CCPC currently has around 1,600 members. As a high-growth suburban church, most of our members come from other parts of the country, so in a sense, virtually everyone is “new” here.
CCPC offers programs and fellowship that recreate the small-town sense of community that many of our members left behind when they moved to this area.
A high percentage of our membership come to us from completely different faith backgrounds, including Catholicism, Judaism, even recent converts from Buddhism.
Meet some of Canyon Creek’s active members:
Marvin and Jeannette Cardona joined in 2006 along with their three children—Joshua (12), Nathaniel (10), and Andrea (6). They grew up Presbyterian in their native Puerto Rico, and were seeking a Presbyterian Church with a contemporary worship service when they were transferred here recently. “When we visited CCPC we were welcomed by so many people that we felt called to be part of this church,” says Marvin. “As we learned about the many opportunities that the church has to offer, we found there was something for everyone in our family. We especially liked the Children’s Ministries and also that the church offered different styles of worship. In a short time we knew that God wanted us to become members of this church.”
On most Sunday mornings, you’ll find Marvin up front at the 8:30 service of worship playing lead guitar. Currently, he is the most experienced contemporary worship musician on the Praise Team, having played at several churches in the United States and Puerto Rico. Jeannette is active with Children’s Ministries and the entire family volunteered for the recent Operation Inasmuch mission project.
Ben and Betty King joined CCPC in May, 1985. As long-time members, both have been active in leadership roles at the church.
“We were looking for a Christ-centered church with great preaching, lovely music, friendly people and multiple opportunities for service to the Lord,” says Betty. What keeps them here? “All of the above.” Betty is very active in the church’s prayer ministry and the healing ministry. Many people know Betty not only as a devoted servant of the church but also as a distinguished actress in film and television. For a special treat during the holidays, church members are blessed with her dramatic gifts in retelling the Christmas story.
The couple is active in Groan Ups, a social organization for those aged 55 and older. Groan Ups meet monthly (except in the summer) and sponsor a number of interesting field trips each year. Ben, a retired airline captain, is currently serving a term as Deacon in the Class of 2009.
Albert Cheng came to work on staff during the 1990s at the old location on Campbell Road. He suffered for years in his homeland during the genocide in Cambodia which claimed many family members and friends. Narrowly escaping with his life, he was resettled to the United States by a Christian organization. However, when he first came on staff, he was still a practicing Buddhist and even served in Cambodia as a practicing monk.
After spending time with the members and staff of Canyon Creek, Albert experienced an amazing conversion experience. “First, God came to me and by His Grace, and the revelation of God’s Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, my life changed from Buddhism into a believer who believes in the Living God. I was baptized in 1997. I am here because of the beloved people of CCPC, the saints who live Christ through their lives, as well as our church’s involvement in world mission and my dear small group.”
Albert has been a significant lay leader in the church, not only leading a bilingual worship service for the area’s Cambodian Christians, but also active in many mission projects, Bethel Bible Study, and Sunday school. The church is deeply blessed by Albert’s presence in our midst, as well as his two children, Connie and Johnny.
