Our Vision is to
know god.
be transformed.
find purpose.
serve people.
our Mission is
calling all people to live and love
like Jesus Christ.
core values
Rooted in Community.
holistically generous.
united to serve.
Mario Paul Flores Co-Lead Pastor
Hello there! I am from Southern California, my mom is from Mexico and my dad is from another country called Texas. I'm always in the mood for legitimate Mexican food and I thank God for the multiple legitimate local Mexican restaurants.
I grew up in the Church of the Nazarene as a Pastor's kid. When I was around fourteen, I seriously committed my life to Jesus. Not long after, I realized God was calling me to one day be a pastor. I earned my Bachelor's of Arts in Ministry from MidAmerica Nazarene University. There I met my wife Makenzie.
My wife and I love opening up our home to friends and family. Additionally, we have had the honor to host many other kids in our home for varying periods of time through Safe Families for Children and now through an International Student program through Kankakee Trinity Academy.
The summarized Gospel (Good News) is that Jesus is the saving King. So what will be our response to the Good News?
I pray that as a church, we will live as beloved children of God and faithful citizens of the Kingdom of God who do His will here in our community and in this world that God loves. We were created from Divine Community (God-the Trinity) and we are meant to live in divine community (the Church). My wife and I can vouch that our church genuinely comes through for each other. If you don't already have a church, come be loved and learn to love like Jesus with us.
Makenzie Flores Co-Lead Pastor
I identify as an 8 wing 9 on the Enneagram and have since given that identity over to the Lord, asking Him to make me the most Christ-like 8 wing 9 possible. I am married to the love of my life and have been since 2017. I am a mama; not only to my biological son, but to any child that has or will live in our home. I am called to be the first to serve, to advocate, and stand toe to toe with darkness and the injustices in my community. I have, both, a Pastoral undergrad degree and a Social Work grad degree; the combination is an amazing tool as I serve in this capacity. I am not the most outgoing of our staff, but my sincere prayer is that when we meet, you feel loved, seen, know that you matter and you belong.
Susan Morrill Worship Arts Pastor
Hi, I’m Susan! I am a lover of Jesus, people, laughter, three-part harmonies and chai lattes. Serving as Community Cup’s Worship Arts Director, since we began in 2017, has been a great blessing in my life. I love leading musical worship, shepherding others and challenging persons’ understanding of worship. Whoever you are, reading this bio, know that you are known and loved by God!
What we believe
THE APOSTLES' CREED
We believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
And born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy Christian Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.
Is community cup part of a denomination?
Yes, we are part of the Church of the Nazarene.
Don't let that long name scare you-we have a story unlike many others.
Someone once asked, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?"
This was Jesus' hometown. So Jesus was considered a Nazarene.
We took on the name (Nazarene) to be like Jesus
and to affiliate ourselves with people that others might prefer to avoid.
Our history begins in the heart of L.A. When many churches were fleeing the city because of problems, homelessness, alcohol and addiction struggles, we decided to be present and find the good in those where others argued no good could be found. The Church of the Nazarene is now a global family and today, there are more Nazarenes outside of the USA than inside the USA.
Below are links to explain more of who we are as Nazarenes.