In order to hang on to the beautiful mosaic of Canyon Springs’ history we are leaving these first few bits on our website even though Pastor Jack and Jilane are no longer pastoring Canyon Springs. We love our history and believe everyone should understand the formative experience that took place in order to plant Canyon Springs Church.
Jack Hawkins, founding Pastor of Canyon Springs Church
Canyon Springs began in 1998 with a simple dream: Jack and Jilane Hawkins wanted to start a church. They had no idea what they were stepping into—but God did. What began with five people grew into a community of hundreds because God kept showing up in unmistakable ways.
God’s Church is His People
At first, about 12 people met weekly in their house. After a few months they found a location for their first church service–the Scripps Ranch library. They knew of 13 people who would show up. 103 did. They had 96 for the second meeting and 6 of those people made life changing decisions for Jesus Christ.
Over the next decades our portable church met in several elementary schools and a middle school. But the real stories are in the lives of people. Thousands have walked through our doors and hundreds have made life-changing decisions to follow Jesus. Multiple marriages have been restored thanks to the power of God. Thousands of children have not only come to church, but dragged their parents to church because they love it. Our children’s ministry has left a lasting legacy on this community. Our youth ministry has not only changed lives but is working to develop difference-makers who will lead God’s church into the future.
Canyon Springs in Transition
At the beginning of 2023, Jack shared that the Hawkins would be stepping down and moving to Arizona, where three of their four children were building their lives. Chad Richards, who had held the roles of Youth Pastor and Executive Pastor at Canyon Springs stepped up to lead our church into the next few years. By year’s end we moved into our own church building.
In June, 2025, Pastor Chad moved on to another opportunity and Pastor John Rose became our interim pastor as we began our formal search for our next pastor who would lead us into our future.
Our Transition Pastor, John Rose
Pastor John has stepped in as our Transition Pastor. He brings over 38 years of pastoral experience. He spent 20 years as the founding Pastor of Rancho Vista Church in Chula Vista, guiding it from a small launch team to a vibrant congregation with its own facility.
Pastor John is well-regarded for his steady leadership during times of transition. He also founded and leads Baja Bound Ministries, which coordinates over 100 mission projects each year across Mexico with more than 5,000 volunteers. He has been married to his wife, Stephannie, for 35 years, and they are the proud parents of two adult children, Michaela and Jake.
During this transition our current church personnel have taken on additional operational and administrative responsibilities to help ensure a smooth process. In his role, Pastor John works closely with our staff, ministry leaders, and elders to ensure continued unity and stability. We’re blessed to have him with us and look forward to his leadership through this journey!