Community Blog

It's Time for CLASS!

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:01:00 GMT

CLASS (Christian Life And Service Seminars) is a series of classes offering by Saddleback Church that give you the tools you need to�take your first steps of faith, to grow in your walk with the Lord, learn how to serve others, and begin to share your story with the people in your life who don't yet know Christ.

Class 101: Start here and get a basic introduction to the Saddleback family; who and what our church is, our beliefs on salvation, statements of purpose, and our church's strategy and structure.

Class 201: Get the tools you need to develop habits for spiritual maturity, and receive an overview of the four basic spiritual habits: daily time in God's Word, prayer, tithing, and fellowship.

Class 301: God designed you to minister to others . . .yes, you! Learn how God can use your Spiritual gifts, your Heart, your Abilities, your Personality, and your Experiences (S.H.A.P.E.) to serve others.

Class 401: Discover your life mission and how you can be a part of God's plan to reach the world.

This Sunday, the Lake Forest campus is offering all four classes. You can also check your local campus for upcoming Class dates and times.

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40 Days Small Groups Getting Ready to Serve

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:21:00 GMT

The 40 Days in the Word campaign is about being a "doer" of the Word - learning how to read and apply the Bible in ways that change who you are. An important part of the small group curriculum for this campaign is the Micah 6:8 Assignment. This is a service project that the small group selects and performs together and is a practical way to live out the lessons learned through the 40 Days campaign.

This project is a great opportunity for groups to get out in to the community and serve together. Whether your group is new or established, you'll find the Micah 6:8 assignment will challenge and shape you as you focus on the needs of others in your community and work together to meet those needs.

We want to hear from you! If you've already picked your Micah 6:8 assignment, share it with others on the 40 Days in the Word Facebook page. Next, once your group has completed the project, share your story on the Facebook page. We'll be collecting these stories to share with the church at large.

If your group has yet to pick a project, be sure to log in to the 40 Days in the Word website to view the list of project ideas and suggestions. Or, your small group can come up with an original project idea. No one knows your community as well as you do, so find a need and figure out a way to meet it!

"He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." -Micah 6:8

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Watch The Superbowl on the Refinery Big Screen!

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:00:00 GMT

Don't miss the fun as The New York Giants and the New England Patriots battle it out on the field for the championship title on Sunday, February 5 at 3:00 p.m!

Whether you are cheering on your favorite team, or just want to have some fun-come watch the game in our big screen theater, munch on popcorn and snacks provided by the Refinery, and enjoy some time with your friends and family!

If you want to bring your own food-that's fine with us! Just bring your friends and join the fun.

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Questions? Call Jeremy at (949) 609-8687 or email him at jeremyp@saddleback.com to learn more.

Take Your Next Steps With PEACE 3.0 on Saturday

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:11:00 GMT

Over 1,000 people gathered together last weekend for the PEACE 3.0 Twelve City Rally. This weekend, Saddleback will host the second official meeting for PEACE 3.0 - the vision to launch 12 base camps around the world. The PEACE Plan is a global movement to fight five the 'global giants' that oppress and silence men, women and children throughout the world.

What is PEACE?
The PEACE plan is a hopeful response to the five giant problems in the world: spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy. PEACE is a movement to mobilize Christians in the local church as they work together to:
Plant churches that promote reconciliation
Equip servant leaders
Assist the poor
Care for the sick
Educate the next generation

What is PEACE 3.0?
PEACE 3.0 is what we're calling the third phase of the PEACE Plan. In phase one, the PEACE Plan was created and we began to serve on the ground, partnering with local churches around the world. In phase two, Saddleback Church members went to every nation in the world. And now, in phase three, we plan to reach the remaining 3,800 unreached people groups in the world.

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We will be planting 12 base camps in the following regions: South Africa, Egypt, Sierra Leone, Philippines, China, India, Japan, U.K., Russia, Germany, Mexico and Argentina. We are looking for mission-minded members who will stand up and help plant these bases. These base camps will allow us to partner with local churches and reach the surrounding people groups with the gospel of Christ.

