Peace Through Christ on Loma Drive
Peace Lutheran Church stands at 71 Loma Drive in Camarillo, California, a quiet residential street that turns into a sanctuary on Sunday mornings. The congregation calls itself a gathering of "PEACE PEOPLE" - those who have found a peace with God through Christ's sacrificial death on the cross. That peace, the church teaches, surpasses any understanding the world offers and keeps hearts steady through life's storms. In a community shaped by both suburban comfort and the rhythms of nearby Naval Base Ventura County, Peace Lutheran serves as a traditional Lutheran outpost where the historic liturgy and the catechism still shape daily life.
Worship in Word and Sacrament
At the heart of Peace Lutheran is the Divine Service, the historic Lutheran liturgy centered on the preaching of the Word and the celebration of the Lord's Supper. The congregation gathers each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for this service, which follows the same form Lutherans have used for centuries. The pastors describe worship as a place "where the Lord's Word and the Lord's Supper are at the center of our life together." Christ ministers to worshipers through the Divine Service, calling them to repentance and bestowing the gift of forgiveness.
Worship is rooted in Acts 2:42 - the apostles' teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers. The congregation understands that worship is not something done for God but something received from Him. The faithful come not because God needs their service, but because they need Him. In addition to the Sunday Divine Service, midweek services are held during the seasons of Advent and Lent on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
The church practices closed communion, a faithful church tradition in which those who wish to partake of Holy Communion and are not members of the congregation are asked to speak with the pastor before the service. Holy Communion is celebrated as the true body and blood of Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, given and shed for the forgiveness of sins.
What a First-Time Visitor Will Find
The Divine Service at 10:00 a.m. is the main gathering of the week. Before it, at 8:45 a.m., three things happen at once: Sunday School for children from preschool through grade school, the Adult Bible Class, and the Youth Group Bible Class. Visitors arriving early will find a community that takes seriously the catechesis of every age. The order of service is liturgical and traditional; the preaching is centered on Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins.
The church building sits in a residential neighborhood with parking available on site. The office is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., where Linda, the parish secretary, greets visitors and answers questions about services, baptisms, and classes. Those wishing to inquire can reach the office at office@peacecamarillo.com or (805) 482-3313.
A Confession of Faith
Peace Lutheran holds to the historic Christian faith as confessed in the three ecumenical creeds and summarized in the Book of Concord, the collection of Lutheran confessions written during the Reformation. The congregation "believes, teaches, and confesses" that there is one true God - the Holy Trinity - Creator and Sustainer of all things; that all people are born in bondage to sin and cannot save themselves; and that Jesus Christ, both true God and true man, lived, died, and rose again to atone for sin and declare victory over Satan and the grave.
The church confesses that the Holy Spirit calls sinners to repentance and faith through the Word of God, delivering Christ's forgiveness, life, and salvation through preaching, Baptism, Absolution, and the Lord's Supper. The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God and the final judge of all doctrine and practice. The congregation also confesses the sanctity of all human life from conception until death, the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman, and human sexuality within marriage as a gift for love and the procreation of children. Christ, the church confesses, will come again on the Last Day to judge the living and the dead and to give eternal life to all who believe in Him.
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Peace Lutheran is a member congregation of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, a Bible-based and mission-oriented denomination headquartered in St. Louis. The LCMS confesses the historic, orthodox Christian faith built on "the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone." The Synod's doctrine reflects the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther as summarized in the Book of Concord.
Three Reformation phrases capture the Lutheran identity: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone. God loves sinners who do not deserve His love and sent Jesus to save the ungodly. By His suffering and death as the substitute for all people, Jesus won forgiveness and eternal life. Those who hear this Good News and believe it have the eternal life it offers. The Bible is God's inerrant and infallible Word, the sole rule and norm for Christian doctrine.
The word "Synod" itself comes from Greek words meaning "walking together." Peace Lutheran walks together with sister congregations in the Pacific Southwest District of the LCMS, sharing a common confession of Jesus Christ as taught in Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.
The Pastoral Team
Rev. Jonah Domenichelli was called to serve as Senior Pastor of Peace Lutheran in September 2025. He preaches Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sins to "the young, the old, the joyful, the hurting, and those who despair of their sins and need a savior." He is committed to serving Christ's flock with the best gifts Christ delivers: His faithful Word and holy Sacraments.
Rev. Mike Schultze has served the spiritual needs of the youth at Peace for over two decades. Since his ordination in 2019, his scope has expanded to the whole congregation. He helps Bible students of all ages learn what they believe and why they believe it, so the Church is prepared to engage the world with the love of Christ.
Rachael Ylizaliturri has served as Preschool Director since 2015 and has been a member of Peace Lutheran Church since 2008. She is dedicated to creating a joyful, Christ-centered learning environment where children feel safe, valued, and excited to learn.
