Pastor seeks to draw community to church

Just as the resurrection of Christ is celebrated each year at Easter, the birth of a Carson City church celebrated its first-ever service on Easter Day 2000.

Sierra Vista Community Church is under the direction of Rev. Jim Hukari, who founded the church under the auspices of the Western District of the Evangelical Free Church of America.

"We want to be a church for the people of Carson City," Hukari said.

"In some communities you see the need for a church. It seemed like a good decision (by the district) to plant a church here."

Hukari, an intelligent, soft-spoken man with an inviting smile, said the purpose of planting a new church is not to draw already churchgoers to Sierra Vista, but to have those who are seeking a church to attend.

"We want to reach those who are turned off by church, what they knew the church to be, or don't know Christ," he said. "We want them to see that we are a compassionate, non-judgemental church and we are here out of compassion for our neighbors."

Hukari said the mission statement of the church includes teaching people the way to the Father is through His Son, and there is a transforming power through teaching.

"Our paradigm is the Word of God," added Hukari.

"We gather as family. There is not anything people need more than family. We want to be a family and hopefully have the church grow to be a multi-generational family. All these things are to glorify God."

Hukari welcomes the community to come informally and investigate the claims of Christ and Christianity.

"We like our public, neutral space at the school. It's very informal and without the religious 'stuff' that come in some churches.

"Our relationship with the school over the first year and one-half has been wonderful. We're set for meeting space, we've held barbecues. They have been very accommodating. Everyone in the community has been wonderful."

Hukari said he is in no need to rush plans of finding property or moving into a building to further establish church locale.

"Time and necessity will dictate as it allows. We're in no hurry to leave. We're happy being at the school and will stay as long as they allow us. We have a wonderful community here. It's the perfect place to live."

Hukari, 43, has been married 20 years to Susi, whom he met while in the U.S. Army and stationed in Europe from 1979-85. They have two children; Steve, who is 18 and attends Western Nevada Community College, and Annalena, who is 16 and is home-schooled.

In the family's free time, they like backpacking, hiking, tennis and fishing.

"This is a great place for fishing -- if you know how," laughed Hukari.

Hukari grew up in Southern California and received a bachelor's of arts degree in political science from Cal State Fullerton. He did graduate studies in Gissen, Germany and received his master of divinity in Tyndale, Holland.

"I came back to the United States to get my PhD, but it didn't work out. And that's OK. That's when I moved to Gardnerville, 1994, then to Yerington in 1995 and pastored a church there part-time."

Hukari has a message for those who might be seeking a church or interested in putting God back in their life.

"No matter what you've tried or looked in to, are you willing to look somewhere else? Are you willing to go in another direction? Are you trying to live up to someone else's standards or your own?

"What you need to know is you are a valuable person. You were created in God's image. Quit struggling and rest in God's love -- you have been accepted."

IF YOU GO:

Who: Sierra Vista Community Church

Where: Meets at Mark Twain Elementary School, 2111 Carriage Crest Dr., Carson City

Pastor: Jim Hukari

Sunday service 10:30 a.m.

Information: 841-0525