Malibu Presbyterian Church Doesn’t Need Walls to Have Impact

• Despite Losing Its Edifice, Congregation Celebrates the Spirit of Giving

BY NICOLE KLIEST

Despite last year’s loss of their buildings to wildfire, Malibu Presbyterian Church donated $500,000 on Sunday toward a new teen center in central Los Angeles to support the World Impact Ministries.
On Oct. 21, MPC’s edifice was destroyed in the first of a series of two fires that claimed over 70 structures and burned thousands of acres of land, however this did not stop the church from staying faithful to their pledge.
Just two days after the fire, the church leadership announced their intent to follow through with their support for World Impact Ministries: a Christian missions organization committed to empowering America’s urban poor.
“While we have lost a building, we are still a church,” said MPC’s Pastor Greg Hughes. “We are proud to partner with World Impact. Together, we work toward a common vision—to serve our community, help those in need and, in turn, bring Christ’s love to the City of Los Angeles.”
The donation was given at the MPC’s Easter Services, which were held Sunday under a tent at Malibu Bluffs Park.
In addition to over 800 attendees, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, L.A. Councilmember Wendy Greuel, and Dr. Keith Phillips of World Impact joined together with the people of Malibu to celebrate the joyful holiday and the donation.
“Malibu Presbyterian made a commitment of $500,000 the night before their church burnt down. When that happened, my heart dropped,” said Phillips. “About three days later, Pastor Hughes called saying they would honor their commitment. It was stunning.”
World Impact will be converting a 9000-square-foot building to a community center for teens across the street from the new West Adams Preparatory High School, which opened in September 2007 at Vermont and the Santa Monica Freeway.
The center is scheduled to open in 2009. It will provide Bible study and worship classes. Additionally, it will provide academic tutoring, counseling, mentoring, leadership development, drama productions, college SAT prep classes, vocational planning and music classes.
“What Malibu Presbyterian did struck everybody in Los Angeles as an amazing act of compassion that can only be explained by the Church,” said Phillips.
MPC continues on a trajectory of optimism and sharing as members begin to choose architects, as well as deal with the complexities of rebuilding.
“Malibu Presbyterian has stood as a beacon of hope for 58 years,” Pastor Hughes said. “We are still here. We love our city, and we intend to continue to worship and serve the Malibu and Los Angeles communities for decades to come.”