A Bible-Teaching Church Family Near Irvine Regional Park
Heritage Christian Fellowship sits on East Chapman Avenue in Orange, California, just down the road from Irvine Regional Park. With about 200 to 250 people gathering each week, it is a mid-size church where many know each other by name, greeters are quick to help newcomers find their way, and the teaching calendar takes the Bible seriously.
The church's purpose statement frames everything that happens inside its doors: "We exist to glorify God through the teaching of God's Word, and by nurturing a Family Heritage of worship, ministry, fellowship and outreach in the name of Jesus Christ." That four-fold rhythm of worship, ministry, fellowship, and outreach shapes the way Heritage plans its Sundays, organizes its ministries, and cares for its people throughout the week.
How a Storefront Church Became Heritage
Heritage was born in December 1998 out of a sequence of events the people who lived through it still talk about as providential. After 28 years of ministry, Pastor Tom Long believed his time in pastoral work had ended. Leadership changes at his former church had closed that chapter, and he was preparing to return to teaching. He was not looking for another church to lead.
At the same time, a small storefront church near a coffee house was preparing to close. A small group of praying believers had gathered around a table, written down the qualities they wanted in a pastor, and surrendered their list to the Lord. During their final "Amen," Pastor Tom was introduced to them. The group had access to the facility, Sunday school rooms, chairs, sound equipment, and a lease that had already been paid for the next three months. They were a church without a pastor; he was a pastor without a church.
Pastor Tom, his wife Sandi, and the families alongside them prayed and considered what the Lord might be doing. The idea of starting again was intimidating, but the Lord impressed on his heart, "I've got this, My son. Trust Me." In less than two months, Pastor Tom was back behind a pulpit with 37 adults, a handful of children, a furnished church, and a lease paid in full for 90 days. That same week the purpose statement was written and Heritage Christian Fellowship was incorporated. Within a year the church had grown from 37 adults to well over 150, and within two years to more than 250.
Pastor Tom has now served in ministry for more than 50 years, and Heritage continues to be built on the same foundation it began with: the faithfulness of God, the teaching of His Word, worship, prayer, fellowship, and the care of His people.
Three Sundays, One Mission
Heritage gathers for worship on Sundays at 8:30 am, 10:30 am, and 5:30 pm. The 8:30 am service is also live-streamed on YouTube for those who cannot be there in person.
The 10:30 am hour is the heart of the Sunday family rhythm. Children's ministry is open during this service for nursery through 6th grade, and the youth meet for Bible study at the same time. The morning services are relaxed and reverent, focused on worshiping Jesus, opening the Scriptures, and growing together as the body of Christ. Communion is observed monthly as part of Sunday worship, remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ together.
Visitors do not need to register or let anyone know they are coming. Greeters and church family help newcomers find their way when they arrive. Dress is comfortable and varied, with no expectation to wear anything special. A Bible is encouraged, and one is given as a gift to anyone who needs it. Heritage welcomes people who are new to church, returning after some time away, or simply looking for a church family.
The teaching is verse by verse or chapter by chapter through books of the Bible, with occasional thematic series. Recent sermon series have walked through the books of James, Hebrews, 1 Peter, 2 Timothy, Jeremiah, and a summer-long study called "Master Craftsman" that explored God's work of shaping faith through trials. The current sermon filter lists archive messages from 1 Corinthians, 1 Peter, 2 Timothy, Ephesians, Hebrews, James, Jeremiah, Luke, Mark, Revelation, and Romans, along with the Master Craftsman series.
Children's Ministry (Nursery through 6th Grade)
Children's ministry at Heritage is committed to solid, age-appropriate Bible teaching along with opportunities to build relationships. The program runs during the 10:30 am service and is divided into age groups so children can learn, worship, and grow in a setting that fits them.
The groups are: Nursery, Toddler Room (ages 1 to 2), ages 3 through Pre-K, Kindergarten through 1st Grade, 2nd through 3rd Grade, and 4th through 6th Grade. Susan Baker serves as Children's Director, leading the team that introduces children to Jesus Christ, teaches God's Word, and helps them grow in the character of God. The ministry's aim is to make Sunday school a joyful and meaningful part of a child's week, anchored by Isaiah 54:13: "All your children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children."
Outside the classroom, children participate in memorable annual events such as Kids Camp at Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center and Bug Hunters, an adventure at Santiago Oaks Park.
Youth Ministry (7th through 12th Grade)
The youth ministry at Heritage meets on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, with the goal of helping students connect, grow together, and build a strong foundation in God's Word. Anchored by 1 Timothy 4:12, the ministry focuses on small groups, deep community, and solid biblical discipleship in a safe, nurturing environment where young people are known, encouraged, and helped to grow in Christ.
Pastor Tyson Vincent leads the ministry, supported by Tara Cochrane and Brian Cochrane. The youth calendar is packed with the kinds of events that draw students in and build them up: a yearly mission trip to Round Cedar Church of the Nazarene in the Navajo Nation, a summer trip to Lake Havasu hosted by the Gerstner family, surf days at Doheny, kayak days at Newport Back Bay, a hike at Peter's Canyon, an apologetics conference with Stand to Reason, a Valentine's Bunco night with a chocolate fondue bar, an all-church Family Camp at Alpine Christian Conference Center, and a Messy Game Night that kicks off each summer with spaghetti fights, pudding face plants, cheese ball chaos, shaving cream faces, raw egg foam wars, and water fights.
