Whittier Daily News - February 25, 2010
New pastor looks to culture to grow the brand
By Brandon Ferguson, Correspondent
WHITTIER - When asked what brought him more than 1,000 miles from a life in Missouri to put down roots in Whittier, the first thing out of Pastor Bill Sandifer's mouth isn't about the weather.
"My family and I felt led of the Lord. It wasn't just an opportunity. We feel that God has something specific for us to do out here," he said.
And according to Sandifer, who recently took the position of senior pastor at the conservative and biblically based Whittier Church of God, this involves more than corralling a large congregation.
"My great concern is success. By which I mean calling us all to be what God wants us to be. For me, that's more than a head count."
The broad-shouldered, yet soft-spoken 50-year-old Indiana native, who has spent the last two and a half decades pastoring in Phoenix and Missouri, replaced Milton Culver, senior pastor for the last 20 years.
Longtime congregant Rich Freymond, 63, who headed the committee which appointed Sandifer said the decision to choose Sandifer was based on his track record of attracting young members in his previous position. He graduated from Church of God College in Anderson, Ind., after spending time in the insurance industry.
"We were looking for someone to provide growth for our church, especially younger families with children. He had been very successful doing that in Missouri."
Freymond added that the Whittier Church of God has between 70 and 80 members filling the pews on any given Sunday.
The challenge a church faces in attracting new members, both young and old, is compounded by changing cultural demographics. As a result, many Whittier congregations have seen a decline in numbers in recent years. The married father with two daughters is not oblivious to this phenomenon. "Churches that were once big and powerful didn't stay connected to the culture. What we're looking to do is determining what the culture around us is doing," Sandifer said. This includes connecting with other area churches and attempting to understand the history of Whittier and its residents.
Though the church, which the pastor estimates is 30 percent Latino, doesn't currently have a Spanish language service, it's something that may be considered. "If a Spanish-language service would be a great service to the surrounding community, I'm sure that would be embraced."
The Whittier Church of God was founded in 1921 and was originally located in the 100 block of Comstock. The current church building was completed in 1945. One of its more remarkable features is a wood-beam ceiling in the main hall, which was constructed out of old oil derricks used during World War II.
The facility also features a nursery, kitchen, an about 2,400-square-foot fellowship hall, as well as a youth room complete with ping pong table, arcade-style Street Fighter video game and foosball table. "It's the same youth room we had when I was in high school. Talk about nostalgia," Freymond said.
Along with its regular Sunday worship service, The Church of God offers adult and youth Bible studies as well as a Tuesday night youth service.
Though Sandifer faces daunting challenges in preparing to grow his congregation, the pastor expressed commitment to the core ideals of Christianity.
When asked to explain what message he would want those not familiar with the church to receive, Sandifer took a moment to reflect, "Regardless of what is or what was, coming to Christ means better days are ahead."
