About
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"THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND BLOOD,
AND MOVED INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD."
-John 1, The Message
Welcome to City Church Long Beach.
We’re not particularly fancy, but welcome is really important to us! And we know that many people thinking about connecting with us have questions, whether because “church” is a new idea or because it’s been a difficult space before. So we try to give you lots of details here, but this kind of sums it up: We love Jesus and the people he loves (and wow, does he set a wide table!), and we love our city.
Rebekah (one of our developers, or "elders" in more traditional churches) shares her story.
Our VISION
City Church Long Beach is a radically welcoming community on a journey towards Jesus, joining him in the renewal of all things.
To explore the practical theology behind this vision, read more here.
To simply answer the big question many people come to this page asking: “Are you affirming, in the practical sense that you let LGBTQ folks serve in leadership, get married, leaders will perform weddings, etc.?” Yes, to all of the above. Our leaders have joyfully performed LGBTQ weddings, and many of CCLB’s volunteers, leaders and board members are queer. LGBTQ folks also frequently speak from upfront on Sundays, whether helping to lead the service or sharing their stories.
LGBTQ folks who are checking us out: in the words of our friend and leader Tiger, we will not just tolerate you - we will celebrate you.
OUR MISSION
We hear and respond to Jesus's call towards wholeness.
OUR Values
Jesus-y * Awkward * Better Together * Unforced
You might want to hear a little more about what we mean by these.
OUR Story
Or a bit of it anyway. Click to read more.
OUR Co-Pastors
Brenna Rubio (she/her)
Brenna is “the quiet pastor,” an Enneagram 1, a military brat who moved constantly growing up, and a feminist since birth, which always created tension with the evangelical churches she was raised in. Her husband Israel enjoys calling himself the pastor’s wife, but high school administration is his day job. Their four awesome kids, ranging from elementary through high school, get most of their parents’ down time. But there are magical moments when Brenna gets to just curl up with coffee and a good book.
Bill White (he/him)
Bill is an Enneagram 8 who grew up in Virginia, and then worked for 25 years in the evangelical world as missionary, parachurch staff, and pastor. He shifted more post-evangelical around the time his two kids identified as gay. His wife Katy, who does not describe herself as a pastor’s wife, is a doctor leading the medical staff of a clinic on Skid Row up in Los Angeles. The “loud” or extroverted pastor, Bill loves having people over at his house and will try to get you to play a board game with him if you visit.
OUR BOARD
We apologize not everyone is pictured!
Our Connection Team (traditionally called “deacons”):
Dove Fordyce (she/her), Emma Roy (she/her, treasurer), Louis Thaxton (he/him), Serena Bakhru(she/her), Stephanie Brown (she/her, co-VP), Tomu Morishita (he/him).
Our Development Team (traditionally called “elders”):
David Mercier (he/him), Esther Kim (they/she), Lisa Carpenter (she/her), Rebekah Martinek-Williams (she/her), Tiger Veenstra (they/them, co-VP).
- Discerns together prayerfully to make major decisions
- Gives oversight to pastors and ministry
- Cares for the congregation and neighborhood
Other Amazing Leaders
A few of the many incredible humans around City Church who contribute their talents so generously.
And Some KEY Neighborhood Partners
Wrigley Neighborhood / Lafayette Elementary School - Diani helps us connect with a big informal network of amazing neighbors to work together on behalf of the community! For instance, a big project over COVID was a food pantry regularly serving 50+ families.
Family Promise of the South Bay - An amazing organization providing comprehensive wrap-around services for the families living in our “transitional housing” community home.
Wrigley Coffee - A fantastic new venture in our neighborhood! From their website, “a social enterprise coffee shop that provides employment opportunities for individuals facing housing insecurity, space for community organizing, space for BIPOC voices, and sources locally roasted beans.”