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Our Story

In mid-September of 1987 a “Launch Team” of 6 adults and 6 kids began meeting in a living room, which marks the beginning of Church in the Valley.  The team’s goal was to establish a church to introduce adults to Jesus Christ, and to help them grow in their relationship to Him…  Our desire through the years has been to be a “church without walls.”  We have met in rented facilities and plan to continue to do so until it is more prudent to buy than rent.  Our goal is to mobilize members to minister to others wherever they are, not to build a ministry around church meetings (or buildings).  Much of the spiritual growth, ministry and direction in our church body happen in small group meetings in homes.  Life to life relationships are an integral part of God’s plan for discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2).  We have been closely connected to student ministry on the campus at University of Southern California for several years.  USC students and graduates are a key part of the church.  God has fueled expansion beyond other borders as well.  Couples have gone out to start churches in Chico, CA (September 1990) and in Huntington Beach, CA (January 1996).  Another couple was sent out in January of 1995 to serve in Southwest Asia.  Josh & Erika De La Rosa and a launch team from CIV went out in September 2007, to the Orangecrest area of Riverside, CA.  Preview services at Orangecrest Community Church began in the Fall of 2007 with their Grand Opening on February 10, 2008.

How We Relate

Have you ever been in a relationship or a part of a group and it felt like a grind? At Church In the Valley we desire to treat each other in a way that honors God and makes relationships enjoyable. We are committed to 7 heart attitudes that guide the way we relate and do church. Here is a list of these attitudes and some Bible references that these attitudes derive from.

  1. Put the goals and interests of others above my own. Philippians 2:3-4
  2. Live an honest, open life before others. Ephesians 4:25
  3. Give and receive Scriptural correction. Hebrews 3:13
  4. Clear up relationships. Matthew 5:23-24
  5. Participate in the ministry of the church. 1 Peter 4:10
  6. Support the work financially. 1 Corinthians 16:2
  7. Follow spiritual leadership within Scriptural limits and make it a joy for them. Hebrews 13:17

Hope Global Network

CIV is a part of the Hope Global Network (hopeglobalnetwork.com). The Hope Global Network is a group of churches that share a similar vision and set of values by which we seek to advance the kingdom of Christ in the world. We believe that when pastors and other leaders have a community base within which to minister, their ministries grow stronger and healthier and their ability to do the ministry God has laid before them becomes much more effective.