Our Story

1995

In the summer of 1995, a group of 50 adults and 30 kids gathered at Bicentennial Park to discuss the possibility of starting a church in the East Clovis area. Pastors Alan Newlove and Joe Lavagnino shared a simple vision of a church that would be 1) Christ-centered, 2) relationally based and 3) outreach-oriented. Since our inception those three elements have served as a foundation for everything we do.  We held our first public service in backyards for the first couple of weeks, then moved into Gettysburg Elementary School cafeteria. We didn’t have a name yet, so we were known as “That Church That Meets at Gettysburg!” Later in 1995, we finally chose to call our church Celebration Christian Fellowship which described the joy we felt as we gathered each Sunday.

 

1996

At the end of 1996, Pastor Alan stepped down and the church called Pastor Joe to fill the position. Soon after new staff were hired, and our church continued to grow. We quickly went to two services, expanded the parking into the basketball courts and added children’s classrooms, until finally we realized we needed a larger facility.

 

2000

In 2000 we moved to Reyburn Intermediate School and added a third Sunday service and more classroom space for the children. We continued to expand our midweek ministries and programs back at our office/MPR facilities near Gettysburg and Clovis Avenue.

 

2004

In 2004 we purchased 25 acres at Shaw and McCall, knowing that was the general area God was calling us to serve. We began drawing up building designs and site plans, launched several capital campaigns and, though building was several years off, used the property as much as we could for Harvest Parties, Youth events and Special Sunday services under a large tent.

 

2013

In 2013 we changed our name to reflect the Loma Vista area, calling ourselves Loma Vista Community Church. This new named served to remind us of our mandate to reach our community for Christ. We launched new outreach initiatives partnering with Clovis Unified School District and other services directed towards our community.

 

2018

In 2018, we finally received permission to build from both the County and City, and broke ground on an 11000 sf Ministry Center. This first building ultimately will be our Family Ministry Center housing our children and youth programs, but temporarily will be our Worship Center when we first move in. Our permanent Worship Center will rest on the eastern side of our property. Our hope is to finish the building and move in in the fall of 2020.

 

Today

Since our beginning we’ve been a portable, largely invisible church, enjoying a culture based on our values not our buildings. However, as we move into our brand new Ministry Center on Shaw and McCall, those values that have served to define us throughout the decades will continue to define our culture as we move into our next era of ministry.  We are a group of people who desire genuine, authentic relationships with God and with each other. So, whether you’ve got zero church experience or a ton, it really doesn’t matter to us as long as you have a desire to seek out Jesus Christ; you’ll always be welcome in our church family. If you join us on a Sunday, we promise not to make you do anything, say anything or give anything; just be yourself! Let us know how we can serve you!