greeted with smiles, cheers, love, and support as the team held up their signs, waved pom poms, and thanked every educator for their role in the community.

Many of the teachers could be seen smiling in return as they walked into the building to begin teaching classes virtually; others thanked our team for their kind words and support.

One of the Saddleback team members who helped cheer on the teachers said she was overwhelmed when she realized that her simple actions were being used by God to minister to a community that is facing a lot of challenges during this time.

“Knowing the teachers were probably feeling anxious about the first day of school and diving into online teaching — we thought we’d encourage them before they even hit their classrooms,” she said. “The idea came from knowing we could make a difference. By just holding signs, we knew we could spread God’s love. It only took an hour, it didn’t cost anything, and it still had a huge impact.”

One of the teachers who works at the elementary school in Anaheim said that the small gesture helped her get through a very difficult day.

“It was such a great thing to come into work that way. We all felt so special,” she said. “But when it really helped, was later in the day when I kept running into technical difficulties with my computer or [new] technology while trying to teach class. All of those first-day issues were so frustrating, but I just thought back and remembered that scene when I arrived at school. It really lifted my whole day.”

Our team was moved to tears knowing that they had such a profound impact on her life as well as all of the other educators who started school that day.

“We know God used us in a simple but mighty way that morning,” they said.

August 21, 2020
Saddleback Small Group Hosts Prayer Walk

Despite stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines, Saddleback small groups have been thriving during the COVID-19 crisis. Our members have continued building authentic, Christ-centered relationships throughout the pandemic by meeting virtually and finding creative ways to help one another as well as their communities.

Recently, one of our small groups had an idea about hosting a special time of prayer. After connecting with a couple of Saddleback pastors, the small group decided to invite people to join a Zoom prayer meeting centered around social justice, healing, and reconciliation in the United States. In total, more than 100 people joined the online prayer gathering and asked God to heal our country.

After the meeting, the small group encouraged other participants to go on socially distanced prayer walks in their neighborhoods and talk with people in their communities that evening. One couple ended up having eight neighbors join their prayer walk, some of whom they were meeting for the first time.

One of the neighbors who decided to take part in the walk was so moved by the experience, they started hosting a regular community prayer meeting of their own. Participants in other neighborhoods found the experience to be rewarding and said it was a great chance to share their faith with those who live next door to them.

July 31, 2020
Saddleback Celebrates Summer Interns

Throughout the past few months, Saddleback interns have faced a unique challenge of learning the ins and outs of ministry while simultaneously adjusting to the changes caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Despite these difficulties, our interns have been thriving during this season and have made a big impact on our church community.

This week, our church celebrated National Intern Day by hosting a drive-thru tailgate ceremony. The goal was to make sure our interns felt loved, valued, and recognized for the vital work they’ve done during this pandemic. Those who attended received an internship certificate, Saddleback pin and stickers, and some sweet treats.

The 2020 summer internship program at Saddleback has looked like no other, but these students said “yes” to serving in the midst of a lot of changes and unknowns. In total, 17 interns from three countries spent the last few months adjusting to a remote internship experience. All of them have shown creativity and innovation as our church learns new ways to serve others while adhering to stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines.

“Our interns are amazing and have led our church with an incredible level of maturity, flexibility, and positivity during the pandemic,” said Lisa Birle, Saddleback Intern Program Minister. “I have learned so much from them this summer as they’ve served our church and community with the love of Christ.”

July 24, 2020
High School Ministry Hosts ‘Summer Nights’ at Saddleback Lake Forest

Over the past few months, every ministry at Saddleback has needed to make big adjustments in order to adapt to stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines — and that includes our High School Ministry (HSM).

One of the biggest highlights of the year for our high school students is a five day sleep-away summer camp at Biola University. While the annual trip was cancelled this year due to COVID-19, HSM leaders came up with a safe alternative called Summer Nights.

The first two nights of the event were for freshmen and sophomores, who were separated by grade level at different locations on our Lake Forest campus. The following two nights were for juniors and seniors, who did the same thing.

Every student was given their own lawn chair, which they were allowed to bring home at the end of the event. Masks were required at all times except when eating, and students were asked to adhere to social distancing standards.

With those guidelines in place, our high school students were able to gather together in a safe way and dive deeper into their faith. They worshipped with one another and heard from speakers who taught about the Holy Spirit and revival.

Students met for three hours both evenings and had a chance to break into small groups at various times. This was a powerful time of connection for everyone who attended.

When they went home after the first night, students were given a morning session to do on their own before coming back for the second evening. Our leaders were pleased to find out that many students decided to meet with their small groups through Zoom and discuss the morning session with one another.

