WHY SOUTH LA?
*LA County has over 10 million people
* #10 on Forbes World’s Most Influential cities for good and bad from Hollywood to the formation of the gangs
*Worlds most religiously pluralist metropolitan
*92% of residents are not affiliated with an evangelical church
South LA, particularly in proximity to USC, is an increasingly diverse context that is intertwined in new and unique ways. In
such a changing context of South LA where USC students live in the same neighborhoods as long-standing families, where gangs claim their hood next to the recreation centers and communities, where great resources exist right in the context and in proximity to extreme poverty, and where ethnic and racial tension abounds we sense a deepnburden to see a church arise that reflects the powerful work of the gospel to join our great God and Savior in what He is doing in South LA. CORE VALUES:
We are moved by 5 distinct values:
Christ-centeredness (Col. 1:16)
We deeply value the centrality of Jesus Christ as the one to whom all Scripture points (Lk 24:27, Jn. 5:39) and the one in and through Him all things find their redemptive purpose (Col. 1:16, Eph. 1:10). Commitment (Acts 2:42)
We deeply value commitment to the Lord, His Word, His Church, and His Mission. Community of Diversity (Acts 2:44-46, Acts 13)
We deeply value the call to function as a new community in Christ that portrays His redemptive work among radically different people whose common bond is in Christ. Conversions (Acts 2:47)
We deeply value seeing the gospel bear fruit not just in the lives of followers of Christ, but also those who do not yet know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (Matt. 28:16-20). Culturally Relevant Ministry (1 Chron. 12:32, 1 Cor. 9, Matt. 28:16-20)
We value communicating the timeless gospel through the cultural forms of our South LA context in ways where it can be understood and disciples can be made.
