Their motto was 'Little church, big heart.'
But right now at Sierra Presbyterian in Merced its only official capacity is to share that heart...that's because on Saturday the church was ordered to close by the Stockton Presbytery governing body by a vote of 25-14.
"I think we're up against some very conservative pastors in a rather conservative presbytery who think that a church needs to be judged by numbers and money," said church elder Candice Adam-Medefind.
Adam-Medefind has promised to reverse the decision to shut down. According to the Presbytery Sierra owes them more than $30,000 and they have not grown their congregation.
Elder Mark Medefind said before the congregation, "I'm also reminded of what the reverend James A. Pike said, 'the poor may inherit the earth but it will appear the rich shall inherit the church.'"
Sunday about one-dozen people attended church but these leaders said their congregation is not found in the pews, it's on the streets where they've worked with the homeless and medically needy like Patricia Nedeiros and her mother for the last decade.
"They've helped me and my family through many things. Little things like gas, food. They're helping me get a house," Nedeiros said.
Sometimes I get where I can't get up and do things especially in winter when it's cold or after I've had a series of seizures, they bring me clothes," said Philip Ross who is homeless.
When you're homeless in Merced this is where you come to live. For the last four years the church has provided food and resources hoping to get this people off the street.
Private donations and money from Housing and Urban Development allow Sierra Presbyterian to continue their work.
Elders admit most of their congregation cannot give away what little they have.
"We're going to maintain it's one of the best used properties in the country for the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A," Adam-Medefind said.
We tried contacting members of the Stockton Presbytery several times today but no one has been able to comment on the closure.
Elders said they plan to continue services at the church despite the vote. They are waiting for a decision on the appeal which could take several months.