When they gathered together again for the second night of the event, students had the opportunity to talk about the role of the Holy Spirit and revival in their personal lives. It was a powerful night, and it was clear that God was working in the hearts of our high school students.

After the event, HSM leaders heard from a number of parents and students who talked about the change that occurred in their lives and how they have renewed hope and faith in Jesus. A number of students also decided to get involved in other ministries, and several have signed up to volunteer at Saddleback’s grocery distribution events as a result of HSM Summer Nights.

July 22, 2020
Saddleback Small Groups Gives Woman Renewed Hope

In these trying and uncertain times, many members of Saddleback Small Groups have been thriving. They have been able to grow closer to God and support each other throughout the COVID-19 crisis because Jesus is at the center of every relationship that is built in our small groups.

We recently heard from a woman who said that Saddleback saved her life and gave her renewed hope in the midst of an incredibly difficult season of life. Her husband is paralyzed, unable to speak, and lives in a nursing home. When the pandemic first hit, the woman spent so much time caring for her husband, she began to feel isolated and alone. A therapist recommended that she join some sort of group.

She started looking for a club or support group to join but did not feel led to join any of the ones she found until she watched one of Pastor Rick’s sermons online. She absolutely loved it and decided she wanted to join our church family. She was plugged into a number of small groups and took Class 101. Now, instead of feeling isolated and alone, she feels loved and supported.

“My whole perspective on life changed after the first group,” she said. “I don’t know if I would have made it if it wasn't for these small groups.”

The woman’s therapist told her that, in order to have a good life you need someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to. She said she found all three of those things through Saddleback.

July 20, 2020
College Ministry ‘Car Camp’ Draws Dozens to Church Parking Lot for Retreat

Saddleback’s College Ministry (CM) exists to meet the unique needs of students through a variety of experiences that help them grow closer to God and one another. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the ministry’s leaders have been finding creative ways to make sure college students can still have those experiences.

The CM annual summer retreat is a life-changing event for our young adults, so our church made sure it still happened during this pandemic. Rather than traveling to Palm Springs where the retreat has previously been held, about 150 students met on two consecutive nights in a parking lot at our Lake Forest campus for Car Camp.

Throughout the course of the two-night camp, students worshipped together, heard from a number of speakers, played games, and even met in small groups — all while social distancing. The CM team carefully crafted every aspect of the camp to ensure that students could safely fellowship with one another and grow in their faith while adhering to state guidelines regarding COVID-19.

Here’s how it worked: Students who attended Car Camp started at a drive-thru check-in, where they received a booklet, t-shirt, as well as food. They were also asked to stay in their cars unless they needed to use the restroom. Anyone who was out of their car was required to wear a mask and socially distance from others at all times. With those guidelines in place, students were able to stay in their cars and enjoy interactive worship services that were broadcast on a radio channel so they could tune in to the message. They also had a chance to reflect on what they learned during tailgate groups where people stayed six feet apart from one another while wearing masks.

Several students shared about gnawing hurts in their lives, depression, abuse in homes, as well as financial struggles their families are facing. They were able to talk through these struggles, learn to trust God, and lean on each other for support during these trying times.

July 17, 2020
Saddleback’s Disability Ministry Empowering Children

Throughout the course of the COVID-19 crisis, Saddleback ministries have been finding creative ways to meet the needs of their communities. This past week, our church’s Disability Ministry held a drive-thru event for the families they serve.

Those who attended were given an in-home summer program called “Yes, You Can.” Nearly 50 families came to Saddleback Lake Forest to receive a copy of the program, which teaches kids that, even when the world is full of people saying, “No, you can’t,” God is telling them, “Yes, you can.”

The children who received this program have been told they can’t go to school right now, they can’t go to the park to play for several months, and they can’t be with their friends until this crisis is behind us. Many of them have also been told they may never walk or even talk. The week-long program shares how God has historically used people who were told “no” to do amazing things for his kingdom. Families from as far as Chino drove to Orange County to participate in the drive-thru event, be with their church leaders, and receive the curriculum.

One family that attended shared that, despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 crisis, the time in quarantine has been a blessing to them in some ways. They explained how attending church in-person can occasionally be difficult because they have a child who is on the autism spectrum. Being able to utilize online videos provided by Saddleback Kids has allowed the family and their child to worship together like never before.

Another family with three children who are involved with Saddleback’s Disability Ministry was running late to the drive thru, but the leaders of the ministry knew they were coming and waited outside in the summer heat until they arrived. As the family pulled into the parking lot, our staff members and volunteers cheered and many of them cried as they finally had a chance to see the children with whom they had worked for several years prior to statewide stay-at-home orders.

Often it’s said when you try to give back to God, he ends up blessing you even more. This event not only blessed the families served by Saddleback’s Disability Ministry, it was also a huge encouragement to those who lead the ministry.

July 13, 2020 
Online Class 101 Allows New Member to Join Saddleback Family from Canada

While it’s been several months since our Saddleback family has been able to meet together on weekends, our church family hasn’t stopped growing. Lives are being changed, people are being baptized, and many have become Saddleback members during the COVID-19 crisis.

One person who recently became a member is a woman named Jen who lives in Canada. Jen was born blind and raised in a rural part of India until she was abandoned as a young child. She was eventually adopted by a Canadian family and began a new life. Over the years, she has overcome countless hurdles in life to succeed in her career.

As her success grew, Jen felt like something was missing, and that's when God brought two Saddleback members into her life. She met the couple while attending a conference in the United States, shared her story with them, and decided to go through The Purpose Driven Life with the couple.

Jen started listening to Saddleback sermons online while reading Pastor Rick’s book with the couple. Her faith grew immensely during that time, and she made the decision to be baptized. She was able to do so at Saddleback Lake Forest earlier this year while visiting Southern California prior to the pandemic.

The COVID-19 crisis hit shortly after Jen was baptized, and much of our church life transitioned online, including Class 101. Because of that, Jen was recently able to become an official Saddleback member after attending the online membership class.

She is absolutely thrilled to have joined our church family during this crisis and plans on taking Class 201 soon as she can to continue growing in her faith.

July 1, 2020     
Saddleback Irvine South Chinese Venue Hosts Online Parenting Seminar

When stay-at-home orders were issued in March, families throughout Orange County and the rest of the country were forced to rethink every aspect of their daily lives. Kids began online learning while parents started working from home. As a result, family members have been spending a lot of time together.

For some people, the new experiences brought on by quarantine have led to families bonding and growing closer to one another. For others, it has presented real challenges and has led to conflict in the home. Some parents in our Saddleback family have been struggling to keep kids occupied during this difficult season. For some children, adjusting to new routines has been difficult, which has led to a rise in problematic behaviors.

Over the past few months, leaders of the Chinese Venue at Saddleback Irvine South have been hearing from a number of parents who have been struggling to navigate new family challenges, so they decided to minister these parents who are in need. The Chinese Venue decided to team up with a couple of other local organizations including the OC Chinese Ladies Group and Beckman High Chinese Parent Association to hold an online Zoom parenting seminar called “The Challenge of Parent-Child Relationships During the Pandemic.”

The seminar was conducted in Mandarin for the benefit of those who are non-English speaking, as well as those who speak English as a second language. It was led by a Saddleback member and Christian counselor, Ms. Weihong Cai, who specializes in cross-cultural education as well as marriage and family counseling.

The response to the online event was unexpected and overwhelming, with more than 130 parents participating in the conference. Many of them said how grateful they were for the opportunity to learn how to communicate, manage, and defuse family tension and conflict during the pandemic.

As this crisis continues, Saddleback ministries, including the Irvine South Chinese Venue, will continue to look for more opportunities to help parents and other groups of people who need help navigating this stressful period of life.

June 5, 2020    
Small Group “Saves Member’s Life” After He Contracts COVID-19

We were made to do life together — that’s one of the many reasons this pandemic has been so difficult. Society as a whole has had to find new ways of interacting, either virtually or from a distance. Not all relationships and friendships have survived stay-at-home orders. But those that have are growing stronger.

Despite these challenges, Saddleback small groups have been thriving during this season of life because of the authentic, Christ-centered relationships that have been built. Our small group members have been looking out and caring for one another, which has lightened some of the burden of this pandemic.

In late April, one of our small group members started feeling ill. His symptoms were numerous and severe. As the man’s health rapidly declined, he let his small group know what was happening through their group text.

“My small group didn’t just act, they truly and immediately mobilized,” he said. “Heaven was bombarded by prayers for my recovery. [One member] provided everything I needed to monitor my condition, others hit the road, buying and delivering everything I needed from the store. Calls and texts constantly reminded me I was loved and not alone.”

Unfortunately, the man’s condition continued to get worse, and he realized he was in need of critical care. One member of the group, who had provided him with equipment to monitor his condition, called 911 on his behalf and made arrangements for him to be taken to the hospital.

The man was hospitalized for a week with COVID-19, pneumonia in both lungs, and respiratory failure. As the medical staff cared for him, he continued receiving calls and texts from his small group.