Young Adults
Heritage's young adults ministry gathers on Sunday nights for fellowship, worship, and Bible study. It is designed for college-age adults who want to grow in Christ and build community with others in a similar season of life, whether in college, working, or figuring out what is next. The group leans on Hebrews 10:24-25, "Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together..."
The Family Link
The Family Link is Heritage's ministry for marriage and family life. It exists to help couples and families study God's Word together and encourage one another in the everyday realities of home, parenting, and relationships.
Women's Ministry: Faithful Footsteps
Heritage's women's ministry, called Faithful Footsteps, gathers women to study God's Word, share their hearts, listen, and pray together. The group is known for its outings that mix fellowship with thoughtful times of worship and teaching: a spring luncheon with guest speaker Bev Mileham speaking on "A Heart of Gratitude," a kayaking day at Newport Back Bay, and a walk through the gardens at Descanso. Women's ministry is led by Veronica Natividad.
Men's Ministry
The men's ministry builds men up in Christ through Bible study, prayer, and events. Highlights include an annual retreat at Camp Maranatha in Idyllwild, with teaching, worship, prayer, and time to develop new friendships. Gino Natividad leads the ministry.
Mid-Week Bible Study
Wednesday nights at Heritage are a simple time for the church family to gather during the week for worship, prayer, and the Word. Open to anyone who wants to grow in their knowledge and love of Christ, the study is described by the church as serious about having fun and serious about studying God's Word, with plenty of laughter, sharing, and reflection along the way. The ministry is grounded in Ephesians 4:12, equipping the saints for the work of ministry and building up the body of Christ.
Prayer Ministry
Prayer is foundational at Heritage. The prayer team meets weekly to lift the needs of the church family to the Lord, anchored by Isaiah 62:6: "I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night." Anyone is welcome to join the weekly prayer meetings and seek the Lord together.
Worship Ministry
Worship at Heritage is contemporary and reverent, with a mix of hymns and choruses. The church cares about musical excellence, but more than that, it cares about worshiping God with sincere hearts. The worship team is led by Brian Cochrane, who also serves as a youth leader, and Peter Lomakin, with Paul Burt serving as sound technician.
What Heritage Believes
Heritage describes itself as an independent, Christ-centered, Bible-teaching church that embraces traditional Christian values. Its statement of faith begins with belief in one true God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - equal in power and glory, who created all, upholds all, and governs all.
The church teaches that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, fully inspired without error in the original manuscripts and the infallible rule of faith and practice. Heritage believes in the virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings of Jesus Christ, His substitutional atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension, perpetual intercession, and personal, visible return to earth. It believes in the Holy Spirit, who regenerates, sanctifies, and empowers believers, who indwells every Christian, and whose gifts are active in the church today. The statement affirms belief in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and His present ministry in the lives of believers.
Heritage teaches that all people are sinners by nature and choice and are under condemnation, that God regenerates by the Holy Spirit those who repent and confess Jesus Christ as Lord, and that Jesus Christ baptizes and fills the believer with the Holy Spirit and power for service. The church believes in the universal Church, with Christ as its head and all regenerated persons as its members.
Two ordinances are central: baptism by immersion and the Lord's Supper, which is open to all believers. Heritage also practices the laying on of hands for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, for ordination of pastors, elders, and deacons, and for receiving gifts of the Spirit or healing. The statement affirms belief in the personal, visible return of Christ, the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal blessing of the righteous, and the endless suffering of the wicked. Marriage is defined as a holy union between one man and one woman for life.
Pastors, Staff, and Ministry Leaders
Heritage is served by a team of pastors, staff, and ministry leaders:
- Tom Long, Senior Pastor, has served in ministry for more than 50 years and has led Heritage since its founding in 1998.
- Tyson Vincent, Youth Pastor, oversees the 7th through 12th grade ministry.
- Gino Natividad, Care Pastor and Men's Ministry Leader.
- Eric Roberts, Teaching Pastor, regularly preaches on Sundays.
- Susan Baker, Children's Director, leads the nursery through 6th grade ministry.
- Tara Cochrane, Office Manager and Youth Director.
- Brian Cochrane, Worship Leader and Youth Leader.
- Peter Lomakin, Worship Ministry Leader.
- Veronica Natividad, Church Secretary and Women's Ministry Leader.
- Dan Baker, Missions Outreach.
- Lili Averette, Special Events Coordinator.
- Paul Burt, Sound Technician.
The church is also served by elders Tyrone Peter, Gino Natividad, and Rob Markley, and by deacons David Natividad (Chairman), Tom Weltzien (Vice-Chairman), Mark Erfurt (Facilities Manager), Allen Gage (Business/Leasing), and Scott Hemeter (Treasurer).
Annual Rhythm and Community Life
Beyond Sunday services, Heritage keeps a steady calendar of events that bring the body together. The annual Church in the Park gathers the congregation under the trees at Irvine Regional Park for a joy-filled outdoor Sunday. The All-Church Valentine's Dinner fills the fellowship hall with tacos and laughter. Family Camp at Alpine Christian Conference Center over Memorial Day Weekend combines Bible study, worship, and outdoor time. The Boat of Ten takes members out on Newport Harbor aboard Duffy boats. Children's Bug Hunters at Santiago Oaks Park and Kids Camp at Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center keep the younger children exploring and learning about God's creation throughout the year.
Plan a Visit
Heritage Christian Fellowship is located at 7510 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92869, near Irvine Regional Park. The church office is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4 pm and is closed Mondays. The phone number is 714-538-8261. Giving is available online, sermons are posted regularly, and a church app keeps everything connected for members and visitors throughout the week.