How Saddleback Church is Becoming an All Nations Congregation

Orange County, California, has over 3 million people and about a third of that population is foreign-born. The largest church in Orange County at this moment in history is Saddleback Church, originated in Lake Forest in 1980. Now the church meets in 18 locations around Southern California (USA) and other countries (Hong Kong, Philippines, Argentina, Germany).

To reach more people in the 21st century, Saddleback Church has adjusted its emphasis, also known as strategies or values or priorities, in the S.A.D.D.L.E.B.A.C.K. acrostic, where the letter A stands for: All Nations Congregation.

Listen to My Chat with Mark Grunden

I sat down with Mark Grunden, a small groups pastor, to get an insider look at how Saddleback is reaching non-English speakers in Orange County through their small groups. You’ll also hear about how multicultural ministry can draw people closer to God, about the language venues (Español and Mandarin Chinese) as well as other insights from someone who worked in 40 countries and is married cross-culturally (he is German, she is Chinese Malaysian.)

Or, download the audio file (m4a format). Oh, we recorded this chat at the Made for Mission conference, how appropriate.

Do you think this Mark is an intriguing guy that you’d want to hear more from? Add a comment. I think Mark has a lot more to say.