Introduction

At Seabreeze we are convinced that one thing very near to God's heart is seeing ordinary people grow and mature into better, sometimes even extraordinary people. The signs of this transformation are often small -- an unheralded act of kindness or generosity, a change of heart, a smile. These are the little triumphs that make headlines in heaven.

In a sense then, the history of Seabreeze is both too grand and, at the same time, to minute to be told. What follows is not the the real story, merely a list of milestones which mark the route along which the travellers have passed.

Early 1980's

John Worcestor began Coast Community Church in the early 80's at Goldenwest Community College in Northern Huntington Beach.

January 1988

John, his wife Diane and their 4 boys (2 sets of twins) along with Ron and Crystal Budd and John Alex are sent out by Coast Community Church to start a new church in downtown Huntington Beach or South Huntington Beach.

First they canvas neighborhoods in the downtown area to assess the needs, demographics, and interests in the area. The results help them focus on a seeker sensitive atmosphere, casual dress, contemporary music, topical teaching -- a baby boomer focused church.

April 1988

Those who answer the surveys indicate a Sunday night service is desirable. A modest number of invitations are sent out for the first service. On Easter Sunday evening only one person attends. The team decides to regroup, restudy, and refocus. They spend the next 4 months meeting people at parks, basketball courts, and community centers developing relationships. A small group bible study is formed and quickly grows to over 20.

August 14, 1988

With the help of Saddleback Community Church, the Orange County Southern Baptist Association, the North American Mission Board (a Southern Baptist agency), a new start date and a new location are set. This time 75,000 invitations are sent to the city of Huntington Beach. Over 180 show up for the second 1st Service at the Rodgers Community Center, 2 blocks from the beach. By fall, a second service is added. During the 1st four months, attendance averages 135.

May 1989

Attendance continues to grow. During 1989, the attendance averages 214. In May, Dale Graham comes to Seabreeze for an internship. By summer's end, he agrees to come on staff as Associate Pastor, with responsibilities including worship and a singles ministry. Dale marries Jody Stone in August and she too joins the staff as the Children's/Youth/Women's Pastor.

February 1990

In February 1990, John Worcestor resigns as Senior Pastor in order to begin another new church in Marin County, CA (near San Francisco). Seabreeze is the third church John has started. He begins two churches in Marin County during his time there. After leaving Northern California, John and his family move to Russia for 2 years to plant churches and train church planters with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. They return to the States and, after a short time on staff at Saddleback Community Church, begin a church planting training school in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Dale Graham takes over as interim pastor in John's absence.

July 1990

In July 1990, Bevan Unrau is asked to become Seabreeze's new Senior Pastor. Bevan had attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He had also been president of an advertising agency prior to coming to Seabreeze Church. It is his first pastorate.

Seabreeze Community Church continues to grow in numbers and staff. By the end of 1994, average attendance is 278 and the church has added a part-time Youth Pastor and part-time Children's Pastor. The facilities at the Rodgers Center are maxed out.

February 1995

At the close of 1994, talks began with the Huntington Beach Central Library about renting meeting rooms in a newly built wing of the central library. In February, Seabreeze moves into the library. In April, Easter services for adults are moved from a 180 seat meeting room to the 320 seat playhouse theater across the hall. This becomes a permanent move.

October 1996

In the fall of 1996, a Saturday Evening Service is piloted for 3 months. Poor response partly due to the location leads to it being discontinued.

Seabreeze begins to feel the constraints of operating in the central library. Many of the meeting rooms and the theater are unavailable most Saturday evenings and Sunday after noon limiting the church to two services.

Fall 1997

By the end of 1997, attendance has nearly doubled to 545. When the church moved to the library, a weekly attendance of 700 was projected to be the maximum based on past statistics and the size of the facility.

August 1998

Seabreeze Church celebrates its 10th Anniversary. Attendance is averaging 605 a week.

January - May 2003

As Seabreeze approaches its 15th Anniversary, leadership feels it is time to take a critical look at "who we are" as a church. Over a series of meetings called the Next Chapter, more than 100 people take four Sunday afternoons (6 hours each meeting) to discuss our past, our present, our future, our values, and our mission.

From these meetings Five Strategic Initiatives are developed that give the church direction in the next chapter of Seabreeze's life.

1) Larger and more permanent facilities - Seabreeze has plateaued for nearly four years at this point. Facilities are the issue, there is simply no more room. It seems clear to everyone involved that God has more for us to do in Huntington Beach.

2) Enhancing the Children's Ministry - Seabreeze is most effective at reaching young families with children. Our goal is to have the best kids program around.

3) Providing a Clear Path for Christian Growth - Many in our church do not have a church-going background. A more focused program is needed to help these individuals develop and grow in their faith.

4) Helping People Understand their Part in Our Church - As people grow in their relationship with Christ, we need to assist them in discovering their spiritual gifts and help them put these gifts to good use.

5) Finding Ways to More Actively Engage Our Community - Seabreeze desires to create multiple entry and connection points for our community, in addition to our Sunday services. Seabreeze sets as a goal, the development of recreational sports programs for children, the development of a Performing Arts Academy for children and has an interest in other opportunities that would serve the needs of the community.

Teams are formed around each of these initiatives to spearhead them in the congregation.

August 2003

Seabreeze Church celebrates its 15th Anniversary. Attendance averages 638 at the end of 2003.

March 8, 2004

Seabreeze agrees to purchase the 4.6 acre Lindborg Racquet Club in Huntington Beach, just half a mile from it's current location at the library.

January 2006

Construction begins on the first phase of our new facility.