In the Spirit

Address: 792 Victoria St., Costa Mesa

Phone: (949) 548-3468

Fax: (949) 548-3469

E-mail: JerroldAHollobaugh@juno.com

Denomination: Christian Church -- there are about 6,000 congregations

worldwide

Year established: 1956

Service times: Praise and worship is Sunday at 10:15 a.m.; Sunday school

for all ages is at 9 a.m.; Sunday Night Life is at 6 p.m.

Senior pastor: Jerrold A. Hollobaugh has been the minister since May

1995. He holds several degrees, including a master’s in pastoral

psychology and counseling and a master’s in marriage and family therapy.

Pastoral staff: Kay Nelson, choir director and pianist; Bob Hall, morning

worship leader; Kenn Holt, organist and Sunday Evening Live worship

leader; Judy Molson, nursery worker; Brett Miller, sound technician;

Shirley Hilsabeck, secretary.

Size of congregation: 85

Makeup of congregation: Ages range from 1 month to 102 years; singles,

couples and families, primarily from Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Irvine

and Newport Beach.

Child care: Provided Sunday at 9 and 10:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. services, and

as needed for other activities. The church has a baby nursery at the rear

of the auditorium, in a room with a viewing window and sound to hear the

services. This is a convenience to parents who wish to stay with their

infants. Nursery care is provided for children older than 1 1/2. Bible

classes are provided for children older than 6.

Type of worship: All services are composed of praise choruses,

traditional hymns, prayer, a sermon and the Lord’s Supper.

Type of sermon: Sermons are expository and topical, though more

frequently expository. Sermons are sometimes part of a series, such as

the current one on Old Testament characters. Hollobaugh tries to teach

simply, in the sense of clarity, and attempts to present Bible truths in

easy-to-understand language, calling for a decision and definite action

on the part of the hearer.

Recent sermons: The series on Old Testament characters, which began Jan.

9, will conclude April 9.

Upcoming sermons: The April 30 sermon will be the first of an exposition

of the New Testament and will focus on 1 Peter. Peter’s letters tell of

suffering and persecution because of loyalty to Christ, and how to turn

such trials into triumphs for the glory of God by preparing for the best

of God’s blessings rather than fearing the worst of man’s hatred. Sermon

titles include: “Where There Is Christ, There Is Hope,” “It’s Glory All

The Way,” “Staying Clean in aPolluted World,” “Christian Togetherness”

and “Somebody’s Watching You!”

Welcome wagon: The people of the church are friendly, hospitable and

community-minded. They welcome anyone from the community to their worship

and activities. Each week following the morning service, there is a table

in the Fellowship Hall. Refreshments are provided and everyone is welcome

to linger there to get to know each other.

Outreach programs: The church supports missionaries in Australia, India,

Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines and Oklahoma.

Dress: Informal

Church design: The auditorium is traditional, with a center aisle, pews,

a Communion table and a pulpit.

Mission statement: South Coast Christian Church exists to reach and

teach. To reach people with the hope and love of the Gospel in order to

win people to Christ and help them grow in Him. To teach God’s word and

through fellowship and prayer to prepare God’s people to serve the

church, the community and the world.

Interesting note: The church has men’s and women’s Bible study groups.

They meet Tuesdays at 1 p.m. The women meet in thechurch’s Fellowship

Hall and they are studying the book of Hebrews. The men meet in the

Minister’s Study and are studying the book of Colossians. A men’s prayer

breakfast is held in the Fellowship Hall bi-monthly on the first

Saturday.

-- Compiled by Michele M. Marr