A Church Built Around Christ, Cause, and Community
Orange County First Assembly of God (OCFA) sits on East Santa Clara Avenue in Santa Ana, serving a stretch of Orange County that has long been home to families from many cultures and generations. The congregation describes itself in a single phrase, Christ. Cause. Community, and that rhythm shapes everything from Sunday worship to a Thursday morning food pantry in the church parking lot.
The church's mission reads simply: to know Christ and make Him known to our community and the world. Six core values circle that mission: praying consistently and persistently, helping people transform their lives through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, teaching every Christ-follower to walk in obedience and the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit, equipping all people to grow in Christ through prayer, worship, and sound biblical teaching, intentionally sharing Christ in the community with humility, integrity, and compassionate service, and directly impacting the world through generous missions giving and sending. OCFA holds to the Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths.
First-time guests will find a relaxed atmosphere. Sunday mornings begin with coffee and donuts in the Tower Circle at 10 a.m., giving visitors a natural entry point before the service starts.
Sundays at OCFA
The Sunday schedule is built around a full hour of Bible study before the worship gathering. Adult Bible study meets in the Fireside Room, kids gather in Room 9 for an interactive class, and youth in 7th through 12th grade meet with Pastor Stephen and Sabrina in Room 7 at 9:45 a.m. for a devotional tied to the morning's sermon. A Deaf Bible study meets in the CLC at the same hour, and nursery care is available throughout the morning.
Two distinct worship services fill the late morning. At 10:15 a.m., a Deaf worship service is led in American Sign Language in the Chapel and livestreamed on Facebook. At 10:30 a.m., the main hearing worship service begins in the Sanctuary, with youth seated in the front left rows so they can flow in from their devotional time. The hearing service is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube for those who want to follow along from home.
On the last Sunday of each month at 6 p.m., the church gathers for Revival Prayer and Praise, an extended time of prayer over the church, the community, and the world.
Wednesday Nights Around the Word
Midweek programming runs at 7 p.m. and is built for the whole household. Adults dig into Bible study while children gather for their own OCFA Kids program, with nursery care provided for the youngest. The Wednesday night environment is intentionally intergenerational, so families can arrive together and split off into age-appropriate teaching before regrouping at home.
OC Deaf Church: A Ministry at the Heart of OCFA
Few features of OCFA are as distinctive as its Deaf ministry, which has grown into a full congregation within the church. Led by Pastor Bill Gipple and his wife Vickie, OC Deaf Church exists to let Deaf and hard-of-hearing people know they belong and to introduce them to a living, loving God.
Every gathering uses American Sign Language. On Sundays, the Deaf community meets for Bible study in Room 24 at 9 a.m., then gathers for worship in the Chapel at 10:15 a.m., a service that is broadcast live on Facebook so Deaf worshipers near and far can join in. Wednesdays at 7 p.m. bring the group back together in Room 24 for further study. The ministry maintains its own YouTube channel through OC Deaf Connection, extending its reach beyond Santa Ana.
Kids, Royal Rangers, and Generation 246
OCFA places a strong emphasis on the next generation. Kids Church, for 1st through 5th graders, runs during the 10:30 a.m. service and aims to introduce children to Christ in a way that is both kid-friendly and biblical. Sunday School begins at 9 a.m., and families also meet with Kids Pastor Sarah Harris once a month after the service to build relationships and pick up tools for discipling at home.
Beyond Sunday programming, OCFA hosts two of the Assemblies of God's flagship children's ministries. Royal Rangers, open to boys in 1st through 5th grade, uses outdoor adventures like camping, hiking, woodworking, and sports to mentor boys spiritually, mentally, and physically under the guidance of Christian men. Girls Ministries, also 1st through 5th grade, exists to lead every girl toward a deep relationship with Jesus Christ and to help her realize her purpose and potential in the kingdom of God.
Junior high and high school students in 7th through 12th grade are part of Generation 246, the OCFA youth ministry named from Psalm 24:6. The group meets on Sunday mornings, on Wednesdays, and on the second Friday of each month for fellowship and a fresh pursuit of the Lord.
Women's, Men's, and Outreach
Once a month, the women of OCFA gather for events like Embrace Grace nights, building friendships and growing together. On the first Saturday of each month at 9 a.m., men and boys of any age meet to worship, study the Word, and share breakfast.
One of the church's most visible community ministries is its Mobile Pantry, which runs every Thursday at 10 a.m. Cars can enter the drive-thru line in the gym parking lot and receive assorted fresh produce, dairy, pantry items, and frozen food. No ID is required, making it a straightforward point of help for neighbors facing food insecurity.
Get Connected
OCFA runs a four-step pathway for those who want to put down roots. Discover OCFA is a free lunch after the service for anyone who has been attending for two or three months. Discover Christ is a small-group setting for those who have recently decided to follow Jesus and want to explore questions of faith. Discover Baptism is a one-time meeting that walks through what baptism is and why it matters. Discover Membership gathers with Lead Pastor Drew Smithson to learn the purpose and process of becoming a member.
A weekly email newsletter keeps the congregation informed about events, service notes, and opportunities to serve. Giving is handled through ChurchTrac, and the church maintains an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for livestream services and updates.
The pastoral team is led by Drew Smithson as Lead Pastor, with Adam Altermatt serving as Assistant Pastor and Worship Pastor. Bill Gipple is Pastor to the Deaf, Sarah Harris is Kids Pastor and Nursery Care Coordinator, and Addison Altermatt directs the youth ministry. Together they shepherd a Santa Ana congregation that takes seriously its call to know Christ and to make Him known.