Pastor Terry and Laura Neven continue serving the La Crescenta/Montrose areas through their recently opened church The Gathering. Opened in October 2016, this new congregation is composed of many former members of Montrose Community Church and is focused on sharing the love of God, leading others in a relationship with the Lord and touching the lives of others with care and concern.

Previously, the Nevens were at Montrose Community Church since January 2015 and assisted the church out of pending bankruptcy, rebuilding the leadership of the church, establishing church programs, and directing the repainting of the facility while doubling the number of members in the congregation. In October 2016, a number of church leaders exercised an error in judgment, lending itself to the closing down of all church services and activities. The majority of the congregation, wanting to continue the ministry and fellowship, participated with Pastor Terry and Laura as they established The Gathering.

This is Pastor Terry’s fourth church during his years of ministry. He had founded and established Household of Faith in Sunland in the late 1970s, merged it with San Fernando Foursquare Church in 1991, pastored Montrose Community Church and has now established this new congregation. He continues to also principal Sunland Christian School, a national homeschool program. Sunland played a major role in 2008 by helping to establish homeschooling as a legal educational option, through an appellate court case in California. He hosted and produced a weekly radio broadcast, “Educating

Our Children,” in the 1990s airing on KFSG 96.3FM. The couple also produces videos through their company, “Creative Memories.”

They work together in ministry and enjoy square dancing with the local Sets in Step, a La Crescenta square dancing club.

The Gathering began with a weekly Bible study on Tuesday evenings at

7 p.m., meeting at The Cottage at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 3561 Foothill

Blvd., La Crescenta. This study is ongoing and everyone is welcome to drop in at any point of the study. It covers the foundations of Christianity found in the Book of Romans. Refreshments are served and questions are welcomed.

The Gathering also has a Sunday morning worship at 10 a.m. in the newly established Sam’s Computer Repair and Realty Office at 2712 Foothill Blvd., Suite A, in La Crescenta, next to Domino’s Pizza. Regular Sunday services began on Jan. 8. Contemporary worship, combined with traditional hymns, make up the essence of the worship time. The services are also open to all.

The Gathering is a DBA of a religious tax-exempt 501 (c)3 non-profit organization with an office in Sylmar. For more information, contact the church at (818) 488-4375, or email thegathering.socal@gmail.com. The Gathering can also be found at www.thegathering.today or on Facebook.