A Church Helping East County San Diego Know and Follow Jesus
For more than forty years, Sonrise Church has gathered on North Magnolia Avenue in Santee, California, just minutes from Lakeside and El Cajon. The church's whole reason for being is summed up in a single phrase that appears throughout its discipleship pathway: helping people know and follow Jesus. Every weekend service, every children's classroom, every small group, and every partnership with local organizations traces back to that mission.
What sets Sonrise apart is the way it builds community around that mission. Sunday services feature a full band leading energetic, modern worship. The Sonrise Cafe serves coffee before and between services so newcomers have an easy way to meet people. A robust children's ministry runs alongside every gathering, and a separate youth program draws middle and high schoolers back to the campus on Wednesday nights. The church's pastors describe their culture as one where real people find real hope, and where the same conviction - that Jesus changes everything - shapes everything from how a sermon is preached to how a cup of coffee is poured.
Sonrise is located at 8805 N. Magnolia Ave, Santee, CA 92071. The main phone line is 619-596-7667 and the general inbox is info@sonrise.net.
What to Expect on a Sunday Morning
Sonrise holds two Sunday services, at 9:00 AM and 10:40 AM, with the same worship and teaching at each one so families can pick the time that works best. Services typically run about 70 minutes and include singing, prayer, and a sermon. There is no dress code - jeans and a hoodie fit right in alongside Sunday's best, and a kid in a Ninja Turtle costume will be just as welcome. Greeters and parking attendants are stationed to help first-time guests find their way, and the Sonrise Cafe opens at 8:30 AM for anyone who wants to grab a coffee before the service.
Worship is contemporary and led by a live band. Songs are modern, heartfelt, and Jesus-centered, with room to sing loud, raise hands, or simply take it in. Teaching is biblical and practical, designed to apply Scripture to the realities of work, family, money, and relationships. Lead Pastor Dr. Scott Smith preaches most weekends, working through books of the Bible and topical series in a conversational, accessible style.
Plenty of parking is available on site, including spaces close to the entrance. The campus is staffed by a trained safety team, and staff will help anyone who needs assistance getting around. The 9 AM service is livestreamed for those who want to participate from home or check in while traveling.
The Sonrise Cafe: Where Strangers Become Friends
Step into the Sonrise Cafe on a Sunday morning and you will find one of the church's most quietly effective ministries. The cafe serves handcrafted coffee, light snacks, and quick breakfast options, and it stays open from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM on Sundays and again from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesdays.
The cafe is designed to lower the barrier for newcomers. Many guests arrive early, grab a drink, and end up in conversation with people they have never met before. Every purchase helps support ministry and community events. A volunteer Cafe Team runs the operation, and anyone who enjoys people and a fast-paced environment is welcome to sign up to serve.
Sonrise Kids and the Sonrise Nursery
Sonrise has invested heavily in its children's wing because the church believes the years from birth through fifth grade are some of the most formative in a person's faith journey. Sonrise Kids runs during both Sunday services and again on Wednesday nights, and the Sonrise Nursery cares for the littlest guests from birth through Pre-K at the same times.
On Sundays at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM (sometimes listed as 10:40 AM to match the second service), children in Kindergarten through 5th grade experience a new Bible story each week through interactive lessons, songs, and games designed for their age. Wednesday Kids Nights, also at 6:30 PM, take the same approach midweek with a high-energy mix of worship, a Bible story, and small-group time for infants through 5th grade. A dedicated safety team is on site every Sunday and Wednesday, every volunteer and staff member is background-checked, and a secure check-in and check-out system ensures only authorized adults can pick up a child.
Children with special needs are welcomed and integrated into Sonrise Kids. The team partners with parents to understand each child's unique strengths and provide the personalized attention they need. Families new to Sonrise can pre-register their children before their first visit through a check-in form on the church's site.
Sonrise Kids is led by Associate Pastor Mike Emery, who also serves as the church's Men's Ministry Leader. The children's director is Makenzie Plumb, who directed the church's recent production of The Sound of Music in partnership with Christian Youth Theater. An early childhood director named Patty oversees the nursery program. Parents can reach the kids ministry team at mike@sonrise.net.
For families looking to grow as parents, the church offers Parenting Foundations, a free eight-week course that combines a short biblical and practical teaching with table-group conversation, application, and prayer. Topics run the gamut from emotions and discipline to technology, communication, and talking with kids about sex. Childcare is provided during the course.
Sonrise Youth: Middle and High School Students
Sonrise Youth exists to create an authentic community of students who want to love Jesus, love others, and serve their neighbors. The ministry gathers everyone in 6th through 12th grade.
