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Shining Together. Becoming Better.
Launching April 2022
Inglewood, CA

We are a new generation of believers releasing people from the four walls of the church to the four corners of the earth to spread the good news of the Gospel and build Christ-centered communities. Simply put, we don’t “do” church, we are the church. Our operating model is “Church Anywhere. Church Everywhere.” Illuminate is an online church so you can experience our worship services from nearly anywhere in the world as you become the Church everywhere you go.
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Consider joining our launch team.

It takes a great team of people to build a great church. We believe that God is calling us to do an incredible work in the lives of the people of Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena, and the South Bay of Los Angeles. This can only happen through a team committed to reaching, building, and serving the vision of Illuminate Church. Connect with Pastor J over a cup of coffee, share your story, and hear more about the vision of Illuminate Church.

We are building a new nation of kingdom believers, “Illuminate Nation”, or as we call it the INCrowd. Joining the INCrowd is an invitation to serve in your gifts and talents, a commitment to grow in areas of opportunity, and a call to act in your community. For more information visit https://illuminatechurchonline.churchcenter.com/registrations and register for an Interest Social.

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PRAY

We believe in the power of prayer! Please commit to praying for
Illuminate Church, our Nation, and our World.

Illuminate Church values a prayer as a core foundation to our success as a church. The Bible commands us in the book of Luke 18:1 to constantly be in a mindset of prayer. We ask for prayer for our lead pastors, our growing team, and the city of Inglewood and surrounding areas.

Here are some specifics:

Pray God sends leaders to Illuminate Church who execute the vision with precision.
Pray for financial provision needed to bring the vision to reality.
Pray for opportunities to be an influential voice of kingdom believers around the world.
Pray for Illuminate Church to grow as a hub of discipleship.

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ABOUT US

PASTORs Jason and Stacie Shepherd

Our founding pastors Jason and Stacie Shepherd met during their college years in 1999. Jason, a music major at Columbia college Chicago, and Stacie an Industrial Engineering Major at Northwestern University had one undeniable bond, they were both church kids. Both raised in families who were rooted in ministry in the Church of God in Christ. Jason used his gift in music to become a prolific songwriter, producer, gospel artist, and minister of music. Stacie continued her path within corporate America working for several major corporations as a consultant and project manager. In 2015 after 10 years of marriage Jason and Stacie felt a call to move to the city of Los Angeles to further his music career endeavors. After achieving success as a producer and songwriter there was still a longing of “something more” that was tugging on the inside. In June 2018, Jason was invited to attend the Purpose Driven Conference hosted by pastor Rick Warren. It was at this conference where the Holy Spirit impressed on Jason that it was time to plant a church. This was something neither Jason or Stacie had ever imagined in their life plan, but they knew that it had to be done. After much prayer and leading of the Holy Spirit the Shepherd’s partnered with ARC to launch Illuminate Church in January 2021. They feel a special call to minister hope, purpose, heritage, spiritual and economic empowerment to the African American community. Jason & Stacie are the parents to 2 amazing children Brooke and Jonah.

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core values

Respect for all people isn’t optional.

We lead with respect as we become kingdom-minded. Our culture code requires us to treat all people with dignity whether they believe what we believe or not.

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10 NIV

There’s safety in community.

Our community is where we build trust, establish lasting relationships, model consistency, celebrate wins, mourn in loss, practice restoration and love unconditionally.

“Where no counsel [is], the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors [there is] safety.” Proverbs 11:14 NIV

Use faith as your fuel.

Faith is the fuel that propels us to new levels. We operate knowing that placing our confidence in an invisible God produces tangible results. We do not face battles in our own strength as it leaves us depleted. Rather we face life’s challenges knowing the Almighty God brings us through with renewed strength.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV

why another church?

• Over 90% of Americans believe in a higher power with 56% professing faith in God as described in the Bible (pewresearch.org)

• Church membership among American adults has experienced a sharp decline over the last 20 years and continues to trend downward. Since 1999 church membership has declined 20% from 70% or above to 50% (news.gallup.com)

• Studies show that new members who connect with 7 other friends in the first six months, view those friendships as quality relationships; have a sense of belonging and feel they are making a contribution are likely to remain a member (“What Every Pastor Should Know”, Gary McIntosh & Charles Arn)

• We have an opportunity to close the gap according to Matthew 9:37

the vision

We Are Light. We Create Opportunity.

Founded upon Matthew 5:14, Illuminate Church is a light source in a dark and often confusing world. Light unlocks vision helping us to see what we could not before. Our example of light is Jesus Christ. Wherever Jesus went, love, compassion, truth, power, healing, deliverance, and the goods news of salvation followed to all who believed. As we reflect the same love, compassion, and declare the truth of God’s Word; we create a welcoming space for the presence of God to unlock vision and affirm purpose. Our everyday routines and interactions are opportunities for the power of God to transform lives.

We Are Salt. We Influence Our Surroundings.

Guided by Matthew 5:13, We are called to make a difference wherever we are. In Matthew 5 Jesus compares his disciples to salt and warns that the loss of “saltiness” causes them to lose the very thing that distinguishes them. We become salt as we take on the unique identity of Christ. Jesus instructs us to seek peace with men, be full of mercy toward others, and develop a hunger for righteousness. As we begin to display these characteristics and invite God into our daily decision-making processes, we grow in our ability to affect real and lasting change.

We Are a City. We Build Each Other As We Build Community.

Inspired by Acts 2:44, We are a church that shares generously in our gifts, talents, knowledge, and experiences in helping others reach their desired goals. We also follow the advice of Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3:18 that we should grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord. Illuminate Church is not only committed to serving community from areas of strength, we are also dedicated to growing in areas of unearthed potential.

We Are Many Members of One Body. We Are Diverse but United.

Instructed by 1 Corinthians 12, We value the many ways God chooses to work through people. We are created in the image of God, each person with a unique stamp. Illuminate Church actively encourages discovery and supports the cultivation of your God-given gifts. We welcome the diversity of talent inherent in the body of believers as we unite in purpose to make disciples of all nations as commanded in Matthew 28:19.

Shining Together. Becoming Better. Launching April 2022 Inglewood, CA

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Shining Together. Becoming Better.
Launching April 2022
Inglewood, CA