We are passionate about helping people find their life’s purpose. Through that, they find that they have a place at Saddleback Church through the purpose of membership, to live out their life’s purpose through ministry, to develop a Christ-like maturity, to live life on a mission both local and global, and to worship God through magnification. We are passionate about our local and global PEACE Plan. To plant church, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick and to educate the next generation. We are passionate about ending stigma on HIV & AIDS, Mental Health and about ending the need for orphanages through these initiatives. We are passionate about helping people and loving people through the process of recovery at Celebrate Recovery. We are also passionate about helping equip other churches with the purpose driven church philosophy.

History
Established in 1980.

Even before Saddleback was founded, the dream of creating a church to reach people who didn’t know Jesus was planted in the hearts of Rick and Kay. In their mid-20s they pack up their (few) belongings and drive to California from Texas. The church begins as a small gathering of people in the living room of their apartment. They send out 15,000 letters to the unchurched of the community to announce the start of something new. At the “dress-rehearsal” service on Palm Sunday, over 60 people show up, and five individuals give their lives to Christ! Rick presents his vision for this new church with the beginning words, “It is a dream …” On Easter Sunday, April 6, 1980, Rick teaches a sermon called “How to Experience Real Freedom.” Saddleback Valley Community Church is launched!