GOOD SAMARITAN EPISCOPAL CHURCH

What GOOD SAMARITAN EPISCOPAL CHURCH does

Good Samaritan Episcopal Church is an inclusive Episcopal congregation located at 4321 Eastgate Mall in the University City neighborhood of San Diego, California, immediately adjacent to the University of California, San Diego. The church delivers a full ministry program including two Sunday worship services (an 8am spoken Eucharist and a 10am contemporary Eucharist with choir and instrumental music), weekday Morning and Compline prayers streamed online, faith formation for children and youth, adult forums, small groups, pastoral care, a music program (choir, bell choir, concert choir), and a suite of social-justice and outreach ministries branded under JUST ACTion. Its congregation draws from across San Diego County and internationally, with a particularly strong pipeline into UC San Diego through the Agape campus ministry partnership.

Operationally, the church is governed by a Vestry and led by Rector Paul Klitzke, supported by two priests (Tom Garrison and Martha Anderson), a deacon (Cindy Campos), a Director of Music (Julie Marner), an administrative assistant, and a small staff. The technology stack is entirely third-party and non-proprietary: Shelby Giving powers online donations, text-to-give routes mobile contributions to a dedicated number, and Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and a MonkPlatform-hosted website handle streaming, community engagement, and content distribution. The organization maintains a rectory for the Rector and rents parts of its campus (Roetter Hall, patio) to outside community groups.

The business model is nonprofit and donor-funded. Revenue is generated from member pledges (with a recommended 10% tithe guideline but flexible amounts), recurring and one-time online donations via credit card or ACH, text-to-give contributions, check and cash offerings, and discrete capital campaigns — currently a 2026 capital campaign targeting $250,000 for deferred maintenance including parking lot repairs, an accessible ramp, flooring replacement, and exterior beam repair. Distribution is primarily in-person at the campus, with simultaneous online streaming and pastoral care visits extending reach to homebound members. The church partners with community organizations including the Christian Community Service Association, Build a Miracle, Rachel's House, Toys for Tots, the San Diego Organizing Project, and the FAITH immigration accompaniment program, channeling congregational giving into targeted community impact such as a weekly Friday distribution of 10 food gift cards to homeless neighbors.

Name

GOOD SAMARITAN EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Legal name

Good Samaritan Episcopal Church

Website

https://goodsamchurch.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Good Samaritan Episcopal Church is an inclusive Episcopal congregation in San Diego's University City neighborhood, offering Sunday worship, formation, pastoral care, music, and social-justice ministries to members across San Diego County and UC San Diego, funded by pledges, donations, and capital campaigns.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (81311)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

Keywords

• Episcopal church services
• Christian worship services
• Faith formation programs
• Community outreach ministry
• Religious nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Member Pledges and Donations: Members submit annual pledges and regular donations to support the church's operating budget and mission. The church encourages tithing (10% of income) as a guiding principle, though any pledge amount is welcome. Pledges fund the annual operating budget.
2. Online Giving: One-time or recurring contributions via credit card or ACH automatic withdrawal through a secure online portal. Donors can also give via text message.
3. Text-to-Give: Donors text a monetary value to a designated phone number (619-391-2727) to make contributions, with funds attributed to the default campaign fund or a specified fund.
4. Check and Cash Donations: Checks and cash are collected in the offertory basket during in-person services or mailed to the church office.
5. Capital Campaign Contributions: Special one-time appeals for capital projects (e.g., $250,000 goal for parking lot repairs, flooring replacement, accessible ramp, exterior beam repair). These are separate from the annual operating pledge.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Good Samaritan Episcopal Church is an inclusive Episcopal congregation offering Sunday worship services (8am spoken Eucharist and 10am contemporary Eucharist with choir), weekday Morning and Night Prayer streamed online, faith formation programs for all ages, pastoral care, music ministry, social justice advocacy, and community outreach services including food distribution, backpack drives, and cross-border housing support in Tijuana.

Product overview

Good Samaritan Episcopal Church offers a comprehensive set of ministry programs and digital services. The church operates as a unified ministry with two primary Sunday worship services (8am spoken Eucharist and 10am contemporary Eucharist with choir), supported by a robust music program featuring Sunday choir, bell choir, and concert choir. Digital giving services include an online giving platform, text-to-give, and annual pledge campaigns. Formation and education programs encompass Children and Youth Formation (Sunday School, nursery, youth service opportunities), Adult Forums, Bible study groups, and various small groups (Young Adult, Discipleship, Sacred Ground, Book, Men's, Women's). The church also runs extensive outreach through its JUST ACTion social justice ministry, outreach programs (backpack drives, Build-a-Miracle, food cards, Rachel's House meals, toy drives), and pastoral care services (bereavement ministry, prayer team, prayer quilts, meals).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Worship Services Sunday and weekday worship services including spoken Eucharist at 8am and contemporary Eucharist with choir at 10am, available in-person and online via Facebook streaming. Open to all members of the community seeking Christian worship.
• Online Giving Platform Secure online donation system enabling one-time and recurring contributions via credit card or ACH withdrawal, with SSL encrypted connection. For church members and supporters to make tax-deductible contributions.
• Text to Give Mobile giving service allowing donors to text contributions to a designated phone number (619-391-2727) with funds attributed to church funds. For donors seeking quick, mobile-friendly contribution options.
• Pledge Campaign 2026 Annual pledge drive encouraging tithing (10% of income) to fund church mission and ministry operations. Members commit to annual financial support of the parish.
• Music Program Comprehensive music ministry including Sunday choir, bell choir, and concert choir performing traditional and contemporary selections with instrumental accompaniment. Open to choir members and the congregation.
• Children and Youth Formation Sunday School for preschool through middle school, nursery care, and youth involvement including crucifers, acolytes, and service opportunities. For children from infancy through teenage years and their families.
• Small Groups Ministry Various small groups including Young Adult Group, Discipleship Groups, Sacred Ground racial reconciliation groups, Book Groups, Men's Group, and Women's Group meeting regularly. For adults seeking fellowship and deeper spiritual formation.
• Pastoral Care Services Spiritual, emotional, and practical support including bereavement ministry, prayer team, prayer quilts, and meals for those in need. For members facing illness, grief, or other life challenges.
• Outreach Programs Social justice and service initiatives including CCSA backpack drives, Build-a-Miracle house building in Tijuana, food card distribution, Rachel's House meal service, and Holiday Toy Drive. For underserved community members in San Diego and Tijuana.
• JUST ACTion Social Justice Ministry Faith-based social justice ministry advocating for vulnerable populations through SDOP membership, immigrant support via FAITH program, Neighbors Blessing Neighbors, and LGBTQ+ solidarity participation. For community members interested in social justice advocacy.
• Adult Forums Weekly educational series and speakers on topics including Bible studies, Christianity 101, current events, and community engagement. For adult parishioners seeking intellectual and spiritual enrichment.
• Food Card Distribution Weekly distribution of 10 food gift certificates to homeless neighbors every Friday from 10am to 11am. For local residents experiencing food insecurity.
• Facility Rentals Rental of Roetter Hall and campus spaces to community groups. Provides affordable venue access for community organizations and groups.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10 food gift cards distributed to homeless neighbors every Friday

