The Church at Rocky Peak stands in Chatsworth, in the northwestern San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, at 22601 Santa Susana Pass Road. Since 325 visionary believers launched it in the summer of 1977 to reach the San Fernando Valley, the church has remained centered on a vision of unleashing passionate Christ-followers who pursue God, love people, serve sacrificially and share Christ. Rocky Peak is known for worship that seeks God's presence, practical Bible teaching, weekly Life Groups and ministries extending from nursery age through older adults.
Weekend Worship at 5:30, 9:00 and 11:00
Weekend worship gathers in the Worship Center at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday. The gatherings are designed around two aims: encountering God's presence in worship and growing through practical teaching in his Word. People visiting a church for the first time and longtime followers meet in the same weekend rhythm.
- On campus: Services take place in the Worship Center on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
- Patio viewing: All three campus services stream live worship and teaching on the Worship Center patio. Chairs are provided; guests are encouraged to bring a Bible and whatever else they need to remain comfortable.
- Online worship: Four services stream each weekend through YouTube and Church Online Platform: Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Online worship is available here.
- Children: Rocky Peak Kids meets during all three in-person weekend services.
- ASL interpreting: Interpretation is offered at some services.
Middle school students gather Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:00 a.m., while Revolution meets high school students Saturday at 5:30 p.m. The RPYA gathering for young adults begins at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in The Ridge.
Rocky Peak Kids From Nursery Through Fifth Grade
Rocky Peak Kids, or RPK, serves children from birth through fifth grade during every weekend service. Families visiting for the first time or bringing a first-time guest may preregister. The ministry relies on hundreds of adult and teen volunteers, with most volunteers serving at one service every other week. RPK seeks to minister to children weekly and help them develop as young, passionate Christ-followers.
Children Through Age Two
The nursery environment is intended to be safe, with children loved and prayed for. Beginnings in this age group include simple teaching about God and how much they are loved by him.
Children Three Through Kindergarten
Children begin in age-specific rooms with open play and intentional time with volunteers who get to know them and model Christ's love. They then join together for large-group time with a live worship leader and a storyteller who teaches the lesson. Afterward, they return to their rooms for small-group discussion with leaders and peers, followed by lesson-related arts and crafts.
First Through Fifth Grade
Elementary students begin in grade-specific rooms for small groups and preparation for the lesson. Each grade then moves to a program room for worship and large-group teaching built on a biblically based lesson. They finish back in their rooms with leaders for prayer, discussion, activities and questions. These smaller groups are also places where children build relationships with friends and ministry leaders. Special events and camps extend the same focus of teaching children what it means to follow Jesus.
Wildlife and Revolution for Students
Wildlife for Grades Six Through Eight
Wildlife, Rocky Peak's middle school ministry, is designed for sixth, seventh and eighth graders. Its goal is a safe, fun and engaging environment where students can build friendships, ask honest questions and grow in faith. Weekend gatherings include time to hang out, a game, live worship and teaching created specifically for middle school students. They meet at The Summit on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:00 a.m.
During the school year, Wildlife also meets at The Ridge from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. The evening begins with a game, worship and a recap of the weekend message, followed by about 40 minutes in Life Groups. Groups are divided by grade and gender and led by adults of the same gender, creating space for students to discuss what they are learning, ask questions and build friendships.
Revolution for High School
Revolution gathers high school students at The Ridge on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Its emphasis is helping students pursue God while growing in relationship with one another through gatherings, Life Groups and other activities. Smaller high school groups meet by grade and gender from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at homes surrounding Rocky Peak during the months from August through May.
RPYA and 2FIVE3FIVE
RPYA serves young adults ages 18 through 25. Its Sunday gathering at 6:30 p.m. in The Ridge combines community, worship and teaching with opportunities for prayer and engagement with God's Word. A weekly podcast gives young adults another way to engage with the ministry's teaching.
2FIVE3FIVE serves unmarried young professionals ages 25 through 35. Its monthly experience brings people together for worship, teaching and fellowship, with the regular Final Friday gathering held at 7:00 p.m. in The Summit.
Life Groups, the Core of the Ministry
Life Groups are described as the core ministry at Rocky Peak. A typical group includes 10 to 16 people who meet each week to study, build relationships, encourage one another and pursue growth together. Each group has a trained leader, and an average meeting lasts about two hours. Joining involves a 10-week commitment to attend and prepare.
Groups meet on various days and evenings in the San Fernando, Simi, Santa Clarita and Conejo Valley regions. Some meet indoors, others outdoors, and still others meet digitally. Rocky Peak offers three 10-week sessions each year in fall, winter and spring, with no summer sessions. At the end of a session, participants may remain with the same group, try another group or take a break.
Most groups use the Life Group Study, which is built around the weekend message and is designed to take 30 to 60 minutes. Other groups select a book about Christian life or a particular book of the Bible. Preparation is an important part of group life, allowing participants to arrive ready to discuss the material and consider how it applies to everyday faith.
