About us
"A Love For All People"
We put family as a large priority by offering classes for every age. It's important to us that you have a strong foundation in the Word of God and that you are equipped to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. If you are looking for a Bible based church and believe in the Power of God to change people's lives, then you have found the church you are looking for.
Core Values
Connect, Grow, Serve, Go, Worship
Connect
At LHCC, we want to build meaningful and lasting relationships that can stand against the forces of time and trials. A feeling of not only community but family has marked Christianity since its inception. We are all called the children of God, therefore making all of us brothers and sisters through Christ. Our church is dedicated to making everyone feel not just welcomed but as if they have always been a part of our family. Welcome home.
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Grow
LHCC is dedicated to producing a new generation of disciples for Christ. It's important to understand that a disciple of Christ of Jesus KNOWS Him while a fan knows OF Him. A relationship with the living God is the most life-changing experience that anyone can have. Our church will provide a safe and encouraging environment that fosters growth.
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Serve
God has created you with special gifts and talents; we want to help you realize those so you can serve the body of Christ the way He intended. Everyone can serve in spreading the Gospel, and no matter how young or old we find ourselves, we still have a calling to serve.
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Go
Not everyone is supposed to embark on a far-off mission, but every Christian is called to be a fisher of men. Our church is dedicated to sending our members out to the community to share and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Christ has called us to be the salt and light of the world, we will work to see a day when no part of our community is shrouded in darkness.
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Worship
We believe that our core values of Connect, Grow, Serve, and Go are the most effective and meaningful ways to worship God. Every one of them is connected and intertwined with the others. We worship God when we CONNECT with those around us because it opens the door for us to share the Gospel. We worship God when we GROW by becoming disciples and creating disciples around us. We worship God as we SERVE because we begin to use the gifts that He's given us for His glory. Finally, we worship God when we GO into our very own local mission field and spread the good news.
Our History
Humble Beginnings (Late 1960s)
Lake Hills Christian Center began like many churches of the late 1960s — in a living room. A small group of believers gathered with a deep conviction to serve God wholeheartedly. Some had roots connected to the Pentecostal movement that flowed from the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles years earlier.
The pastor at that time was a female minister whose name has been lost to history, but whose faithfulness helped lay the foundation of what would become a thriving church.
As the congregation grew, they moved from the living room into a large tent. When that space became too small, they purchased a building in Home Gardens and became known as Home Gardens Assembly of God.
A Vision for Growth
In time, Pastor Harold Peck — a Pentecostal preacher and retired U.S. Air Force chaplain — stepped into leadership with a bold vision.
Under his leadership, the church experienced remarkable growth. A bus ministry was launched with more than seven buses traveling throughout the area to bring children and adults to hear the Gospel.
Pastor Peck also initiated a monthly building fund and purchased a large plot of land on a nearby hill. For years, the land remained undeveloped due to repeated challenges in obtaining building permits. Some believed the property should be sold.
But Pastor Peck believed God had given him a vision for that land.
After revisions to the church’s design and location plans, the permits were finally secured, and the congregation broke ground in what is now Lake Hills.
Built by Faith
The building that stands today was constructed largely by the hands of the congregation, with many materials donated. In the 1980s, it was registered with the County of Riverside under the name “The Lighthouse.”
Originally, the driveway entrance featured a wooden bridge built by one of the deacons, who collected aluminum cans to purchase the lumber. Though the bridge has since been replaced with asphalt, its rails remain — a quiet reminder of the church’s sacrificial beginnings.
An outdoor stage was erected on the west side of the property and became home to sunrise services, plays, concerts, and “America Back to God” rallies featuring The Blackwood Brothers, Jeff Fenholt, Johnny Hays, Pat Buchanan, Terry Anderson, Oliver North, and others.
Pastor Peck also dedicated a hillside seating area known as the Ray Riggs Amphitheater, which still exists today.
A New Season
In 1994, Pastor Peck retired. The congregation voted in Pastor Mike Rouhotas, a young and vibrant leader with a heart for the community.
Under his leadership, the church was renamed Lake Hills Christian Center to better connect with the surrounding area. Pastor Mike envisioned strong community engagement and hosted large Fourth of July celebrations that brought families together, including a memorable water slide running alongside the amphitheater.
A BMX track was later built on the property where the stage once stood. Though it was eventually removed due to vandalism, it reflected the church’s commitment to reaching families in creative ways.
Pastor Mike resigned in 2006 and went home to be with the Lord in 2014.
Today
Today, Lake Hills Christian Center is led by Pastor Jim Contreras, a faithful and courageous leader who is committed to preaching the Word of God without compromise.
Under his leadership, the church has undergone significant remodeling and restoration. The building continues to serve as a place of worship, discipleship, and community outreach.
Our mission remains clear:
To share the Good News that Jesus Christ loves us, died for us, rose again, and is coming back.
Our motto is:
“A Love For All People.”
We offer ministries for men, women, youth, and children, and we actively serve our community through outreach efforts such as our weekly Food Bank Ministry. Every Friday, families in need receive groceries to help sustain them for the week.
It is freely given because we believe the words of Jesus:
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.”
We love our community and are honored to serve Riverside in His name.
Our Beliefs
WE BELIEVE…The Scriptures are Inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.
WE BELIEVE…There is only One True God–revealed in three persons…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).
WE BELIEVE…In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God’s son, Jesus was both human and divine.
WE BELIEVE…though originally good, Man Willingly Fell to Sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.
WE BELIEVE…Every Person Can Have Restored Fellowship with God Through ‘Salvation’ (trusting Christ, through faith and repentance, to be our personal Savior). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
WE BELIEVE…and practice two ordinances—(1) Water Baptism by Immersion after repenting of one’s sins and receiving Christ’s gift of salvation, and (2) Holy Communion (the Lord’s Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ’s suffering and death for our salvation.
WE BELIEVE…the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Special Experience Following Salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
WE BELIEVE… The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is ‘Speaking in Tongues,’ as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.
WE BELIEVE…Sanctification Initially Occurs at Salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.
WE BELIEVE…The Church has a Mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe ‘the Church’ is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God’s offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE…A Divinely Called and Scripturally Ordained Leadership Ministry Serves the Church. The Bible teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church, and to meet human need with ministries of love and compassion.
WE BELIEVE…Divine Healing of the Sick is a Privilege for Christians Today and is provided for in Christ’s atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
WE BELIEVE…in The Blessed Hope—When Jesus Raptures His Church Prior to His Return to Earth (the second coming). At this future moment in time, all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
WE BELIEVE…in The Millennial Reign of Christ, when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.
WE BELIEVE…A Final Judgment Will Take Place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire.
WE BELIEVE…and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever, following His millennial reign on Earth. ‘And so shall we forever be with the Lord!’