A Full House on Mount Vernon: CAGI Holds First Service at New Campus
On Sunday, August 2, Church of Amazing Grace International worshipped for the first time at 829 N. Mount Vernon Avenue.
Sunday, August 2 will be remembered as one of the defining days in the life of this church.
By the grace of God, Church of Amazing Grace International held its inaugural worship service at its new home on Mount Vernon Avenue in San Bernardino. The room was full. Members, friends, neighbors, and visitors came together to worship and to see what God is doing in this place.
A historic day, marked together
Representatives from the Presbytery of Riverside joined us and brought a message of goodwill, along with a ceremonial welcoming of Church of Amazing Grace International into the Mount Vernon campus. As a New Worshiping Community under the care of the Presbytery, we do not take this moment lightly. It is the fruit of a partnership that has been building for some time, and we believe it is the beginning of a long and fruitful season of Gospel work together. We thank the Presbytery for believing in this mission and for entrusting us with the care of this place.
We also welcomed Rev. Dr. Brian Symonds, members of the Session, and the congregation of First Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino. They have hosted us since March 1 with extraordinary generosity, and it meant a great deal to have them with us as we began worship at the Mount Vernon campus.
Bishop Rev. Dr. George G. Gitahi brings the Word at the inaugural service.
The Word preached
Bishop Rev. Dr. George G. Gitahi and his wife travelled to be with us for the occasion. Through the preaching of God's Word, weary hearts were renewed and reminded that our strength comes from staying connected to one another and, above all, to God Himself.
Many hands
The transformation of this campus in a short span of time has been remarkable. Improvements are still underway, but what has already been accomplished shows what happens when people work together toward one purpose.
Our Development Team, led by Edward Kamotho, guided the process with integrity, wisdom, and care. Our Media Team, under Walker Bundi, went far beyond what was asked, ensuring the day was experienced both in the room and well beyond our walls. In the final critical days of preparation, Ricky Ngugi, Samuel Kanai, David Wambugu, Jack Kihara, and many others gave their time, energy, and skill wherever it was needed.
The CAGI Women prepared a beautiful and abundant meal, and their decorations and floral arrangements turned the worship space into a place of warmth and celebration. The CAGI Men provided the meat, the drinks, and much of the practical work behind the scenes. Our children, under Children's Ministry Director Purity Gichuru and her team, reminded us why we build at all.
The beginning, not the finish line
The last two years have tested this congregation in ways no one could have anticipated, and the five months since relocating our ministry to San Bernardino have asked a great deal of everyone. Through all of it, this church remained faithful.
Our theme this year is Rebuilding the Ruins Together, drawn from Isaiah 61:4:
"They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations."
The work in front of us is larger than a building. God is rebuilding lives, restoring hope, strengthening families, and establishing a witness that will bless generations.
The inaugural service was not the finish line. It was the beginning.
Join us for Sunday worship at 829 N. Mount Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92411.