Advancing the Vision: Redeemer Scripps Ranch

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14). Both Harbor and Redeemer are gripped by this promise: to see the city of San Diego filled with the knowledge of the glory of God.

Harbor serves the Scripps Ranch area with a missional desire to share the hope of the gospel and the transforming love of Jesus with our neighbors. Our purpose is to make disciples who love and follow Jesus everywhere.

Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Encinitas is a gospel-centered, outward-facing, multiethnic, intergenerational church that exists to make disciples who will make disciples everywhere.

In God’s providence, Harbor and Redeemer share a common history of gospel-centered church planting in San Diego. Both churches hold on to the conviction that the gospel renews everything, and both are committed to making disciples who follow Jesus in every sphere of life: Harbor’s mission is to “make disciples who love and follow Jesus everywhere,” while Redeemer’s mission is to “make disciples who make disciples everywhere.”

In early 2025, Harbor and Redeemer began exploring a formal partnership through which Redeemer would plant a new congregation in Scripps Ranch in collaboration with Harbor. The goal would be to accelerate gospel impact in the Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, and Rancho Peñasquitos areas. A joint FAQ was presented to both congregations, along with an invitation to join the leadership in prayerfully considering whether the Lord is leading us in this direction.

Over the past few months, the leadership at both churches have been engaged in a process of discernment, prayerfully discussing areas including vision alignment, ministry philosophy, financial health, leadership, staffing, and church governance.

As we move into the fall, we are enthusiastic about the opportunity for Harbor to formally become part of Redeemer through the launch of Redeemer Scripps Ranch. Our prayer for this new work is to Advance the Vision. For Harbor, it means accelerating their existing vision to see the gospel transform many lives in the Scripps Ranch area and beyond. For Redeemer, this means advancing the Redeemer 10 Vision to plant more gospel-centered churches across San Diego.

We envision Redeemer Scripps Ranch to be a vibrant, healthy, gospel-centered church in the Scripps Ranch area that reaches deeply into the community with the transforming love of Jesus Christ.

Q & A on Harbor + Redeemer Scripps Ranch

  • On Easter Sunday 2026, we hope to launch Redeemer Scripps Ranch as a new congregation of Redeemer. The launch team will include the current members of Harbor as well as Redeemer members who feel called to this mission. Redeemer’s goal is to send 50 adults and 25 children, especially those living in the Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, and Rancho Peñasquitos areas, to join this new gospel work.

  • Redeemer Presbyterian Church will remain one church with multiple congregations: Redeemer Encinitas and Redeemer Scripps Ranch.

    The legal non profit organization Harbor Church San Diego will eventually be dissolved.

  • Redeemer Encinitas and Redeemer Scripps Ranch will function as 1 church with 2 distinct congregations. This allows each congregation to minister uniquely in its local context, while leveraging the collective resources, leadership, and ministries of Redeemer as a whole. 

    As a congregation of Redeemer, Redeemer Scripps Ranch will communicate and embody the same vision, mission, and values of Redeemer Encinitas. Both congregations will preach through the same sermon series, follow Redeemer’s Discipleship Pathway, and engage in local church planting and global missions. Together, both congregations will work to advance the Redeemer 10 Vision, multiplying Redeemer’s gospel impact throughout San Diego and beyond.

  • Pastor Peter Hwang will serve as the lead pastor of Redeemer Scripps Ranch. As our current lead pastor, Peter brings established relationships and pastoral experience with Harbor into this new work. As the lead pastor, Peter will be the primary preaching pastor, lead the Redeemer Scripps Ranch staff team, and shepherd the congregation with a local team of elders.

  • This fall, Redeemer will invite those who currently attend Redeemer and live in the Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, or Rancho Peñasquitos area to learn more about Redeemer Scripps Ranch. While there is no obligation to join, each person or family will be encouraged to prayerfully consider being part of a launch team to join this new gospel work. Those interested will have opportunities to meet Pastor Peter and his family, hear more about the vision for Redeemer Scripps Ranch, meet the existing community at Harbor, and consider ways to pray, engage, and serve. In January 2026, a launch team of members from both Harbor and Redeemer will begin to formally gather to pray, prepare, and plan for the start of Redeemer Scripps Ranch on Easter 2026!

  • Each congregation will have its own pastoral staff and leadership team focused on the unique needs of that local congregation. Rather than having ministry staff serve dual roles across locations, the intent is for each Redeemer congregation to be locally led and staffed.

  • In the spirit of unity in mission, vision, and shared values, both congregations may choose to participate together in select events, missions efforts, or broader Redeemer initiatives as desirable and appropriate. Some shared support services (such as finance, HR, communications, and operations) will be coordinated centrally through a Redeemer Central Services team to provide consistency, accountability, and efficiency across locations. This reflects Redeemer’s model of one church in multiple locations with distinct local leadership.

  • Yes. Harbor will continue its weekly Sunday worship services in Scripps Ranch during this phase. For people at Redeemer Encinitas who are interested in being part of Redeemer Scripps Ranch, there will be events and opportunities to hear from Pastor Peter, meet the current Harbor community, and learn more about being part of the new Redeemer Scripps Ranch leading up to Easter 2026.

  • Lord willing, we anticipate launching Redeemer Scripps Ranch on Easter Sunday 2026!

    • Fall (Sept-Dec 2025): Communicate the vision for Redeemer Scripps Ranch. Pray. Gather a launch team from Redeemer Encinitas of 50 adults and 25 children to work alongside Harbor’s congregation to be part of this new gospel work!

    • Winter (Jan-Mar 2026): Finalize the launch team and prepare for Easter kick-off. Congregational meetings at both churches will be held to formally merge Harbor into Redeemer.

    • Easter 2026: Redeemer Scripps Ranch officially begins!

  • With Redeemer sending 50 adults and 25 kids to join Harbor’s existing members, we envision Redeemer Scripps Ranch to be a healthy, thriving, gospel-centered church of 250+ people within 3 years. Our prayer is to see a vibrant, gospel-centered, outward-facing, multiethnic, and intergenerational congregation that is experiencing continual heart renewal, living out God’s Word, and investing deeply in people, “making disciples who make disciples everywhere.”

  • A dedicated webpage will be available with the latest information, key updates, and important next steps. Both churches will also provide regular communication through email and Sunday announcements throughout this season. We will also create intentional spaces for both congregations to meet and build relationships and meet the leadership on both sides as we move toward the launch of Redeemer Scripps Ranch together.

  • We are excited to walk this journey together as one church family and invite you to begin praying about how God may be calling you to participate. Whether through prayer, encouragement, or joining the launch team, each of us has a role to play in advancing the gospel. If you have questions, thoughts, or want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to talk with any of our pastors or staff, or reach out to us at faq@harborsdchurch.com or leadership@redeemersd.org.

Harbor Church is a member of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), a group of churches whose beliefs are summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms.