Places of faith
Hope is on its way
By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers MORE MODERN MINISTRY- Raymond Cruz, the chief financial officer of Hope Coming Ministries in Simi Valley, stands in front of the house of worship located on Union Place. Cruz is also a family counselor at the church.

Hope Coming Ministries
2250 Union Place
Simi Valley
(805) 577-9102
Pastor Frank Tomlinson
Founded: 2005
Size of congregation: 75
Denomination:
nondenominational
Service: Sundays at 10 a.m.
Foundation of beliefs:
We are founded solely on
the Bible. We don't do
anything, including counsel
ing, if we can't find the basis
for what we're doing
in the Scriptures.
Fun fact:
We try to make church fun
and never pass up a chance
for a good party. Because
we're created for relation
ships, everything we do is in
the context of practicing
better relationships.

Questions of Faith (answered by Pastor Tomlinson):

What is the purpose of life?

According to the Bible, God doesn't so anything without a purpose. His purpose, clearly stated, is love. Since we are image bearers of God, every single person has purpose working in them all the time. The problem is we usually ignore what we're trying to accomplish, but God never does that.

We can sort out our purpose in counseling. In counseling, we allow folks to tell us the way life is for them in order to get a good feel for where they are and how they got here. That includes people struggling with every issue of life, with their sexuality, with their love lives and even with their beliefs about God. The one thing folks commonly say about our counseling and our church is that it is a safe place to be vulnerable.

What must humankind do to get into heaven?

We must believe that Jesus Christ is God, and the son of God, and the path to salvation.

What is your belief in heaven or hell?

In the Bible, God presents it as a very real place. The personal part of us is created to go on. The question is where are we going to live that out? God only gave us two destinations.

What is the role of the church in the community?

Our counseling services are open to the community. Our services include relationships, marital, premarital, financial and business planning. We're very big supporters of the military, police and fire. We periodically raise supplies for the troops and write letters.

What is the church's view on gay rights and abortion?

In the Biblical view, to live a homosexual lifestyle takes people away from God. Abortion is taking a human life. We're not so dogmatic about things that people wouldn't feel safe about being with us. We really work to create a safe environment both in our counseling and in our church. We want to help people see what the Bible says so they can make decisions for themselves.

Women's role in the church?

We don't license women as pastors, but we seek their input in everything we do. Women are counselors. Women have a lot to teach us.

What is your view on ecology issues?

God put us here to save people. He'll take care of the earth and the environment. We're not going to ruin it.