"The Word of the Lord spread through the whole region… And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit." Acts 13:49,52
|
| Kip McKean – Lead Evangelist |
Welcome to the City of Angels International Christian Church! Today is an historic occasion as it marks the beginning of a new era – meeting in five regional services: North, South, East, West and Orange County! The City of Angels Church began on May 6, 2007 as a planting from Portland, Oregon with 42 disciples. For the first two and-a-half years, we have met near or in downtown Los Angeles, and our Sunday morning attendance has grown to 350! However, when we have held services by region – greatly reducing the driving distance – we have been able to serve almost 500 in attendance!
We consider ourselves a Bible Church that believes there is one true Creator God, that our Savior Jesus Christ physically resurrected from the dead, that the Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, and that only sold-out baptized disciples compose God’s Church universal. We are affiliated with the three-year-old SoldOut Discipling Movement of churches that are presently in 18 nations around the world: Australia, Chile, Curacao, Democratic Republic of Congo, El Salvador, England, Estonia, Ethiopia, Guam, India, Kenya, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Suriname, Sweden, Ukraine, as well as 14 congregations within the United States. Our movement’s collective vision is “the evangelization of the nations in this generation.” (Matthew 28:19-20) As a congregation, we are one of the primary training centers for our movement’s mission work. Already, the Spirit has sent out 61 disciples to form four church plantings – New York City, Honolulu, Portland and San Diego. We also support missionaries in Santiago, Chile.
With the recent devastation of the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti, many have asked, “What is your congregation’s response to this catastrophe?” In our family of churches, our benevolent arm is called MERCYworldwide. "MERCY" has sent large amounts of money to the families of our members, who were victims in the Haitian quake. We have also received individual donations, which we have applied to help heal the lives of many. MERCY is an acronym for “Maximizing Efforts for Relief, Care and Youth.” By working together as a movement – each Christian in every congregation is called to be a volunteer – MERCY now has projects in 18 nations “to look after orphans and widows in their distress” as well as “the poor and the alien.” (James 1:27; Exodus 23:6-9) The efforts of MERCYworldwide go hand-in-hand with our vision to change the world!
In the record of the early church, the evangelization of a region – province or territory – was accomplished by planting a group of disciples in the most influential city within that area. For example, when the church was planted in city of Pisidian Antioch, “the Word of the Lord spread through the whole region.” (Acts 13:49) Also, as the gospel was preached in Ephesus, in just “two years… all who lived in the province of Asia [today western Turkey] heard the Word of the Lord.” (Acts 19:10) Unique to our fellowship is the role of our evangelists. In the denominational world, a minister – often called a “pastor” or “priest” – is given the charge of overseeing the lives of “his flock,” his congregation.
In our fellowship, not only does the evangelist and his wife – alongside a shepherding couple – oversee the spiritual well-being of those under their charge, but their region is “the field God has assigned to them… to preach the gospel.” (2 Corinthians 10:13-16) Therefore let me share with you the geographical charge of each of the leaders of our regions.
 |
| After praying over London while on the London Eye, Michael & Michele Williamson embrace the vision to lead the London Mission Team! |
Our North Region extends from Ventura to Pasadena. [Prayerfully, by the end of the year, there will be three regions: Ventura Region – which will encompass Ventura County, the North Region – which will cover the San Fernando Valley, as well as the AMS (Arts, Media, Sports) Region – a specialized outreach to actors, singers, professional athletes and others in the entertainment business – centered in Hollywood.] This large expanse is led by the dynamic couple, Michael & Michele Williamson. They have served in the full-time ministry for less than a year, but the Lord is using these days in the North Region as a training ground for their zeal to plant a new congregation in London, England in August 2010. Excitingly this past week, the Williamsons led this year’s first Bible Talk at Cal State Northridge and had 14 visitors! Recently appointed as the Shepherding Couple for the North Region is Rob & Burgundie Onekea. Due to their cultural roots in Hawaii and their love for the Lord, this very creative couple has forged a very strong “family feeling” in the North. The North Region will meet in the Sportsmen’s Lodge on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City.
