Inner-City Calvary Finds Home after Three Years Wandering
For the last three years, the congregation of Hope Central Watts (HCW) Calvary Chapel in Los Angeles (LA), CA, has been homeless. After losing their lease on a home—known as Hope House—in South-Central LA where they ministered to an impoverished community well known for gang activity, drugs, and violence, they have moved four times. Determined to continue ministering, they have set up church in a bungalow and parking lot of a large housing project, a basketball court behind a Los Angeles Police Department substation, and in the hot sun of the Watts Civic Center.
Pastor José Hernandez clears off the outdoor basketball court behind the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) where his church, Hope Central Watts (HCW), set up services for a time until they could find a new church building. Last month, they were able to purchase a property with donations that miraculously covered the entire sale price. Photo courtesy Hope Central Watts
God has recently answered their prayers and met the financial needs for a permanent church home, a second Hope House—free and clear, according to HCW Senior Pastor José Hernandez. José was ordained and sent out by Pastor Chuck Smith after completing the School of Ministry at CC Costa Mesa, CA; his home church was CC Downey, CA.
Faithful congregants have met in several different places over the last three years while continuing to reach out to the surrounding community, ministering to families and children affected by violence, homelessness, and hunger. Photo courtesy Hope Central Watts
Losing Hope
“I was really hesitant to leave [the original] Hope House because of the money, time, and effort we spent and the ministries that came along side us. We had redone everything to this place but it wasn’t ours. It was only based on a handshake and a promise, and we lost it all,” José recounted. Greatly grieved, he sought counsel from another pastor who encouraged him with 2 Chronicles 25:9: Then Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?” And the man of God answered, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.”
José suddenly knew God would give him more. “God told me to move, I moved. I believed God wanted to see what I would do with the little that I have.”
José delivers an impactful sermon at the original Hope House located in South-Central LA. HCW expects to celebrate their 12-year anniversary this September 10th in the new Hope House, located less than a mile away from the previous location. “We are in a unique area. There are not a lot of churches so, Lord willing, we will pick up more people to join our congregation,” José stated. Photo courtesy Hope Central Watts
Shining the Light
Despite the desert-like wanderings, José did not let it hinder the work God called him to, even continuing to work with the city’s attorneys and police departments helping families and children affected by violence, homelessness, and hunger.
“We never stopped proclaiming the Gospel, never stopped helping people, never stopped being a light in the community. My marching order for three years was, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Officer John Coughlin (left), 27-year veteran of the LAPD, has supported José and the outreach ministry at HCW, often working side-by-side to bring help and hope to those in the inner-city neighborhoods. Photo Josh Larson
Hope for a Home
“I felt the Lord encourage me that this was the year we were going to get our place back,” José disclosed. On March 24, he went to see a property that matched the church’s needs. Although HCW had some funds saved for a down payment, José was turned down for a loan due to the high cost of the real estate.
Recently, a couple from another Calvary Chapel began monthly support for the ministry at HCW and expressed an interest in helping them secure a property. They went with José on May 14 to view several other properties, but nothing caught their eye. However, the original property José wanted was still on the market and they went to see it. “They said, ‘This is it! Make an offer of $750,000 cash, no contingencies,’” he stated. Wanting to clarify the arrangement, José asked how the church would pay them back. “They told me that God has blessed them to the degree that they could give us the money.”
Steven Shin (center), associate pastor of HCW, uses the time after a Sunday service to build relationships with the people in the Watts neighborhood. Once a month in the summers, the service is held at Nickerson Gardens, one of the largest and most notorious government housing projects in the West. Originally planned to be a type of uptopia for the community, it quickly turned into a ghetto rampant with fatherless families, gang activity, murders, and hopelessness. Photo Josh Larson
The seller declined the offer and José advised the couple who then suggested he talk to other ministry supporters who would want to be part of this blessing. He did and another couple, after seeing the property, promised a large sum in support.
With the additional funds, José submitted another offer but was again turned down. Undaunted, José prayed, asking God what to do next. “The Lord then reminded me that a year before, another Calvary had given us $50,000 that had been in another bank account and another Calvary had given us $40,000 to help us get into a building. So, technically, although it’s not in our bank account yet, I have $890,000 that I can spend.” After discussing this with the partners, he made an offer just shy of the asking amount and waited to see what the Lord would do.
The sellers accepted this offer, but all the money still wasn’t in the account. Two weeks before closing, José received a partial distribution by wire. The following week, a second wire arrived, followed by the rest just days before closing. “On July 5, one day before I left for summer camp with the kids, I wired the money to escrow. On July 10, the day after we came back from camp, the deed was recorded and the property is ours—free and clear!” he exclaimed.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12
Hope House 2
The three bleakly painted buildings on the property remind José of the county jail—gray and blue. “It looks depressing right now. We want to paint it eggshell white with white trim so it stands out.” He envisions a refuge in the middle of chaos where God is glorified. “We want those kids and families, when they come off the streets of depravity, sadness, depression, violence, trauma, and sexual abuse, to come into a place where it is refreshing—an oasis, a picture of God’s faithfulness here on earth.”
On the property is a building previously used as a chapel, seating 50-60 people, where the adults and children of HCW will worship together. The main house has a large gathering area, three bedrooms, and one-and-a-half baths that will be used for classrooms, an office, and youth activities. Eventually, they will host community gatherings and cookouts, welcoming the surrounding neighborhood to worship with them. The smaller one-bedroom, one-bath house will be living quarters for a groundskeeper who would be on premises full-time. José explained, “It’s still a rough neighborhood and Watts has gotten progressively worse, so we definitely want to make sure we do the best possible job to keep everybody safe and have someone there on a regular basis.”
Pastors Jose (left) and Steven (second from right) along with some of the HCW congregation celebrate after a time of prayer in front of their new property. Located at 902 East 97th St., Los Angeles, the corner complex contains two houses, one with a large kitchen, outdoor gathering areas, a building previously used as a chapel, and plenty of street parking. Photo courtesy Hope Central Watts
Preparing for Opening Day
José’s goal is to preach in the new building on September 10, one day shy of their 12th anniversary as a church family. To prepare for that opening, interior repairs need to be made. “We want to really make it shine, because we are to be a light on the mountain top, and we aren’t supposed to put that light under a bushel,” José explained.
“Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” Matthew 5:15
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Anyone interested in helping can contact José by email at jhernandez@hopecentralwatts.com or by calling him at 562-207-7291
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