“Upon release from the hospital, I didn’t want to ask [my small group] for help. They’d done so much already,” he said. “Then one brother finally got through to me, saying ‘Don’t steal my joy!’ I realized then, at a deep level, that they all wanted to help me.”

Everything the man needed was bought and delivered to his home. There were more calls, texts of comfort, and prayer.

The man said that his small group is like a family to him, and he believes they played a massive role in saving his life — but that family didn’t form overnight.

“Over the past decade we’ve each invested our time, energy, and trust,” he said. “We’ve shared our deepest hurts with the unshakable confidence that it is safe to do so within the group. We have a vast number of ‘war stories’ where we’ve found victory together — and other battles that we’re still fighting alongside one another.”

May 28, 2020   
Woman Flees Domestic Violence, Finds Hope at Saddleback

Saddleback has been growing since this pandemic first hit the United States. We have seen God bring so many people to our church during this time. Some people were brought here so they could serve our community members who are in need, while others were brought to our church to be served because they are in need.

In mid-March, a woman began watching Saddleback services online after moving to California to flee a domestic abuse situation. She drove across the country by herself and relocated to a safe area where she once lived, which also happens to be near one of our campuses. A friend of hers encouraged her to get plugged in to our online campus right away.

During a recent online message, the woman heard Pastor Rick mention our Drive-Thru Communion event. She started thinking about all of the recent changes and hardships in her life and felt God calling her to attend Communion. She decided she would show up at the Saddleback campus near her new home.

The woman had an opportunity to connect with the campus pastor and share her story at the Communion event. The two spent some time praying together and traded contact information before she received bread and juice.

Shortly after the event, the campus pastor received an email from the woman. She wanted to know if Saddleback could recommend a Christian counselor because she had decided to take a brave step toward beginning therapy. She also asked about how to get involved in a small group and how to begin serving at our grocery distribution events, and she inquired about joining other ministries as well. The campus pastor was beyond thrilled to help the woman get more involved with our church and point her toward Saddleback’s mental health resources.

We know that God brought this woman to Saddleback so our church family could help her in a time of need. We also believe that he brought her here so she can eventually do the same for someone else.

May 26, 2020  
Small Group Helps Meet the Needs of an Entire Apartment Complex

There are needs all around us during this global pandemic. So many people have been impacted in so many different ways. Our communities are hurting, but our members are stepping up to help meet the needs of those around them.

A Saddleback staff member, who also happens to work as a resident manager at an apartment complex in Dana Point, recently reached out to all of the tenants in her complex to see if they had any needs during this time. She quickly learned that many of her neighbors were struggling. Eight of the units in her building responded saying they were in need of food and supplies.

Saddleback Rancho Capistrano stepped up to help. Another staff member working to connect volunteers with those who are in need found out about the situation at the apartment complex and notified members of a Saddleback small group who live in that area.

The small group worked together to gather all of the food and supplies that the tenants were in need of and delivered them to the apartment complex. The residents were overwhelmed with the generous gift that came at a much needed time in their lives.

A few weeks have passed since that first drop-off, and the small group has remained in touch with the tenants. Not only are our members still delivering food and supplies on a weekly basis, they are building authentic relationships with the residents. Some of the tenants are now getting involved with Saddleback and want to find ways that they can help others through our church.

Time and time again during this crisis, we have seen God use just one person — in this case the property manager — to spark a movement of love and generosity. The ripple effect is impacting more people than that one person could have ever imagined.

May 22, 2020 
Men’s Ministry Small Group Triples in Size, 8 Countries Represented in Group

During this global pandemic, Saddleback Church has seen people from all over the country and the world tune into our online services and join our virtual small groups. Even though the church isn’t meeting in person, it’s still growing.

Prior to the pandemic, a group of roughly 15 guys met at our Lake Forest campus every Friday morning to take part in a Saddleback Men’s Ministry small group. Over the course of the past two months, that group has tripled in size and has had to splinter off into multiple subgroups.

Previously, the group consisted solely of men from Orange County, but the recent growth includes guys who do not live in Southern California. In fact, God has brought together a group of men from a total of eight countries: Indonesia, Thailand, Switzerland, Sweden, Australia, Canada, South Korea, and the United States. Additionally, there are men from 10 different states who are part of the group.

One man who lives in Queens, New York, decided to join the Men’s Ministry group after watching Pastor Rick’s Easter message online. He works in the medical field in a region of the country that has been hit hard by the virus. He said it feels like a war zone in his city, but being able to fellowship with other Christian men from around the country has been a source of strength and encouragement.

Another man in the group, who lives in Southern California, said he sees this as just one of the many ways God is bringing good out of a devastating situation.

