La Sierra Revitalization
The Opportunity
To serve Jesus’ mission by re-establishing La Sierra Baptist Church in Riverside as a thriving and healthy church, fully autonomous and equipped to function independently again. Our intent is to see this church vigorously participating in its mission to make disciples and continue to entrust the precious gospel message to those who will perpetuate gospel-centered ministry in the Riverside community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the work and what you can expect when you visit!
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La Sierra Baptist Church in Riverside is being revitalized through a ministry partnership with Grace Church of Orange, joined and supported by Grace Church of Rancho Cucamonga.
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Grace Rancho is persuaded to join the work the Lord is doing by sharing both our people and resources in order to reinvigorate the Lord’s church at La Sierra Baptist Church in Riverside.
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The revitalization has currently begun and is in it’s early phases. The aim is to send a team of people from both Grace Orange and Grace Rancho to join the church this Summer and in the coming year.
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We want to see the multiplication of healthy churches. The La Sierra leadership requested help in ensuring that a faithful church would remain in the Riverside area for years to come. This is a pivotal way we can pursue Gospel work outside of Grace Rancho.
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By sending and shepherding a team of people to join the church. Michael Sciarra has been voted in as La Sierra’s Senior Pastor and is being sent alongside two elders from Grace Orange. We hope to send a team comprised of members from Grace Orange and Grace Rancho, as well.
How You Can be Involved
Pray:
Pray daily for La Sierra Baptist Church. Pray for:
Those whom God leads to be part of the team sent: that they will process wisely and for unity amongst all involved.
For the neighborhood around La Sierra Baptist, that God would open their hearts to the Gospel and provide wisdom for the church in knowing how to reach out effectively.
For all resources needed for the church to flourish.
A healthy church committed to discipleship, evangelism, hospitality, and raising up leaders, working to see the multiplication of other healthy churches.
Visit:
We are encouraging every members of Grace Rancho to visit La Sierra Baptist over the next year. Your presence will be a wonderful encouragement to the saints in Riverside.
Serve:
There are a number of practical areas to practically help La Sierra Baptist as they seek to care for their property, facilities, and get everything in working order. Let us know if there are ways you can practically help!
Go:
Pray about joining La Sierra baptist church as a committed member. We understand most will stay at Grace Rancho and some will be sent to La Sierra, but we will all benefit form seeking the Lord’s will in this as we join together to bless the church in Riverside.
Interested in being sent to La Sierra? Let a church leader know!
The Backstory
In 2019, leaders from La Sierra began building relationships with leaders at Grace Church of Orange, one of Grace Rancho’s supporting churches when our revitalization started in 2018. Over the past several years, La Sierra reached out to Grace Orange for help.
In response, Grace Orange began sending leaders to serve at La Sierra, leading Sunday Morning and Wednesday evening services about once per month since the beginning of 2025. By the end of 2025, after much prayer and consideration, the Grace Orange elders began to move forward and trust the Lord as they fully engaged La Sierra’s request for revitalization assistance.
At the beginning of 2026, the Lord brought Grace Rancho into the picture as they prayed about sending Michael Sciarra to lead the church in Riverside. In March 2026, Michael Sciarra was nominated and voted in as the next Senior Pastor of La Sierra Baptist Church.