Wednesday Youth Nights run from 6:15 to 8:00 PM and feature games, high-energy worship, and small-group fellowship. Sunday Youth Connect meets between the two Sunday services from 10:10 to 10:40 AM, giving students a relaxed time to hang out, grab a snack, and build friendships before or after attending the main service with their families. A current teaching series walks students through the Bible in a Year, exploring how key passages and themes fit into one big story.
Beyond the church walls, Sonrise Youth also staffs faith clubs at six East County high schools. Sonrise leaders are at Canyon Hills (Real Life Club, Wednesdays at lunch), El Capitan (Higher Ground Club, Thursdays at lunch), Granite Hills (FCA Club, Fridays at lunch), Grossmont (Wednesdays at lunch), Santana (Christian Club, Tuesdays at lunch), and West Hills (Christian Club, Wednesdays at lunch).
The youth ministry is led by Youth Pastor Dylan Smith, who also oversees programming across the church, and Rene Smith, the church's main worship leader who also works full-time for Christian Youth Theater. Together they bring more than fifteen years of combined youth ministry experience. Boys in the ministry can reach Dylan at dylan@sonrise.net; girls can reach Rene at renensmith10@gmail.com.
Each summer, Sonrise Youth takes students to Thousand Pines Camp for a five-day week of worship, teaching, small groups, and recreation in the mountains. The 2026 camp ran June 22 to 26 with registration at $599 per student and scholarships available based on financial need.
Wednesdays at Sonrise
Wednesday nights have their own rhythm at Sonrise. From 6:30 to 8:00 PM, the church gathers for a short message, prayer, and table-group Bible study. Sonrise Kids and the Sonrise Nursery open at the same time, and Wednesday Youth Nights begin at 6:15 PM with their own blend of games, worship, and small groups. The Sonrise Cafe reopens from 6:00 to 7:00 PM to keep everyone fueled.
The Wednesday gathering is intentionally structured to feel smaller than Sunday. The teaching is shorter, and the bulk of the time is spent around tables discussing the Bible and praying together. It is a popular entry point for people who are curious about Sonrise but not yet ready for a full Sunday morning.
Young Adults, Men, Women, and Families
Sonrise builds specific ministry tracks around each season of life. The Young Adults community is geared toward people in their 20s and 30s (roughly 18 to 30-something) who want honest conversation about faith, work, and relationships. Dylan and Rene Smith lead this group, and the ministry holds occasional worship nights on Monday evenings with a free dinner, time for singing, and space to hang out with others from across San Diego County. A dedicated Young Adults Discipleship Small Group meets monthly on Mondays.
The Men's Ministry, led by Pastor Mike Emery, is built around groups that tackle work and family, mentoring relationships, and events designed to help men grow as followers of Jesus. The Men's Discipleship Life Group (for newer believers) meets every other Tuesday at 6:15 PM, and Men On The Wall (for mature believers) meets every other Sunday at noon.
The Women's Ministry is led by Kelly Mooney. Women find encouragement, connection, and faith-filled resources through Bible studies, retreats, events, and four dedicated women's small groups - God Reflectors (Thursday mornings, weekly), Ladies of Faith (Monday mornings, every other week), The Banqueting Table (Sunday early mornings, weekly), and the Women's Discipleship Small Group (Tuesday evenings, every other week, for mature believers).
For families, the church offers child dedication, pre-marital counseling, visitation and phone calls during illness, and ongoing care and benevolence for those walking through hardship. The Parenting Foundations course mentioned above is another resource designed specifically for parents of children and teens.
Small Groups and Classes
Sonrise considers small groups essential to discipleship, and the directory currently lists thirteen groups meeting throughout the week. Four are co-ed, two are for men, four are for women, and three are for young adults. Frequencies range from weekly to every other week to monthly, and days and times are spread across mornings, afternoons, and evenings to fit different schedules. A weekly Zoom Small Group also meets on Tuesdays for those who prefer to connect online.
Sunday Classes run throughout the year on Sunday mornings and give people a structured way to dig deeper into Scripture alongside others at a similar stage of faith. Combined with the small group network, the classes give Sonrise attendees a layered rhythm of weekend worship plus midweek community.
Care Services and Pastoral Counseling
Sonrise's Care Services ministry exists to walk alongside people through grief, relational challenges, major life decisions, and ordinary hard days. Pastoral and Christian Counseling is offered through the church's pastors, who provide biblical guidance, prayer, and care. When additional support is needed, the church connects people with trusted local Christian counselors in San Diego.
