By Sam Skopp
Special to Westside Today
With Easter only a week away, churches are preparing services and celebrations across the region. Shepherd Church’s Westside location, is opening its doors to all.
“On Easter Sunday, we joyfully come together to remember and celebrate,” said Shepherd’s Westside Campus Director Kayla Francis.
“All are welcome on this special day as Shepherd Church strives to join together people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and nationalities,” she said.
Upon arrival, all guests will be welcomed, with refreshments and snacks on hand, according to Francis. A special service for children (birth-5th grade) is being held as part of the celebrations on Easter Sunday, March 27, at noon, and will include worship and a Bible-based Resurrection message, as well as a bounce house and an egg hunt following the service.
“We believe the whole family will leave our services refreshed, uplifted, and excited that they came,” Francis added.
Opening in 1912, the First Baptist Church was founded in Van Nuys, before changing its name to Shepherd of the Hills Church (now Shepherd Church) and relocating to Porter Ranch in 1991. Shepherd Church has 12,000-plus members with four campuses located in Agua Dulce, Porter Ranch, Woodland Hills and the Westside, and each campus fosters a sense of community amongst its members. Shepherd Church is expecting 24,000 attendees to take part in their Easter Services weekend program.
Westside campus director Francis said that what she loves about Shepherd Church is that, “Although we are considered a large church because we are spread out across multiple locations, here on the Westside, we are able to offer a number of programs and resources in a small church setting.”
Programs and resources offered at the Westside location include a children’s ministry, weekly in-home study groups, and a “mobile market,” wherein volunteers fill tote bags with food to be provided to those in need.
Francis describes Shepherd as “a diverse, welcoming and family-friendly church on the Westside.”
Westside weekly worship services are held Sundays at 11am at Paul Revere Charter Middle School, which is located at 1450 Allenford Ave, just off of Sunset Blvd. Shepherd Church Westside will hold a special Easter service on Sunday, March 27 at 12pm.
For more information about Shepherd Church Westside and all other locations at shepherdchurch.com.