Music That Lifts the Congregation
The Music Ministry at Peace Lutheran is passionate about praising and worshipping through music. Musicians of all skill levels are welcome to join the choir or the Bell Choir. Together they create harmonies that uplift and inspire the congregation. Music supports the historic liturgy of the Divine Service and gives worshipers a way to join their voices with angels and archangels around Word and Sacrament.
Lutheran Youth Fellowship
The Lutheran Youth Fellowship (LYF) is committed to nurturing the faith of teenagers through engaging activities, Bible studies, and community service. LYF provides a safe and welcoming space for teenagers to explore their spirituality and build lasting friendships. The fellowship gathers regularly for events that connect young people with one another and with the life of the church.
Sunday mornings also include a Youth Group Bible Class at 8:45 a.m., where teenagers dig into Scripture alongside their peers. The church points youth toward Higher Things, an LCMS organization that makes the gifts of Christ Jesus known to youth and young adults.
Sunday School for the Youngest Christians
Each Sunday before the Divine Service, Sunday School classes meet for children from preschool through grade school. The curriculum loosely follows the worship service lessons and the seasons of the Church Year, so what children learn at 8:45 a.m. connects directly to what they will see and hear at 10:00 a.m. Everyone is invited.
At the same time, the Adult Bible Class gathers for deeper study of the Scriptures. Together, all three groups - children, youth, and adults - prepare their hearts to receive the gifts of the Divine Service.
Operation Barnabas: Honoring Military Families
Camarillo sits within reach of several military installations, and Peace Lutheran takes seriously its call to serve those who serve. Operation Barnabas is an LCMS program created to care for military members, veterans, chaplains, and their families. Named after the biblical Barnabas - the "Son of Encouragement" - the program focuses on the challenges of deployment, reintegration into civilian life, and the emotional or spiritual struggles that follow service.
Through Operation Barnabas, the congregation hosts prayer groups, mentoring, community outreach, and care during deployments and homecomings. The Peace Honor Wall stands as a meaningful and enduring memorial, honoring those who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces. Alongside the Missing Man table, the wall creates a respectful space for reflection, an educational historical center, and a welcoming venue for community events. Those wishing to support this work can write to barnabas@peacecamarillo.com.
Seasonal Outreach to the Community
Peace Lutheran hosts several annual events that open its doors to the surrounding neighborhoods. Vacation Bible School gathers children each summer for a week of crafts, games, and catechesis. The Annual Pumpkin Fest brings families together in the fall, and the Annual Advent Faire prepares hearts for Christmas. Members also participate in the local Christmas Parade, bringing the good news of Christ into the streets of Camarillo.
Peace Lutheran Preschool Since 1978
Sharing the campus with the church is Peace Lutheran Preschool and Early Learning Center, which has served the Camarillo community since 1978. The preschool is built on the conviction that each child is a unique gift from God, encouraged to grow in every way at his or her own pace - socially, intellectually, physically, emotionally, creatively, and spiritually. Children learn by exploring, using their senses, and engaging in practical life experiences, all within a safe, Christian environment.
Director Rachael Ylizaliturri leads a team of dedicated teachers, including Maria Guerra in the Jellyfish Room and Reyna Zapata in the Dolphin Room. Both teachers are trained in early childhood development and committed to play-based learning that nurtures confidence, curiosity, and the love of Jesus. The preschool partners with parents, who are welcomed as collaborators in each child's growth.
School hours run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Families interested in scheduling a tour can request one through the preschool page, or call (805) 987-1613. The preschool shares the church's vision that "God's faithfulness continues from generation to generation."
The Sacraments at Peace
Peace Lutheran celebrates the two sacraments instituted by Christ: Holy Baptism and Holy Communion (also known as the Lord's Supper or the Sacrament of the Altar). Baptism is administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and is understood as a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit. Confirmation follows a period of instruction, providing an opportunity for the individual Christian to make a public confession of the faith and a lifelong pledge of fidelity to Christ before being admitted to the Lord's Supper.
The Office of the Keys, taught in Holy Scripture, gives the church on earth the authority to forgive repentant sinners and to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant. At Peace Lutheran, Confession and Absolution is offered as a pastoral gift to those seeking assurance of God's forgiveness.
Online and Beyond
The Divine Service at Peace Lutheran is livestreamed on YouTube, allowing those who cannot attend in person to join the congregation in worship. Recordings of past services and sermons are available on the church's podcast. Giving is available online through a secure contribution portal. The congregation also produces a monthly newsletter, Words of Peace, that keeps members informed of life and ministry at the church.
A Walk Together in the Faith
From the catechism classes for the youngest children to the prayers said over those who have served their country, Peace Lutheran Church holds to the ancient confession that "Synod" means "walking together." In a town that grows and changes, this congregation on Loma Drive continues to walk the way of Word and Sacrament, raising up new generations of believers and caring for the families who pass through its doors. Whether one is exploring the Christian faith for the first time, raising small children, retiring from decades of work, or seeking the consolation of the Lord's body and blood, Peace Lutheran opens its doors to receive them.