Shepherd Church is one congregation meeting in five locations across the Greater Los Angeles area, from Porter Ranch and Woodland Hills to Simi Valley, Agua Dulce, and the newer East Valley campus in North Hills. The church has been called the most racially diverse church in Los Angeles and describes itself as a multi-generational and multi-ethnic community of Christ followers gathered under the simple motto "To Lift Up Christ So That the World Would Believe." At the heart of the church is Lead Pastor Dudley Rutherford, whose messages are broadcast nationwide on the Lift Up Jesus television and radio program.
From a Railroad Car in Van Nuys to a Family of Campuses
Shepherd's roots run deeper than its current footprint suggests. In 1912, one hundred dedicated believers began meeting in an old railroad car in Van Nuys, California, and their congregation became known as First Baptist Church of Van Nuys. Dr. Jess Moody became senior pastor in 1976, and as the church grew it moved to an eleven-acre property in Porter Ranch, taking the name Shepherd of the Hills Church.
A young Midwestern pastor named Dudley Rutherford arrived in Southern California in 1987 to lead Hillcrest Christian Church in Granada Hills. Eight years later, in 1995, Hillcrest merged with Shepherd of the Hills, combining 1,600 members. Dr. Moody retired and Pastor Dudley became senior pastor. In the years that followed, attendance more than doubled. Shepherd planted Real Life Church in Santa Clarita with Kyle Idleman in 2000, launched Discovery Church in Simi Valley with Todd Clark in 2003, opened the Family Life Center in 2005, and started Shepherd Sports the next year. As weekly attendance approached 10,000, additional campuses followed. The name was shortened to Shepherd Church, and after a seven-year Miracle in the Making fundraising campaign the congregation opened a 3,500-seat worship facility in Porter Ranch in February 2017. The newest location, Shepherd Church East Valley, launched in March 2025 at the South Campus of Heritage Christian School in North Hills.
Five Campuses, Five Neighborhoods, One Church
Shepherd Church considers itself one church across five locations, and each campus has its own pastor and team while following the same weekend sermon series.
The Porter Ranch campus, the flagship location, sits on the eleven-acre property at 19700 Rinaldi Street. Worship is held Saturday at 6:00 PM, Sunday at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, and Thursday at 7:00 PM, the last of which is led by Pastor Dusty Frizzell as a teaching service. The campus houses the Family Life Center, the Ministry Center, MC One, Pillars Cafe, and the children's wing.
Simi Valley meets at 2350 Shasta Way, Suite C, with three Sunday services at 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:30 AM. Campus Pastor Caleb Walden preaches live from the same sermon series as Pastor Dudley.
Woodland Hills meets at 5901 De Soto Avenue, with three Sunday services at 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:30 AM. ASL interpretation is offered during services.
Agua Dulce meets at 34709 Agua Dulce Canyon Road, with Sunday services at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM under Campus Pastor Brian Marston.
East Valley, the newest campus, meets at 9825 Woodley Avenue in the South Campus of Heritage Christian School. Sunday services are held at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, with Pastor Michael Johnson preaching live.
Every campus shares the same phone number, (818) 831-9333, and the same central online presence.
What a Weekend Service Looks Like
A Shepherd Church service gathers a multi-generational and multi-cultural community for a powerful time of worship. The congregation sings together, takes communion to remember what Jesus did on the cross, and opens the Bible to learn from God's Word. Communion is taken at every service. Messages are preached by Pastor Dudley at Porter Ranch and broadcast live to the other campuses, with campus pastors preaching live at Simi Valley, Agua Dulce, and East Valley from the same series. Pastor Mark Moore has also been teaching the current Holy Spirit series.
Attendees will notice a variety of styles of dress, from dressy to casual. On-site parking is available at every campus, and the church recommends arriving fifteen minutes early. Wheelchair-accessible seating and additional assistance are available at the Info Counter. Spanish translation is offered during the Saturday and Sunday services at Porter Ranch, and ASL interpretation is provided at the 9:00 AM Sunday service at Porter Ranch.
Watching From Anywhere
Every weekend service at Porter Ranch is livestreamed at live.shepherdchurch.com, with Saturday at 6:00 PM and Sunday at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Pre-recorded services also air Sunday through Friday at 7:00 PM. English closed captions and Spanish translation are available for online services. Shepherd's sermons are also available as apps on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV, and the church posts recent messages on its YouTube channel. Audio of each message is released as a podcast.
Shepherd Kids: From Birth Through Fifth Grade
Shepherd Kids runs in-person programming for children from nursery through fifth grade at every weekend service at every campus. Kids worship, play games, hear a Bible story, and learn in small groups how they belong in God's big story. Check-in begins fifteen minutes before each service and doors close twenty minutes after the start. Safety is a priority: all adult workers go through a multi-step interview, background check, and training.
