Northwood’s campus is hardly ever quiet over the weekend. Clubs use it for academic competitions, sports teams play energetically on its fields and, every Sunday morning, members of Saddleback Church’s Irvine North chapter transform it into a place of worship.

From the donuts and coffee offered at the front of the school to the band that performs for the adult service in the Performing Arts Center, the Lake Forest-based evangelical megachurch’s Irvine North chapter makes the most of Northwood and its rented facilities. Along with its typical Sunday service, the church occasionally holds baptisms, Christmas celebrations and festivals complete with potlucks and food trucks.

“Our number one priority is making sure that students feel known and loved and seen in a world and culture that feels like it’s so easy to ignore people and push them away,” student ministry pastor Jasper Sattel said. 

The church’s student ministry meets in the wrestling room. During sessions they combine Bible study with board games, pop culture references and a student band. Many grew up with the church through the Saddleback Kids program, which meets in Northwood’s classrooms, and the Northwood students who attend have grown accustomed to coming to campus six days a week.

“It’s nice that it’s at the same school, because I already know where everything is,” freshman Tristan Shih said. “A lot has changed, right? But one thing that hasn’t changed so far is that the community has always stayed the same. I’ve always felt really welcome.”

Celebrating its 11th year on March 1, the Irvine North campus was officially established at Northwood in 2015, though the church has rented the campus since at least 2009. 

“We’re so grateful because for us, Northwood High School is a world class facility,” campus pastor Chris Yi said. “We’re so happy to partner with the district and the school, and support the facility, support the staff, and all the ways that we can, and we get to also serve our community.”

One of many churches that use IUSD facilities after hours, the Irvine North campus has maintained a good relationship with Northwood’s students and staff, according to Yi.

“I’m so glad that our students, first of all, have access to these amazing facilities,” IUSD board member Jeff Kim said. “But during the time it’s not being used, I’m so glad that our communities can also use it—including here, where I attend Saddleback Church—that it could be a blessing to so many in the community that come here.”

Information on upcoming events can be found on Irvine North’s website or Instagram at @saddlebackirvn.