From Sherrard's Chapel to a Debt-Free Campus
Valley Center Community Church sits on twenty acres along Cole Grade Road in Valley Center, California, but its story begins more than a century earlier. In 1885, Joseph and Hannah Sherrard founded Sherrard's Chapel as a place for God's people to worship in this small rural community. That original chapel still stands next to the cemetery on Miller Road, a quiet reminder of how the congregation began.
As the church family grew, services moved to what is now the Community Center on Lilac Road. In 1946 a larger worship space was secured - an old Marine Chapel that was relocated to Valley Center Road - and by the 1970s the facilities had been expanded to keep pace with growth, looking ahead to a permanent home.
More than twenty-five years ago the leadership of VCCC recognized that existing facilities could no longer support a growing church. After a season of prayer and searching, the twenty-acre property on Cole Grade Road was purchased in 1999. The next decade was marked by perseverance: securing permits, designing a campus, and raising funds. A first-phase vision of three buildings - a Worship Center and two ministry buildings housing classrooms, meeting spaces, offices, and a kitchen - took shape over time.
Worship on the new property began under a tent in May 2021, alongside the dedication of the Education Building. The Worship Center was completed in September 2022, and by February 2026, through the generosity of God's people, the Worship Center was paid off and VCCC became debt free.
The 4 G's: Gather, Grow, Give, Go
Everything at Valley Center Community Church flows from a single sentence: "To glorify God by being and making disciples of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." The vision of the church is to see the people of Valley Center and beyond transformed into disciples of Jesus Christ through the ministry of VCCC.
That calling is lived out through what VCCC calls the 4 G's. Members Gather for corporate worship, taking to heart the call of Hebrews 10:24-25 not to neglect meeting together. They Grow spiritually through grace in their knowledge and application of the gospel, rooted and built up in Christ. They Give of their time, talents and treasure in service to God and his church, acknowledging that everything belongs to him. And they Go into the world sharing the message of the gospel, fulfilling the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20.
Two Sunday Mornings on Cole Grade Road
VCCC gathers on Sunday mornings at 9:00 and 10:45 AM. Both services follow the same pattern: worship centered on God's Word and authentic community. A typical service runs about an hour and fifteen minutes.
Worship music is gospel-rich, blending modern songs and hymns in a contemporary style. Children worship with their families through the singing portion of the service and are then dismissed to Kids Sunday School, though families are welcome to keep them in the service for the entire time. After each service, the courtyard fills with coffee and fellowship, and on the first Sunday of each month the congregation enjoys donuts together.
For adults who want to dig deeper before the second service, Adult Sunday School meets at 9:00 AM in the Multipurpose Room. Taught by various staff and members, the classes cover theology, biblical studies and cultural engagement with room for discussion. Youth Sunday School meets at 10:45 AM in the Office Flexspace, where junior high and high school students gather in separate studies after singing.
Parking is straightforward, with accessible parking spaces on site and an overflow lot at the VCCC Park on the corner of Cole Grade and Fruitvale Roads. There is no dress code: some attend casually, others enjoy dressing up. The services are livestreamed on YouTube for those who cannot attend in person.
Rooted in Scripture, Leaning Reformed
VCCC describes itself as a Christ-centered, gospel-driven community of believers. Its Statement of Faith is built on thirteen points that articulate what the Bible proclaims about central matters of the faith, and the document notes that the doctrine can accurately be called Reformed in its view of God, human nature, sin, and salvation, though the congregation does not focus on labels. The confession is adapted from the Gospel Coalition's 2010 statement.
The thirteen articles trace a familiar arc: the Triune God, revelation in creation and Scripture, the creation of humanity in God's image, the fall into sin, the plan of God to save a great multitude, the gospel of his Son, the redemption accomplished by Christ, the justification of sinners by faith, the power of the Holy Spirit, the kingdom of God, God's new people - the gathered church - the sacraments, and the restoration of all things at Christ's return. VCCC practices believer's baptism by full immersion and observes the Lord's Supper as a regular covenant renewal.
The Statement of Faith also gives particular attention to the complementary roles of men and women in family and church, and teaches that marriage between a man and a woman is the only normative pattern of sexual relations. Those who seek to affiliate with VCCC through membership affirm their agreement with these thirteen points.
