Lifesong's pastor training for 500-mile bike fundraiser

Gregory prepares for 500-mile fundraiser for arthritis CHURCH CYCLIST- The Rev. Rich Gregory of Lifesong Christian Communities Church in Newbury Park is planning to ride in the Arthritis Foundation's Amgen California Coast Classic in October, a 500-mile, eight-day bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. He's been training extensively and regularly rides more than 50 miles with another church member, who also plans to participate. IRIS SMOOT Acorn Newspapers Two years ago, Rich Gregory was knee-deep in his studies at Fuller Seminary.

He squeezed in triathlon training when he wasn't studying or working at a local church or looking after his 1-year-old son. Little did he know that starting a church and becoming its pastor was right around the corner.

About 10 miles away from Gregory's home in Simi Valley, a Newbury Park couple was dissatisfied with their own mainstream church. Paul and Ginny Eddy had the feeling that God wanted them to go elsewhere, start their own church. That's how Lifesong Christian Communities began.

"They were just two lay people who'd seen things in their church go really toxic," Gregory said. "Somehow they got in touch with a friend of mine who knew I was out there. I met with five people in a living room, people whose mainstream church had not gone well for them. We prayed and talked about our vision, and it just kind of sprang to life."

Now Gregory looks back on his journey and knows he's doing what he was meant to. While attending California Lutheran University, Gregory and his future wife, Kristin, worked at a summer ministry camp. Gregory started a campus ministry program at CLU, leading a different type of worship, a "spiritual place" with a Christian tone, as he describes it.

After graduating, Gregory started a youth ministry in Redondo Beach and worked there for six years before returning to become the program director at the camps he worked at in college.

When Gregory decided to go to seminary two years later, he and his wife bought a house in Simi Valley so he could commute to Fuller. He worked at Ascension Lutheran Church leading a contemporary worship service.

"That's when I found Lifesong," Gregory said. "It was such a random series of events. I wasn't at all looking to start a church or be a pastor."

But now it seems Gregory can't imagine his life without Lifesong. The group of about 10 families from Agoura, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Simi Valley meets at least once a week, dedicating the first Sunday of every month to community service. The church's mission statement- offering their everyday lives to reflect the love of Christ in the Conejo Valley- sums up their goals.

"Our emphasis has never been to become a mega-church or build a building," Gregory said. "We are trying to do what Jesus did for his community- find places where people are forgotten and serve there."

They make meals for the homeless and volunteer a lot of time at Manzanita Elementary, donating money, clothes and time, fixing things the janitors didn't get to. Gregory plays soccer with the kids every Friday.

The third Sundays they meet at someone's home for brunch to pray and spend time together, while the second and fourth Sundays they meet at the Borchard Community Center in Newbury Park for a more traditional worship service.

And despite an even more hectic schedule, Gregory still finds time to bike, a passion he's had for four years. And triathlons are out, while 500mile bike treks are apparently in.

In October, Gregory will ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles for the Arthritis Foundation for the second year in a row.

Last year, Gregory contributed more than $4,000 to the $1 million the event raised.

As for future goals, Gregory wants to start up some more groups, especially in Simi Valley. Whether it be another church or just some small groups within their own, Gregory said they aren't content being a "holy huddle."

Gregory would like to get more families to host meetings in Simi Valley, where he and Kristin live with son Nathan, 3, and daughter Corinne, 7 months.

For more information or to email Gregory about sponsoring his California Coast Classic ride, visit www.lifesongchristiancommunities.org.