Port City Church sits on the corner of Avalon Boulevard and Lomita Boulevard in Wilmington, California, directly across from Small World Learning Center and Scholarship Prep School. It is an Assemblies of God congregation that describes itself as a family changed by Jesus Christ, and its mission is straightforward: love God, build relationships, and serve others. Pastors Adam and Andrea De La Vega have led the church since July 26, 2009, and Pastor Adam also serves as the Region 9 Executive Presbyter for the SoCal Network of the Assemblies of God.
A Sunday Morning on Avalon Boulevard
Sunday at Port City Church centers on a single worship gathering in the Main Sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. A coffee bar opens at 9:15 a.m. and runs until 10:15 a.m. for early arrivals, and kids can be checked in at the lobby starting at 10:00 a.m. The service is contemporary in tone. Worship is led by Holly Wheat and the worship team, and the church teaches that worship is more than the lyrics sung on Sunday morning; it is a daily lifestyle and a way of expressing love for God throughout the week. Services are livestreamed on YouTube so that friends and family who cannot be there in person can still join in, and past messages are archived on Vimeo.
Wednesday Nights Around the Word
On Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., Port City Church splits into three parallel gatherings: a Bible study for men, a Bible study for women, and Port City Kids. Nursery care is available for the youngest siblings. The midweek service takes a break during August and resumes in September each year, matching the rhythm of many Southern California congregations. Both the men's and women's studies meet in the Main Sanctuary, while the children gather on the second floor.
Port City Kids, Birth Through Sixth Grade
Port City Kids is the children's ministry, and it runs twice a week. On Sunday mornings during the 10:30 a.m. service, children are checked in at the lobby beginning at 10:00 a.m. On Wednesday nights they meet at 7:00 p.m., with check-in at 7:20 p.m. in Room 208 on the second floor. Karina Rivera serves as the Children's Pastor, and the ministry's stated aim is to equip and grow boys and girls into strong, passionate followers of Christ. There is a separate Port City Kids Instagram account for families who want to stay in touch with what is happening. A nursery is offered on Wednesday nights for younger children not yet old enough for the kids program.
Men's and Women's Ministry
The men's ministry gathers on Wednesday nights for Bible study and discussion. It is open to men in every stage of life (sons, husbands, fathers, and anyone seeking to grow in faith and character) and is meant to be a place for lifelong friendships and accountability partnerships. The women's ministry, Port City Women, also meets Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. The group is described as a welcoming place to gather, grow in God's Word, and find encouragement and connection. Studies are designed for women specifically, and there are opportunities to put gifts and talents to work both inside the church and out.
Worship and the Creative Team
Holly Wheat leads worship, with Andrea De La Vega also serving on the Worship Team and the Media Team. Ralph Lopez serves as the Media Technician, and the team supports both the in-person services and the online presence. Past messages are posted as downloadable notes online, covering series such as I Have Decided, a study on the Holy Spirit, and a teaching series on prayer. The archived messages go back at least through early 2026, giving newcomers a way to follow along even if they miss a Sunday.
Rooted: A Ten-Week Journey
Rooted is the church's main discipleship pathway. It is a ten-week experience designed to connect people with God, with their purpose, and with the church. It is not a typical Bible study or a book; it is a community experience built around seven rhythms essential to a healthy relationship with Jesus. Each week includes five short homework days of prayer, journaling, listening, and personal growth, and participants then come together in a small group facilitated by a trained leader. The program also includes a Serve Experience and a Prayer Experience. Groups meet on the church campus, and childcare is available for children from birth through third grade. Registration is $20 per person to cover the study book, with partial scholarships available for those who need them.
What Port City Believes
Port City Church holds to the basic beliefs of the Assemblies of God. There is one God, revealed in three persons (God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit), commonly called the Trinity. Salvation is available to anyone who believes in Jesus, who is God's Son, lived a sinless life, died for humanity, rose again three days later, and ascended to heaven. The Bible is understood as the Word of God and the ultimate source of truth, written over about 1,500 years in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic by forty different writers, yet presenting a historically accurate and spiritually consistent record because the words were inspired by the Holy Spirit. The church also teaches that the Holy Spirit is still at work today, with healing, the restoration of broken lives, prophecy, and other supernatural occurrences continuing in the lives of believers.
The congregation's culture is described as ethnically diverse, contemporary, and non-oppressive, with a focus on genuine relationships and personal growth with God. The teaching style is direct: the church preaches the message of Christ without condemning society and welcomes everyone, no matter where they are on their journey of discovery. As a Part of the global Assemblies of God fellowship, Port City Church also points curious members to the broader denominational materials for fuller doctrinal study.
The Pastoral Team
Lead Pastors Adam and Andrea De La Vega were both born and raised in Southern California. The gospel of Jesus Christ transformed Pastor Adam's life as a teenager, and he later directed a men's and women's Christian discipleship home in Compton before becoming Youth Pastor at Paramount Assembly of God. Over the years he has served as Youth Pastor, Associate Pastor, and Senior Pastor. He attended Southern California College, now Vanguard University, where he met Andrea and earned a bachelor's degree in Organizational Management and Business, along with a master's degree in Theological Studies. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and currently serves as the Region 9 Executive Presbyter for the SoCal Network. Andrea is a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District and is deeply active at Port City Church. Their two college-age children are Caleb and Hannah, and the family lives in Wilmington.
The wider staff includes Karina Rivera as Children's Pastor, Holly Wheat on the Worship Team, Andrea De La Vega on the Media and Worship Teams, and the operational support of Kenneth Kean and Ralph Lopez.
Getting Connected
The church has built a simple set of online connection cards to help newcomers and members take the next step. Visitors can submit a prayer request, sign up to meet with Pastor Adam, request baptism, arrange a child dedication, express interest in serving, plan a wedding or memorial service, request a hospital or home visit, or share a decision to follow Christ. There is also a Rooted registration form for the next ten-week group, a link to a yearly Marriage Conference, and a separate women's connection form.
Plan Your Visit
Port City Church is on the corner of Avalon Boulevard and Lomita Boulevard, less than fifteen minutes from the 110 freeway exit at Sepulveda and about twenty minutes from the 405 freeway exit at South Avalon. Parking is available in the north and south parking lots on the church campus. Office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the office can be reached at (310) 830-5071 or office@portcitylife.org. Giving is available online, and messages can be caught up on YouTube or Vimeo.