Located in the foothills of San Bernardino, Life Changing Ministries, often called LCM, is known as a non-denominational, family-oriented Bible teaching church with a world outreach emphasis. Founded in 1985, it brings people together for worship, Scripture study, prayer and service, with a goal of developing disciples who become doers of God's Word.
A Ministry Founded in 1985
Senior Pastor Dr. Reginald L. Woods founded LCM in 1985 and continues to lead the church. He earned a Ph.D. from Bethel Graduate School of Theology in Riverside, California. His ministry preparation included licensure at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in San Bernardino and ordination at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Pomona.
Dr. Woods's international work has included missionary visits to Ghana and Kenya, charitable missions to Mexico, relief initiatives following the earthquake in Haiti, and spiritual pilgrimages to Israel. First Lady Nicole Woods partners with him in life and ministry. Their shared ministry emphasizes love for the church family, teaching God's Word and devotion to Jesus Christ.
His emphasis on preaching and teaching is connected to 2 Timothy 4:2, which calls for the word to be preached in season and out of season with correction, encouragement, patience and careful instruction.
Sunday Worship at 10:00 a.m.
The recurring Sunday worship gathering begins at 10:00 a.m. at 5395 North F Street in San Bernardino, California. LCM describes itself as a world outreach Bible teaching church and a place where people can encounter God. Its vision includes a worship atmosphere that brings people into the manifested presence of God.
The church is family oriented, and LCM names a Children's Church Ministry among its ministries. Sunday worship is also carried live through the church's YouTube livestream.
Midweek Prayer, Bible Study and Conversation
The church's regular rhythm continues through prayer, an extended Bible review and small groups that combine Scripture study with conversation among believers.
- Wednesday weekly prayer: The telephone prayer gathering occurs at 12:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Dial 712-832-7000 and enter access code 3422915#.
- Thursday one-year Bible review: The weekly review runs from 5:30 p.m. to 6:25 p.m. on Zoom, using ID 430 583 6165.
- Thursday Interactive Growth Group: The group begins at 6:30 p.m., five minutes after the Bible review ends.
- Saturday Interactive Growth Group: The group begins at 11:00 a.m.
Interactive Growth Groups, or IGGs, provide opportunities to delve into the Bible while holding meaningful conversations with fellow believers. Facilitators add interested participants to a Zoom notification list for the Thursday and Saturday gatherings.
Children, Men, Women and Quarterly Baptisms
Children's Church is a named ministry within LCM's family-oriented life. The church also gives men and women distinct formats for fellowship, connection and growth. Men's Fellowship meets monthly at 9:00 a.m. through Zoom or in person, combining camaraderie with wisdom sharing. Women's Ministry fellowship gatherings are also available through Zoom or in person and are intended to provide a supportive, empowering space for women to connect and grow together.
Water baptism and baby dedication are held quarterly after the service. These ceremonies mark significant milestones in the faith journey of those participating. LCM's teaching holds that water baptism is by immersion, is for believers, and symbolizes a person's identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
A Bible Teaching Production Center
LCM's goal is to reach people of every nationality and background, develop dedicated disciples who are doers of God's Word, and help them experience the abundant life. Its vision gives practical form to that goal in several ways:
- Establish a Bible Teaching Production Center.
- Recruit people from every walk of life to contribute their talents and skills to the Lord.
- Serve as a financial base of support for missionary work through world outreach.
- Provide a Ministry of Excellence as a role model for other churches, ministries and organizations.
- Provide small groups that address individual and personal needs.
- Provide a worship atmosphere that brings people into the manifested presence of God.
- Compassionately reach out to meet the needs of people.
These aims connect the church's gatherings with education, discipleship, missionary support, personal care and service. LCM's emphasis on Bible teaching is joined by a commitment to helping individuals and families grow and strengthening their foundation of faith.
What LCM Believes
Scripture and the Godhead
LCM affirms the Bible as the inspired Word of God and accepts the New Covenant recorded in the New Testament as an infallible guide in matters of conduct and doctrine. Its understanding of God is one God manifested in three coequal Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The church teaches that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son and is eternal.
Humanity, Redemption and the New Birth
People are created in the likeness and image of God, but sin entered the world through Adam's transgression and fall. LCM teaches that all have sinned and that Jesus Christ came to undo the works of the devil. Jesus gave His life and shed His blood to redeem and restore humanity to God. The first step toward salvation is godly sorrow that leads to repentance, while the new birth is necessary for everyone and produces eternal life.
Water Baptism and the Holy Spirit
Water baptism is practiced by immersion and is taught as a direct commandment of Jesus for believers. It is a symbol of identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. LCM also teaches that baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire is a gift from God received after the new birth. Its initial evidence is speaking in other tongues as the Holy Spirit gives utterance.
Holiness, Healing and Christ's Return
Sanctification is described as a definite but progressive work of grace that begins at regeneration and continues until Christ's return. LCM also teaches divine healing for physical illness through prayer of faith and the laying on of hands, grounding that privilege in Christ's atonement. Its beliefs include the resurrection of the righteous and the return of the Lord, along with eternal punishment in a literal lake of fire. It also holds that following the Tribulation, Christ will reign with his saints for a thousand years.
Salvation Explained as A, B and C
LCM presents salvation as the gift of God, separate from works and the law, made operative through grace and faith in Jesus Christ while producing works acceptable to God. Its simple explanation uses three verbs:
- A - Admit: Acknowledge sin with sorrow and a willingness to turn from it. Repentance is more than a casual admission that mistakes have been made.
- B - Believe: Rely on Jesus as the only way to be saved and turn from self-sufficiency, rather than merely acknowledging that He exists.
- C - Confess: Take Jesus as Lord and King, invite Him into life, and make Him the sovereign Lord over one's life.
Together, these steps express LCM's focus on sincere repentance, reliance on Jesus and a personal decision to receive Him as Lord. Baptism, the new birth and Spirit-filled faith are closely connected in the church's teaching.
Giving and the Mobile App
LCM describes tithes and offerings as one way to worship God. Every dollar given is described as an investment in God's kingdom and used to help share the Gospel with people from all walks of life. Giving is available through Zelle at LCMCHURCH@MSN.COM, with no cost to the giver and no fees assessed to the church.
Other giving options include Vanco Online, PayPal and text-to-give. The text number is 844-261-5013. Mail gifts are addressed to Life Changing Ministries at 967 Kendall Drive, Ste. A #339, San Bernardino, CA 92407.
The official mobile app provides notifications, event calendars, sermon archives, online giving and church updates. These digital features accompany the church's in-person worship while also supporting Bible review, group participation and ongoing communication.
One Church Life, Several Rhythms
At LCM, Sunday worship is joined by weekday prayer, a one-year Bible review, Interactive Growth Groups, children's ministry and separate fellowships for men and women. These rhythms are held together by world outreach, compassionate service and the stated goal of raising dedicated disciples who put God's Word into practice.
Life Changing Ministries remains centered on worship, God's Word, discipleship, service and active participation in the mission of God.