Other care services include Care and Benevolence (confidential, case-by-case assistance to those in need), Funerals and Memorials (the church supporting families through the loss of a loved one), Child Dedication (parents publicly committing to raise their child in faith with the support of the church family), Pre-Marital Counseling (helping engaged couples build a Christ-centered foundation), and Visitation and Phone Calls (pastoral visits to hospitals, convalescent centers, assisted living, or homes for those who are ill or struggling).
What Sonrise Believes
Sonrise's teaching ministry is rooted in a straightforward set of core beliefs. The church teaches belief in one God who exists eternally as three distinct persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - each fully God and together one God. The Bible is described as the inspired Word of God, true, authoritative, and without error. Humanity is created in the image of God and possesses intrinsic dignity and value. Sin has fractured all things, and every person except Christ is a sinner by nature and action. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. The Church is the body of Christ sent into the world to shine forth God's glory. God created the world from nothing and governs all things at all times in all places. Jesus Christ is returning to judge the living and the dead.
Five core values shape the church's daily life: Gospel (Jesus saves, and we follow His way of living), Bible (we learn God's Word because it is the source of truth), People (we love people because God loves people), Prayer (there is no powerful church without prayer), and Generosity (we are generous people because we are grateful people).
The Team Behind the Mission
The senior leadership team at Sonrise includes Lead Pastor Dr. Scott Smith, his wife Robyn, and their two children, Hope and Silas. Scott has served in ministry for more than twenty years and holds graduate degrees in counseling and seminary as well as a Doctor of Ministry from Liberty University School of Divinity. In addition to teaching as Lead Pastor, he speaks at camps, conferences, and schools.
Mike Emery serves as Associate Pastor and leads both the Sonrise Kids ministry and the Men's Ministry. Dylan Smith is the Youth Pastor and oversees programming across the church. Rene Smith leads worship and also works full-time for Christian Youth Theater. Kelly Mooney leads the Women's Ministry and serves as the church's office administrator. Makenzie Plumb directs children's programming. Andrew Larson leads middle school ministry, while Andy and Christina Thoren serve high school ministry. Patty directs the early childhood program. Jay Hansen leads the Facilities team and Alex Mooney oversees Production.
An Advisory Board of pastors from churches across the country supports the Lead Pastor, including Dr. Scott Smith of Sonrise Church, Deron Higgins of Real Life Church in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Lee Steele of Bedrock Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, Eric Allred of The Chapel BR in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Dr. Daniel Woodall of Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The board oversees most of the church's financial matters, including setting salaries, approving the annual budget, and providing year-round financial accountability. A group of deacons - John Garrido, Dennis Holba, James Holman, Greg Johnson, Gene Matter, Jim McCoy, Mike McIntyre, Adam McWethy, Charlie Mooney, Tom Murphy, and James Price - serve alongside the staff.
Community Partnerships
Sonrise keeps its campus open to several East County organizations as part of its mission beyond its own walls. Christian Youth Theater San Diego uses the building for rehearsals and performances, including the fall 2026 production of The Sound of Music directed by Sonrise's own children's director Makenzie Plumb. The annual CHiPs for Kids Toy Drive is hosted on campus in partnership with the California Highway Patrol, with CHP officers handing out Christmas gifts to local families. Literacy First Charter Schools runs its Freedom Academy homeschool program on site, providing a tuition-free educational option for families in the area.
Sonrise also supports other community partners including Restoration 225 (foster care), the Salvation Army, and local schools and teachers. Sonrise members can sign up to volunteer with any of these efforts through the church's serving form.
Giving and Next Steps
Giving is framed at Sonrise as a spiritual practice, an act of worship that grows trust in God and aligns the heart with His priorities. The church offers three ways to give: online through its Church Center giving portal, by texting GIVE to 855-508-6381, or by cash or check in a giving envelope during services or by mail to the church's Magnolia Avenue address. The Advisory Board oversees the use of every gift, and year-end giving statements are emailed for tax purposes.
Baptism, child dedication, and membership all flow through the church's Next Steps pathway. Anyone interested in baptism can fill out a form on the site and someone from the team will follow up. Child dedication begins with an online form as well. The church's Personal Assessment helps newcomers and longtime attenders alike identify where they are in their walk with Jesus and what next step might make sense - whether that is showing up consistently on Sundays, joining a small group, serving on a team, or moving into deeper practices like Bible study, prayer, fasting, or sabbath rest.
Services are livestreamed on YouTube at 9 AM on Sundays, and the church maintains an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for anyone who wants to follow along between visits.