Dinuba Mennonite Brethren Church • CHURCH PROFILE o OUR

Dinuba Mennonite Brethren Church
110 Nichols Avenue, Dinuba, CA 93618 | 559-591-1176 | dmbc.org
• CHURCH PROFILE
o OUR HISTORY
o OUR VISION
o OUR BELIEFS
o OUR MINISTRY OBJECTIVES
o OUR MINISTRIES
o OUR STAFF
o OUR FACILITIES
o OUR FINANCES
• COMMUNITY PROFILE
CHURCH PROFILE
Our HISTORY
The Dinuba Mennonite Brethren Church had its beginning in Reedley, California, in April 1925,
when a number of members from the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church organized as the South
Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church. A hall was procured and J. H. Richert served as the first pastor.
The congregation was received as a church into the Pacific District Conference of Mennonite
Brethren Churches, and continued to grow, numbering 163 members in 1926.
In 1937 the congregation built a large Sunday school hall in Dinuba, in which it conducted all its
services until 1939, when it built a large church with an auditorium. The growing congregation
once again led to the need for larger facilities. In 1993, the Sunday School building was remodeled
and renamed the Education Center. Later, the Family Center was constructed and dedicated in
1998 just before the church hosted the Pacific District Conference.
Education has always been an important factor in the lives of our people, so in order to further the
Bible education of our young people, the church voted to have the Dinuba Bible School in our
facilities. This school discontinued for a period of time but was then transferred to Reedley and
became an accredited High School known as Immanuel Schools. DMBC is still one of the owner
churches along with Reedley M.B. Church. Today and in recent years, the church has also financially
supported many individuals who are preparing for ministry as pastors, youth pastors and
missionaries.
Missions at home and abroad have always been an important emphasis at Dinuba Mennonite
Brethren Church. From the beginning the church has had the privilege to commission missionaries
to go out and preach and teach the Gospel. DMBC also has a rich history in church planting. Several
churches have been planted including Neighborhood M.B., Kingsburg M.B., and Calvario Mennonite
Brethren Church.
Dinuba Mennonite Brethren Church has also had the opportunity to be involved in several other
ministries including Palm Village Retirement Community, Faith In Action, Hartland Christian Camp
and KRDU radio ministries.
The following ministers have served as pastors: J. H. Richert, Johann Berg, J. J. Hiebert, J. P. Siemens,
B. J. Braun, John E. Friesen, H. R. Wiens, P. R. Toews, R. M. Baerg, Jacob Neufeld, Robert Vogt,
Grayson Piepgrass, and James Aiken.
Our VISION
Throughout its history, DMBC has sought to cultivate a vital spirituality within its fellowship and to
focus on reaching its community and the world with the good news. Over the past ten years,
however, DMBC has been in a state of transition. Attendance at worship services has steadily
declined, down from 450 in 2005 to approximately 200 in 2016. Four years ago, seeking to reverse
this trend, the congregation and its leaders began to prayerfully re-evaluate its vision, ministry and
leadership structures. Emerging from that evaluation has been a new vision and focus for our
ministries and mission. The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39) and the Great Commission
(Matthew 28:19-20) form the foundation for that vision – to “Love God, Love People, Make
Disciples.” We seek an authentic and dynamic commitment to God and to one another, and we seek
to be faithful in making disciples locally and globally. We are also guided by the Confession of Faith
of the Mennonite Brethren (See http://www.usmb.org/menus/confession-of-faith-detailedversion.html). In addition, a new leadership structure has been implemented with Elders who are
charged to shepherd the church and provide vision, spiritual leadership, teach the Word, care for
the people, and provide leadership for the ministry and mission of the church. Currently a task
force is working to incorporate this new vision and leadership structure into a revision of our ByLaws.
Our BELIEFS
1. God
We believe in the one true God, the source of all life, who reigns over all things as Father, Son and
Holy Spirit, and who lovingly cares for all creation. God the Father planned the redemption of
humanity and sent Jesus Christ the Son to be the Savior of the world. Jesus proclaimed the reign of
God, bringing good news to the poor and triumphing over sin through His obedient life, death, and
resurrection. God the Holy Spirit empowers believers with new life, indwells them, and unites them
in one body.
