OUR STORY
The Hill Church began with a call to plant a church in a diverse, urban, and "less-reached" city in North America...
After months of prayer and visiting various cities, planters Jimmy and Julie Steele were led by God to San Diego. Their attention quickly focused on the neighborhoods surrounding Helix High School in La Mesa, and a connection was made with Pastor Sam Calhoun of Windsor Hills Community Church. Windsor Hills was started in 1957. For 60 years––through its ups and downs––the church had been known in the community as "that church up on the hill." From the moment Jimmy met Sam, it was evident to both that God had brought them together.
In July of 2017, the Steele's and a team of others moved from different parts of the U.S. to plant The Hill Church, but soon they began to pray about the possibility of replanting Windsor Hills. In November, the concept was presented to the members of WHCC who overwhelmingly approved. On January 14, 2018, the membership voted unanimously to become The Hill Church under the new leadership of Jimmy Steele. The following Sunday the existing members of both churches covenanted together as one unified body for the sake of the gospel in La Mesa.
OUR DNA
THE HILL CHURCH EXISTS TO GLORIFY GOD BY DECLARING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST THROUGH OUR LIVES TOGETHER.
As a church, we exist first and foremost for God. We have been created and saved by God and for God, and therefore, our primary purpose is to bring him glory. We do so by knowing him and worshipping him, but also by making him known to others (Hab. 2:14; Eph. 3:21). We are committed to declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ, both in proclamation and demonstration (2 Cor. 5:18-20). We proclaim (speak) the saving work of Christ's life, death, and resurrection, and we demonstrate (show) it through our transformed lives. But doing so is not an individualistic, self-determined task. No, we glorify God as we live in biblical community which declares the truth and power of the gospel.
Our DNA is informed by 3 foundational beliefs:
GOSPEL
We believe that the hope for San Diego and the nations is the gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:16).
FAMILY
We believe God's primary means of making his gospel known in the world today is through the local church (1 Pet. 2:9-10; Eph. 2:18-22).
MISSION
We believe the task or mission of the church is to make disciples (Mat. 28:16-20; Eph. 4:11-13; 2 Tim. 2:2).
OUR DNA REFLECTS OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, EACH OTHER AND THE WORLD. AS SUCH, WE DEFINE A DISCIPLE AS:
DEVOTED WORSHIPPER
A Devoted Worshipper growing in their devotion to Christ.
LOVING SERVANT
A Loving Servant committed to the body of Christ.
SPIRIT-FILLED WITNESS
A Spirit-Filled Witness living on mission for Christ.
OUR VALUES
Biblical Community
We are committed to biblical, gospel-shared living, expressed through a community of believers living life together in the context of everyday life.
Kingdom Diversity
We are committed to being a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic community that reflects the beautiful diversity of our community and God's kingdom.
Expository Preaching
We are committed to biblical, gospel-shared living, expressed through a community of believers living life together in the context of everyday life.
Gospel-Centered Worship
We are committed to simple and biblical corporate worship that prioritizes its corporate nature and highlights the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Equipping Leaders
We are committed to discipling, teaching, and resourcing leaders in order to equip the saints for the work of ministry.
Church Planting
We are committed to starting new churches that share our convictions and DNA in order to saturate San Diego with the gospel message.
OUR STAFF
THE HILL CHURCH IS A CONGREGATIONAL RULED CHURCH LED BY A PLURALITY OF ELDERS.
We believe the elders of The Hill Church have been appointed by God–through the church-to lovingly guard, guide, and govern the church body. Together with the staff, the elders lead the church to faithfully pursue its mission in the world by declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ through their lives together.
OUR PARTNERS
