Church of Amazing Grace International
A Thriving African Christian Community in Southern California
Now worshipping in San Bernardino — and rising into our permanent home
Services & Christian Education
Worship Service
Sunday | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Youth
Sunday | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Sunday School
Sunday | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Choir Practice
Sunday | 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Bible Study
Wednesday | 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Prayer Meeting
Thursday | 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Temporary Worship Location: First Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino, 1900 North D Street, San Bernardino, CA 92405. Permanent facility approximately 4 miles away — under restoration.
Rooted and Rising
Fifteen years ago, a small group of Kenyans gathered in someone's living room in San Bernardino. They prayed. They sang. They believed. That seed is still growing.
On February 28, 2026, CAGI concluded its partnership with the Presbytery of Los Ranchos — with gratitude for years of shared ministry. On March 1, 2026, CAGI began a new chapter as a member congregation of the Riverside Presbytery.
We are worshipping temporarily at First Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino while our permanent home — approximately four miles away — is being restored. While the building is being renewed, so are we.
The Church of Amazing Grace International
CAGI was established in December 2009 as Kanitha wa Utugi wa Magegania wa Gikuyu (KUMG) — the only fellowship of its kind in Southern California. A small group of Kenyans from San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange counties gathered monthly to worship in their native Gikuyu language.
As the community grew, so did its vision. The church relocated from a pastor's residence to the Downtown Community Center in Anaheim, then to First Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana. By 2015, the name changed to Church of Amazing Grace International — to reflect the growing diversity of African immigrants joining the congregation.
In March 2026, CAGI joined the Riverside Presbytery, beginning its most significant chapter yet: moving toward a permanent facility in San Bernardino and deepening its roots as a diaspora congregation anchored in Reformed faith.
CAGI's theology blends Reformed convictions with the African philosophy of Ubuntu — "I am because we are." Shared life. Mutual care. A church built not just for Sundays but for real immigrant life in Southern California.
Vision & Mission
Vision
Build a strong and vibrant African Christian community serving African students and immigrant families living in Southern California.
Mission
Reach African immigrants living in Southern California for Christ.
Our Permanent Home Is Coming.
We are approximately four miles from the building God has prepared for us at 829 N Mount Vernon Ave, San Bernardino. It is being restored. So are we. This is not a detour. This is the story.
Stay UpdatedMeet the Pastor
Rev. Dr. Johnson Kiriaku wa Kinyua
Senior Pastor
Rev. Dr. Johnson Kiriaku wa Kinyua is the Senior Pastor of CAGI. Born in Kenya, he holds a PhD in Religion from the University of Birmingham and teaches ethics at Saint Leo University. He and his wife Mary have three children — Milkah, Ayub, and Eunice.
Pastor Kinyua has served congregations in Africa and the United States, building deep intercultural pastoral experience. His Reformed convictions are shaped by Africa's "I am because we are" — a theology of community, healing, and mutual accountability.
He preaches, teaches, and leads with the conviction that the church exists for the world, not only for itself.
Church Session
Our elders partner with the minister to provide pastoral leadership and care through every life stage.
Rev. Dr. Johnson Kinyua
Pastor
Lucy Wamagatta
Chair
Tabitha Gichuru
Clerk
Pastor Janeth Masinde
Elder
Mary Kiriaku
Elder
Erastus Bundi
Elder
Alice Nganga
Assistant Clerk
Isabel Mwaura
Elder
Leonard Kanyi
Elder
Alice Nyaga
Elder
Naomi Ngotho
Elder
Evans Njoroge
Elder
Elizabeth Karanja
Finance Officer
Purity Gichuru
Director, Youth & Children
Ministries & Groups
CAGI Elders
Pastoral care, shepherding, Bible study leadership across Districts
Atumia A Magegania
Amazing Women
Fellowship, generosity, spiritual and social growth
CAGI Youth
Bible study, camping, sports, outreach, and community building
Men of God
Retreats, fellowship, mutual accountability, and gospel outreach
CAGI Children
Sunday School for preschool and elementary ages, rooted in Scripture
Districts
Home and online fellowship circles for discipleship and community prayer
Statement of Faith
We believe in the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scripture, justification by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and in the priesthood of all believers. As a community of believers, we are called by God, shaped by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be a community of praise, love, and service. Our Christian theological beliefs follow reformed tradition and informed by the African philosophy of sharing and mutuality guided by the motto 'I am because we are.'
We believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His death and resurrection. We believe in Jesus as the Son of God. He is the Savior of the world. Repentance and faith in Jesus Christ is the means by which we are forgiven our sins. We also believe in One God, who exists eternally in three personalities: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
We believe the Church is the family of God that comprises those 'called out.' They are 'called out' from sinful lives into the pursuit of God's righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ. Hence, they are 'a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.' The church refers to a community 'called to be saints' — a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a spiritual house.
We believe in Salvation through Grace. God has offered us salvation because He loves us. We know that we do not deserve such a great salvation. However, we also know that through Jesus, who was without sin, God redeemed us. The Bible declares, 'There is no salvation by anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved' (Acts 4:12).
We believe that the church is called to serve God and his people. Ministry and service at CAGI is derived from the ministry of Jesus Christ, given by Him who came to minister and to give His life a ransom for many. We believe it is the duty and privilege of every member to realize one's adoption into the family of God and to rejoice in salvation through Jesus Christ.
We believe that evangelism means taking the Word of God to where the people are. God sent His only begotten Son and the Holy Spirit and now He sends us. We seek to reach the whole person with the whole gospel. Evangelism fulfills the great commission and announces redemption to every area of life — body and soul, mind and spirit, family and community.
Events
Upcoming
Rooted and Rising
Guest Preacher: The Rt. Rev. Patrick Thegu, Moderator, Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.
Past Events
Rooted and Rising
Bishop Stephen Gachengo. Message: "Roots that anchor and propel."
Thriving Beyond Boundaries
Co-hosted with Soil Merchants. Speakers: Rev. Dr. Johnson Kiriaku, Rev. Lucy Gacheru, Chairman George Mungai. Topics: diaspora investment, real estate, faith-driven entrepreneurship.
Media Center
CAGI streams worship worldwide, connecting Nairobi, New York, and Fullerton in real-time praise and teaching. Our media team manages live video, digital mixing, camera switching, and lyric display from every service.
Whether you're joining us in person or from across the globe, you're part of our community. Follow us on social media to stay connected throughout the week.
Sermon Archive
Coming Soon
Partner with CAGI
"Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance and the ends of the earth your possession"— Psalms 2:8
Church Network
- Kenya churches in SoCal
- Riverside Presbytery
- Broader PCUSA
- Cross-cultural partnerships
Contact Us
Temporary Location
1900 North D Street, San Bernardino, CA 92405
Phone
657-298-0792
cagi2017@att.net
Website
churchofamazinggraceinternational.org
facebook.com/CAGInternational
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."— Romans 12:12