What started as a small Bible study in North Long Beach has blossomed into the Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church we see today. This church has a rich history. It is rooted in community service and global outreach.
In 1954, the First Free Methodist Church of Long Beach sent a group to start a Bible study. Their goal was to create a church. By 1957, the group had grown. They purchased a large lot at Downey and 59th Street. Imagine those early days. The congregation, without a building, gathered around a big yellow school bus. The preacher spoke from the front. Soon, the bus was full.
Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church continued to grow. In 1976, the sanctuary was built. This was on the bi-centennial of the nation. The doors of Light & Life opened. Praise and thanksgiving filled the air. Light & Life Christian School began in 1980. For 27 years, it greatly impacted the community by offering Christian education. It closed in 2007.
The first 37 years saw many pastors come and go at Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church. Some thrived, others struggled. No pastor stayed longer than 5 years. In 1988, the church expanded. Wings were added to the sanctuary. These wings now house the nursery, prayer room and green room.
Light & Life believers have always been tenacious. They are generous, prayerful and evangelistic. Their faith held Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church together. It helped the church develop. We honor their legacy.
By 1991, the community around Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church had changed. The church consisted of a small group. They wanted to reach people for Jesus. However, they were not effective. They had no pastor. They struggled to keep the doors open. A shift occurred. The older generation empowered the new. Don McLain became the key leader.
Don brought in Craig and Mary Durst. Their jazz worship sound transformed the services. It became key to the Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church’s growth. Don also called the church to prayer. As they prayed, a stranger walked in. He asked how to become a Christian. Tony Cook was saved that night.
Don asked Larry to become the pastor. Larry hesitated. But God called him to Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church. Despite only having 39 parking spots, the church grew. Worship became vibrant. Bible preaching was solid. Small groups formed. People were loved well. Prayer was earnest. In 1997, Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church was the fastest-growing in its denomination.
Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church prayer-walked the neighborhood. They asked God to make their church reflect the community. God answered. Today, Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church is one of the most diverse in America.
The church hired staff. It added services. Walls came down. The sanctuary was remodeled. A balcony was added. They rented the Ministry Center. Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church sent mission teams to the Dominican Republic.
By 1998, Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church faced a choice. They could move to a larger property. Or they could stay and limit growth. The leaders went away to pray. They received a vision of a “River Church”. Instead of collecting people, they would send them out to start new churches.
Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church embarked on 40 days of prayer and fasting. They envisioned planting churches across Long Beach. Light & Life Bixby and Luz y Vida were among the first plants. Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church gave leaders and finances to these new churches.
Global missions also took off. Teams from Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church went to Ethiopia. They went to the Philippines and Indonesia. They built schools and fed the hungry.
In 2010, Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church opened its Community Center. It offers programs for the community. These include after-school help, computer classes and a food distribution program.
In 2020, the pandemic forced Light And Life Christian Fellowship Church to close. They launched an online ministry. In 2022, Pastors Sean Fenner and Joel Silva took over leadership. Light & Life Christian Fellowship Church continues to reach teach mend and send. It is known as a people-loving place.