What does it have to do with me?
The PEACE Plan has a place for every single member. You can participate from your home, in your own neighborhood, in your county, your country and the world. The mission of PEACE is something that is needed both here and abroad, and it takes every kind of person and ability to make it happen. Jesus Christ commanded each of us to "Go and make disciples of all men" (Matt. 28:19) and PEACE is our answer to that call.

Why us?
Why not us? Why don't we let some other church reach these people groups? Because we want to be a part of God's mission to rescue the world. Because we want to be a people who do not stand by while men, women and children are enslaved, oppressed, bartered and dying. We stand up and say that We.Will.Go.

Ok! How do I take my next step?
Join us on�Saturday morning for our next informational meeting.�We'll tell you more about the PEACE Plan and how you can get involved. Then, we'll break out in to city groups so you can get more specific information about the city you're interested in going to.

Saturday, February 4
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.�
Tent 3
Lake Forest campus
Visit thepeaceplan.com or email peace@saddleback.com for more information.

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What's Going On? Watch This!

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:32:00 GMT

Get a recap of everything that's taking place at Saddleback Church this week. 2012 is off to a great start, so don't miss out on the great things taking place in the Saddleback family!

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Get Ready to Change the World With PEACE 3.0

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:31:00 GMT

Get ready, Saddleback Church. This weekend, we move forward with PEACE 3.0! The PEACE Plan is a global movement to fight five the 'global giants' that oppress and silence men, women and children throughout the world. Did you know that YOU can be a part this fight, both here at home and around the globe? Read on to find out how.

What is PEACE?
The PEACE plan is a hopeful response to the five giant problems in the world: spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy. PEACE is a movement to mobilize Christians in the local church as they work together to:
Plant churches that promote reconciliation
Equip servant leaders
Assist the poor
Care for the sick
Educate the next generation

What is PEACE 3.0?
PEACE 3.0 is what we're calling the third phase of the PEACE Plan. In phase one, the PEACE Plan was created and we began to serve on the ground, partnering with local churches around the world. In phase two,�Saddleback Church members went to every nation in the world. And now, in phase three, we plan to reach the remaining 3,800 unreached people groups in the world.

Get Flash to see this player.

We will be planting 12 base camps in the following regions: South Africa, Egypt, Sierra Leone, Philippines, China, India, Japan, U.K., Russia, Germany, Mexico and Argentina. We are looking for mission-minded members who will stand up and help plant these bases. These base camps will allow us to partner with local churches and reach the surrounding people groups with the gospel of Christ.

What does it have to do with me?
The PEACE Plan has a place for every single member. You can participate from your home, in your own neighborhood, in your county, your country and the world. The mission of PEACE is something that is needed both here and abroad, and it takes every kind of person and ability to make it happen. Jesus Christ commanded each of us to "Go and make disciples of all men" (Matt. 28:19) and PEACE is our answer to that call.

Why us?
Why not us? Why don't we let some other church reach these people groups? Because we want to be a part of God's mission to rescue the world. Because we want to be a people who do not stand by while men, women and children are enslaved, oppressed, bartered and dying. We stand up and say that We.Will.Go.

Ok! How do I take my next step?
Join us this Saturday night for our Twelve City Rally. We'll tell you more about the PEACE Plan and how you can get involved. We will begin to talk about the areas in which the 12 base camps will be planted and give you specific volunteer opportunities.
Saturday, January 28
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tent 3
Lake Forest campus
Visit thepeaceplan.com or email peace@saddleback.com for more information.

The size of your vision should only be limited by the size of your God.�

PEACE 3.0 is a big dream. But we serve an ever bigger God.

H2H Gatherings Provide a Fun, Casual Place for Single Adults

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:33:00 GMT

H2H Gatherings, or House-to-House Gatherings, are a fun way for single adults to connect with God and with other people in their age group. H2H is part of our Single Life at Saddleback ministry, a great community of people who hang out, worship, and grow together.