“These men are authentic followers of Jesus,” he said, “and we have all fallen in brotherly love with each other — something that would not have happened if it were not for this pandemic and this age of technology.”

He said the group is tightly wound together in Christ, and they plan to continue meeting together well after this crisis passes. They are looking forward to the day when some of them can meet together in person again, and are brainstorming ways for those who live outside of Southern California to continue meeting with them virtually.

May 21, 2020  
COVID-19 Can’t Stop Communion

On Tuesday night of this week, one of the most significant events in Saddleback history took place. Hundreds upon hundreds of cars entered into the parking lots of our campuses to take part in the church’s first-ever Drive-Thru Communion event.

As cars moved forward through the lines, many of our volunteers noticed that drivers and passengers were already moved to tears. Our staff members counted a total of roughly 1,800 cars across, many of which were filled with entire families. Every encounter was incredibly meaningful, and our staff members as well as volunteers were able to capture a few of the most powerful stories from the event.

One man who showed up to receive Communion was on his way home in a work truck, when he saw one of our volunteers on the street corner waving a sign and greeting cars as they entered the parking lot. The man felt a nudge to check out the event and was immediately moved to tears. The staff member who spoke with him said the man’s hands were locked on the steering wheel as he gazed ahead and wept. He shared that while he regularly attends a different church, Saddleback was filling a massive void in his life by hosting the Drive-Thru Communion. He was so thankful our church would allow others from the community to take part in the event.

Saddleback Irvine South Pastor Kyung Lee said he was so excited to see the dozens of people who came to that campus, he “needed to hug something.” Because of social distancing standards, Pastor Kyung decided to hug the hood of each car that pulled into the parking lot. There were a few people who showed up on bicycles, and even one person on roller skates, who all had the opportunity to take part in Communion, as well.

At another campus, a young woman showed up asking for five sets of bread and juice. The Saddleback team member who interacted with her found out she planned to bring the items home so she could partake in Communion with her roommates. When she was asked if she needed prayer for anything, she began crying and explained how she had just lost her job. We were able to pray with her in her time of need.

One of our volunteers brought their 5th grade daughter with her to the event. As the young girl watched her mom give Communion to the drivers, she asked what Communion was all about. They were able to talk about the significance of the elements, and she got to take Communion for the first time in our parking lot.

Another staff member said that a woman, whom he has known for about a decade, pulled up in his line. Over the years, this staff member has walked alongside her as she battled cancer, family difficulties, and other health ailments. The two prayed together before she took Communion. She later texted him saying how she was moved to tears thinking about how the same pastor who supported her through so many difficult life circumstances was there for her once again and able to serve her Communion during a pandemic.

Time and time again, people told our staff and volunteers that “this event was so needed.” Pastor Rick said it showed him “just how much people love their church.”

May 18, 2020 
College Small Group Feeds 150+ People Weekly

Throughout the course of the COVID-19 crisis, Saddleback volunteers as well as members of Saddleback small groups have put their God-given talents and abilities to use so they can serve those who are in need. One of the biggest hardships we have seen during this pandemic is the fact that some people have been struggling to feed their families due to new financial burdens.

Not only have we given food to tens of thousands of people through our grocery distribution events, Saddleback has provided hot meals to hundreds of families thanks to one of our members and a group of guys from Saddleback’s College Ministry.

Chip Bragg is a longtime volunteer at Saddleback who leads several small groups. He is also a professional caterer who regularly employs high school and college students. When the crisis hit, Chip decided to combine his passion for cooking, his love of serving others, and his heart for students to care for those who are in need.

Every Wednesday, Chip and his college group meet at the Refinery Grill, a cooking facility at Saddleback Lake Forest, to prepare and package more than 150 hot meals. They work in tandem with staff members to determine who needs the meals.

The small group then teams up with other Saddleback volunteers to drive the food to families in need and leave it at their doorstep. Each meal from the Dine-in Dinner Ministry comes with an encouraging note as well as disposable plates and silverware so the recipients don’t even have to worry about doing the dishes.

Chip has not only been able to bless hundreds of people in need of a meal through this ministry, he has also taught a group of young men from Saddleback two invaluable skills: how to love others through service and how to cook an awesome meal.

May 11, 2020
Saddleback Campuses Celebrate Moms

For 40 years, Saddleback has been a church that loves to party — no pandemic can change that, especially when it comes to Mother’s Day. This past weekend, many of our campuses came up with creative ways to celebrate all of the moms in our communities while staying safe and healthy.

