Church History

In the early 1970's, a Japanese-American family, the Shota's, relocated from the city of Gardena to the city of Cerritos. Since they had been attending Gardena Valley Baptist Church, the assistant pastor, Rev. Sam Tonomura, helped start a Bible study in their home. Rev. Tonomura noticed that a number of families were moving into the Cerritos area from Gardena and after further research he determined that there was a need for a church in the Cerritos area. The Bible study that began in the early 70's became the core group for Cerritos Baptist Church.

In the late 70's, when plans were being made for forming the church, Rev. Tonomura approached a seminary student, Gary Tawa, from Gardena Valley Baptist and asked if he would consider pasturing this new church. After prayerful consideration, Gary and his wife, Valerie, took a step of faith and provided leadership to this budding church. The first worship service was held on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1979.

Below are some highlights and milestones that have marked the church over the years:

• We held our first worship service in the home of Albert and Clara Shota on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1979, with twenty-five people in attendance.
  
• Our church moved to Stowers Elementary School in Cerritos on March 2, 1980, with seventy-seven people coming to worship with us.
  
• We relocated again on July 20, 1980, to Haskell Jr. High School.
  
• Our first baptismal service was conducted on January 11, 1981, at the First Baptist Church of Buena Park, with twenty-two adults and children being baptized.
  
• Pastor Gary Tawa was ordained to the Christian Ministry in March of 1984, at Gardena Valley Baptist Church.
  
• Mr. Barry Deguchi was approved to fulfill the responsibilities of Youth Director in May of 1984.
  
• Mrs. Jo Ann Kaba was called to serve as our Children's Director on April of 1987.
  
• Mr. Barry Deguchi was called to serve as Associate Pastor in June of 1988.
  
• We held our last service at Haskell Jr. High on Sunday morning, March 19, 1995, after meeting there for 15 years, and then dedicated our brand new sanctuary located at 11947 Del Amo Blvd. in Cerritos that afternoon.
  
• We held our first Sunday morning services in our new church on Sunday, March 26, 1995, with over 600 in attendance.
  
• Pastor Barry Deguchi was ordained to full-time Christian ministry on July 2, 1995.
  
• Our first church plant was Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Bellevue, Washington led by Joe Yoshihara and Joey Locke. It was started on March 24, 1996.
  
• Our second church plant was Victory Fellowship in Torrance led by Scott Kawamura and Rick Matsuda. It was started on April 12, 1998.
  
• On January 17, 1999, we began Nexus, our Gen X Sunday evening service led by Ross Akamine.
  
• On October 12, 2003, we started a third service on Sunday morning with 633 attending all three services. Our service times are 8:15, 10:00 and 11:45 a.m.
  
• Our third church plant will be Generations Covenant Church in Torrance and will be led by Lon Murata. Their grand opening service will be held on Easter Sunday, April 11, 2004.
  
• Over the last 25 years our church has grown with an average Sunday morning attendance of 589.

We are committed to reaching the city of Cerritos and the surrounding communities with the good news about Jesus Christ. We desire to raise up and send out church planters as God leads. We look forward to many more years of continued growth and faithful service to our Lord Jesus Christ.