The gatherings take place in the home of a Saddleback member, which creates a welcoming and casual atmosphere. The foundation of the meetings is faith-based discussions, but can also include other fun activities like a mini-pizza baking party, a round of the buzzer game Taboo�, or chatting about anything and everything over a tray of delicious cookies. There is always food, and there are always great new friends to welcome you into their homes, and into their hearts.

Based on your comfort level, you can participate as much or as little as you'd like. If you are just starting your journey of faith or if you've been a believer since birth,, H2H is a great place to connect. Any and all walks of life are welcome. Diverse groups can often spark even more exciting discussions. Group discussions with other believers can be a great time to remember the power that God can have in our lives as he brings groups of singles together through Saddleback Church.

Check out just one gathering, or all of them. It's a low-pressure, casual way to hang out with other single adults.

The H2H groups require registration and meet every other Fridays at 7:30pm for three months. Saddleback members from all campuses are welcome! The new spring session begins this week on January 27. There's a group for every adult age group, so check out H2H now!�

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What's Going On This Week? Watch This!

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:20:00 GMT

Get a recap of everything that's taking place at Saddleback Church this week. From the launch of 40 Days, to Decade of Destiny and the exciting things in store for 2012, you won't want to miss this great recap of what's going on at Saddleback.

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What is 40 Days in the Word?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 GMT

For the last two weeks, Pastor Rick has been talking about the importance of small groups in preparation for the launch of the new 40 Days in the Word campaign. 'Life is not meant to be lived alone' is something we say a lot here at Saddleback, and it's because small groups have shown this to be absolutely true.

Our small groups are about to embark upon a curriculum called 40 Days in the Word. Heard of it? We bet you have!

So what is 40 Days in the Word and why is everyone so excited about it?

40 Days is a spiritual growth campaign. As you've probably gathered by now, Saddleback is not a church that likes to stand still. We are passionate about continually growing as individuals and as a congregation. Spiritual growth campaigns are a major tool that Saddleback uses to help you grow. A campaign simply refers to a time of unified focus in the weekend sermons, small group curriculum, and interactive elements (such as the web) to help you learn and grow in a specific area.

As Pastor Rick said in his recent Vision Night message, it takes more than weekend sermons to grow up. Spiritual growth must be intentional, personal, habitual, relational, and multi-dimensional. A campaign like 40 Days in the Word incorporates weekly sermons, an interactive online experience and small group curriculum to help you dive in to an area of growth and see lasting, real change in your life.

The small group studies help you go deeper in to the material with other people, providing you with accountability and encouragement. The online portion helps guide you in the multi-dimensional and habitual aspects, and offer tools to keep you growing on a daily basis. Lastly, the weekend sermons tie it all together.

40 Days is a campaign that will truly change your life if you let it. In last week's sermon, Pastor Rick recited this verse:

"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8 (NIV)

This is the only verse in the Bible which promises prosperity and success, said Pastor Rick. In this verse and others we see God reminding us of the power of his Word to shape, guide, and transform us. With 40 Days in the Word, you will learn how to understand the Bible, how to study it, how to apply it to your life, how to memorize scriptures, and more. When you join a small group, you'll receive a workbook and other tools, for free, that will be your guide in this journey.

If you're ready to take the next step in your faith, whether it's a first step, or another step on a continued journey, a small group is the perfect place for you. And 40 Days in the Word will bring you and your group closer to God than ever before.

Visit the 40 Days website to learn more and join a small group.

One Last Chance to Catch the Vision

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Tonight is your last chance to attend the "Change Your Life! Change the World!" vision rally. Join us tonight in the Worship Center or online to hear Pastor Rick share vital information for the next year at Saddleback Church.

Pastor Rick will give you a preview of the new 40 Days in the Word campaign, plans for PEACE 3.0 and the launch of twelve new churches and base camps in the next year, and the overall vision for 2012 at Saddleback Church.

The Vision Night�will take place from 7:00 -�9:00 p.m.�in the Worship Center on the Lake Forest campus. Bring your friends, family and small group!