2. Revelation of God
We believe God has made Himself known to all people. Beginning with creation and culminating in
Jesus Christ, God has revealed Himself in the Old and New Testaments. All Scripture is inspired by
God, and is the authoritative guide for faith and practice. We interpret the Scripture in the church
community as guided by the Holy Spirit.
3. Creation and Humanity
We believe God created the heavens and the earth, and they were good. Humans, God’s crowning
act, were created in the image of God. Sin has alienated humanity from the Creator and creation, but
God offers redemption and reconciliation through Jesus Christ.
4. Sin and Evil
We believe sin is individual and corporate opposition to God’s good purposes and leads to physical
and spiritual death.
5. Salvation
We believe God saves all people who put their faith in Jesus Christ. By His obedient life, sacrificial
death and victorious resurrection, Christ delivers people from the tyranny of sin and death and
redeems them for eternal life in the age to come. All creation eagerly awaits its liberation from
bondage into the freedom of the glory of God’s children.
6. Nature of the Church
We believe the church is the covenant community called by God through Jesus Christ to live a life of
discipleship and witness as empowered by the Holy Spirit. The local church gathers regularly for
worship, fellowship and accountability, and to discern, develop and exercise gifts for ministry.
7. Mission of the Church
We believe the mission of the church is to make disciples of all nations by calling people to repent,
to be baptized, and to love God and neighbor by sharing the good news and doing acts of love and
compassion.
8. Christian Baptism
We believe baptism by water is a public sign that a person has repented of sin, received forgiveness,
died with Christ and has been raised to new life through the power of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is
also a public declaration of a believer’s incorporation into the body of Christ as expressed in the
local church.
9. Lord’s Supper
We believe that in obedience to Christ, the church observes the Lord’s Supper as a remembrance of
His atoning death and to celebrate forgiveness, new life, and the fellowship and unity of all believers.
10. Discipleship
We believe Jesus calls people who have experienced the new birth to follow Him in a costly life of
service to God. The power of the Holy Spirit transforms believers from the unrighteous pattern of
the present age into a life of joyful obedience with God’s people.
11. Marriage, Singleness and Family
We believe that singleness and marriage are honored by God and should be blessed by the church.
God instituted marriage as a lifelong covenant between a man and a woman for the purpose of
companionship, encouragement, sexual intimacy, and procreation. Children are a gift from God and
should be nurtured by parents in the ways of God.
12. Society and State
We believe that God instituted the state to promote justice and to maintain law and order.
Christians’ primary allegiance is to Christ’s kingdom. Believers are called to witness against
injustice, exercise social responsibility, and obey all laws that do not conflict with the Word of God.
13. Love, Peacemaking and Reconciliation
We believe that God in Christ reconciles people to Himself and to one another, making peace
through the cross. As peacemakers we alleviate suffering, reduce strife, promote justice, and work
to end violence and war, that others may see a demonstration of Christ's love. As in other Peace
Churches many of us choose not to participate in the military, but rather in alternative forms of
service.
14. The Sanctity of Human Life
We believe that God is creator and giver of life, and highly values each person. Procedures designed
to take human life are wrong. We oppose all attitudes which devalue human life, especially the
defenseless lives of the unborn, disabled, poor, aging and dying.
15. Stewardship
We believe the universe and everything in it belong to God the Creator and that we have been
entrusted by God to manage its resources. All God’s gifts, including money, time, abilities and
influence, are to be received with thanksgiving, used responsibly, and shared generously.
16. The Lord’s Day, Work and Rest
We believe God’s act of creation provides the model for work and rest. In work, we use our abilities
to glorify God and serve others. In rest, we express thanks for God’s provision and trust in God’s
sustaining grace. In worship, we gather to commemorate the resurrection through worship,
instruction, fellowship, and service.
17. Christianity and Other Faiths
We believe God’s atoning work in Jesus is the only means of reconciling people with God. God has
not left any without a witness to the Creator’s goodness and power. Christians treat people of other
faiths with respect, but urgently proclaim Christ as the only way of salvation.
