April 2025 HAPPY EASTER

A friend of mine sent me something that Billy Graham shared in Charlotte, NC, when he was 92 years old.

"I'm reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train, when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there.He looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it.

"The conductor said, 'Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it.' Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle, punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.

"The conductor rushed back and said, 'Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are; no problem. You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you bought one.' Einstein looked at him and said, 'Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going.'"

Praise God, because of our faith in Jesus Christ, his death, burial and resurrection, we know where we are going! Billy Graham concluded with this great comment: "Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point."

Happy Easter!!!!

Jim Smith

President, Pacific Church Network

CB Global is Growing

Central American Connection

There is a growing interest within many churches in Central America to be part of CB Global. Many have previous connections with Conservative Baptists (Missions Door) and desire to find a church network with the same doctrinal beliefs they share. On March 3-6, church leaders from several Central American countries gathered near San Salvador, El Salvador to discuss becoming part of CB Global with our President, Jim Smith, and our Spanish Ministries Director, Emilio Núñez. Many were excited about the opportunity to be part of an evangelical network of believers. Networks from Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, and Nicaragua have signed up to be part of PCN | CB Global, pending board approval.

Name Change in Santa Barbara

Calvary Baptist to Redeemer Bible

On Sunday, March 23, Calvary Baptist Church members affirmed the Elders' decision to change their name to Redeemer Bible Church. They will slowly make changes (dba, new website, etc.) between now and May 3-4, when they celebrate the 90th anniversary of this wonderful and historic church. Michael Boys has been at this church for six years, and is also a member of PCN's Board and the coordinator for PCN's ordination process.

PCN Summer Camp

Reserve your spots for this summer.

If you don't have a regular camp scheduled for your students, we recommend this great summer camp program, July 6-10, at Angeles Crest Christian Camp in the San Gabriel Mountains. Call or email Vicky to reserve your spots (714-870-9190, Email) or click below:

Myanmar Earthquake

Prayer needed

On Friday, March 28, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook Myanmar, with the epicenter near Myanmar’s second-largest city of Mandalay. It damaged the city’s airport, buckled roads, and caused the collapse of hundreds of buildings along a wide swath down the country’s center. CB Global has two ministries in Myanmar, and both Pastor Go and Pastor Timothy have written that they are safe, but the country is reeling. Despite the horrific natural disaster, military jets bombed seven towns shortly after the earthquake, making life unbearable for some people. Pray that God will touch this country with his love and peace.

Samaritan’s Purse is airlifting an Emergency Field Hospital—along with other desperately needed relief—to Myanmar. This is the most powerful quake to hit this region in over a century. Many homes and buildings were leveled, and at least 1,700 people were killed, with the death toll expected to climb. Local hospitals are overwhelmed as thousands of people require urgent care to treat their injuries. Hundreds of thousands of Mandalay residents have been left with nothing—sleeping outside in the elements as powerful aftershocks continue. Samaritan's Purse is also sending emergency relief supplies, including tarps, solar lights, and water filtration systems, with additional flights scheduled in the coming days.

All PCN Pastors are invited to these gatherings. Just come!

Large Church Zoom Conversation

Wednesday, April 23, at 1 pm (PST)

This is a special webinar for large churches within the Venture Church Network. Pacific Church Network is one of the 9 networks within VCN. This webinar will feature Pastor Brad Franklin as the guest speaker. Brad was the Lead Pastor of Lakeside Church for 36 years. Brad founded Lakeside Church in 1987 and it became one of the largest churches in Folsom, CA. Brad now serves as Executive Director of a new ministry called Church Hope, which provides interim leadership for churches in order to give pastors a sabbatical so they can return to their churches refreshed and ready to serve. Church Venture Northwest is hosting this webinar. To get the link, please email info@churchventurenw.com or contact them below.

Utilizing AI in Ministry | PCN Zoom Training

How Pastors have been using AI in their churches

Not everything is negative about AI, and there are some advantages that could assist you in ministry. How can you use AI in your church? Many are already using it. Hear the positive and helpful ways some have found to utilize AI. Brad Little, Pastor of Oak Grove Church, Golden Valley, MN and Regional Director of Venture Church Network-Midwest will join us to share his experiences with AI and how he is using it. Sam Brumit (PCN Board Member) and others will also share their positive experiences. Join us and share what you've been doing as well.

Passion Church

Palm Springs, CA | Praying for 100

On March 26, Pastor TJ McCall met with his Executive Leadership Team and reported that there are exciting things happening at Passion Church in Palm Springs! Passion Church is one of our recent PCN church plants that is co-sponsored by Venture Church Network/Southwest. Desert Springs Church in the Phoenix area has also been a huge supporter of this plant. We are grateful for all the support!

In March, Passion Church had two of their best-attended church services yet, including a visitor who is a lifelong atheist, but has attended consistently over the last three weeks. Pray for his salvation! Pastor TJ is also rejoicing that the church ended the month with money in the bank... a big deal for a church plant! Pastor TJ and Jessica also secured a rental house much closer to church for the same price they were paying for another house, 30 minutes away. Thanks be to God. They move in May.

Passion Church is praying to have 100 people in attendance on Easter! Would you pray with them?

Harvest Crusade Pastors' Gathering

Thursday, May 8 @ Harvest Orange County

Harvest Crusade returns to Angel Stadium for one night only, Saturday, July 19, at 7:00 PM! They are hosting a special Harvest Crusade Pastors' Gathering at their Harvest Orange County location, where you will hear from Pastor Greg and learn more about getting involved. If you choose to participate, they will provide you with free promotional materials to take back to your ministry. The lunch is not at Angel Stadium as it has been in the past.

 Thursday, May 8th at 11:30 am

Harvest Orange County

17600 Gillette Ave, Irvine, CA

Please RSVP for the luncheon by clicking the button below. You can also contact the SoCal Harvest offices at (951) 687-6595 or crusades@harvest.org. The deadline to register is April 25th, but don’t wait, register today to guarantee your spot.

Sabbatical Assistance

Church Hope

Church Hope provides pastoral leadership for a five-week period while the church’s pastor receives a sabbatical. They will support the vision and mission of the church during those five weeks and will serve in whatever capacities the pastor requests: preaching, leading Sunday gatherings, coaching the elder board and/or encouraging church volunteers and members.



"I am so thankful for the ministry of Church Hope. During an extended study leave, Brad Franklin served our church in such a great way. He provided a steady pulpit presence, met with our staff and leadership team, and was available to the congregation. When I returned to the office, I heard over and over again what a help and blessing his preaching, presence, and encouragement was to everyone at Grace Church. Our entire team highly recommends the ministry of Church Hope!"

- Josh Wroten

Lead Pastor, Grace Church

-Americans spend $1.9 billion on Easter candy. That’s the second biggest candy holiday after Halloween.

-70% of Easter candy purchased is chocolate.

-Easter is the most popular day to attend church (43% of Americans plan on it)

-Easter is the oldest Christian holiday celebration.

-Because the resurrection took place on a Sunday, the first Christians soon adopted Sunday as the day of the week when they gathered to pray together and worship God.

-Early Church Christians celebrated Christ's resurrection every Sunday



-In the 4th century church leaders agreed that Easter would always be on the Sunday following the first full moon after the Spring equinox.