The second fastest growing church in America has just grown a lot more. The Rock Church opened a third campus in East County this past Sunday September 15.
In El Cajon, on Jackman Street in what used to be a Michael’s, the Rock Church opened up their third satellite campus. The church’s main campus is located in Point Loma, with another campus in San Marcos.
People of all ages, ethnicities, and walks of life crowded the building and filled the sanctuary in each service for the church’s first Sunday. With 725 attendees, volunteers, and kids just at the first 8AM service the parking lot was full and the building was booming with God’s love. The 10AM service had such a large turn-out that many people were accommodated in the lobby and prayer room in overflow seating.
Despite the large amount of people that showed up East County pastor Ricky Page wants to provide an informal place of fellowship where everyone knows each other. “I want to create a place that is centered on family,” Page said.
The opening of a third campus is part of the church’s goal of bringing pervasive hope to the citizens of San Diego.
The opening of a third campus is part of the church’s goal of bringing pervasive hope to the citizens of San Diego. Pervasive Hope, the main initiative of the Rock Church, is to bring hope through the message of Jesus Christ, to every person and every street of San Diego.
Attendees of the East County location of the Rock can get the same experience of the services in Point Loma as they watch a live feed of Senior Pastor Miles McPherson preach. A screen that takes up the stage projects a life size version of the well-known pastor, so even in East County, Rock goers will not miss a thing.
McPherson insisted on Sunday that this new campus wasn’t to save his church-goers’ driving time on Sunday, but about helping others. “We want to go and serve the community,” McPherson said in his sermon.
Currently there are 17 active community groups and 14 outreach ministries up and running on the East County campus, the goal is to have fifty ministries that are already established at the Point Loma campus to start in East County by the end of the year. These are to focus on helping the citizens of East County with their specific needs.
Page wants to work to impact different niches in the community. East County houses many citizens that have disabilities or special needs and many elderly. The county also has the highest rates of homelessness, alcohol and drug abuse, and suicide rates in San Diego County. Page hopes that through this new church, the people of the Rock can have a positive impact on these groups and the community.
The Rock Church is following through with its mission to bring the message and word of God to every street and every person in San Diego.
Saturday September 14, the Rock East County had their ribbon cutting ceremony. Many people came out to congratulate the church on their opening including city officials, media, church volunteers, and community members.
The Rock Church is following through with its mission to bring the message and word of God to every street and every person in San Diego. With the growth continuing, more campuses are being discussed. The amount of people that arrived on Sunday morning and the amount of response in the community is encouraging to the staff, volunteers, and church community. But they aren’t stopping here, and they aren’t taking the credit.
“God is using this [The Rock Church East County] as a mechanism to pull people in,” Page said. Everyone is welcome and no one is ever turned away, “there is always enough people to fill seats,” Page said.
The Rock Church East County is located at 808 Jackman Street in El Cajon and has services at 8AM, 10AM, 12PM, and 5PM every Sunday. Rock Kids classes are offered every service for infant – 5th grade. Deaf services are offered during the 10AM service. Special needs is offered during the noon service for ages 3-12 and the 5PM service for ages 13 – 18. Youth Group meets on Wednesdays at 7PM for grades 6-12.
