Who are we?

Arise is a new church in North County, especially serving the cities of Vista, Oceanside and Carlsbad. We are Christians who have heard the call of Jesus to arise to new life, to let the light of God’s grace shine into our lives, and to shine His love by living Christian lives for all the world to see.

Who is our pastor?

Pastor Brad Jones moved with his family in 2019 to plant Arise Presbyterian Church. Brad has been in full-time ministry for 14 years, and holds an M.Div. Degree from Westminster Seminary California. He’d love to meet you for coffee or a walk! Send him a note at pastorbrad@arisepca.com.

What makes Arise special?

Here are a few things about Arise that we think are special:

• We are Christians who celebrate Jesus and enjoy the new life to which He calls us. That’s why we named our church “Arise”—a term that is uplifting and conveys newness, life, and light!

• We believe the Good News of Jesus Christ is that God saves us by His grace, through faith—so we strive to live out a culture of grace and love.

• We are committed to the Bible as the perfect Word of God.

• We are a smaller church, which makes it easier to be the family of God, to develop relationships and to serve one another.

• We believe Scripture teaches that the children of believers are part of Jesus’ church—so we happily include and accommodate children in our services and in the life of our church.

• As a Presbyterian church, we are connected with other churches for accountability and encouragement.

• Our worship services are more than just singing and a message. We meet with and hear from God in various ways including Scripture readings, silently confessing our sins, and receiving the Lord’s Supper.

Where and when do we meet?

We are currently meeting Sunday mornings at 11:15am at 631 Eucalyptus Ave in Vista. For more information click here: Sunday Worship

Are visitors welcome?

Absolutely! Visitors are always welcome. You will not be singled out, and nothing is expected of you. We only hope that you will encounter Jesus through His Word and His people!

What should you expect on Sunday mornings?

Our Sunday service is a worship service—that means the main reason we gather is to celebrate and glorify God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Here are some things you can expect on Sunday mornings:

• A warm welcome.

• Coffee, snacks, and a chance to get to know other people after the morning service.

• The opportunity to speak or pray with the pastor or others about Jesus and your life.

During the Worship Service:

• Prayers

• Songs and hymns

• A time to silently confess and pray to God

• Scripture readings

• A children’s talk for the younger ones

• A sermon from the Bible

• The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

• A blessing from God to His people

What do we offer to children?

We take very seriously Jesus’ command to “Let the little children come to me!” (Luke 18:16). So the most important ministry we offer children is to treat them as equal members of God’s family along with the rest of the congregation. We believe children shouldn’t just be occupied or entertained in the church but that they should be encouraged to worship and serve according to their abilities and the faith God has given them. Here are a few specific things we offer children:

• Sunday School classes for all ages every other Sunday evening.

• Nursery for little ones during the worship service.

• A children’s talk in the service by Pastor Brad specifically for children up to 5th grade, in part to teach them that church isn’t just for their parents.

• A special children’s bulletin with questions, activities, and a coloring page designed to help children listen and learn from the sermon in an age-appropriate way.

• A youth group to give youths an opportunity to have fun with their Christian peers, to serve others, and to learn more about the Christian faith.

What is our history as a congregation?

Though Arise is in many ways a new church plant—it is also a “replant” of a congregation that began many years ago. In 1996, Pastor Dennis Bone planted Grace Covenant Church of Vista. After 24 years of worship and ministry, GCC called Pastor Brad Jones to help revitalize and replant GCC in order to better share the Gospel of Jesus in North County. Pastor Brad arrived in 2019 and began gathering new folks to help GCC replant in 2020 as Arise Presbyterian Church. We glorify God for His faithfulness through the years and for this new beginning that He has given us as Arise!

What denomination are we part of?

We are thankful to be part of the Presbyterian Church in America. The PCA is committed to the Bible, the Gospel, and the Great Commission. The PCA provides accountability and oversight—which makes for healthier local churches and pastors. Learn more about the PCA here.