Sunrise Community Church began as a church plant of the North American Baptist Conference. A group of seven people began to meet for Bible study and in early 1974 Pastor Gene Kern became their pastor with his wife Elenor and their three children. The first church services were held at the Fair Oaks Grange Hall where the fledgling church met until their new facility was completed in December 1975. The purchase of five additional acres and the worship center expansion were accomplished in the 1980’s.

In the spring of 1996 Pastor Gene planted Pleasant Grove Community Church, one of our daughter churches. Our second senior pastor, Rich Sherman and his wife Kathy and their three children, joined the Sunrise family in the fall of 1996.

Sunrise has a heart for Christ and a heart for people. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, Sunrise Community Church is a place for spiritual healing and health. We also have a heart for missions. Since 1979 Sunrise has planted six daughter churches in the greater Sacramento area and has sent many workers from our own church family who are serving Christ on the mission field at home and around the world.

We are encouraged by what God is doing. We are thankful for how Christ is writing a new chapter in the life of Sunrise as we walk by faith with Him into future change, challenges and opportunities to build our family and accomplish His purposes.