What is Portico?

Nearly 2000 years ago, a beautiful, large temple stood as the dwelling place of God himself. Around a throne in a small room in the back of the temple, God's presence rested on Earth. Only one person per year was allowed to approach this Most Holy Place, and only once a year. A select handful of others were able to minister just outside throughout the year. A small group of special priests were able to enter a courtyard just outside the impressive building for the purpose of offering sacrifices to God. Further out, any upright Jewish man was able to approach the outskirts of the courtyard to worship. Woman could only go as far as a large meeting area that was even further away from God's presence. And then there was the Portico, a covered porch that stretched along the outskirts of the temple mount. This was the place where anyone could come and worship. Rich and poor, Jew and Gentile, male and female all were welcome to gather here to lift their praise to the God of the universe.

Then Jesus came and changed everything. In one profound act, Jesus gave his life to restore the relationship between God and his people. Sin no longer separated the two. Those in the Portico, who for so long had been separated, now had equal access to the very throne room of God.

We, as a church, strive to be a place where all people are invited to come and hear the good news of Jesus Christ and find restoration with God. Portico is a transformational community of Christ-followers from different backgrounds, ethnicities and socio-econimic status united together by Christ's love and His calling to mission in North Orange County and around the world.

There is one more thing we know about the portico. This was a place where the early believers gathered in small groups of 10 to 12 as they sought out God's will for their life. The Bible tells us that they meet in the portico daily to ask tough questions and seek real answers. We want to continue the pursuit of Truth today. All people are welcome to come and Seek Truth with us. We then invite them to respond and Create Beauty through song, dance, art, poetry, writing, quilting and whatever else it is that God has given them to make this world a more beautiful place. And when they have done this along with us, we believe each one will find that they Belong to something bigger than themselves or this world.

So come to Portico and Seek Truth, Create Beauty and Belong with us.