Our Story
Pastor Peter and his wife, Kiersten, served in ministry for many years at the church they were saved and married in; they served as ministerial assistants and as Youth Pastors for many years. In 2022 they felt strongly from God that the time to plant a church that would serve their community in the Pico Rivera/Whittier areas was near. That December the Church At Whittier (then called The Church of Pico Rivera) held its very first service in an outdoor space at Pico Park in Pico Rivera. Since its launch, The Church has seen incredible growth and has been a place for those who may have waivered in their faith to finally call home.
Their mission was then, and continues to be, straightforward: to create a place where Jesus is accessible to anyone. A church for those who don’t go to church, for their neighbors and family, as well as the neighbors and family of everyone who calls our faith family home.
Pico Park
Our first gatherings took place at a local park that allowed to get a great feel for the culture that was developing in our community. We met on Sundays at 3, had worship, Sunday school for the kids, a short sermon, and lots of fellowship and food afterward. It was a Christian picnic right under the open sky every Sunday. What a great start.
Friends Church
Our next big win was obtaining a sanctuary to have church in that looked more familiar to what we know a service to be; we have to send many thanks to Pico Rivera Friends Church for opening their doors to us. Here we were able to start our dinner nights before service, a tradition we have continued weekly.