While Adventists do not have a creedal statement of beliefs, you can find a detailed statement of "fundamental beliefs" that seeks to summarize the consensus of what the majority of Adventists believe by clicking here.  Adventists however, take the Bible seriously as our source and guide, not the statement of fundamental beliefs itself, which is modified from time to time in ways that reflect the thinking of the majority of Adventists world-wide (or at least that of those that represent them) at General Conference meetings which are held every five years or so. 

To put it another way . . . 

We are also convinced that what we believe goes much deeper than simply what we know and can explain in detail.  It's not just about what we believe, but the kind of people we become as we believe . . . people who we hope are living lives that are all about loving God and loving people.  

So while we try to think carefully and accurately about our faith (because we believe this is important), even when we may not always agree about all the details of how to say it, we are still clear about the way that God invites us to live it - that is, how we act towards each other as we seek to live out what following Jesus looks like.  

We would be somewhat less than honest if we did not admit that we don't always do this as well as we wish we did, either among ourselves or those we interact with. So, while we have some unique things to share that we're excited about, we're certainly not perfect, and don't have everything all figured out. But we are committed to keep growing, learning, and experiencing God's work in our lives as we seek to follow Jesus as clearly as we know how. We want to live in a way that reflects His grace, and invites others to join us on that same life journey.

Seventh-day Adventists are very much like most other protestant Christians, sharing the same core beliefs that have shaped the Christian Church since its very beginning, including the very good news that we are saved by grace through faith - and this as God's gift to us through Jesus.

There are, however, a few unique contributions that we believe Adventists make to the larger body of Christ, and it is in the sharing of these that we have a unique purpose. Among those are these:

THE EXPERIENCE OF SABBATH. Not only do Adventists observe Sabbath on the seventh-day of the week (in continuity with the experience of God's people from their earliest recorded memories), but we also seek to take seriously both the great realities of life that Sabbath celebrates (God as our Creator and Redeemer) and the kind of life that it encourages us to live (one that reminds us as we set aside work, that our core identity is not found in what we do or produce, but in being children of a loving God - and of course, that we need to treat others the same way).

THE WHOLENESS OF PEOPLE.  In contrast to the Greek idea that has influenced many Christian thinkers down through the ages (that we are "spirits" or "souls" that inhabit bodies), we believe that we are indeed "whole" people, with all the various aspects of our lives (physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, etc.) interconnected and inseparable. We don't just have bodies, we are bodies (without a separate full consciousness apart from a real physical existence). As "whole" beings, we believe God wants to bring health to all aspects of our lives, and so Adventists have invested a lot in medical work, education and missions (including improving the living conditions of others) as well as sharing the story of the gospel.  

ANTICIPATION. We also share the New Testament hope of the Second Coming of Jesus (thus the "Adventist" part of our name), the resurrection and an earth restored to what God intended for it. It is at that time that we also look forward to a final resolution of the problem of sin, and a universe restored. But even as we look forward in joyful anticipation to that time, and share that anticipation with others, we do not simply wait, but rather work to bring into the present as much as we can of the life that we will experience then. Even now we can begin to embody the life of the Kingdom of God, and be a presence that encourages peace and healing in our world.

There are of course other things we could mention as well, but these are some of the ones for which we are best known. If you would like to learn more, we would be happy to talk with you. 

In addition to the growth of the Calimesa Church community described above, the buildings that house much of our church life were constructed in three phases. Phase 1 was the construction of a youth chapel, a Community Services room and the North and South wings housing the Children's Sabbath school rooms. The first phase was first occupied on March 27, 1964.

The sanctuary and church offices were then built, and occupied on February 20, 1965. Membership growth forced the erection of the final phase on the East end of the building. This consisted of two more Sabbath school rooms and the church fellowship hall. Kenneth Roberts was in charge of all the construction projects, with total costs at $400,000. The church was soon paid off, and was dedicated on November 22, 1969.

Later a multipurpose building was constructed in which to house the Community Services and Pathfinders. This phase of the construction was completed in June of 1977 under the supervision of Ruben Yeager at a cost of $110,000.  Toward the end of 2015, the facility was completely remodeled to include new rooms, better storage, new restrooms and a new kitchen, at the cost of about $425,000,  The new facility now houses our High School and Jr. High Ministries, Community Services, Prayers & Squares (our quilting ministry), Pathfinders, offices for two of our pastors, and a number of other groups that use the facility on both a regular and occasional basis.

Most recently, beginning in the Fall of 2020, we expanded and remodeled the kitchen attached to the Fellowship Hall, the Fellowship Hall itself, and the classroom attached to the kitchen.  The Junior room was relocated to what was once the music room, and the music room (or green room) is now in the room attached to the Fellowship Hall kitchen.  This project cost a little under $500,000 and was completed in time for the beginning of 2022.

In addition to the church facilities, we are one of the constituent churches for Mesa Grande Academy.  Mesa Grande Junior Academy  (at 975 South Fremont Street in Calimesa) originally served the young people of the Calimesa, Yucaipa, Beaumont and Forest Falls churches. After becoming a full K-12 school (graduating its first Senior class in the spring of 1991) several additional churches have joined its constituency, serving not only these additional young people, but a large number from our surrounding community as well.

LANDMARK DATES / INFORMATION

GENEALOGY OF PASTORAL LEADERSHIP AT CALIMESA

A number of pastors have served as a part of the Calimesa Church family over the many decades of its ministry.  Llisted below is our own Calimesa Pastoral Genealogy.

LIST OF CHURCH PASTORS