Saddleback Valley Community Church

What Saddleback Valley Community Church does

Saddleback Valley Community Church (Saddleback Church) is a non-denominational Christian church headquartered in Lake Forest, California, operating 15 campuses across Southern California and 5 international campuses in Berlin, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, two Philippines locations, and Vancouver, supported by an Online Community campus and dozens of member-led Extensions meeting in homes and venues worldwide. Founded on April 6, 1980 by Rick Warren and Kay Warren, the church serves congregants, seekers, families, students, and global mission communities through weekend worship services, age-tiered ministries (Saddleback Kids, Student Ministries), care programs (Celebrate Recovery, counseling, support groups), and a comprehensive small-group and volunteer (Dream Team) infrastructure. As of September 2022, Andy Wood succeeded Rick Warren as Lead Pastor.

The church's product and technology surface centers on a digital ministry platform spanning native mobile apps (Saddleback Companion, DriveTime Devotions, Journey with Jesus), streaming apps for Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV, a 6-language website, and an extensive podcast library. Back-office operations run on Rock RMS church management software, with online giving integrated through Tithe.ly supporting credit/debit, bank, cryptocurrency, stock, DAF, and IRA donations. Paid offerings are limited to youth and college summer camps ($99–$499 per attendee); the overwhelming majority of programs are free or donation-based.

Saddleback is funded almost entirely by congregational tithes (10% of income recommended), Beyond-the-Tithe offerings tied to specific initiatives, and a multi-year Dream Now capital campaign with a $40M faith goal and $50M miracle goal. The customer base is highly diversified by individual member, but geographically anchored in Southern California; international giving is collected through local banking rails. There is no parent company, no venture backing, and no public financial disclosure, consistent with its 501(c)(3)-style nonprofit status governed under California law as Saddleback Church, Inc.

Name

Saddleback Valley Community Church

Legal name

Saddleback Church, Inc.

Website

https://saddleback.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Saddleback Valley Community Church is a non-denominational Christian church founded in 1980 in Lake Forest, California, operating 15 Southern California campuses plus 5 international locations, serving congregants through worship, small groups, family ministries, care programs, and a multi-platform digital ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious Organizations (813110), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Healthcare Ministries (Hospitals, Clinics, Medical Missions) (BPAGAJAH), Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI), Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

Keywords

• Christian church services
• Religious ministry programs
• Faith community worship
• Spiritual counseling services
• Religious education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Forest

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Primary revenue stream from congregation members giving 10% of income (tithe) and additional offerings. Collected through online giving, mobile app, mail, and in-person during services.
2. Beyond the Tithe: Special offerings beyond the standard 10% tithe, supporting specific outreach projects, PEACE Plan initiatives, and Dream Now vision campaigns.
3. Cryptocurrency Donations: Accepts various cryptocurrencies for tithes and special offerings, allowing donors to potentially maximize contributions while reducing personal taxes.
4. Stock/DAF/IRA Donations: Accepts appreciated securities, Donor Advised Fund contributions, and IRA transfers as alternative giving methods.
5. Camp Registration Fees: Revenue from summer camp programs including Saddleback Kids Summer Blast ($99), JHM Summer Camp ($499), HSM Summer Camp, and CM Retreat ($249). Partial scholarships available based on need.
6. Internship Program: Unpaid internships requiring participants to raise their own support/funding. Full-time interns typically cannot work outside of internship. No benefits provided to interns.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels15 records

Core offering

Saddleback Valley Community Church (Saddleback Church) is a non-denominational Christian church operating 15 Southern California campuses and 5 international campuses. It provides weekend worship services, age-graded ministry programs (children, students, young adults), pastoral counseling, Celebrate Recovery 12-step programs, support groups, summer camps, and internship tracks, supported by a digital ecosystem of mobile/TV apps, podcasts, and an online giving platform.

