ABOUT

“We exist to help people know Jesus, find community, discover purpose, and make a difference.”

Whether you’re new to church, have been a Christian for many years, or are looking for a fresh start, you’re welcome here. Our hope is to give you a place where you experience a new start, a connection to God, and a community of people in Santa Cruz.

The CLC community is known as strong believers of Christ and warm and welcoming of all people who are looking for a relationship with Christ.

What We believe

Christian Life Center believes in the orthodox beliefs and doctrines of Christ's Church as summarized in the Nicene Creed and subsequent Council of Constantinople.

Church creeds are excellent tools to memorize basic understandings of God's character and deeds through His self-revelation as found in Scripture. When literacy rates were much lower, this was a way every disciple of Christ could memorize and know basic truths about God.

There are other doctrines about God and His works and character, but this a fundamental place to start that all the Church agrees upon.

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial* with the Father; through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic** and apostolic Church.

I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

*Consubstantial meaning "of the same substance," essentially stating that Jesus and the Father are of the same substance, of the same being.

**Catholic, in this context, means "universal." It is a reference to what we would call the uppercase "C" Church referring to all those Christ calls to Himself and revere Him as Lord and as God.

Founded in Santa Cruz in 1926 as Glad Tidings Tabernacle, the church building was originally located on the corner of Ocean and Dakota streets in Santa Cruz. A permanent sanctuary, where the church now meets, was completed on Mission Street in 1956, including a 5,000 piece stain glass window (see photo below). The church was renamed First Assembly of God, Santa Cruz.

CLC became a focal point in Santa Cruz in the 1970s and 1980s under the leadership of Pastor Bob Padgett, including multiple services each weekend and a strong relationship with the former Bethany College.

Today the people of CLC are friendly and welcoming and work hard to follow the example of Christ our Savior through gathering, serving the community and supporting local and foreign missions.

The church facility is used for gatherings each Sunday, baptism, prayer, worship and other church events. In 2023, CLC began hosting Celebrate Recovery group meetings. Join us!

History & Present