1970 - 1982

1970-1980’s – During the 70’s, Pastor Donald Sheley and Pastor Charles Weston, our pastor of missions, went twice a year to Africa and focused in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Zaire and the Congo. They used a new style of missions, bringing local young men to an area and teaching them how to preach. The young men were given messages and Bible studies to be able to use for a period of six months. They would then return for the next mini Bible School and bring another prospective pastor with them. Some of those young pastors started churches that grew to 3000, 5000 or even 10,000 members within three to five years. Others went from one community to another pastoring multiple churches.

September 1980 - The San Andreas School in Pacifica was leased for grades five through twelve, becoming “Highlands 3.” “Highlands 1” housed the preschool and second through fourth grades, and “Highlands 2” housed Kindergarten and first grades. Over 1,000 students were now being educated with a Biblical worldview.

June 1981 - Highlands Christian Schools was accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

1982 - The congregation of the Little Brown Church of Pacifica came seeking a pastor (a pastor was previously sent to them from Highlands in the mid-60’s but died in an accident). Our assistant pastor, Stan Way, was sent to lead the church, and the name was changed to Church of the Highlands of Pacifica. The church became independent on October 1, 1985, and along with St. James College, was moved to the Pacifica Crespi School site. At that facility, Church of the Highlands also developed a ministry called “Emmaus” to house Russian refugees transitioning into America. Barbara Andre was the resident administrator ministering to their spiritual and physical needs.