Kids: Birth Through Fifth Grade
The Kids Ministry at Valley Center Community Church is dedicated to glorifying God by partnering with parents in sharing the gospel and teaching children, so that they might grow to be and make disciples themselves. From birth through fifth grade, classes and activities give children the chance to hear about the saving power of the gospel and to experience God's love through meaningful relationships.
On Sunday mornings the Nursery cares for children from birth through age two, and a parent-child room in the Worship Center near the women's restroom offers a place to take in the service if a little one gets restless. Preschool through fifth grade attend Kids Sunday School during both services, dismissed after the singing portion of the gathering.
Two programs extend ministry beyond Sunday. AWANA is a Bible-based, Christ-centered program for ages two (potty-trained) through sixth grade, meeting Mondays from 6:00 to 7:45 PM, September through May. The program focuses on evangelism, discipleship, Bible verse memorization, and service, and welcomes new registrations any time of year. Vacation Bible School takes place for one week each June (in 2027, July 12-16, from 9 AM to noon) for ages three through fifth grade, with interactive worship, engaging lessons, games, and crafts centered on a Gospel-focused theme.
VCCC also partners with two organizations to give kids more ways to learn and grow. Fellowship of Christian Athletes runs sport camps and leagues for K-12th grade, including a fall soccer league. Trail Life Troop CA-2717 is a church-based, Christ-centered mentoring and discipleship program for boys ages 5 to 17, meeting the first and third Thursdays of the month from 6:30 to 8:00 PM.
Junior High and High School on Wednesday Nights
Valley Center Community Church's heart for youth is to see students in Valley Center and beyond equipped for a lifelong journey of following Jesus. VCCC Youth exists to help middle and high school students grow in their faith, develop meaningful relationships, and live unashamed of the gospel.
Sunday morning includes Youth Sunday School at 10:45 AM in the Office Flexspace. After singing during the second service, students are dismissed for separate Bible studies designed to go deeper into God's Word. The discussions explore cultural and political topics through the lens of Scripture, with the goal of helping students think biblically and stand firm.
Wednesday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 PM belong to Youth Group. The first half of the evening brings everyone together for large-group teaching, games, and worship. Afterward, students break into grade-based small groups led by consistent, caring leaders who invest in them week after week.
Summer and winter youth camps give students a focused time of worship and biblical teaching, often for several days. Over spring break, high school students have the opportunity to step out in faith together on a mission trip designed to grow them spiritually and share the love of Christ in tangible ways.
Men, Women and Seniors in Community
VCCC's ministries for adults grow out of a conviction that life is better in community and that iron sharpens iron.
The Women's Ministry creates meaningful opportunities for connection, support and spiritual growth so that every woman feels seen, valued, and equipped to live out her God-given purpose. Weekly Women's Bible Studies walk through Scripture with an eye to practical application. A Women's Evening meets on the second Friday of every other month from 7:00 to 9:00 PM with games, desserts and conversation, and an annual Women's Retreat in the spring encourages and equips women in their identity as wives, mothers, friends and sisters in Christ.
The Men's Ministry exists to develop a culture of men fully devoted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Weekly Men's Bible Studies explore Scripture from a man's perspective, building deep, supportive relationships through brotherhood and accountability. A Men's Breakfast meets the first Saturday of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 AM with food, conversation and a dive into the Word, and an annual Men's Retreat in the spring brings men together for fellowship and growth.
The Seniors Ministry focuses on living life together in Christ. A monthly Seniors Luncheon meets on the second Thursday from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM with a hosted lunch and encouragement from God's Word. A Seniors Connections Group meets the other Thursdays from 12:30 to 2:00 PM in the Multipurpose Room for deeper discussion of the previous Sunday's sermon.
Small Groups Across Valley Center and Escondido
Small Groups are where the VCCC church family grows together. In groups of ten to thirty people, couples and singles of all ages gather regularly for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship, growing as disciples and actively fulfilling the call to make disciples. Groups meet on various days and times in homes throughout Valley Center and Escondido. Each group decides how it handles childcare: some are for adults only while others incorporate children.
Missions on Five Continents
Valley Center Community Church is committed to supporting missionaries and mission organizations around the world, advancing the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth. Several of the missionaries supported serve in sensitive areas, and for their safety the church cannot disclose every name, location, or specific ministry.