On Saturday, Saddleback Anaheim had roughly 50 volunteers show up to create a drive-thru parade for the moms who attend that campus and all the other mothers in their community.

Roughly 300 moms came to the event with their families, leading to a total of about 1,000 people attending the celebration. There was a massive balloon arch that cars drove through to kick off the celebration. Saddleback staff members and volunteers lined the parade route with posters containing encouraging and affirming messages for moms.

There were a few different stations that cars were able to drive up to including an ice cream area, a car craft for kids, as well as a special gift section for all the mothers. There was music playing the whole time and smiling faces everywhere you looked.

Campus Pastor Kyle Cleveland said there were a number of mothers who attended the drive-thru parade and were moved to tears because they had missed their church family so much during this difficult season.

“We haven’t seen our church family in person and face-to-face for two months,” he said. “This was a way to see our church members and celebrate our moms. Even though it was through a car window, it was still so meaningful.

Pastor Cleveland said the event was such a success and so impactful, the campus plans to host similar events for upcoming holidays as the church continues to navigate this crisis together.

May 8, 2020
Care Caller and Care Kit Deliverer Team Up to Serve a Woman in Need

Since the start of this pandemic, Saddleback's team of Care Callers have been working to make sure our church family and our community members know that they are loved and cared for during this seemingly lonely season of life.

Care Callers are making real connections and developing authentic relationships with people on a daily basis. They are there to meet people's emotional and spiritual needs and also find out what their physical needs are so our church can provide them with food and supplies.

A few weeks ago, one of our Care Callers named Lorna got in contact with a woman who is at a high risk for contracting COVID-19 because of her age. The two made a genuine connection as they spoke at length over the phone. Lorna said she just felt a nudge towards the woman.

A week after that conversation took place, a volunteer named Nancy was assigned to deliver a Care Kit to the same woman. It turns out Nancy and Lorna are in the same small group. They put two and two together and felt so blessed to have been able to take part in caring for the woman.

Nancy and Lorna have remained in contact with the woman and recently surprised her with flowers and groceries on her birthday. It meant the world to the woman as well as to Nancy and Lorna. It is clear that God placed these women in each other's lives for a reason just as he has done with so many others in our community during this time of need.

April 21, 2020  
Care Callers Comfort the Vulnerable

When statewide Stay-at-Home orders were issued in California more than a month ago, Saddleback staff members and volunteers launched a number of ministries to meet the various needs of our communities. Since the beginning of this crisis, it was clear to our church that people would need human connection, especially those who are at a high risk of contracting COVID-19 and can’t leave their homes in any capacity. Saddleback’s solution was Care Calls.

Our Care Callers have been working on a daily basis to contact people who are stuck inside their homes and struggling with feelings of loneliness and isolation. We are also meeting people’s spiritual needs through prayer and finding out what their physical needs are so other ministries can deliver food and supplies to them. These calls have been life changing and life giving to those who have been contacted by our team of Care Callers.

One volunteer shared that they reached out to a 61-year-old man who had a stroke three months ago which impacted his speech and use of his left arm. Our team member found out that the man had worked as a caregiver in an elderly facility for 20 years prior to his stroke. The owner is allowing him to live there temporarily, but he is struggling to pay for meals because he is no longer working. While the two were on the phone, our volunteer filled out a Care Kit delivery form for the man and had it sent to the facility. During a follow-up conversation, the Care Caller said the man sounded much more hopeful about his future. He was so happy with the food and supplies we sent to him, and he was appreciative that we cared enough to reach out to him multiple times.

Another Care Caller shared that they contacted a woman who was facing some very serious emotional and relational struggles during this time. Her husband had just returned home from rehab before the pandemic hit. They both had been in counseling, but that is mostly on hold for them during this crisis. The woman told our team member that the isolation of being home together is setting off old triggers for the couple. She also said they are facing employment and financial issues. Our volunteer was able to pray with the woman and then connect her with a number of mental health and financial resources at Saddleback as well as Celebrate Recovery and our small groups.

We heard from another woman who has been helping make Care Calls to a nurse at Mission Hospital treating COVID-19 patients. When the two were on the phone together, our volunteer explained that she could hear the exhaustion in the nurse’s voice. She was able to encourage the woman, and the two spent some time in prayer together. This was not a one-time contact. Our team member now calls her new friend at least once a week to check in, encourage her and her team of medical professionals, and pray together.

April 14, 2020
Saddleback Small Groups Thriving During Pandemic

Fellowship is crucial to the life of any church, and our members at Saddleback value authentic community. While many people struggled with fears of isolation at the start of the COVID-19 crisis, we have seen Saddleback members thrive and build deeper relationships with one another and with God because of our small groups.