To watch the live webcast of Vision Night,�click�here.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Join us today in the Refinery for a celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. This family-friendly celebration will education, uplift, and inspire with a youth fashion show, dynamic speakers, presentations, and entertainment. This event takes place in the Refinery on the Lake Forest campus at 10:30 a.m.

Daniel Plan Rally Celebrates, Educates and Motivates

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 01:45:00 GMT

Hundreds turned up to celebrate the one-year anniversary of The Daniel Plan at the latest rally on Saturday morning. The event kicked off with ten participants taking the stage to celebrate their weight loss victories. Among them was Pastor John Baker of Celebrate Recovery, who lost 70 pounds and has dramatically increased his health.

"The Daniel Plan is a lifestyle. It just makes sense," said Baker.

Dr. Mark Hyman, M.D., spoke next, giving the audience ten tools to boost their metabolism.

"I never tell my patients to count calories," he emphasized. "When they start eating right, their bodies know what to do." He also reiterated the importance of community. "We are so much better together," he reminded everyone. "You guys are the seed of something extraordinary."

Dr. Mehmet Oz, M.D., chatted with Pastor Rick via Skype, encouraging people to eat healthy foods they love. "If you love it, you'll eat it," he said.

Billy Blanks, founder of Tae Bo, the most successful fitness program of all time, got the audience warmed up with a few basic Tae Bo moves. He spoke about the power of our minds. "Your mind and your will are the two best things you have," he said.

Finally, Dr. Daniel Amen, M.D., gave The Daniel Plan participants five keys to staying motivated, including rallying their family for support and participation in their quest to stay healthy.

Lysa Terkeurst spoke to the audience via video about her journey that led her to write her bestselling book Made to Crave. "We are made to crave God, not food," she concluded.

The speakers, along with Pastor Rick, joined several chefs on stage as they prepared a variety of healthy breakfast foods, including fruit smoothies and breakfast tacos. Dr. Amen's wife, Tana, encouraged the audience to pack snacks for their busy days. "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail," she said.

Pastor Rick concluded the rally by sharing about The Daniel Plan's upcoming cookbook that he hopes to see completed this year. The book will include healthy recipes, success stories and tips from the doctors.

The Daniel Plan is now a global movement, with international recognition through the press and other media outlets, and participation by individuals throughout the world. If you're interested in learning more about The Daniel Plan, visit the Get Started tab on the website to learn how you can begin your journey.

If you're a Daniel Plan participant, we'd love to hear your stories. Let us know about your journey in the comments section below.

What's Happening? Watch This!

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:30:00 GMT

Check out our latest video which shows you what's happening around Saddleback Church over the next week. Don't miss out on all that's taking place to bring change to your life and to the world!

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Get Fit, Focused, and Filled At The Daniel Plan Rally

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:00:00 GMT

Join us on Saturday for an exciting time of learning and laughter�as we celebrate the milestones of The Daniel Plan and learn how to take our physical health to the next level.

Whether you're new to The Daniel Plan or have been following it from Day One, this rally is for you.

One year ago, Pastor Rick started The Daniel Plan, a free program created by three internationally-recognized doctors� and Pastor Rick that focuses on achieving health through nutrition, exercise, healthy habits and community. Since its beginning in January of 2011, The Daniel Plan's participants have lost, literally, tens�of thousands of pounds.

On Saturday we will celebrate these accomplishments while encouraging others to join the Daniel Plan. Program highlights will include:
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Kick Start Your Metabolism with Dr. Mark Hyman
Change Your Brain, Change Your Life with Dr. Daniel Amen
Cooking Demonstrations with Pastor Rick
Easy Recipes with The Daniel Plan Our Chefs for Breakfast, Snacks and 10-Minute Meals
Special Guest: Billy Blanks(R), Founder of Tae Bo(R) Fitness!

Saturday, January 14
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Worship Center, Lake Forest Campus
FREE childcare provided for infants through 6th grade

If you can't make it to the Lake Forest campus for this event, watch the live webcast here.

Financial Freedom Workshop Begins

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:20:00 GMT

The seven-week Financial Freedom Workshop begins tonight in Tent 1. Don't miss this opportunity to learn biblical principles for managing your finances, including getting out of debt and saving for the future.