Product overview

Saddleback Valley Community Church (Saddleback Church) is a non-denominational Christian church headquartered in Lake Forest, California, with 15 campuses in Southern California and 5 international campuses. The church offers a comprehensive digital ecosystem including the Saddleback Companion App (iOS/Android), streaming apps for Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV, and multiple specialized apps (Drivetime Devotions, Journey with Jesus). Their digital content includes weekend message podcasts, the Doable Discipleship podcast, DriveTime Devotions, and children's podcasts (Happy Harbor, Stories Of The Bible Junior, Hey-O Stories of the Bible, 21 Days of Prayer for Kids). Ministry programs include Saddleback Kids (birth-5th grade), Saddleback Student Ministries (junior high, high school, college), Celebrate Recovery, support groups, counseling services, Small Groups, and the Activate membership class. The church operates a comprehensive internship program with 25+ tracks across ministry areas, a Dream Team volunteer program, and strategic initiatives including Stronger Homes (family equipping) and Dream Now (multi-year vision with $40M faith goal and $50M miracle goal). The giving platform supports online, cryptocurrency, stock/DAF/IRA, and in-person giving. Saddleback also runs the Saddleback Extensions program for starting new worship communities and an Online Community Campus for virtual attendance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weekend Worship Services Weekly in-person and online worship services led by Lead Pastor Andy Wood, offered across multiple Southern California and international campuses.
• Saddleback Kids (SK) Children's ministry for birth through 5th grade offering weekend programs, Kids Summer Blast camp, Child Baptism classes, and Child Dedication ceremonies.
• Saddleback Student Ministries (SSM) Student ministry for junior high (6th-8th grade), high school (9th-12th grade), and college students including Life Groups, summer camps (JHM Summer Camp, HSM Summer Camp), and CM Retreat.
• Celebrate Recovery Christ-centered 12-step recovery program open to all seeking freedom from hurts, habits, and hang-ups, with large group meetings, open share groups, and 12-step groups across multiple campuses.
• Counseling Services Christ-centered counseling including Pre-Marital Mentoring (8-week course), Marriage Counseling, and Individual Counseling services.
• Support Groups Christ-centered community groups offering comfort, strength, and hope, including medically-related groups (depression, anxiety, mental health, chronic pain) and relational groups (divorce, grief, first responders, single moms, LGBTQ families, veterans, widows).
• Small Groups Faith community groups meeting in various formats including video Bible studies through STUDYGateway and RightNow Media partnerships.
• Activate One-hour experience designed to help new people connect with Jesus, find community at Saddleback, and take practical next steps to grow in faith.
• Saddleback Extensions Groups of people meeting in-person regularly to watch worship services together and focus on leading people to say yes to Jesus, meeting weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly in homes or venues.
• Online Community Campus Virtual campus for those without a physical campus nearby, with Saturday evening worship available at 10:30 PM PT and small groups via Zoom.
• Saddleback Companion App Primary mobile app for iOS and Android that provides weekend message notes, resources, upcoming events, and ways to get involved with campus activities, designed to help users take next steps in their faith journey.
• Streaming Apps (Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV) Official Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV applications providing access to current and archived weekend messages from Saddleback teaching pastors.
• Saddleback Podcasts Multiple podcasts including Weekend Message, Doable Discipleship, DriveTime Devotions, Happy Harbor (children), 21 Days of Prayer for Kids, Hey-O Stories of the Bible, and Stories Of The Bible Junior, available on Spotify and other podcast platforms.
• Summer Camp Programs Annual summer programs including Saddleback Kids Summer Blast (K-5th grade), JHM Summer Camp (junior high at Thousand Pines), HSM Summer Camp (high school at Biola University), and CM Retreat (college ministry).
• Saddleback Internship Program Comprehensive internship program offering part-time and full-time opportunities across various ministry areas including production, accounting, engagement, college ministry, event planning, data analytics, film production, missions, guest experience, graphic design, student ministries, HR, children's ministry, leadership development, community outreach, social media, online ministry, photography, pastoral care, worship, web design, young adults, and marketing.
• Dream Team Volunteer Program Church volunteer program encompassing Kids Ministry, Student Ministries, Connections, Worship, Production, Communications, Care, Ministry Support, and Missions teams where members serve aligned with their S.H.A.P.E.
• Missions Ministry Local, national, and global mission opportunities including Serve Local (vulnerable people, Love Local, community renovation, neighborhood outreach, workplace, resourcing), Serve Nationally (church planting, disaster relief), and Serve Globally (global hub partnerships).
• Online Giving Platform Church giving platform supporting online giving (credit/debit, bank account, cryptocurrency), stock/DAF/IRA donations, mailed gifts, and in-person giving, powered by Tithe.ly.
• Financial Tools and Resources Free financial courses, workshops, and counseling covering budgeting, saving, debt, investing, giving, and estate planning.
• 21 Days of Prayer Church-wide 21-day prayer initiative with daily gatherings Mon-Fri from 7:00-7:50 AM at each campus, plus Wednesday Prayer weekly gatherings and 21 Days of Prayer for Kids podcast.
• Stronger Homes Initiative Family-centered initiative providing digital resources, catalytic events, and relationship support to help families build homes rooted in God's truth, part of the Dream Now vision.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000+ baptisms performed over 40+ year history
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Tithe.lycoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party giving platform integrated into Saddleback's website and systems. Handles online tithes, offerings, and recurring giving via credit/debit, bank accounts, and cryptocurrency. The Tithe.ly name appears on giving confirmations and bank statements.
• Thousand Pines Christian Conference CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJHM Summer Camp venue partner. Saddleback's Junior High Ministry uses Thousand Pines for annual summer camp programs. Located in California, the facility accommodates Saddleback's large youth camp (Week 1 for Lake Forest students; Week 2 for all campuses).
• Biola UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHSM (High School Ministry) Summer Camp venue. Biola University hosts Saddleback's high school summer camp annually. Transportation via charter buses from Lake Forest campus.
• Rock RMScoreTechnology or IntegrationChurch management software platform powering Saddleback's website, mobile app, and member management systems. Used for forms, giving, event registration, and member communications.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Saddleback
• YouTubeyoutube.com/saddlebackchurch
• Facebookfacebook.com/saddlebackchurch
• Instagraminstagram.com/saddlebackchurch
• TikToktiktok.com/@saddleback_church

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Saddleback Valley Community Church