In the Spirit

Address: 1734 Orange Ave., Costa Mesa

Phone: (949) 548-9733

Denomination: Foursquare

Year established: 1934

Service time: 10 a.m. Sunday

Senior pastor: Chip Crosby

Pastoral staff: Karen Crosby

Size of congregation: 100

Makeup of congregation: Includes all ages

Child care: Provided for children nursery-age through sixth grade.

Type of Worship: The contemporary worship service is designed to

facilitate a heartfelt, spirit-empowered experience. Crosby says, “When

people worship God from their hearts, Jesus promises to be present in

their midst and to demonstrate his power and love in real, tangible ways,

such as answering prayer, changing lives, and bringing health. This is

never boring and always joyful.”

Type of sermon: Crosby teaches the Bible, book by book. He aims to make

its truths become interesting, understandable and practical.

Recent and upcoming sermon: Crosby is beginning to teach through the Book

of Revelation. His sermons will address questions like “Is Jesus really

going to come back?” and “If Jesus is coming back, when?” Crosby will

talk about two unmistakable signs Jesus told his followers to look for.

Everyone is welcome to come hear this series.

Welcome Wagon: Visitors are warmly welcomed and allowed to be themselves.

They are encouraged to take their time to discover what the church is

about and to grow at their own pace.

Dress: California casual

Church design: The church’s historic building is being thoroughly

remodeled to make it a beautiful place for worship and a comfortable

setting for friendship. The building’s unique architectural features have

been enhanced and emphasized while facilities have been modernized. A new

coffee bar and gathering place will soon be completed.

Mission statement: Come and see that Jesus Christ is real. Everything

else follows from that discovery. Therefore, we want to be known as a

place where biblical, balanced, authentic Christianity is demonstrated in

an atmosphere permeated with Christ’s love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

Interesting note: Chip and Karen Crosby became pastors of this historic

church one year ago. Crosby says, “The building is being remodeled and

renewal and rebuilding are going on in people’s lives. There’s a sense of

excitement over what is going to happen next. People are growing in their

spiritual lives and the congregation is growing in numbers.” Everyone is

welcome to be part of this church life. Crosby is also the professor of

preaching at LIFE Bible College.