Church Planting – California Southern Baptist Convention

News – Church Planting

SANGER, CA. – To summarize the sentiment in Genesis, God says ‘If you build it, they will come.’ Conversely for Pastor Jacob’s efforts, ‘They come,’ and he, with God’s support, ‘builds it’. Pastor Jacob and wife, Francine Zailian, haven’t let any dust settle under their feet in all they are setting out to accomplish in…

Fresno – The temperatures in California weren’t the only thing piping hot as the CSBC Staff met for their July all-staff meeting. This was the first staff meeting for Jason Robertson and Kendrick Neal, two newly elected leaders of the CSBC Leadership team. Marc Tempesta, CFO and Business Services Team Leader started the meeting with…

Fresno—A change of pace and programming occurred during CSBC’s April staff week gathering. The meeting began with worship, led by CFO and Business Services Team Leader Marc Tempesta. Ralph Neighbour III, Church Matters Initiative Team Leader, who had announced his plans for retirement a few months prior, gave an unconventional word for his final time…

FRESNO – March 28-29 marked the monthly CSBC Staff Week for leaders and staff members. The meeting began much like a homecoming for former CSBC staffer Pastor Greg Sumii. Sumii, who was first introduced to the CSBC ministry 35 years prior, preached at Chapel for the CSBC ministry teams. During his message, he recollected his…

FRESNO – CSBC ministry leaders and staff gathered for the first “staff week” meetings of 2023. The office welcomed Dave Peugh, pastor of The Avenue Church in Fresno, to deliver the message at chapel. Focusing on Matthew chapter 11, Peugh gave a special word he said God placed on his heart, including insights gleaned from…

SANTA CLARITA—She had attended Valley Lights Church previously, but a challenging work schedule made it difficult to connect with others in the congregation on a deep level. A women’s holiday wreath event changed that for one occasional church attendee. The woman “said this was one of the very first events where she felt like she…

FRESNO – Ministry Leaders of the CSBC presented preliminary numbers for 2022, many of which exceeded several goals set at the onset of the year.  Reports of ministry progress were given related to church matters, evangelism, missions, and church planting. Marc Tempesta, CSBC’s chief financial officer, said giving data through October signals that CSBC “will…

FRESNO—Ross Shepherd, who began planting churches in Montana while in college, retired in September after having served California Southern Baptist Convention as a member of one of the most prolific church planting teams in the Southern Baptist Convention. Even though that chapter ended in mid-September, Shepherd anticipates the next journey God has in store for…

FRESNO—The announcement that California Southern Baptist Convention has become Send Network California with the North American Mission Board was announced to the CSBC Executive Board at the fall meeting Sept. 16.  Board members also approved a 2023 proposed budget of $6.3 million which includes a Cooperative Program objective of $6 million, unchanged from the 2022…

After a year break due to COVID restrictions, California Southern Baptist Youth assembled for “Ignition,” CSBC’s annual State Youth Conference at Magnolia Church in Riverside on January 21 – 22. This year CSBC joined forced with Student Leadership University to bring the Lift Tour to the west coast. RJ McCauley, youth pastor at Magnolia Church…