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Christian Community Service Association (CCSA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Samaritan supports CCSA financially and through annual drives, including CCSA's back-to-school backpack drive that provides school supplies to children without homes. The church collects donations and organizes packing events.
• Build a MiracleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Samaritan has partnered with Build a Miracle, a US/Mexico partnership organization, to build and furnish a home for a family in Tijuana. Church members travel to the site on three Saturdays to help with construction and celebrate with the community when the family moves in.
• Rachel's HouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeams of church members make meals for women in transition who stay at Rachel's House in downtown San Diego, providing practical support to women in need.
• Marine Corps Toys for TotsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Sam collects and donates toys, games, and books to children whose families cannot afford Christmas gifts through the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.
• San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Samaritan is rooted in faith-based organizing as a member of SDOP, a multi-faith church network that provides leadership training and connects member churches with opportunities to improve the lives of neighbors through advocacy, public policy change, voter registration, and meetings with government bodies and candidates.
• FAITH (Faithful Accompaniment in Trust and Hope)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAITH is an ecumenical ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, and SDOP. JUST ACTion volunteers bear witness and provide pastoral care for individuals and families during court hearings or ICE check-ins at the immigration courthouse in downtown San Diego.
• Neighbors Blessing NeighborsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThis program organizes local community members to support Muslim sisters and brothers attending Friday prayers at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Good Sam members join to share messages of love, welcome, and belonging.
• Episcopal Diocese of San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Samaritan is part of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. The church participates in diocesan events including Pride celebrations, LARK workshops, and the San Diego Pride Parade alongside other Episcopal congregations. Diocese resources support the church's strategic planning process.
• Agape Campus Ministry (UC San Diego)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Samaritan participates in Agape campus ministry alongside UC San Diego chaplaincy staff. This ministry provides a presence on campus where students can rest, share conversation, ask questions, and be together in a welcoming environment.
• Newman Catholic CommunityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGood Sam and Newman Catholic Community choirs join together for annual winter concerts under the direction of Julie Marner, combining Episcopal and Catholic musical traditions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Pacific Beach United Methodist Church: Mainline Protestant church serving the San Diego coastal communities with comparable community outreach and inclusive posture, drawing from a partially overlapping but geographically distinct membership base.

Direct peers

• All Souls Episcopal Church: An inclusive Episcopal parish in San Diego with a similar progressive, justice-oriented posture. Operates comparable worship, formation, and outreach ministries targeting similar San Diego County demographics.
• St. James by-the-Sea: Historic Episcopal parish in La Jolla serving the coastal North County San Diego corridor. Comparable Episcopal liturgical identity with active music, formation, and outreach ministries aimed at similar professional and family demographics.
• St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral: The cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego and the closest denominational peer to Good Samaritan in the same metropolitan area. Shares the same liturgical tradition, diocesan governance structure, and inclusive Episcopal identity.
• Newman Catholic Community at UC San Diego: Catholic campus ministry at UC San Diego that competes directly with Good Sam's Agape Campus Ministry for the same pool of UCSD students seeking a faith community during their college years.
• University City United Church: Mainline Protestant congregation located directly within the University City neighborhood, competing for the same local households and the UC San Diego student community with progressive, community-engaged worship.
• St. Andrew's Episcopal Church: Episcopal parish in San Diego offering similar Sunday worship, formation, and outreach programs. Competes for the same pool of Episcopal families and seekers in the central San Diego area.
• Trinity Episcopal Church: Episcopal parish serving downtown and greater San Diego with comparable worship, formation, and outreach ministries. Same diocesan structure and progressive Episcopal identity.

Others

• Episcopal Diocese of San Diego: The governing diocesan body that oversees Good Samaritan and parishes across Southern California. Provides shared resources, strategic planning support, and inter-parish collaboration opportunities referenced directly in Good Sam's partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of San Diego: Progressive, inclusive liberal religious congregation in San Diego that competes for members seeking values-driven, social-justice-oriented community but operates under a different denominational framework.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0QZbnbj-ke6Fsom5BWPkiQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/GoodSamSanDiego
• Instagraminstagram.com/goodsamsd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/good-samaritan-episcopal-church

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 GOOD SAMARITAN EPISCOPAL CHURCH