The children's ministry is led by Pastor Brianne Bookout as Kids and Youth Director, with Pastor Cole Kedney managing elementary programming and Lorie Padilla managing preschool. The ministry also includes Kids of the Kingdom choir for first through fifth graders and Sonbeam Singers for pre-K and kindergarten, both of which present musical productions throughout the year.
Families with children who have special needs are invited to email sksy@shepherdchurch.com so the team can prepare a buddy or additional support before the visit.
Shepherd Youth and D-Groups
Shepherd Youth serves sixth through twelfth graders with two rhythms. On weekends, students in grades six through twelve are invited into the Saturday 6:00 PM service at Porter Ranch. Midweek, D-Groups (Discipleship Groups) meet on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the Porter Ranch, Simi Valley, Woodland Hills, and Agua Dulce campuses during the school year. Each D-Group worships together, looks at a chapter of Scripture, breaks into small groups by grade and gender, and meets one-on-one with a leader each semester. There is a $20 registration fee that funds the end-of-semester Host Party.
Shepherd Youth is led by Pastor Brianne Bookout with youth managers Pastor Adrianna Cervantes and Pastor Jimmy Banks. Students can email sksy@shepherdchurch.com to set up a tour.
Life Groups: Bible Study Meets Community
Life Groups are the small-group engine of the church. Hundreds of groups meet in homes, coffee shops, and online across the San Fernando, Simi, and Santa Clarita Valleys, following the current sermon series with a brief video and a set of discussion questions. Most groups meet weekly for eight to ten weeks, then take a break before the next series begins. Groups are categorized as co-ed, men's, women's, young adults, couples, bilingual, deaf, and online, and some welcome children. Each group sets its own start time, end time, and approach to childcare.
Life Groups are led by Pastor Abe Anaya as Life Groups Pastor, with Pastor Victor Peña, Pastor Neimad Durham, Pastor Brian Marston, and Pastor Caleb Kaltenbach serving as Group Zone Leads.
There are also Tuesday-night On-Campus Life Groups that meet at 6:30 PM at Porter Ranch and on other evenings at other campuses.
Care and Support Groups
Shepherd's Care Ministries meet people in the hardest seasons of life. Care Director Pastor Dave Page oversees a network of groups that meet on a weekly or short-term basis across the campuses.
Christ Powered Recovery (CPR) is a weekly scripture-based 12-step program for those recovering from substance abuse, with friends and family members welcome. CPR meets Mondays at Porter Ranch, Thursdays at Simi Valley, and Fridays at Woodland Hills.
GriefShare gathers those mourning the loss of a loved one on Mondays at Porter Ranch, while Hope for Grief runs occasional workshops and In Loving Arms provides a six-week program for parents who have experienced pregnancy or neonatal loss. Divorce Care is a thirteen-week program for those healing from separation or divorce. Men at the Well is a confidential weekly group for men seeking help with sexual integrity. Betrayal and Beyond is a confidential group for women healing from the impact of infidelity. Renew Mental Health provides support groups and resources for those facing mental health challenges. Throne of Grace offers hope and healing for women dealing with the emotional aftermath of abortion. Anchor Cancer Support welcomes those affected by cancer, including caregivers. Care Card teams create handmade cards and gift baskets for those needing encouragement.
Financial classes include Financial Peace University, a nine-week course on money management, and Compass Financial, a four-week class on Biblical stewardship. Estate Planning is offered as a free service to help attendees prepare wills and trusts. Mastering Your Marriage is an eight-week course for couples, and Premarital Mentoring prepares engaged couples for marriage. How to Share Jesus is a workshop addressing common objections to Christianity. A New Believers class meets virtually for four weeks through the Gospel of Matthew.
Vintage Ministry is the community for adults 55 and older. Vintage meets Tuesdays at 10:00 AM at MC One on the Porter Ranch campus, with a separate Vintage gathering at the Simi Valley campus. The group shares worship, fellowship, Bible study, and prayer, with refreshments starting at 9:30 AM. Vintage Ministry Pastor Keith Lewis leads this community.
Outreach: Local and Global
Outreach at Shepherd is organized around three lanes: in the church, in the community, and around the world. Linda Kohn serves as Outreach Director, and Paula Cracium is Community Engagement Director.
On the local side, regular GO Team opportunities include Homeless Meals, which serves hot meals from the Porter Ranch parking structure; Blanket Blessings, which assembles blankets for those in need; Spa Squad, which serves women in Northridge; the Recycling Ministry at both Porter Ranch and Simi Valley; English and Coffee, a casual English-language practice group for learners; Community Clean Up, which picks up trash around the 118 Freeway; and recurring Red Cross Blood Drives. Adoption and family-support partnerships are listed under Outreach & Serving.
