Better Together

On  July 4 , Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence. It was signed by 56 men, most of the delegates signed it on August 2, with 5 signing it a few days later. James Smith, from Pennsylvania, was one of the signers. T he United States went to war in 1861 to preserve the Union; it emerged from the war in 1865 having created a nation. Before 1861 the two words "United States" were generally used as a plural noun. After 1865 the United States became a singular noun. The early church plants in the New Testament understood the strength of interdependent. Its seems like letters to the Ephesians and Galatians were written to a number of churches who were closely working together to share the gospel. These churches also took a collection for the church in Jerusalem. Pacific Church Network works together to strengthen and establish churches to help them share the gospel. There are 59 "one anothers" in the Bible. We are meant to be part of a larger group. We are not called to be "silo" churches, independent people who don't need others. We are the body of Christ, working together for the glory of God. Get involved, go to church, get together with others. Enjoy your time with others.

"Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. Ephesians 4:3 (NLT)

Jim Smith

President, PCN

Victory for Free Speech

One of our PCN churches was very involved in this case and is thrilled at the ruling. In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court recently struck down a California law that forced pregnancy care centers to promote abortions. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the opinion for the majority which included Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Kennedy, Alito and Gorsuch. Justices Breyer, Ginsburg, Sotomayor, and Kagan argued in their dissenting opinions that the pregnancy care centers should be forced to advertise abortions. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote  that “the people lose when the government is the one deciding which ideas should prevail…. "

“It’s a victory for all the women who rely upon pregnancy resource centers and turn to them for help,” said Catherine Glenn Foster. Foster is the head of Americans United for Life.

This ruling by the Supreme Court effectively ends the bullying of pro-life pregnancy care centers in California and upholds and reaffirms their First Amendment rights. Today’s ruling is good for the First Amendment, good for women, and good their children.

Students for Life of America President  Kristan Hawkins said  that the Supreme Court ruling “put a halt to the abortion industry’s campaign forcing pro-life advocates to act as a sales team for abortion. Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry fought to destroy the free speech rights of pro-life individuals in California who daily work to help women choose life for their pre-born infants. This effort shows the true hypocrisy of abortion advocates who didn’t respect the Constitutional rights of those who love women and their preborn infants.”



Alliance Defending Freedom President, CEO, and General Counsel Michael Farris presented oral arguments in favor of the pregnancy care centers before the Supreme Court earlier this year. 

A Great Deal for Churches

Alliance Defending Freedom exists to defend religious freedom for Christians and Churches across the globe. This year alone ADF has successfully argued two cases in front of the US Supreme Court. They were actively leading the case recently won about Pregnancy Counseling Centers and their free speech rights.

ADF has begun a new alliance of churches that is already thousands of churches strong. Each church that participates in the alliance will have access to a team of over 3,000 allied attorneys that focus on Religious Liberty cases. If your religious liberty is threatened as a church, you have access to ADF for advice and even litigation.



Their advertised costs run from $250 per year to $2,000 per year, depending on your church size. But.......ADF is willing to offer PCN Churches entry in the alliance for $200 per year per church regardless of size! This is a great deal. The catch is that most (if not all) of us need to participate. Jim Smith and Brian Howard both recommend that you join.

Priceless Spa Day

Pacific Church Network offered a free day at the Glen Ivy Spa in Corona to pastors' wives across our network. They enjoyed a relaxing and refreshing time with other pastors' wives. Several women mentioned that they were grateful for the opportunity to cultivate friendships of those who are in similar situations. One said, "Being in a safe environment to share the truth with each other was priceless."

Pastors' Gathering

Regularly in Fallbrook, CA, Pacific Church Network hosts a free learning, discussion, and lunch for PCN pastors in the area. Chaplain Johnny Cometa, Rick Koole, Jim Smith and others have shared ideas and tools to equip and encourage pastors. Any pastors in the San Diego or Temecula areas are welcome to attend. Call the PCN office for information about the next meeting: 909-944-5900.

