Our Story
To understand the present and begin to see what may lie ahead, it is necessary to become familiar with and understand the past. Too often we can find ourselves focusing our attention and energy on what is going on in the moment so vigorously, that we forget to examine the factors that have brought us to our present circumstance.
Who we have been, and where we have come from have direct correlations to who we can and will be as individuals, as families and as a church.
The Harbor Church has been serving the South Bay community since 1957 – originally incorporated under the name “Harbor City Revival Tabernacle, an Independent Pentecostal Church”. Several years later, we began our association with the Assemblies of God and eventually reincorporated as “The Harbor Church” under the stewardship of Pastor Robert Pruett and his wife Naomi.
Pastor “Bob” as he was affectionately known, began serving as senior pastor in 1964 and oversaw the transition from our original location in what is now the Kaiser Permanente parking lot on Vermont Ave. to the current location; including the purchase, design and construction of our present campus. This site was dedicated in 1971 and features several buildings including the sanctuary/fellowship hall building, church offices as well as staff housing.
Pastor Bob served as senior pastor for 47 years, guiding the church as it grew from less than twenty members to a church of several hundred, adapting to the changing needs of each succeeding generation before going home to be with the Lord in August 2011.
Pastor Phillip Burgess serves as our current lead pastor, being a product of Pastor Bob’s ministry himself. He and his wife Taryn have a long history with The Harbor Church, both having been involved here in varying capacities since the 1970’s.
Pastor Phil has overseen and been instrumental in the continuing process of remodeling, upgrading and bringing the facilities here on campus up to date and empowering many within our church to push themselves in ministry toward greater heights.
Pastor Phil and our staff are mindful of the rich history of ministry that is present here at The Harbor Church, and continue to seek the Lord’s direction as the work of this body of believers moves toward sharing the gospel with the current generation and beyond.
We look toward future ministry opportunities for this body of believers in faith, and believe we will continue be sustained by the Lord as we strive to be faithful stewards, servants and witnesses of all the good that God continues to do in and through us.