Globally, Shepherd supports 24 partners across 18 countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Their work ranges from Bible translation and discipleship to education, healthcare, prison ministry, music, and church planting. Short-term mission trips have included Korea, the Middle East, Northern California, Arizona, Guatemala, and Indonesia.
Dream of Destiny is the church's leadership initiative, founded by Pastor Dudley to empower leaders to cultivate unity and diversity in Christian churches and colleges.
Shepherd Sports
Shepherd Sports has grown into a community of more than 3,000 adults and children playing in leagues, clinics, and tournaments through the week. The program is led by Sports Pastor Josh Merrill and offers an environment that combines physical fitness with mentorship. Kids who play Shepherd Sports are part of the broader community of the church.
Music and Arts
Worship at Shepherd is led by Worship/Productions Director Susanne Walden and a team of vocalists and musicians under names like Louie Bookout, Brandon Aram, Amber Buenaventura, Nikko Dumas, Nicole Gines, Christine Miller, and Michael North. The Risen Choir, for ages 14 to 35, performs at services and special events by audition. The Amen Choir rehearses and performs worship songs at senior homes, the Salvation Army, and other outreach venues, with no audition required and open to those 18 and older. Kids of the Kingdom (first through fifth grade) and Sonbeam Singers (pre-K and kindergarten) are the children's choirs.
Pillars Cafe
Pillars Cafe sits on the Porter Ranch campus and serves specialty coffee, breakfast, lunch, and pastries in a full-service cafe atmosphere. The cafe is open Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Saturday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The cafe also includes a small bookstore. Outside groups are welcome.
Lift Up Jesus: A Broadcast Ministry
Through the Lift Up Jesus television and radio ministry, Pastor Dudley's messages reach well beyond the church's own campuses. Lift Up Jesus airs on KDOC-TV in Los Angeles, on KNBC in Palm Desert and Palm Springs, on WJYS in the Chicago area, and on DirectTV channel 363 (GEB America Network). On radio, sermons air on KKLA in Los Angeles, on SiriusXM (Family Talk 131) across the country, and on DYVS radio in the Philippines. Combined reach extends to millions of households in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, and beyond, and visitors from more than 75 countries tune in to watch online or archived messages through LiftUpJesus.com.
What Shepherd Believes
Shepherd's stated beliefs follow a classical evangelical Protestant framework. There is one God, eternally existing in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, born of a virgin, who lived a sinless life, died on the cross for all sin, was raised from the grave after three days, ascended into heaven, and will return to reign as King. The Holy Spirit lives inside every believer and serves as comforter, guide, and advocate. The Bible is the church's ultimate authority, divinely inspired and without error.
All people are made in the image of God, and human disobedience, called sin, separates humanity from God. Salvation is a free gift, received through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and is expressed through repentance and baptism by full immersion. The church teaches that people were created to exist forever, either eternally with God through following Jesus or eternally separated from God.
On gender, marriage, and sex, Shepherd holds that people are created with equal intrinsic value and two distinct biological sexes, that marriage is a union between one male and one female, and that sex is reserved for the context of marriage.
The Logo and the Name
Shepherd's logo uses an "S" that doubles as a representation of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. Four colors carry meaning: red for the blood of Christ that washes away sin, blue for baptism by immersion, green for growth and discipleship, and yellow for heaven. A pathway through the design symbolizes the narrow road that leads to heaven. The logo is inspired by stained-glass church windows, a nod to the more than one hundred years of ministry that shaped the church.
Next Steps for Visitors
For those who want to explore further, Shepherd runs a Next Steps class at every campus that covers the church's story, daily spiritual habits, serving, and sharing faith. Baptism classes are held regularly, and new believers are invited into a four-week virtual study through the Gospel of Matthew. Visitors who want to talk with a pastor can email support@shepherdchurch.com or stop by the Information Center on a weekend. Weddings and funerals are coordinated through Whitney Watkins in the Facilities office, and prayer requests can be submitted through the prayer page.
Giving and Accountability
Shepherd Church is certified by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, and giving can be done online through the Give page, in person at any weekend service, or by mail to the Porter Ranch address. Annual business reports are published and accessible through the Give page.
Looking Ahead
With five campuses already meeting across the Greater Los Angeles area, hundreds of Life Groups meeting weekly, a packed children's and youth ministry, and a broadcast that reaches millions, Shepherd continues to grow around a single, simple idea: to lift up Christ so that the world would believe.