Saddleback Church's Financial Freedom Workshop is offered on the Lake Forest campus. In this seven-week course, you will learn to develop a system to manage your finances according to biblical principles including: setting financial goals, creating a spending plan, paying down debt, and saving for the future.

This is a fast-paced, hands-on combination of classroom style teaching, small group discussion and facilitated exercises. There are trained leaders at each table to help you understand God's perspective on finances and to work alongside as you put your financial house in order.

Cost is $25 per person, and spouses attend FREE (we highly recommend married couples attend together). Persons age 18 and up are welcome to attend. Please contact Dee Dee atdeedeel@saddleback.com with any further questions.

Week 1: Wednesday, January 11 in Tent 1

Lake Forest Campus

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Cost is $25 per person, spouses attend free.

Jessie Rees Celebration Service Tonight

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:15:00 GMT

Tonight, the Rees family and the Saddleback community will join together to celebrate the life of an incredibly special girl - Jessie Rees. Jessie recently lost her battle with cancer, but she continues to be a hero to many.

Jessie's motto was NEGU - Never Ever Give Up. And, despite her own fight with cancer, Jessie turned outwards to help other children by creating Joy Jars. The Jars were�filled with gifts and given to children fighting cancer - a small way to bring joy to others.

Jessie is the daughter of Saddleback pastor Erik Rees, and a beloved part of the Saddleback family. Join us tonight as we celebrate the life of this incredible girl. You can view the service online or at the Lake Forest campus.

Lake Forest Worship Center

Wednesday, January 11

6:00 p.m.

In honor of Jessie, please wear bright and casual attire.

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Want to Know What's Going On?

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 08:30:00 GMT

We're kicking off the New Year here at Saddleback Church and we want you to be a part of the fun. Watch the latest video and get up to date on the news and events from Saddleback!

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Examine The Evidence Class to Answer Questions About Christianity

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 09:30:00 GMT

Is Christianity just based on blind, unthinking faith? Are there real answers to questions about Christianity, or is it just based on blind faith?�

Come to Examine the Evidence, a free seminar, open to all, that will examine and discuss issues such as the existence of God, the historical accuracies and alleged contradictions in the Bible, and the seemingly crazy stories like Noah and the ark.

Everyone is welcome to attend this free class. This is a low-key, casual environment in which to hear evidence and information about common questions about the Christian faith.

Join us on Monday, January 9, 2012. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the Refinery Auditorium on the Lake Forest campus.

Activist and Humanitarian Chai Ling to Visit Saddleback

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:57:00 GMT

This weekend, we will welcome a very special guest at our weekend services - Chai Ling, famed activist and leader of the Tiananmen Square Movement. Chai Ling will share her story of bravery and desire to spread God's love in China despite staggering odds.

Chai Ling is a former leader of the Tiananmen Square protests and founder of All Girls Allowed, an organization founded to stop human rights violations caused by China's one child policy. She will speak at Saddleback Church on January 7th and 8th, 2012.

Watch this video to learn more about Chai Ling and her journey. Join us this weekend! Visit�saddleback.com/locations to find your local campus, service times and directions.

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"NEW!" A Special New Year's Weekend Experience

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:00:00 GMT

Got plans for New Year's Eve and/or New Year's Day yet? If not, then spend the weekend with Saddleback! Our student ministry department is heading up a fun, fast-paced church service for your whole family to enjoy together.�

Plan now to make Saddleback Church part of your New Year's celebration!

Details for the Lake Forest campus:�

December 31 - 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.: No Children's or youth programs.enjoy church together!�

NOTE: The Refinery will be open from 7:30-midnight with bounce houses, open gym, karaoke, affordable food options, and movies in the theater!�

January 1 - 9:00 and 11:15 a.m.: Children's program for ages 3 and under. �No youth programs. enjoy church together!�

5:00 P.M. �No children's or youth programs.enjoy church together!

Regional campuses: visit your campus website at saddleback.com/locationsfor service times and information.