IN THE SPIRIT

-- Michele Marr

Address: 1055 El Camino Drive, Costa Mesa. Worship services are held

at Costa Mesa High School, 2650 Fairview Road. A map is available at the

Palm Harvest Web site.

Telephone: (714) 751-5397

Web site: o7 https://www.PalmHarvest.orgf7

Denomination: North American Baptist

Year church established: October

Service times: Sunday worship is at 9 a.m. School-age children attend

worship with their families until after the blessing of the children.

Following the blessing, they are dismissed to attend Children’s Church.

Members also meet during the week in small groups -- Impact Groups -- of

five to 10 people for Bible study. Impact Group leaders are trained by

Pastor Michael Decker, while they also maintain the flexibility to

address the specific needs of the members of their small group.

Senior pastor: Michael Decker

Pastoral staff: Diane Chavez, ministry coach; Robin Decker, office

manager

Size of congregation: 50

Makeup of families: Primarily families with school-age children

Nursery and child care: Provided for infants, toddlers and preschool

children. Parents are welcome to bring children of all ages into the

worship service with them. The congregation feels it is important that

kids know they are valued and loved.

Type of worship: Contemporary and upbeat. A worship band leads the

service that includes song, prayer, a pastoral blessing of the children,

testimony and a pastoral message.

Type of message: It is Bible-based with a life application. The topic

is often drawn from the children’s Sunday school curriculum. At other

times, Decker addresses the particular spiritual and practical needs of

the congregation. Whatever the topic, it is the same for pastoral

message, the children’s Sunday school and the weekday Impact Groups.

Recent sermons: “Three Tips For Navigating Your Future,” “Five

ingredients in every great friendship,” “How to live in the midst of

controversy,” “Eight values for 21st century living” have been the

titles of late. The text of recent sermons are available on the Palm

Harvest Web site.

Upcoming sermons: On Sunday, Decker will present a message titled,

“What should you do when God knocks you on your butt?”

Visitors’ welcome: After service, members meet for “doughnut

fellowship.” Diedrich coffee is served with doughnuts in a low-key

atmosphere ideal for getting to know each other better. Visitors are

welcome to join in to whatever degree they are comfortable.

Outreach programs: Family and Friends Day is held one Sunday each

quarter. Members of the congregation gather with friends at a local park

for a barbecue lunch, games and socializing. The congregation continually

looks for ways to share God’s love with others in practical ways. They

partner with local businesses, education and service groups to improve

the quality of life for all members of the community. Recently members

gathered at TeWinkle Park to serve hot chocolate and marshmallows to

spectators at a Costa Mesa High School baseball game. Members have also

helped to paint and refurbish school facilities in the city. Decker is a

member of the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and a chaplain with the

Costa Mesa Police Department.

Dress: Casual

Mission statement: “Loving God. Loving Others.”

Vision statement: “We exist to build bridges to people in our

community through service.”

Interesting notes: Women of the congregation will host a Garden Tea

and Brunch at 10 a.m. June 2.