18. Christ’s Final Triumph
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will return triumphantly at the end of this age to destroy all
evil powers, condemn all who have rejected Christ to eternal punishment, and unite believers with
Christ to reign forever with God in glory
Our MINISTRY Objectives
1
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
To be a worshipping congregation (Acts 2:42, 46).
To be a caring fellowship (Acts 2:42, 1 Thess. 5:11).
To be an evangelistic force (Acts 2:47).
To be a serving community (Acts 2:44-45).
To be an equipping center (Acts 2:42, Eph. 4:11-12).
To be a praying body (Acts 4:23-31).
To be Spirit-filled (Acts 4:32, Eph. 5:18)
Our MINISTRIES
Worship Gathering
Our church provides two distinct worship services. Our 8:45 AM
traditional service features our Sanctuary Choir, worship music,
and hymns. We also have a 10:15 AM Contemporary service led
by our worship band, featuring high energy music and creative
worship.
Connecting Point
A team of volunteers actively provides hospitality ministries
on Sunday mornings with specific programs aimed
at assimilating newcomers into the life and ministry of the
Church. Connecting Point occurs between the two services.
Educational Ministries
1. Adult Sunday School
Bible focused classes are provided for adults starting at 10:15
AM on Sunday mornings.
2. Life Groups
Our goal is that every person at Dinuba MB Church finds a life
group to connect with. Life groups meet at various times, days
of the week, and locations.
3. Women’s Ministries
Our Women`s ministries include Tuesday morning Bible study, an annual retreat, and special events
throughout the year.
4. Children and Youth Ministries
The church offers a ministry to children and youth that
includes weekly gatherings on Sunday mornings and evenings,
and an annual VBS.
5. Men’s Ministries
The church also offers Men’s ministries activities which include
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday morning basketball; The Herd
ministries (sexual addiction); and an annual men’s retreat.
Our STAFF
In addition to the Lead Pastor the following
people serve on our paid staff:
Current paid full-time staff:
Randy Reiswig – Elder of Family Ministries
Elaine Isaak – Office Manager
Joe Ehoff – Custodian
Current paid part-time staff:
Kathy Manning – Interim Children’s Ministries
Director
Brian Hixson – Worship Leader & Choir Director
Aaron Bryan – Worship Leader
Ed Pauls – Custodian
Jane Jantzen – Office Assistant
Our FACILITIES
Our physical plant includes a sanctuary with a seating capacity of approximately 450 that is 9,000
sq. ft., a Family Center (gym, kitchen, dining room and youth rooms) = 15,400 sq.ft, an education
building that is 16,800 sq. ft., and a new solar voltaic electricity system meeting the entire electrical
needs of the church.
Our FINANCES
Dinuba Mennonite Brethren Church is financially healthy and maintains an adequate reserve. Our
budget for 2015-16 is $531,444. Currently our budget for church programs is $48,130, missions is
$60,915, and conference and local ministry is $59,700.
CHURCH & COMMUNITY PROFILE
Dinuba Mennonite Brethren Church Demographics:
0-5: 10; 6-12: 20; 13-18: 22; 19-35: 30; 35-65: 87; 66+: 76
City of Dinuba:
Total population of the community: 23,347 (54% male; 46% female)
Population growth rate during the last decade: 38% growth since 2000
Racial and Ethnic Background:
Hispanic: 88.8%
Caucasian: 10.1%
Business and Industry:
Agricultural Industries and Labor -34%
Retail Trade -12%
Manufacturing -10%
Wholesale Trade -9%
Construction -6%
Sales – 5%
Teaching – 3%
Medical – 5%
Community Distinctives:
Single high school town
Median income is $36,302
Median home price is $146,140
Median age is 27.9 years old/ CA is 35.7
49.6% are married
13.4% unemployed
30% living in poverty
55% have a High School diploma or more
6% have a Bachelor Degree
Number of Churches in the City of Dinuba: 23
40.74% of Dinuba residents are religious, meaning they affiliate with a religion.
Tulare County Religious Preferences: None=59%; Catholic=23%; Protestant=14