Pastor of New La Mesa Church Hopes to Change People’s Views of Christianity

Aaron Henderson is lead pastor and brainchild behind launching Nov. 6 in La Mesa. But he won’t take credit for it.

“It’s semantics, I guess,” he said after a pause. “Ultimately it was God.”

The congregation―which numbers 100 people, including children―will make its home in the , and Henderson says they hope to serve the community and change the way people view Christianity.

“I think in the past Christianity has tended to be an us-versus-them type of culture, and we have found that doesn’t fall in line with the teachings of Jesus,” Henderson said in a phone chat. “[It’s about] loving without an agenda. We’re loving because Jesus told us to love, not because we’re trying to proselytize.”

Henderson, 33, has five children and has been married to wife Laura for 14 years. He’s served in church leadership roles for 15 years, but this is his first time stepping out as a pastor.

The congregation will meet from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sundays. It has a Facebook page with an introductory video.