Our Beliefs
Our Pastor
Our Staff and Elders
Our History
Regular Services and Meetings
Church Calendar
Contacts

Our Beliefs

Our Vision:
To Encourage and Develop the Body of Believers in order to effectively mobilize us as loving Ministers for Christ.

Our Core Values:

1) Prayer- Jeremiah 33:3
In everything we look to God for His direction.

2) Teaching the Word of God- II Timothy 3:16-17
We strive to accurately communicate the Scriptures.

3) Worship- Psalm 34:3
To create and encourage an environment where God is exalted.

4) Development of People- Colossians 2:2-3
Our priority is to encourage people to grow and mature in their relationship with the Lord and one another.

5) Compassion for People- Mathew 9:35-39
We demonstrate God's love toward those who do not know Him.

Our Statement of Faith:

In essential beliefs - we have unity

In non-essential beliefs - we have liberty

In all beliefs - we show charity

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What We Believe:

The Bible is God's word to us, written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 119:105,160; Psalm 12:6

About God. God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. God has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

Genesis 1:1,26,27; 2 Corinthians 13;14; Genesis 3:22; Matthew 28:19; Psalm 90:2; 1 Peter 1:2

About Mankind. We are all made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. We are the supreme object of God's creation. Although mankind has tremendous potential for good, we are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin." This attitude separates us from God.

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Romans 3:23, Isaiah 53:6a; Isaiah 59:1-2

About Eternity. We all were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. The place of eternal separation from God is called Hell. Heaven is the place of eternal union and eternal life with God.

John 3:16; Romans 6:23; (Heaven) Matthew 25:41; Revelation 21:27; (Hell) Revelation 20:15

About Jesus. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross, and arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven's glory and will return again to the earth to reign as King of kings and Lord of Lords.

Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5 John 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15;
Titus 2:13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance. The obedient Christian seeks to live under His control daily.

2 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 2:12; John 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; John 14: 16-17;
1 Corinthians 3:16; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 5:1

About Salvation. Salvation is a gift from God to mankind. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can we be saved from sin's penalty. Eternal life begins the moment we receive Jesus Christ into our life by faith.

Romans 6:23; John 14:6; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1; John 1:12

About Eternal Security. Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in this salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security.

John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5

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Our Pastor – Todd Rettberg
	Todd Rettberg graduated from the University of Redlands with a BS in Business Management in 1989 followed by an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies from Talbot in 1999. He worked for McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for 11 years as a Subcontract Negotiator. He is married to Lisa and has three boys; Joshua, Nathan, and Timothy. Todd became our pastor in 2000 after graduating from Talbot Seminary.
Our Staff and Elders
Scott Montgomery – Elder / Teacher
	Scott is a founding member of SVCC and has been an Elder of the church since 1991. Scott's responsibilities at the church include Bible teaching, overseeing the finances, and working within the team of Elders. Professionally, Scott is a Certified Public Accountant and Partner in the firm Montgomery Niemeyer & Co. LLP in Monrovia. Scott has been a resident of Upland since 1988 with his wife, Janice, and four children, Kristina, J.T., Dillon and Collin.
Greg Even – Elder / Teacher
	Greg graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Cal State Fullerton and has attended SVCC for 14 years. Greg met his wife Cheryl while at Azusa Pacific University in choir. Greg likes to hike and play volleyball . Greg and Cheryl have two sons and one daughter.
Mark Clark – Elder / Teacher
	Mark T. Clark, Ph.D. (USC, the National Champions) is professor of political science and director of the National Security Studies program at California State University, San Bernardino. He is co-author with Hugh Ross and Ken Samples of Lights in the Sky and Little Green Men: A Rational Christian Look at UFOs and Extraterrestrials (NavPress, 2002) and contributed to Professors Who Believe: The Spiritual Journeys of Christian Faculty (InterVarsity Press, 1998). Mark and his wife Mara live in La Verne.
Ken Lira – Elder / Teacher
	Ken has been attending SVCC since 1996. He is currently working on his M.Div. degree at Azusa Pacific University and has served as the Junior High leader and “Wakeup Call” teacher/coordinator. He and his wife Lori have have two daughters, Laina and Lindsay. Ken enjoys reading, movies, and teaching.
Hector Pujol – Elder / Teacher
	Hector has been attending SVCC since 2003. He graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 1988 with a B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Hector met his wife Beth there and have been married since 1988. They have two girls, Christina and Anna. Hector currently works as a software engineer for a large global software company. Hector became an elder in 2007 and currently assists in teaching the “Wake up Call” service. He enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, and biking.
Joel and Jacquie Hess - Youth Pastors
	Joel and Jacquie were both raised in Puyallup Washington. Joel was raised in a Christian home with two older brothers and one younger sister. Jacquie was also born into a Christian home with one older brother and one younger brother. They met in high school where they fell in love and were married on August 5th 2006, 4 years after meeting and dating. They are both currently attending Life Pacific College in San Dimas. Joel is studying to be a Pastor and Jacquie in studying to be teacher slash counselor.
Laurie Giordano - Director of Childrens Ministries
	Laurie is a founding member of Sierra Vista (since 1989). She directs Kids Ministries as well as helps with secretarial responsibilities. Her education has been through Seattle Pacific University, Emmaus Bbile College, and Talbot Seminary. She has worked full-time in various Christian ministries since 1984. Laurie is originally from Washington State but loves her home in sunny California as her hobbies are bicycling, mountain climbing, boogie boarding, and ballroom dancing.
Cheryl Even - Director of Womens Ministries
	Raised in Christian home, accepted Jesus as Savior when I was a pre-schooler. Attended SVCC since 1989. Graduated from APU in 1991 with a B.A. in English Literature. Married to Greg since 1992. Adopted two kids, Adrian and Elliot. Previous ministry experience: Worship team, musicals (my first one was in 5th grade - I played the left foot in a musical about the parts of the body), taught Sunday school briefly, co-ordinated women's retreats for past 7 years. Hobbies: scrapbooking, reading, singing, playing piano, writing music.
	Sierra Vista Worship band

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Our History

Sierra Vista Community Church began on August 27, 1989 in Upland, California. Our first service was held at a local real estate office. By the following Sunday we were meeting at nearby Sierra Vista Elementary School. A few months later the Lord provided Magnolia Park Recreation Center, in Upland for a meeting place. Sierra Vista began meeting at North Hills Church in Claremont on August 7, 1994. In early 2004 Sierra Vista Community Church moved to our own building in Upland (our current location).

Regular Services and Meetings

Contacts

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