In 1994 the small town of Galt California was experiencing rapid growth.  Pastor Steve Lemke in cooperation with the Norcal region of the North American Baptist Conference www.nabconference.org saw this as an opportunity to begin a new church that would meet the changing landscape of the area.  The vision was to reach people in the community who were disenchanted with or never attended church.

The church first met in the living room of a local family but quickly moved to the Boys’ and Girls’ Club as Pastor Steve and the church reached out to the community and the church began to grow.

After Pastor Steve’s departure in late 1995, Pastor Tim Stevenson was called as the new Senior Pastor.  The church continued to grow and the main Sunday Service was moved to the Chabolla center, while the children’s ministry remained at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club.   By 1998 the church averaged over 350 people in Sunday attendance and began a second Sunday Service.

The church merged with Harvest Community Church, a smaller non-denominational church, in 1999.  Although retaining affiliation with the NABC, the name of the church was changed to Horizon Community Church to reflect the merger.  Average attendance grew to over 450 shortly after the merger.

The church had purchased 25 acres just north of Twin Cities Road adjacent to Hwy 99 but the costs of improvements prohibited building.  In late 2002, the Boys and Girls Club was found to contain mold and the building was permanently shut down.  With no viable long-term options, Horizon was pressed into action looking for a home.  In March of 2003, the church was able to purchase the former bowling alley/dance hall/bingo parlor on Fairway Drive.  This location became the church home in September 2003 after 6 months of renovation.

The church continued to experience growth and after celebrating the 10th anniversary in September 2004, a third Sunday morning service was added.  Attendance now topped 750.

Stealing a line from Forest Gump, it has been said that “Horizon is like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you will get.”  Future plans are in the works, but are always open to the move of God.  Who knows what the next piece of chocolate will hold?