| Friends Church | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Evangelical Friends International |
| Website | friendschurchyl.com |
| Clergy | |
| Senior pastor(s) | Matthew Cork |
Friends Church (formerly Yorba Linda Friends Church) is an evangelical Christian megachurch located in the upscale Orange County city of Yorba Linda, California. The church is affiliated with the Evangelical Friends International denomination. With weekly attendance averaging in excess of 4,000, it is the largest Quaker church in the world and one of the largest churches in Southern California. In addition, the church's worship center (completed in 2005) is one of the largest theaters in California, with a capacity of over 3,000.[1] In 2009, the church was ranked the 54th fastest-growing church in the United States.[2]
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On June 4, 1911 community residents convened to plan the construction of the first church in Yorba Linda to offer Christian education to local children. In 1912, at a cost of $1,513.63, the Friends Church was organized and built on School Street . The charter members included Frank A. Nixon and Hannah M. Nixon, parents to future United States President Richard M. Nixon. The original structure is now the First Baptist Church.[3]
The Friends Church was moved to a new location in 1928 and again in 1969. Meetings at the Friends Church took form of unprogrammed worship with spontaneous and enthusiastic displays of religious fervor, characterized by religious scholar Thomas Hamm as a landmark of California evangelicalism.[4]
Today, the church offers multilingual services and Christian education programs for all age groups.
In recent years, the church has distanced itself from its Quaker denomination. The church is also much more conservative than the majority of Quaker churches and does not espouse the pacifist views of most Quakers.
In 2008, Yorba Linda Friends Church officially changed their name to "Friends Church" to highlight their distinctiveness and differentiate themselves from the other Evangalical Friends churches in Yorba Linda, e.g., Rose Drive Friends Church and Canyon Hills Friends Church, along with making the church appear more non-denominational.
Friends Church frequently hosts contemporary Christian musical concerts in their worship center. Recent performers have included Michael W. Smith, Rebecca St. James, Delirious?, Sanctus Real, Steven Curtis Chapman and Third Day.[5]
Lift - Formerly called "Worship Night" we have chosen a new name and location for these events. "Lift" is a bi-monthly, mid-week time of worship that is open to our church and our community; located in Building 7 on the upper campus of Friends Church. Our awesome KidVenture staff will be providing KidsCare, on first come first serve basis, for ages birth through 5 years in the main worship center. Bring a friend and come ready to worship and pray. There will also be a time for communion. http://ylfc.org/files/Album/2187fileImage.jpg
