Melissa Ebberts, 24, was a part of The Rock from 2001-2005. In January 2006, she moved to Santa Monica with several other people from The Rock to plant a church called Kairos West LA. Melissa took some time to answer some questions about the church planting experience.

Describe the need in Santa Monica. Why did you feel called to go?
Santa Monica, which is in LA County, is the homeless capital of the country. There is a great disparity between those who have and those who have not. Right alongside movie shoot locations are people who are struggling just to get by. Those with material wealth also have a great need, though theirs can be tucked away behind a glossy set of sunglasses or a shiny luxury car.
There is such diversity of cultures that include different religions, languages, ethnicities. It’s fascinating. People are searching for something great, something that will give them a purpose, but there are so many things in L.A. that can distract them from finding the truth about Jesus. I think that’s why I wanted to live out here.

What are some of the ways you’ve been engaging the neighborhood/community?
I work for a Head Start/State preschool program, which has helped me to get connected with my neighborhood and the families around here. I call a few of my co-workers my close friends, and it has been so neat to have them get to know people from Kairos and vice versa. I also volunteer on Thursday nights at an Adult Education Center with the school district, helping an overworked teacher in the reading lab class that includes ESL, high school diploma/GED students, and adults that are trying to learn how to read. About every three months, I go with a group from USC, called Healing Hearts Across Borders, which does free medical/dental clinics down in Tijuana for a weekend. I translate and help with registration.

What has been difficult?
Not getting distracted by the glitz and the glamour. So much of what people grumble and fuss about is about what they think they should have or what they deserve. I can get caught up in that sometimes. It’s hard not to give in to gossip at work, too. I have to keep my focus and to love others not necessarily as they would do unto me.

What has God taught you in this experience so far?
Take a leap, jump into it and trust Him all the way. That’s really difficult for a control freak like me.

How have you seen God’s faithfulness in this process?
When I truly and honestly trust God with a decision or a particular situation, He provides. God doesn’t let me down. The passage that I’ve meditated on lately is, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ…”

Describe what it has been like doing this with a team of people.
Amazing. Challenging. Funny. Mind-boggling. Uplifting. 

Links:
Kairos L.A.