A first meeting is a potluck dinner. The group then creates a covenant to clarify goals and the shared commitment to attend and prepare. Most Life Groups are for adults, although a small number offer childcare. Families using adult groups generally arrange their own childcare or share it with another family whose group meets at a different time. Groups with a special study may require purchase of an accompanying book or study guide.
Trust Company, Flourish and Other Adult Paths
Trust Company is a traditional Sunday School class for adults 55 and older. It meets at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in The Vista for fellowship, traditional hymns and Bible study. Members also meet at 9:00 a.m. Friday in The Vista to assemble programs for weekend services and special events.
Flourish is a yearlong, Scripture-centered mentoring journey in which women are matched with either a mentor or mentee. The study explores identity, calling, gratitude and how personal stories relate to God's larger redemption story. Participants receive five prompts each week and typically spend 15 to 30 minutes on them. Mentor pairs are encouraged to meet twice a month for about one to one and a half hours, often through coffee or a walk.
Adult pathways also include singles ministry, parenting resources, premarital preparation and core courses. Rocky Peak's core courses range from the basics of following Jesus to subjects such as marriage and partnership. Next Step Dessert is a casual gathering with Michael and Lin Yearley in The Summit where guests can share their story, hear the church's vision and values and learn about becoming connected.
Partnership is presented as a lifestyle of pursuing God, loving people, serving sacrificially and sharing Christ. The Partnership Course introduces that vision and can be taken by people interested in church membership or simply in understanding Rocky Peak's direction.
Baptism and Child Dedication
Baptism is an important step in a person's decision to become a Christ-follower at Rocky Peak. Baptisms occur several times each year during regular weekend services and other special gatherings. Children who express interest in baptism participate in an interview with a ministry leader so that they can understand and thoughtfully participate in the decision. Baptism classes are generally offered beginning at age eight, with exceptions considered.
Rocky Peak does not offer infant baptism. The church teaches that a child should be old enough to understand what it means to place faith in Christ before being baptized. Child Dedication serves a different purpose and is considered the first major faith milestone in children's ministry.
During Child Dedication, parents make a public commitment to be their child's primary spiritual influence, while the church prays over the family and commits to supporting it. Children three and younger are usually dedicated, although families with unique circumstances may dedicate an older child. Parents complete registration and attend an orientation, and both parents are asked to attend.
The Chatsworth Campus and Entrance Routes
The church is located in the northwestern San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County at 22601 Santa Susana Pass Road in Chatsworth. Its central phone number is (818) 709-0113. An online map and campus map are available through maps and directions.
Travelers from the west take the 118 Freeway east to the Rocky Peak Road exit, turn right and then turn left at the next stop sign onto Santa Susana Pass Road. After about 1.3 miles, they turn left onto Iverson Road and use the Iverson entrance on the right. From the east, travelers take 118 west to the Topanga Canyon Boulevard exit, go south one-quarter mile to Santa Susana Pass Road, turn right and use the lower gate just off the road.
The Assignment and a Renewed Campus
In fall 2012, Rocky Peak sensed a call to share Christ more effectively. One focus was building authentic, intentional relationships with people who did not know Christ, helping them take a next step in their journey and inviting them to explore Christ at Rocky Peak. That same season, the church introduced The Assignment as a new weekend teaching emphasis and began a construction campaign to renovate its campus.
Two years later, the church had completed work on the Worship Center, Kids Center and The Summit. The Worship Center's capacity had nearly doubled, the children's environment had been refreshed, and additional space was created for medium-sized gatherings. Rocky Peak continued improving The Ridge, The Vista and offices, shaping several named environments around worship, teaching, children and gatherings.
Serving Los Angeles, Ventura and the World
Rocky Peak describes local and international service as part of its calling. Its active work includes the neighborhoods of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and ministries in Uganda, Tanzania and Mexico. Brian Morehead serves as Global Ministries Pastor.
- Ensenada: Rocky Peak frequently sends teams to build houses for families in need. Children can contribute to the projects, and the high school group conducts a house-building trip each year.
- Tanzania: The church has shared the gospel with a particular village for several years and funded a water well that continues to provide needed water.
- Uganda: Rocky Peak supports Africa Renewal Ministries and has helped establish and support Africa Renewal University, which equips leaders in varied disciplines to transform their communities.
Giving for tithes, global missions and one-time gifts can be made securely through Simple on a computer or mobile device. Recurring gifts and one-time gifts are both supported through online giving.
A Faith Held Open to God's Word
A central Rocky Peak belief is that the Word of God brings truth about life and God, and that embracing it leads to freedom. The Assignment expresses the church's understanding of the task Jesus gave his followers: share the message of his life, death and resurrection with the world and help people follow him.
That mission takes shape through weekend worship, discipleship, Life Groups, family ministry and service close to home and around the world. From its 325 founders in 1977 to its present campus and multi-generational ministries, The Church at Rocky Peak continues to pursue God, love people, serve sacrificially and share Christ.