Among the gospel partners the church can share: David and Elisabet Barcelo serve in Barcelona, Spain, where David pastors a local church focused on discipleship, spiritual growth, and developing leaders for ministry. John and Aimee Gordon serve in Panama through Sports X Change, a ministry that uses sports outreach, short-term missions, and local church partnerships to share the gospel among inner-city communities, Venezuelan immigrants and refugees, and indigenous groups. Nate and Amy Kidder have served with SIM in Ethiopia since 2014; Nate teaches at Evangelical Theological College, training future leaders across Africa. Nikolas and Katerina Skopych, after more than twenty years pastoring in Ukraine, fled to Germany as refugees and have begun planting a church for displaced Ukrainians in Europe. Michael and Amy Walters began serving with Sixty Feet in Uganda in 2017 and now support the ministry from the United States, where Michael serves as Executive Director of a vision to provide a gospel-centered continuum of care for vulnerable children.
VCCC also supports outreach to Arabic speakers across twenty-two Middle Eastern countries and Arabic speakers throughout the United States, as well as a creative-access ministry in Southeast Asia that shares the hope of Jesus through business, community relationships, discipleship, and village outreach.
Membership, Serving and Biblical Counseling
VCCC has a high view of membership because the Bible does. The church teaches that every person who proclaims faith in Christ is to identify with a local church, come under the care of its leaders, and engage in the mission of the church.
Those interested in joining take part in Explore VCCC, a three-session class that walks through the heart and distinctives of the church, the Membership Covenant, and the calling to be and make disciples. After completing a Member Form, prospective members meet with one of the elders for an interview and are then welcomed and presented to the congregation. Members affirm their agreement with the VCCC Statement of Faith and the Member Covenant, and if they have not yet been baptized since coming to faith, they agree to be baptized at the first reasonable opportunity. Members receive a dedicated care shepherd, access to biblical counseling, and the chance to serve on a ministry team.
Because serving flows from a shared commitment to Christ and his church, service at VCCC is reserved for members. Serving opportunities include nursery, Kids Sunday School, AWANA, VBS, youth ministry, tech and media, worship, the safety team, and eight deacon-led ministry areas: campus preparation, greeters, meals, service projects, transportation, ushers, and visitation.
VCCC also provides Biblical Counseling to members, with a Christ-centered approach that applies biblical principles to particular areas of struggle and equips individuals with lifelong guidelines for problem-solving. Because the ministry involves ongoing shepherding and spiritual care, it is reserved for members who have committed to the care, leadership and guidance of the church's elders.
Classes, Prayer and the Church Center App
Beyond Sunday morning, the church gathers for classes and ongoing spiritual formation. Financial Peace University walks through biblical wisdom and common sense for tackling debt, spending intentionally, giving generously, and planning for the future, open to individuals, couples, and families with students in sixth grade or above (with nursery through fifth grade available for younger children). The church staff begins each week in prayer, and a Prayer Request page invites the congregation to share needs that can be lifted up privately with the elders and deacons or with the church as a whole. A weekly prayer guide walks through days focused on the church family, leaders, missionaries, community, family members, government officials, and the self.
For ongoing connection, the Church Center app lets people register for events, give securely, watch sermons, sign up for serve teams, and complete connect cards from a phone. The app is available on both iOS and Android.
Looking Toward the Third Building
The leaders at VCCC are quick to acknowledge that growth has outpaced facilities. Every classroom is full during both Sunday services, including converted office spaces, and most rooms are in use daily during the week. Junior high and high school students gather across the whole campus on Wednesday nights but lack a dedicated space. Each year Vacation Bible School serves more than four hundred children, and the church has had to put up a tent just to fit them.
When the campus was first designed more than twenty years ago, the vision was to build three structures: a Worship Center, an Education Building, and an Office Building. Phase one, now complete, raised funds to pay off the remaining Worship Center debt and cover architectural fees for design and permitting. The next phase launches a two-year pledge campaign to cover most, if not all, construction costs and begin the permitting process. After that, construction begins, and finally the building is completed and any remaining costs are paid off.
Until then, the people of Valley Center Community Church continue to gather - week after week, on Cole Grade Road - to glorify God by being and making disciples of Jesus Christ.