Good Shepherd Lutheran Church | Growing together, building lasting friendships, learning to follow Jesus.

Good Shepherd prays for Camarillo bilingual church
Iglesia Calvario pastor Carlos Rodriguez dies March 4;
Memorial Service Monday, Mar. 8, at Camarillo UMC Church, at 6 p.m.

Long-time Assembly of God pastor Carlos Rodriguez was a kind friend of Good Shepherd, and our congregation mourns with Iglesia Calvario congregation, and Carlos's wife Merci, as the Pastor Rodriguez died Thursday in a Los Angeles hospital.

Pastor Rodriguez had retired recently from his work at the Camarillo Youth Correctional Facility, and was giving himself full-time to his church ministry, before a sudden illness had left him hospitalized in Arizona and in Los Angeles. His death was a surprise to Good Shepherd friends. "We know he's with the Lord," said Pastor Jim Johnson, "but I still feel sad to lose his partnership. I respected him greatly."

Mourners and friends will gather at the Camarillo United Methodist Church Monday, March 8, to remember his life and thank the Lord God for his minstry. The service, which takes place at 291 Anacapa Drive, begins at 6 p.m. The family is asking for donations to help with travel for the internment in Texas, in lieu of flowers.

Last spring Pastor Rodriguez preached at Good Shepherd and shared how the Lord called him into ministry here from a church in Fillmore in 1988. He came to know Christ as a high school student in Paso Robles, he said, and was discipled into the ministry in Fillmore, where a pastor taught him to do children's ministry, youth work and evangelism. At the request of his mentor, He left Fillmore to start a bilingual church in Camarillo, the only one in the city at the time, and there he served the congregation for 22 years with his wife. "We have a number of good friends in that congregation," said Pastor Jim. "He was a wise pastor and planted many seeds in this community, bringing many souls to Jesus Christ."

Good Shepherd friends joined Iglesia Calvario for worship last spring and fall for two Sunday night services at their church in Camarilo Heights (located at 500 Anacapa Drive). Pastor Rodriguez translated messages from Pastor Jim Johnson and youth pastor Chad Friestad. "I loved him," said Pastor Johnson. "He had a great heart for people, and a love for the Word of God." Recently Pastor Johnson has met with the leadership of the church to discuss how Good Shepherd could be more effective at reaching neighbors with Hispanic backgrounds. "I have a deep respect for the whole congregation," said Pastor Jim, "and our prayers go out for the church, and for Merci and the children, as they face this next chapter of their lives."

Memorial Service for Carlos Rodriguez

Monday, March 8, at 6 p.m., at
The Camarillo United Methodist Church
291 Anacapa Drive Camarillo, CA 93010

Good Shepherd: The Church that Moves Around
A family that holds Christmas Eve Services in a Barn, Easter Sunrise Services at Mugu Rock Beach and Worship Gatherings at the Ranch

Recently a Camarillo resident was asking a friend where his family went to church.

"Good Shepherd," the friend said. There was a faraway stare. So the Good Shepherd friend continued: we're a newer church on the east side of Camarillo, the one that holds services at the Tierra Linda School, the one with the radio program, Monday through Friday at 12:30 p.m., the church by the Mission Oaks Vons Store, the one that holds Christmas in a barn.

That one clicked: the barn.

"Oh, you mean that church that moves around?"

That's the one!

Although the description isn't perfect, it's close enough for now. Though we're a growing young church that has met for the last three years at a local elementary school, we do change venues on occasion. We hold Christmas Eve services in a Camarillo Barn at the end of Pancho Road, Good Friday services at the Bella Victorian Vineyard at the foot of the grade, Easter Morning Sunrise services at Mugu Rock Beach on the PCH, and occasional worship gatherings at the Camarillo Ranch House, where our city was founded. All told, we're stable and steady, but we do like to give people a taste of the gospel outside the traditional church walls. We hold to the Bible and focus on Jesus Christ. We try to build families and we aim at stabilizing relationships. But that might mean, occasionally, that God puts us in new places. Yes, we do move around!

Want to join us on the journey? Jump on board! We'll grow together along the way...

Good Shepherd meets March 7 to vote on loan terms
Thrivent offers $900,000 loan with good terms for Camarillo site
Next steps: prayer and congregational meeting on 380 Arniell Campus.

Good Shepherd is drawing closer to purchasing its first church campus.

Good Shepherd's church family meets Sunday, March 7, to discuss and likely vote on the details of a $900,000 loan being offered by Thrivent for Lutherans. The meeting will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Approval of the loan would open the doors for the church to buy the property located at 380 Arneill Road in Camarillo. The 3.4-acre campus includes four buildings: a sanctuary, a fellowship hall, a two-story school building, and a pre-school building. All are welcome to attend, all members in good standing are eligible to vote. The meeting will be led by church president Mike Drews.

The congregation met on January 10 to pray and discuss the offer from First Lutheran to consider the purchase of it's four-building property. First Lutheran submitted the offer for sale in mid-December. After years of declining membership, the congregation is at a cross-roads. The property at 380 Arniell stands near Old Town Camarillo, just north of the 101, across from an aging shopping center in line for redevelopment in the next decade. "Please pray for God's wisdom and for us to trust him," said Pastor Johnson.

Good Shepherd, since it began in September 2000, has met in rented facilities in Camarillo. When the church began, members gathered at the Camarillo Community Center near Carmen and Ponderosa before moving to 99 South Glenn Drive in Old Town in 2003. Most recently the congregation has been meeting at Tierra Linda Elementary School in the Mission Oaks area of Camarillo, at 1201 Woodcreek Road. Worship continues at Tierra Linda every Sunday at 8:45 and 11 a.m. The church has offices on Mobile Avenue.