Our church has more than 9,000 small groups and the number of people in those groups continues to grow even though they cannot meet together in person. Following our Easter services, we saw more than 1,200 people sign up to join a small group. We’ve already heard from a number of those new group members. One of them told our staff it was so encouraging to feel like they were part of a community in this time where human interaction is so limited, and they really enjoyed seeing new faces over Zoom and FaceTime.

Some of our existing small groups have found ways to serve together while maintaining social distancing standards and abiding by local Stay-at-Home orders. One group that recently met over Zoom has been studying the biblical principle of generosity. They started brainstorming and asking questions to each other like “What are some ways we can live more generously during this crisis?”

They decided to start posting in an online neighborhood forum offering up three rolls of toilet paper to elderly residents in their communities. The small group donated their own supplies and was able to serve those in need together.

One recipient of the group's gift is a senior who needs hip replacement surgery and cannot leave her home to get supplies. She was so grateful for the toilet paper and for the care she received from our members. The group plans to continue serving their neighbors during this pandemic and they are thinking of new ways to invite others to watch Saddleback services online.

April 10, 2020
Acts of Service Spread Far Beyond Saddleback

Over the past few weeks, we have seen God use our church family to spread hope and love throughout Southern California and the world. Saddleback has mobilized thousands of members and volunteers to serve those who are in need during this global pandemic and be a light in a very dark world. We have been blown away by the creative and bold ways people have been serving their communities and inspiring others to do the same.

Last weekend many of our Junior High Ministry (JHM) kids took part in a serve day by coming up with their own unique ways to care for those around them. One student named Jaia wanted to find a way to encourage her neighbors when they leave their homes to go for a walk. She found inspiration through a craft she used to do with her grandmother and decided to paint Bible verses on rocks that she placed around her community. She believes Jesus wants her to spread hope during this time and displaying the painted rocks is a simple way to do that.

Other students used chalk to cover their neighborhoods with encouraging messages, and some left notes around their home to make sure their parents and siblings know how appreciated they are during this crisis.

While some members like our JHM students have been serving from home, hundreds upon hundreds of volunteers have been in the field helping our church provide groceries to thousands of people at our drive-thru food pantries, deliver Care Kits to those in need, and make Care Calls to those who are at a high risk of contracting COVID-19.

Word is spreading about our efforts, and people are coming from all over the country to help out. When a young woman living in Texas named Kendall found out her community was being placed under stay at home orders, she bought a one-way ticket to California so she could serve alongside our church family. She knew she could be mobile since her church and job were moving online . Kendall is staying with extended family members who attend Saddleback and are volunteering with us in a number of different ways.

Saddleback’s drive-thru food pantries, which have fed more than 30,000 people, have become a model for churches and small groups throughout the country. We recently received a message from a youth group in Georgia that was inspired by our efforts to safely feed those in need. They were able to set up their own drive-thru food pantry and maintain social distancing standards while providing groceries for their most vulnerable community members.

We are seeing how God is using Saddleback to reach people and communities we never expected to during this time. It is clear that this is a movement and Saddleback is on the front lines.

April 8, 2020
Small Group Supports Members Through Communication and Compassion

With thousands upon thousands of Saddleback members spread across Southern California and the world, our small groups have played a pivotal role in the church’s effort to make sure our members are getting their needs met during this global pandemic.

Since the COVID-19 crisis hit Orange County, one small group decided to start meeting virtually two times each week. They know that communication is key during a crisis, and it can be comforting to those who feel scared and alone.

Everyone in the group watches the weekend message by 10:00 AM on Sundays. Then they all log on to their phones or computer for a video call where they encourage one another and pray.

On Wednesdays, the group does the same thing at 6:30 PM. They also discuss the weekend sermon and how to apply the message to their lives. This week they’ll be switching to our Talk It Over curriculum.

During the week, two members of the small group go shopping for elderly neighbors while another makes weekly food donations to Saddleback’s PEACE Center. Everyone in the group has also made a commitment to call each other at least one time on a day they are not “meeting” together. Two of the group members live alone, so everyone else is touching base with them more frequently. Another member of the small group, who is a widow, has been going on daily walks with a friend from the group while observing social distancing standards by staying six feet apart and wearing a mask.

When one member is feeling down, other members are in a place to encourage them — the next week it might be the other way around. The vast majority of their time in self-isolation has been spent encouraging one another, meeting each other’s needs, and lifting up our church family in prayer. The group told our staff that they are doing all of this because they know it’s what God has asked them to do, and they feel blessed to be able to lean on each other in these difficult times.

