If you are wondering what happened to the old Stein Mart building on Marguerite in Mission Viejo, wonder no more. 10,000 sq.feet in the building has been transformed into Oakhouse Church.
When Stein Mart left, the City began to use some of the space for storage and some for work on the plan to revitalize the Oso Creek trail and shops. This left some space vacant. The City put out a notice that it would rent the remaining space. Oakhouse Church indicated interest, a lease was drawn up and work began to make a church with Sunday School rooms, prayer room, offices out of empty space, all accomplished within months, thanks to the talents of many dedicated volunteers.
Oakhouse Church is an offshoot of Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa. It became a separate church in Mission Viejo in 2021, first meeting in local schools. The church is a non denominational, Bible teaching church. Its mission is to love God, love others, be a witness and make disciples.
The church has 3 full time staff and 8 part time staff with a congregation of 400 adults and 150 children. Children’s programs are targeted to children from birth to teens. There are also life groups targeted at adults.
In addition, the church has a tremendous outreach to the community: volunteers serve Meals on Wheels twice weekly, support with manpower and food the Park It Market at the Norman Murray Center where once a month food is available for seniors and the food pantry at Silverado High School which provides food for students in all of Mission Viejo. They also support Olive Crest, an organization dedicated to preventing child abuse by strengthening, equipping and restoring children and families in crisis. There is a pastor’s fund, supported by the congregation where the first 10% of every dollar donated goes to help those in need, regardless of church affiliation. Expanding their presence, the Church supports 6 villages in Guatemala through Food For the Hungry. Teams are sent in to work with villagers all year, helping them become self sustaining and helping their children go to school.
Oakhouse has a vision; to have a campus locally which will include a church and non profits dealing with recovery, addiction, food banks, aid to young families and mental health. The plan is to accomplish this by 2041.
Chad Halliburton is the lead pastor of Oakhouse. If you want more information, you can call him at 949-394-2508.