The South Region extends from the shores of Redondo Beach through Palos Verdes and Torrance and includes the great city of Long Beach. One of our most dynamic young ministers, Mike Patterson is the leader for the South Region. He is being assisted with the women’s ministry by Megan Bard of Toronto, who is also training in the ministry. They have a very lively marrieds ministry led by their passionate Shepherding Couple, Lance & Connie Underhill. Mike and Megan’s primary focus has been building the campus ministry at Cal State Long Beach, as well as Long Beach Community College. The South Region will meet on the Cal State Long Beach campus.
 |
| The East Region’s beloved Victor & Sonia Gonzalez! |
Disciples from the East Region can be found from downtown LA throughout Montebello, West Covina and Pomona, all the way to Rancho Cucamonga in the Inland Empire. We are praying that in time this region will become three regions: the Central, the East, and the Inland Empire Regions. This territory is led by the beloved Victor & Sonia Gonzalez. They have ten children, the oldest – Vic Jr. and his wife Aurora – are leading our new sister church in San Diego. The Gonzalez’s also oversee our Latin Ministry fellowship. Presently, we have Spanish-speaking House Churches in the East and Orange County Regions. Our dream is to have Spanish-speaking groups in all of our regions. The East Region Shepherding Couple is Damon & Vicki James, whose heart to help the weak is an upward call to us all. This region has both English and Spanish Bible Talks at Cal State LA and East LA College. On Sundays they will be meeting at the beautiful Almansor Court located in Alhambra.
Our West Region forms a triangle from Malibu, to Beverly Hills to Hermosa Beach. Andrew & Patrique Smellie, Lord willing the future leaders of the Johannesburg Mission Team in 2011, lead this region ably assisted by Ken & Liliana Zindler. Andrew & Patrique’s primary focus is the UCLA campus. Last Friday, Andrew began a three-part Apologetics Series on the campus where 300 enthusiastic attendees listened to every word in Andrew’s lecture, Is There A God, Or Are You An Accident? A reporter for the UCLA campus newspaper, The Bruin, was in attendance and interviewed Andrew immediately following his presentation! The region is nobly shepherded by Nick & Denise Bordieri, who are also the Directors of MERCYworldwide. On Sundays, since there is such a vibrant UCLA ministry, the West Region will meet on that breath-taking campus at the Student Activities Center.
 |
| Jay, Angie, Alonzo and Nathaniel Hernandez will leave for Hilo, Hawaii on April 4th to lead this great church! |
The Orange County Region of course reaches out to the five million people of Orange County. Raul & Lynda Moreno, former missionaries in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Venezuela, are the Evangelist and Women’s Ministry Leader for this fellowship of disciples. Through the Moreno’s leadership, we have exciting campus ministries established at Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine, Cypress College and Fullerton Junior College. Tony & Therese Untalan – former jet skiing champion and Miss Guam 1985 – were both converted in Guam. Later they became shepherds in the Portland Church, and now serve as the Shepherding Couple in the OC Region.
 |
| Congrats to the Onekea family as Rob & Burgundie were appointed the Shepherding Couple for the North Region! |
More than any of the other regions, Orange County has been a fountain of leadership: Ron & Tracy Harding (Portland), Kyle & Joan Bartholomew (Honolulu), Jay & Angie Hernandez (Hilo), Mike Underhill (New York City), Ray Underhill (San Diego), and Javier Ochoa (Santiago). The Orange County Region will meet at the Irvine Hyatt Hotel, located just off the 405 on Jamboree Boulevard.
On behalf of my wife Elena and me, who serve as the Women’s Ministry Leader and the Lead Evangelist for the City of Angels Church, we too would like to welcome you! Hopefully today you will see Jesus through the love of the disciples, the vibrancy of the singing, and the forthright preaching of God’s Word. We are praying that today changes the rest of your life! And to God be all the glory!
|  |
 |
| Nick and Denise Bordieri -- Directors of MERCYworldwide |