March 31, 2020
Workplace Small Group Continues Despite Unemployment

The COVID-19 crisis has negatively impacted many of our church family members in a number of ways — including financially. At the same time, we have seen it strengthen the faith of those same members who are putting all of their trust in God to provide for them and deliver them from these uncertain times.

Saddleback Small Groups are keeping our members connected and growing closer to Jesus during this pandemic. Prior to the virus crisis reaching Orange County, one of our members started a workplace small group during our most recent campaign, Time to Dream: Trusting God to Open Doors.

There was incredible spiritual momentum in the group. Since it started in January, two members accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior for the first time, and three others recommitted their lives to Christ. Sadly, the leader of this workplace small group was laid off from her job due to COVID-19 related cutbacks.

Even though the leader no longer works for the organization that the workplace small group was based out of, she has decided to continue leading it during her time of unemployment. In a message to our staff, she said encouraging things continue to happen in her group, and she hopes her story encourages others to keep walking in faith even when times are tough.

March 27, 2020
Saddleback Kids Spread Care and Compassion

During this crisis, Saddleback has launched a number of ministries and mobilized hundreds upon hundreds of healthy volunteers, all for the purpose of meeting the needs of the sick and vulnerable. We have also been encouraged to see so many of our Saddleback families leverage this time to serve others in their own way. Our students and kids have been spreading the love of Jesus throughout their communities and making an impact on people’s lives that will last far longer than the COVID-19 crisis will last.

One family with three children wanted to bless a Saddleback Kids leader who has served our church for more than two decades. Over the years, that leader taught all three children. She is now self-quarantined and unable to leave her house because she is losing her eyesight. The family decided to go to the store and pick up a bag of groceries for the woman and set them on her porch. Then, they called the SK leader and asked her to look out her front window. She was absolutely ecstatic as the kids chatted with her from their car — the company was needed just as much as the groceries were.

Another Kids Small Groups family has been meeting the practical and personal needs of those in their community who are considered high risk during this pandemic. The parents and kids worked together to reach out to their elderly neighbors by dropping off paper products at their homes. Not only did each neighbor receive a roll of paper towels and a roll of toilet paper, they also got a personalized handmade card from the kids filled with love and encouragement.

We are even seeing some of the youngest members of our church take steps to meet the needs of others, like one of our kids from Saddleback Rancho Capistrano who created her own care packages for children who are in need and stuck at home. She made sure to include bubbles and candy in each kit, and she prayed for all the kids who would receive her gift.

March 24, 2020
Saddleback San Diego Members Mobilize to Minister to Neighbors

During this unprecedented crisis, we’ve heard from a number of our members who have found various ways to spread hope and love rather than fear and division. One small group from Saddleback San Diego has been working to make sure their elderly and vulnerable neighbors know they are not alone.

Members of the group started dropping off cards in their respective neighborhoods, offering to pick up groceries or medicine for those over 70 years old. It quickly became an evangelism tool as many people called to let our members know how much they appreciated the offer.

One woman said the card brought tears to her eyes because she didn’t know anyone in the neighborhood — it sparked a great conversation. There was another person who called just to say she was so moved by what our members were doing. Many people called and gave their name, phone number, and address. The small group plans to keep in touch with these people on a weekly basis. They are holding onto the biblical truth that the world will know they are Christians by their love.

March 20, 2020
COVID-19 Can’t Keep Kids and Students From Connecting

When news came that our Saddleback Kids Small Groups (KSG) could no longer meet in person, our church jumped into action to make sure more than 1,600 children still had a chance to build authentic relationships with one another. KSG switched to Zoom meetings, and the results were fantastic! The kids were laughing and joyful to see each other, Bible studies were still taught, and prayers were still shared — just digitally.

Those involved in our Junior High Ministry (JHM) and High School Ministry (HSM) Life Groups have also been meeting virtually during the COVID-19 crisis.

With universities moving to online-only classes, a lot of our college students have moved back home and are craving connection. Since this crisis began, we have seen several new College Ministry (CM) Life Groups created. We are discovering that nothing will stop the younger members of Saddleback from connecting with each other and God.

March 19, 2020
Fighting Fear Together

Our more than 9,000 Saddleback Small Groups are coming together like never before during this crisis. One group that began meeting over Zoom decided to start using our church’s“Talk It Over” materials.When they first met, anxieties were high and many felt overwhelmed about the virus as well as the daily challenges and changes they were facing. After just one virtual meeting, members of the group have seen answers to prayer, obstacles removed from their daily lives, and they feel they’re in a better position to help others. In fact, they’re now helping other small groups set up online video meetings!