Teaching Series on the Genesis Record
Genesis: From the Beginning to the End on Sundays.

In an effort to teach Bible basics and help jump-start new life re-creations, we're "Taking It From The Top," walking our way through the first book of the Bible. Starting Sept. 13, we began working our way through the 50 chapters of the first inspired book written by Moses by the Holy Spirit. Pastor Jim Johnson's teaching series will take you through God's record of creation in chapters 1 and 2, the fall of humanity in chapter 3, the world-wide flood that occurred about 1,500 years after creation in chapters 6-8, and the story of Abraham's family, along with the creation of the nation of Israel and the Redeemer that God prepared to send to the world through it, in chapters 12-50. Join us in the journey!

Making disciples and building families
Sunday worship at 8:45 and 11:00 a.m.
Tierra Linda Elementary School, Camarillo

At Good Shepherd Church, we focus on building spiritual friendships, inspiring people to know God's Word, and work hard at reaching new friends with the Gospel. During Sunday morning teaching times, we try to work through the Bible, verse by verse, walking through the books and letters of Scriptures themselves. Last year we studied the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes, the Passion of the Christ in Luke 18 through 24, and the Letters of First and Second Timothy. This year we're working through Genesis. Over the course of 50 weeks, we'll examine the 50 chapters of Genesis from September to September.

A place to find truth, friends and hope...

At Good Shepherd Church, we welcome all spiritual seekers and believers. With a heart to build healthy disciples and steer spiritual newcomers into stable growth in Christ, we focus on teaching the Bible and encouraging genuine friendships. We meet Sunday mornings at Tierra Linda School, 1201 Woodcreek Road, in the northeastern neighborhoods of Camarillo. Jim Johnson, 48, is a former Bible college teacher and leader, and has served as our pastor since 2006. Good Shepherd works side by side with many Bible-teaching churches in Camarillo. We're investing in new believers and hoping to reach new residents with the gospel of Jesus Christ. You don't have to be perfect to find a place here. We're all in process and God is changing us. With a stable leadership team and a pastor and wife who moved here from Minnesota with their nine children to do family-style ministry, we're growing and letting the Lord lead us. As a church and family of friends in Christ, we promote small groups, solid Bible teaching, open arms and grace for the broken. Our meeting times are as follows:

Foundations Gathering: 8:45 to 9:45 a.m.
(Simple liturgy with instrumental ensemble and hymns)
Classes for all ages: 10:00 a.m.
Fresh Start gathering: 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
(Accoustic and rhythm worship band)
Location: the multi-purpose room of Tierra Linda School,
1201 Woodcreek Road, Camarillo, CA, 93012.
Church contact number: 805-384-9243
Pastor's Cell: 807-8336

Good Shepherd Church of Camarillo:
Bring your questions, your problems and your kids!

Soul Break Radio on 98.3 FM
Monday to Friday, 12:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Our Radio Ministry, "Soul Break," Monday through Friday, KDAR, 98.3 FM, brings warm and personal Bible teaching to Ventura County listeners from 12:30 to 12:45 p.m. during the lunch hour.

The program is rebroadcast daily from 10:30 to 10:45 p.m. The program features the Bible teaching of Pastor Jim Johnson, the Good Shepherd pastor. Salem Communications editor Greg Hengler is the producer, and Carl Miller is the host. Currently our program is working through a teaching series on the book of Daniel. Find "Soul Break" on KDAR, 98.3 FM, Monday through Friday, at 12:30 during the lunch hour and at 10:30 each night. You can listen live on-line by clicking on www.kdar.com, or download a program below.

Adult Bible classes and children's programming

Five options are also available for Sunday School from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. Excellent children's programming will be a good option for you. Our growing children's program uses an age-appropriate, Biblical curriculum that builds character and helps children grow. Directed by Northwestern College graduate Jared Langness, our children's ministry provides a healthy, safe, and Biblical curriculum that is staffed with people who love kids. A great nursery for pre-schooers is led by former Simi Valley principal Lori Rangel and intern Lindsay Halvorson. Confirmation classes for middle schoolers is taught by Mark Heipler and Greg Seeba.

For adult Bible students, Good Shepherd offers three options:
A women's class on prayer is available for women, taught by Burma Chase, at 10:00 a.m.
A class in Luke runs at 10 a.m. with Bible teacher Steve Hauptman.
"Creationism: Why It Matters," is also open between the two worship gatherings. Brooks Engelhardt teaches the study in Genesis and related doctrines through Easter.

New students can join any of the Bible classes at any time.

Crave Student Ministry on Sunday Nights

Good Shepherd's youth group, "Crave," draws 20 students every Sunday night in Village at the Park or at Woodside Park (near the 101 and Pleasant Valley Road). Village at the Park meetings take place at our church parsonage, located at 3064 Canopy Drive in Village at the Park.

Chad Friestad, a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, leads the youth group. Parents and kids can reach Chad at 815.274.5008.

Directions to Sunday worship:
Finding Good Shepherd from the 101 and Santa Rosa
Turn north off the Santa Rosa exit and drive to Woodcreek Road, about .5 miles from the 101. Turn left on Woodcreek past the stop light at the top of the hill by the Mission Oaks Vons Store. Let’s go “back to the basics” of Jesus! For more information, contact Pastor Jim Johnson at pastorjim@goodshepherd-church.net or secretary Grace Hauptman at 384-9243.

Ministry office: 3064 Canopy Drive Camarillo, CA 93012
Mailing address: PO Box 3242 Camarillo, CA 93010
Our church is affiliated with the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations in Minneapolis.
| Email Pastor Jim: pastorjim@goodshepherd-church.net

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