The Story of Heritage

“Miraculous…”

Every man called to plant a church is familiar with the word, because every church that God calls into existence is nothing short of a miracle. Heritage Christian Fellowship is no exception.

It was Sunday morning, October 25th, 1998. God closed every door of ministry for Pastor Tom Long. “I’ll return to teaching,” he announced to friends and church family members. He had been a pastor for 28 years, and now his work was complete. He and his wife Sandi were leaving the ministry.

So he thought.

But little did he know that in five short days, God would introduce him to the members of his new congregation and the beginning of a work that would surpass everything he had imagined.

It was a Friday morning when Pastor Tom found himself sitting in Cyrano’s Coffee House next to a strip mall near his home. I’ll submit an application today at the school district…, he mused to himself. …and maybe I should start a Bible study. Just then he noticed the little Methodist church next to the coffee shop. The front door was open, and decided to check it out.

Tom strolled down a hallway and saw a man sitting at his desk. “Knock, knock… Are you the pastor?”

“Yes, I’m Pastor Bob,” answered the man. “What can I do for you?”

“Well, I’ve been a pastor most of my life, but I’ve decided to return to the classroom. However, I know a few people who would like a Bible study, and so I’m looking for a room to rent.”

The pastor didn’t reply right away but sat deep in thought. “Hmm… I think God sent you here. You see, this is my last Sunday here, Tom, and this church will be closing its doors next week, and…” He hesitated. “I think you should meet some of the people in the next room.”

Down the hall, a group of people were praying, “Lord, bring us a new pastor…” They had just finished making a list of the kind of man they wanted and committed it to prayer. “Lord Jesus, we want a man who loves children, plays the guitar, a teacher, relates to youth, humorous, a family man, organized… Amen.”

“Amen.” Just then Pastor Bob opened the door, “Hey, everyone, sorry to interrupt. This is Pastor Tom, and he wants to start a Bible study.” The immediacy of answered prayer gave everyone goose bumps. Was this a divine appointment?

Within two months, it was obvious God was at work. The Methodist denomination closed the church but left the sound system, all its chairs and paid the lease on the building for three months. On December 27th, 1998, Heritage Christian Fellowship held its first service. Thirty-eight adult members met in the small facility wedged between a coffeehouse and an Italian restaurant. Within a month, attendance had doubled. Within four months, it had doubled again. Within a year, the church had outgrown the facility.

The church had to move and leased its current building at 7436 E. Chapman and the church continued to grow. Pastor Tom took a teaching assignment with the Garden Grove Unified School District, but only two and a half years later, he returned to full-time ministry.

Although the church grew, so did the lease payments. By 2004, the lease had risen to $12,000 a month. The landlord assured us that it would continue to rise, but God assured us that He was sovereign. And then it happened.

Pastor Tom was sitting in his office when the stranger arrived. The stranger was an investor who planned to buy the building. He had come to ask if the church was content as tenants. Pastor Tom answered, “We’d be far more content as owners.” The stranger smiled and left. He, and several other investors competed for the property, driving its price up to a cash offer of 2.9 million for two buildings in the center. The elders, deacons and other leaders came together in prayer for God to intervene.

We didn’t have anywhere near 2.9 million, but we had a Big God and decided to submit an offer to the owners with the statement, “We submit this offer as an investment in people.” Soon after submitting the offer, we got a reply from the owner indicated he had already received our offer. Apparently in the bidding war among investors, one investor cleverly claimed to be working on behalf of the church. This display of deceit annoyed the owner, and so he submitted a response to all interested parties that he would sell his property to no one but the church! We raised our voices in thanksgiving to a Sovereign God who intervenes in the lives of people. There was one condition, though.

We had to raise $260,000 in six weeks. We were offered our current building and further, the building next door which included a bank and cleaners as tenants. At the time our congregation numbered around 250 people including children. We had no business buying a bank! But God was clearly leading us. Pastor Tom brought the challenge to the congregation, and after six weeks, we raised the full amount with about $100 left over. On August 17th, 2004, Heritage Christian Fellowship became property owners. It gets even better!

Land and property is important, but people catch the attention of God. God desires to pour out His blessing on those who love Him and keep His Word close to their hearts. Heritage Christian Fellowship is made up of people who understand Deuteronomy 28:2: “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.”

God’s blessings are seen in many ways. Most every week people receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. Water Baptisms occur often. Young people meet their spouses and marry. Children are born into strong families. Strong families thrive in close community. Hurt people find healing and the lonely find friendship. In days of calamity people find prayer. Friendship, laughter, tears and genuine fellowship abounds. Men have learned to take leadership in their church and families and children feel safe in a multitude of caring people.

Heritage is honored to support missions both locally and around the world. Whether it is an orphanage in Uganda, a ministry in our local jails, or a Bible translator in a remote corner of the globe, Heritage is privileged to financially support many facets of the Body of Christ.

Perhaps the greatest blessing of all is the Holy Presence of God Himself. He and He alone is our desired prize. Although the property, the people and the community is indeed the blessing we all share, God Himself is our reward. God’s Presence among those who truly love Him is the most rewarding aspect of life and nothing short of Miraculous!