Seminaries Working Together

Reaching nearly 100 students

This summer, close to 100 students are taking classes at PCN's Seminary of the Americas at one of o ur 10 locations, to further their understanding of scripture. Seminary Director Dr. Emilio Núñez along with Professor Pete Stuck, Dr. Rod Wilson and Mrs. Alexis Bail are pictured here meeting together to get ready for the fall quarter.

Representatives from our PCN Seminary of the Americas met recently with reps from Missions Door, WorldVenture, Western Seminary, Arizona Christian University, NextGen Churches (Northern California), and Nogales Baptist Seminary to discuss and pray about strategies for collaboration among the schools in the future. These schools and ministries all work to equip and prepare their students for Christian living. It was an incredibly encouraging time!

Youth Retreat

August 24-26

All youth groups are invited to the 6th Annual PCN Youth Retreat up in the beautiful San Bernardino mountains at  Pine Summit Camp  in Big Bear Lake, CA! Come join them as they worship our God in community. All youth, 13-years-old and older, are invited! Cost is $135 for the entire weekend, including all meals, 2-nights lodging, sessions, games, and more. Don't miss this! Matt Shool will be the guest speaker.

Celebration in Independence

Local pastor very involved in 4th of July

Pastor Dave Bancroft (pictured here with his wife, Suzy, and Jim Smith) of Sierra Baptist Church in Independence, CA is reaching out to his community in creative ways. He will be very busy this 4th of July as the official greeter at the town's all-day celebration, as well as one of the cooks for the all-town barbecue.

Dave has also been invited to hold a Bible study in one of the local community business establishments--for free!

Debt Free Before Completion

New church addition

In July, Calvary Baptist in Bishop will complete their new two-story, 10,000 sq ft building with a state-of-the-art welcome center, childcare rooms, and multiple classrooms--completely debt free. They have raised $1.2 million over several years to complete this project. Congratulations to Pastor Rick Klug, his leadership team, and the entire church. Well done.

Board Training

Saturday, August 25

10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Pacific Coast Church, 2651 Calle Frontera, San Clemente, CA 92673

Bring your whole leadership team, your church board, and staff to hear Dr. Rick Koole share what effective church boards should do well and how they can improve. Find out how to have uplifting and exciting membership meetings. Rick is currently the pastor of LifePointe Church in Fallbrook, CA and also the chairman of two boards of multi-million dollar organizations. He has led several large churches, as well as served on the staff of two christian universities and was the headmaster of a christian school.

He knows what he's talking about.

Don't miss this!

Fall Retreats

Sign up now

Spanish Women's Fall Retreat :

September 14-16

Murrieta Hot Springs, Murrieta, CA

English Fall Women's Retreat:  

September 28-30

Pine Summit Camp, Big Bear Lake

English Man Camp /  Spanish Men's Retreat  (same weekend, different days)

English THURS - SAT / OCT 11-13 

Retiro de Varones FRIDAY - SUN / OCT 12 - 14

Pine Summit Camp, Big Bear Lake

CB Chaplains

Johnny Cometa,  Lieutenant Commander, Command Chaplain of Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific near San Diego and one of our CB Chaplains , was  once asked to meet a husband in the hallway of the hospital and usher him to the conference room where the doctor would give the husband the news that his wife had died. Johnny did this, and then accompanied the husband to his wife's room where the husband burst into tears. Johnny tells the story, "I gently put my hand on his right shoulder. I could not help but shed tears too. They had been married only a year. All the scripture verses and comforting words I knew seemed to fall short of what I wanted to say. I knew that at this point in time, all he needed was my ministry of presence….After 30 minutes he came to me and said, 'Thank you chaplain, I greatly appreciate your help.'" Sometimes, our simple presence is enough encouragement to others.

Jesus said, 'A nd if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." (Matthew 10:42 NLT)