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We exist to be a house that lifts up the Lord and in turn each one of us may be lifted up out of our circumstances to fulfill as it says in Micah 4:

“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.”

What We Believe

Mountain House is a community shaped by a deep hunger for God and a desire to see people drawn into His presence. We exist as a place where individuals from every background and season of life can come together—regardless of story, status, or experience—and encounter Him in a way that brings renewal and hope. As a non-denominational church, we are rooted in the truth of Scripture, passionate about wholehearted worship, and committed to creating gatherings where people are strengthened, encouraged, and transformed. We believe that as we turn our attention upward in unity, lives are lifted, faith is deepened, and a genuine sense of belonging is formed.

Meet Our Team

Staff

Alex Hernandez

Lead Pastor

Sarah Hernandez

Lead Pastor

Jason Layantara

Role

Jeany Raynald

Kids & Family Pastor

Darren Raynald

Worship & Creative Arts Pastor

Elders

Jim & Michele Cooley

Marc & Susan Estes

Mike & Dawn Shreve

Paul & Rachelle Friederici

Steve & Carrie Stetson

Our Story

1970s | Morning Star Ranch and the Smartsville Revival
MountainHouse began from the seeds of the Jesus People Movement in a small town called Smartsville in Northern California.
1970s | Morning Star Ranch and the Smartsville Revival
The Smartsville Revival led to a group of people selling all and purchasing Morning Star Ranch in 1972 – a commune where hundreds gave their lives to Jesus and surrendered to discipleship.
1974 | Road to Emmaus Bible School
A Bible school began at Morning Star Ranch due to a heavy burden and hunger to understand and know the Word of God. These seeds laid a foundation for future generations of MountainHouse.
1974 | Crossroads House
In the spring of 1974, members of the Morning Star Ranch, Ric & Angela Carlson along with Terry & Cheryl, took a trip to Tahoe to “spy out the land”, with a burden for the gospel to be spread.
1974 | Crossroads House
In May, a home was purchased and a team from Morning Star Ranch moved to South Lake Tahoe and started a mid-week meeting.
1976 | Al Tahoe Community Church
Those who were a part of Crossroads House in the beginning attended other local churches on Sundays and focused on reaching the lost and discipleship through their mid-week meeting. As the community grew, the need for a Sunday morning service and a larger place to gather became evident.
1976 | Al Tahoe Community Church
Through a series of miraculous events, the A-framed Lutheran Church on Highway 50 was purchased, with Ric and Angela Carlson as the pastors. In August, Ric suddenly passed away and Chris Gunderson was set in as temporary pastor.
1977 | Glad Tidings and Pastor Terry & Cheryl Edwards
Pastor Terry and Cheryl moved from Morning Star Ranch to South Lake Tahoe and were set in as the new pastors. The name was changed to Glad Tidings and the church flourished.
1977 | Glad Tidings and Pastor Terry & Cheryl Edwards
Glad Tidings School of Evangelism was birthed, training the congregation in evangelism and spreading to printing resources that spread globally. Disciples indeed Bible School
1980s | Lake Tahoe Christian Fellowship
As the church grew, Sunday services were moved to the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center. Equipping, Evangelism and Worship became key pillars in our foundation as the church flourished.
1980s | Christian Equippers International & Harvest Field World Missions
Glad Tidings School of Evangelism continued to grow and became Christians Equippers International (CEI).
1980s | Christian Equippers International & Harvest Field World Missions
A team of evangelists (Francis Anfuso, Gary Beasley, Marc Estes, Alex Hernandez and more) traveled the world with training seminars, equipping churches in evangelism and follow up.
1980s | Christian Equippers International & Harvest Field World Missions
Books, booklets and tracts were sent around the world.
1980s | Christian Equippers International & Harvest Field World Missions
Harvest Field World Missions was launched as churches were planted across California and Nevada, Philippines and Russia, with training materials being translated in many languages.
2001 | A New Building
Another miracle unfolded as land was able to be purchased and construction started for a new building. In April 2001 our current facilities at 3580 Blackwood were dedicated to the Lord. An outpouring of the Spirit marked a season of refreshing for the body of Christ.
2020 | A New Season
In the spring of 2020, as the world was closed due to the global pandemic of COVID-19, Pastor Terry announced that he was suffering from ALS and passed away in October just after selecting Alex and Sarah Hernandez as the new Lead Pastors. Alex and Sarah were set in December 2020 and fully moved to South Lake Tahoe in April of 2021.

Location & Service Time

3580 Blackwood Road, South Lake Tahoe

You’ll find plenty of parking spots on our property. Easy in, easy out.

Sundays at 10:00 AM

MountainHouse Kids meets during service.