Courageous Love Campaign: Exceeding Expectations

At our diocese’s 50th anniversary, Bishop Susan introduced the Courageous Love campaign, a $2.5 million fundraising effort aligned with our strategic plan. This campaign focuses on three goals: strengthening congregations, serving our neighbors, and growing the church. As we close out the first year, the results have already exceeded expectations, with resources being reinvested into our communities. 

A year ago, Bishop Susan commissioned two new church plants. Today, St. Brigid’s in Oceanside and Resurrection in Ocean Beach are thriving examples of what can happen when we courageously love our neighbors. Both communities have launched regular worship services, and under the leadership of the Rev. Brian Petersen, St. Brigid’s has baptized and confirmed new members into their growing community.  

After a long period of contraction, the Diocese of San Diego is now experiencing a season of expansion. Thanks to the Courageous Love campaign, we are in the early stages of planning two more church plants—one in southern Riverside County and another in southern San Diego County. 

In addition to planting new churches, this campaign has also supported our existing congregations. Many have found creative, faithful ways to share God’s good news and serve their neighbors. The diocesan executive council has already awarded significant grants to St. Luke’s in San Diego and St. John’s in Fallbrook, with more grants to come. 

St. Luke’s is building a network of community groups linked to the congregation. They are training ten young adults to form five neighborhood groups in Sudanese, Congolese, and Ugandan communities. St. John’s, meanwhile, offers two key programs: ESL classes, helping parents improve their English for education or employment, and a support group for mothers with spouses stationed at Camp Pendleton, providing a space for rest, community, and spiritual renewal. 

For years, we prayed and strategized on how to begin campus ministries at more universities and colleges. In the spring of 2024, we had just one campus ministry at SDSU. Thanks to the Courageous Love campaign, this fall we have three, now including UCSD and Cal State San Marcos. 

A key part of this campaign is supporting congregations in developing real estate projects that advance their mission. Our goal was to support seven congregations in this work with the support of a grant from Trinity Wall Street, and we’re now working on ten projects with more in the pipeline. One is in final negotiations, with groundbreaking expected in early 2025. One expects to receive developer proposals in early 2025. Two are completing property analysis and site assessments. Two are completing community engagement and needs analysis processes, and four are in earlier stages of congregation and community engagement.  

Bishop Susan understands that strong leaders build vital congregations. The campaign has focused on raising up new leaders from diverse backgrounds. So far, 14 individuals are in the process of discernment, and as we develop more leaders, the health of our communities grows. 

Together, through the Courageous Love campaign, your diocesan staff and executive council have managed resources far beyond our initial hopes. But we’re not finished yet. We still need your help strengthening congregations, serving our neighbors, and growing the church. If you haven’t contributed to the Courageous Love campaign yet, please visit edsd.org/courageous-love and consider giving or making a pledge today. You may also contact me at your convenience to discuss your gift. 

Together, we are sharing God’s courageous love across our diocese!