MPC Celebrates Easter with a Gift to World Impact

Pictures from MPC's Easter Service on March 23rd, 2008. Click the numbers below to see more. (Photos by Eric Smith)


Over 800 people from Malibu and the surrounded area joined together to celebrate Easter at Malibu Bluff's Park on Sunday morning.

LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Dr. Keith Phillips of World Impact and LA Councilwoman Wendy Greuel joined to commemorate the gift from Malibu Presbyterian of $500,000 to World Impact to build a teen center in central Los Angeles.

The worship service was one of the largest Easter celebrations in MPC's history.

"When a church - especially one that has gone through the travails that this one has - gives back to the community, it is important to  thank them," Mayor Villaraigosa said to the packed tent.

The gift to World Impact was raised last summer as a part of what was then the Legacy renovation campaign for the old Sanctuary.  The funds were formally pledged on October 20th.  The following day - the fire struck MPC.

Dr. Keith Phillips, President of World Impact, echoed the Mayor, saying, “Last fall, when Malibu Presbyterian pledged to give us this gift - we were ecstatic.  The next day, we heard the church burned down - our hearts dropped."

The church leadership resolved to stay committed to its pledge.  Pastor Hughes told the congregation that within two days, the session voted unanimously to follow through with its pledge to World Impact.

Dr. Phillips thanked the church enthusiastically.  "Malibu Presbyterian Church is a stellar example of Christian love--sacrificially giving to build a center to empower inner-city teenagers through encouragement, mentoring and instruction - even as their own sanctuary is in ashes. Only God’s love can explain such extraordinary generosity. On behalf of the teenagers in Los Angeles, we are extremely grateful.”

World Impact is 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. This center, scheduled to open in 2009, will provide Bible classes and worship classes. It will also offer academic tutoring, counseling, mentoring, leadership development, drama productions, college SAT prep classes, vocational planning, and music classes. It will be a safe place for inner-city teens to build deep, healthy relationships with their peers and World Impact staff. Dr. Edward Robillard,West Adams Prep Principal, welcomes this positive investment into his student body.

“Christianity is a resurrection faith,” said Pastor Greg Hughes. “We believe in a God who rose from death for us. While we have lost a building, we are still a church. 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.”