“Go west, young man” was a common phrase to be heard during America’s westward expansion in the 19th Century. As a family in the Pacific Coast Presbytery, and as the West Coast representatives of the Youth Ministries Committee of Synod, we can think of no better title for this article. The churches of the Pacific Coast Presbytery need your help.

A Brief History

The Pacific Coast Presbytery began on June 6, 1911, made up of three congregations and three mission stations in California, Oregon, Washington, and Canada. The 1912 Minutes of Synod counts 361 members in the Pacific Coast Presbytery.

In 1955, the presbytery had grown to 620 members in 7 congregations. For the next 60 years, the presbytery slowly shrank. In 2016, there were 405 members in 6 congregations.

Expansion

During the next five years, the Lord saw fit to greatly expand the number of congregations within the Pacific Coast Presbytery. Several mission works and congregations were established in British Columbia, Nevada, and Southern California. At the end of 2020, the presbytery had grown to 517 members in 12 congregations. The following year saw continued growth with two additional mis-sion works established. Today, the presbytery’s footprint includes Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia, and Alberta.

Critical Needs

While we are thankful for the way the Lord has grown the Pacific Coast Presbytery in recent years, that expansion has not been without some growing pains.

As of the writing of this article, almost half our congregations and mission churches do not have local ruling elders. In fact, the presbytery has only 13 active ruling elders. Most of our presbytery’s pastors and ruling elders serve on multiple sessions and Temporary Governing Boards. All of the pastors that served the Pacific Coast congregations as reflected in the 2012 spring presbytery meeting minutes have moved on from those pulpits, and only two of those men (Tim McCracken and Ryan Hemphill) have remained in our presbytery. Many of the most experienced ruling elders in the presbytery have passed away or moved back east. Six of our pulpits currently sit vacant (Fresno, Los Angeles, Seattle, Edmonton, San Diego, and All Saints Brea).

On top of this scarcity of leadership, the last two years have been difficult years of conflict for our presbytery, with one minister removed from his pulpit at the request of the congregation and another minister deposed from office. And, of course, we continue to process the devastating death of Rev. Noah Shepherd: the godly, humble, faithful, and loving pastor of San Diego RPC who did not reach his 30th birthday.

It is not unfair to survey the current state of our presbytery and conclude that we are in a state of crisis. We are in great need of help. Your help.

Bucking the Trend

The West Coast of North America has its own cultural and political profile. With large metropolitan areas from north to south, it is no surprise that the western side of our continent seems firmly committed to the principles of the coastal elite. And this is not without consequences. For the first time since its inception as a state, California saw a decline in its population. It is rather routine to learn of another friend, neighbor, or co-worker who has made the decision to head east. Perhaps you’ve seen the satirical meme portraying U-Haul’s employee of the year: California Governor Gavin Newsom.

In the midst of this exodus from the West Coast, we challenge you to consider bucking the trend. When folks seem to be running from California and the West Coast, perhaps Christians should be pushing back. The West Coast is in desperate need of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The West Coast is need of Christian residents who will proclaim the good news that Jesus saves and stand for the truth of God’s Word.

How Can You Help?

As you read this article, we are hoping you ask the question: How can I help? Here are some practical suggestions.

First, and most importantly, pray for the Pacific Coast Presbytery. Pray that God would send pastors and raise up ruling elders to shepherd His flock on the West Coast. Pray that God would strengthen each one of our congregations and mission works, firmly establishing each church in our love for God and our love for one another. Pray that God would encourage the members of these West Coast congregations as they seek to live each day to the glory of God. With a presbytery so spread out geographically, being a Reformed Presbyterian on the West Coast can be a lonely thing. Above all, pray that Christ’s kingdom would continue to advance day by day, that sinners would be saved, and that the gospel would go forth.

Our second suggestion is applicable to all of you, but perhaps in particular to young people. As you consider your future—where you will go to school, where you will start a family, where you will work—please consider this call to “Go west, young man or woman.” Consider how encouraging you could be to one of our congregations if you purposely moved west to help serve. While it is possible for most folks to pack up and move across the country, it is especially possible for young people. You are at a point in your life that involves transitions. Consider whether one of those transitions involves moving into the Pacific Coast Presbytery.

Finally, as a third suggestion, if you are unable to move to the Pacific Coast Presbytery, that doesn’t mean you can’t encourage others to do so. Are there young people in your congregation considering their future? Challenge them to make the move out west. Pastors, might we humbly suggest that you make this challenge from your pulpits? The sermon title “Go West, Young Man” has a nice ring to it!

We are asking you to pray, to come, and to send. The Pacific Coast Presbytery needs help. Will you heed that call?