A City That Looks Like Heaven

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When gold was discovered in 1848 near Sacramento, thousands of eager prospectors came from all over the world to seek their fortune. Soon the easy to find gold was gone, and many found themselves destitute, sick, and penniless. Helping to care for these weary souls were a handful of Christian pastors.

In 1850, when California became a state, a decade before the Civil War, there was an attempt to make it a slave state. Once again, Sacramento pastors stood in the gap against injustice toward African-Americans and were persecuted for it. At the same time, they affirmed the rights of Chinese immigrants who were being treated unfairly.

Now, 165 years later, Time Magazine has called Sacramento: “America’s Most Racially Diverse City”. Once more, a great treasure is waiting to be discovered… hidden within our cultural diversity. Geologists insist 80% of California’s Mother Lode gold is still in the ground, but it just costs too much to extract. The relational gold of racial harmony and church unity lies underneath our feet and begs the questions: Do we know the treasure we’ve been given?

And, will we pay the price of loving others enough to find its true value?
Sacramento pastors and churches are coming together… loving, honoring, serving and praying for one another. This is our unfolding story.

Book Reviews/Endorsements

For various reasons and almost by default, pastors often find themselves working in isolation from other local pastors in a city. This pattern is being broken in Sacramento, a city that shines as a true mosaic of ethnicity, color, and culture. It has been our joy to work with other leaders who likewise believe for a citywide transformation. During the last several years, through intentionally drawing together over the simplicity of breaking bread and prayer, we are finding our vital places within our common call to the city we love.

In a culture that grows more consumed with individual followings and public recognition, we have seen true significance arise from thoughtfully preferring and celebrating one another's uniqueness. In this atmosphere of unity and true affinity, we humbly and soberly walk in great expectation for what God will unleash through the fabric of our precious and diverse community.

For this reason we affirm the focus and intent of this important book. God’s hand is on Sacramento in such a marvelous way, and we believe this volume will be a catalyst for its further transformation.

Pastors Don and Christa Proctor — City Pastors Fellowship

Rick Cole — Senior Pastor, Capital Christian Center

Greg Fairrington — Senior Pastor, Destiny Christian Church

Samuel Gordon — Chair,MLK Celebration Committee

Scott Hagan — Lead Pastor, Real Life Church

Lance Hahn — Lead Pastor, Bridgeway Christian Church

John Jackson — President, William Jessup University

Joy Johnson — Executive Director, Life Matters Inc.

Jeff Kreiser — Director, The ACTS Group

Parnell M. Lovelace, Jr. — Founding Pastor, Center of Praise Ministries

Samuel and Eva Rodriguez — Senior Pastors, New Season Christian Worship Center

Sam Starks — Executive Director , MLK365