Our Vision
Jesus reminds us in the Sermon on the Mount that we are called to be “a city on a hill,” an alternative community marked by radical humility, love, compassion, and a genuine concern for our neighbors. But how do we do that in a city like Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, where the idolatry of individualism, self-development, and consumerism threaten any attempt at cultivating the kind of community Jesus had in mind?
Churches have historically responded to this dilemma in one of two ways: by assimilating to the values of their city and losing their distinctiveness as followers of Jesus or by removing themselves from the city altogether and becoming fortresses that exist for themselves.
We believe Jesus had something different in mind.
God commands his people in Jeremiah 29:7, “Seek the shalom of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its shalom you will find your shalom.” There are two important truths found in this simple sentence. On one hand, it reminds us that our calling as believers is not to build something beautiful for our own sake, but rather to be sent out as witnesses to the gospel of grace, calling others into an abundant life under Christ’s reign and rule and joining God in the work he is already doing to redeem and renew that which is broken. At the same time, it also reminds us that this city isn’t our home and that our allegiances, values, and patterns of life should reflect our identity as citizens of heaven, an identity given to us by grace through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
In light of this, our vision as a church is to be a city within a city, a community transformed by the gospel, living out the life of heaven here and now.
Churches have historically responded to this dilemma in one of two ways: by assimilating to the values of their city and losing their distinctiveness as followers of Jesus or by removing themselves from the city altogether and becoming fortresses that exist for themselves.
We believe Jesus had something different in mind.
God commands his people in Jeremiah 29:7, “Seek the shalom of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its shalom you will find your shalom.” There are two important truths found in this simple sentence. On one hand, it reminds us that our calling as believers is not to build something beautiful for our own sake, but rather to be sent out as witnesses to the gospel of grace, calling others into an abundant life under Christ’s reign and rule and joining God in the work he is already doing to redeem and renew that which is broken. At the same time, it also reminds us that this city isn’t our home and that our allegiances, values, and patterns of life should reflect our identity as citizens of heaven, an identity given to us by grace through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
In light of this, our vision as a church is to be a city within a city, a community transformed by the gospel, living out the life of heaven here and now.
Our Values
People-First
We believe all people are created in the image of God and worthy of dignity, value, and respect. As a church, we are committed to making sure every person is seen, heard, and cared for in ways that honor their humanity and reflect the heart of Jesus. We will always seek to prioritize the well-being and needs of individuals over programs, structures, and stances. In a time when so many are drawing lines in the sand, we want to be a community that adopts a posture of humility, curiosity, and compassion rather than certainty and judgment. Ultimately, we believe that the way we treat others is more important to God than being right or belonging to the right group.
Authentic Relationships
We believe the key to genuine transformation does not lie in consuming more content, but in fostering deep and meaningful relationships that are rooted in honesty, vulnerability, and mutual support. Our hope is to be a community where people can bring their whole selves to God and others without fear of rejection or condemnation - where imperfections, struggles, and doubts are met with empathy, grace, and encouragement. It is only through relationships like these that we are able to live in the freedom and joy of being fully known and fully loved.
Holistic Faith
We pursue a faith that is integrated into every sphere of our lives - spiritual, physical, emotional, relational, and vocational. We do not see discipleship as the process through which a person becomes more “Christian,” but rather more human. We believe our relationship with Christ informs and transforms every area of existence, and we seek to cultivate a community that supports and nurtures people as they live out their faith in all aspects of their lives.
Missional Presence
We believe the church exists not to build something beautiful for ourselves, but to be present in the world in a way that reflects and embodies the mission of God and the heart of Christ. To this end, we seek to equip and empower all of our members to use the full range of their gifts, passions, and resources to bear witness to God’s love, justice, and truth in the places they live, work, and play. We are committed to living as people sent by God to seek the shalom of our city and world for the sake of the kingdom.