Riverside, California, is a bustling city with a population of around 330,000, making it the twelfth most populous city in the state. Here is the catch, however: it has no confessional Reformed or Presbyterian churches. And guess what? San Bernardino County, right next door, is in the same situation.

Now, let us do some math. According to national statistics, about 20% of Americans attend church regularly. If we apply that to Riverside, we would expect roughly 66,000 people to be active churchgoers. But here is the kicker: there are still 264,000 folks without a church home. That is a whole lot of people missing out on the transformative power of the gospel.

And here is the thing: many who attend church find themselves in congregations that lack a clear set of beliefs or a profound understanding of the Bible. This poses a problem because it implies they are not receiving the spiritual nourishment necessary to develop their faith.

So, what do we do about it? Well, Pastor Rudy Manrique has taken a bold step by planting The Shepherd’s Church (PCA) right in the heart of Riverside. This church is a beacon of truth and grace for our community, and it is exactly what we need–a church committed to the ordinary means of grace.

I understand firsthand the importance of finding a church that is rooted in the Bible and has a clear understanding of what it means to be a Reformed Christian. That is exactly what The Shepherd’s Church represents.

My wife and I used to be part of a church that was quite remote. I began with the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI), and they taught some unusual beliefs, particularly modalism. Thanks to God’s grace, however, we decided to explore our faith more deeply. We wanted to understand it as the apostolic fathers and the Reformers did, rather than merely pretending. We sought a faith that is genuine, not just an identity.

The Reformed tradition is like a rock-solid truth that has endured through time, unaffected by trendy notions or elaborate language. We remain unimpressed by flashy innovations or slick rhetoric. We uphold tradition without idolizing it, assessing all beliefs against the unchanging word of God. This tradition highlights God’s power, the significance of the Bible, and the necessity for clear, Christ-centered preaching. We resemble the purified catholic church but with a fresh perspective. Our faith does not hinge on a single pastor or theologian; it is rooted in the teachings of the apostles and the eternal truths of Scripture—a foundation that has stood for all eternity. We are Reformed and ever-evolving, not in response to cultural shifts but due to the living word of God. We regard ourselves not as a new Christian movement, but as the continuation of the church that began at Pentecost, remaining the most faithful to the apostles’ teachings. This resilience is what fortifies the Reformed tradition. We do not need to alter ourselves to align with the world. We uphold one faith, one Lord, and one baptism (indeed, even for infants). We love the Reformed and Presbyterian confessions of faith.

Starting a Reformed church in Riverside is super important because truth matters. I have had the pleasure of seeing Pastor Rudy’s unwavering dedication to mentoring and equipping his congregation. His commitment to loving God and serving others is exactly what our faith is all about. When I see Pastor Rudy, I see a leader who truly loves the Lord and embodies the heart of a pastor.

So, why a Reformed church in Riverside? Riverside needs the gospel. Beginning The Shepherd’s Church presents a significant opportunity to address the lack of solid teaching and biblical principles in our community. Together, we can cultivate a place where the gospel can flourish—a place that does not depend on emotionalism or showmanship. We are not aiming to be overly charismatic. We believe in what the Lord has given us: the Word and his sacraments. All we want is to fulfill the church’s vital mission of bringing the light of the gospel to the 264,000 people in Riverside through the ordinary means of grace. All glory and honor should go to the Lord, our God.

Here is how you can pray for The Shepherd’s Church:

• Pray that the Lord will continue to bless the planting work and that our congregation will grow both spiritually and numerically
• Pray that the Lord will open doors for more evangelistic opportunities
• As we look forward to becoming a particularized church, pray that the Lord will raise up men to serve as elders and deacons

For more information about The Shepherd’s Church (PCA), visit our website.

©Isaac Sandoval. All Rights Reserved.

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Post authored by:

• Isaac Sandoval

  

  Isaac Sandoval is a devoted husband, student, and aspiring seminarian with a deep love for baseball. Above all, he is a bondservant of the Lord Jesus Christ, committed to holding fast to the faith by the grace of our God. After spending years in Oneness Pentecostalism, he and his wife Desire embraced the truth of the Reformed tradition.

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