ABOUT RISE CITY

Encounter Jesus
Experience Life

Learn more about who we are and what we believe.

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In 2013, 4 families moved from the midwest to San Diego to start Rise City Church.

We started in 2013 with a dream that we could be a place where disconnected people could find connection to Jesus and others. We prayed that this church would be a place for people to come and experience love, life, hope and healing in Jesus’ name.

Our desire is to create opportunities for everyone to grow in their relationship with Christ, as well as to partner with families to help raise kids who love Jesus. Whether it’s on Sunday mornings here at Rise City, online, in homes throughout the week, or other opportunities – there is a place at Rise City for you!

OUR VISION

To be a church that sees people Encounter Jesus and Experience Life to the fullest

Our vision as a church is to be a community of people who are used by God to help others meet Jesus, learn to follow him closely, and in turn find the amazing life he said he came to bring us.

OUR CALL TO ACTION

Wake Up, Rise & Shine. Wake Up to Jesus, Rise to Life & Shine to Others.

We want to be a church that calls those far from God draw near to him, to see people grow and live out amazing life God created them to experience and to realize they can be used by God to help others do the same, in other words – to  Wake Up to Jesus, Rise to Life in Him and Shine to others.

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”  Ephesians 5:14

Our Values

These 5 core values reflect our priorities and the way in which we go about fulfilling our vision.

1

PEOPLE are the MISSION

Jesus tells us that the greatest two commandments are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul & mind and to love your neighbor as yourself. Because of this, our church will always be a people who are LOVING & LIFE-GIVING to the world around us. We believe that true life begins with Jesus, and one encounter with Him can change everything. We are passionate about giving everyone the opportunity to say YES to Jesus and start a lifelong journey of following Him!
(Matt. 22:36-40, Proverbs 16:3, John 3:16)
2

GROWTH is our PURSUIT

The great commission instructs us to go into all the world and make disciples. As a church, we are committed to DISCIPLESHIP & GROWTH for every believer. Whether you have been following Jesus for 5 minutes or 50 years, we believe that there is always room for growth. This journey of faith happens one step at a time over a lifetime.
(Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 8:34, Hebrews 12:1-3)
3

GENEROSITY is our CULTURE

Generosity is about giving more than what is required. We're generous with our time, talents, and treasure. We know that God has given richly to us, and it's our honor to give back to him. Not only do we call our people to live a generous life, but as a church, we commit to giving generously to the world around us.
(Hebrews 13:16, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Proverbs 11:24)
4

SERVING is our CALLING

Everyone who calls Rise City home plays a necessary role in what the Lord is doing in and through our church. Jesus tells us the key to greatness is serving. He didn’t come to be served but to serve. In the same way, we are called to serve the world around us. All believers are designed with specific and unique giftings given by God, and serving is one of the ways we partner with Jesus to bring HOPE & HEALING to our world.
(Luke 22:24-27, Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 25:31-36)
5

UNITY is our SPIRIT

Jesus’s church has been marked by unity since day one. Therefore, unity is at the heart of everything we do. We believe EVERY GATHERING MATTERS, and God moves powerfully in a church that is united for His purposes. As a church, we will stand united in our passion for God, our love for one another, and our calling to make Him known in our world.
(Psalm 133, Acts 2:1, Hebrews 10:25)

Learn More About Our Beliefs

Our Staff

Bobby Harrell

Lead Pastor

Email

Pete Goodman

Executive Pastor

Mariah Sherman

Next Gen Pastor

Ben Kafer

Worship Pastor

Stephanie Leewright

Early Childhood Pastor

Anthony Hall

Student Ministry Pastor

Mike Crandall

Care Pastor

Andrea Phillips

Executive Administrator/HR/Finance

Taylor Seeger

Next Steps Coordinator

Jennifer Peterson

Student Ministry Coordinator

Christy Pietila

Kids Care Coordinator

Lindsey Nicks

Next Gen Administrative Assistant

Dawson Pietila

Worship Assistant

Greg Dailey

Custodian