Best Churches in Shingle Springs Ca

Published by New Hope Fellowship | 3838 Ponderosa Road, Shingle Springs, CA 95682

Finding a church home is one of the most meaningful decisions a family can make. Whether you just moved to the Shingle Springs area, are returning to faith after some time away, or are simply looking for a community that fits where you are in life — you want more than a Sunday service. You want a place where you belong.

We may be a little biased, but we believe the best way to choose a church is to know what you're actually looking for. So rather than just talk about ourselves, we want to help you think through the things that matter most — and then let you see how New Hope Fellowship of Shingle Springs measures up.

1. Does the Church Have a Clear Mission — and Live It Out?

A church's mission statement tells you a lot. But what it does with that mission tells you everything.

At New Hope Fellowship, our mission is built around three commitments we call Reaching Wide, Growing Deep, and Unleashing Compassion.

Reaching Wide means radical hospitality — a genuine welcome for everyone who walks through the door. Our motto is simple: "There is always room for one more." That's not a slogan. It's a posture we try to carry in everything we do, from how we greet first-time visitors to how we think about our community outreach.

Growing Deep means we take discipleship seriously. Following Jesus's example, we work intentionally and relationally to develop wholly devoted followers of Christ — people who are also helping others grow. That happens through Sunday teaching, small groups, mentoring relationships, and a team-based culture where everyone has a coach and everyone can be one.

Unleashing Compassion means our faith has feet. We are on mission locally and globally — serving El Dorado County and supporting missionary efforts around the world.

When you visit a church, ask yourself: does this mission feel lived-in, or does it just look good on a website?

2. Is the Teaching Rooted in Scripture?

Sound biblical teaching is the backbone of a healthy church. You want a pastor and teaching team who handle the Word carefully, preach it honestly, and apply it practically to real life.

New Hope Fellowship is part of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, a movement built around the four scriptural roles of Jesus: Savior, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, Healer, and Soon-Coming King. Our theological foundation holds that Scripture is the inspired, true, and unchanging Word of God — and our teaching flows from that conviction.

Our lead pastor, Al Soto, brings decades of pastoral experience, a degree from L.I.F.E. Bible College, and graduate studies in Leadership and Spiritual Formation from Vanguard University. He teaches from a deep well of personal experience — including 41 years of sobriety by God's grace — and his approach is warm, honest, and grounded. His favorite phrase says it all: "We are all people in process."

Our teaching team also includes Jim Wells, Nancy Mathis (a Foursquare ordained pastor with over 40 years in ministry), Allison Wells, and Dr. Dave Palmer, our Theologian in Residence, who holds a Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate School and brings rich Old and New Testament scholarship to the table.

Great teaching doesn't mean a polished performance — it means someone faithfully opening the Word and helping you understand how it applies to your life today.

3. Is There a Place for Your Family?

A church home needs to work for everyone in your household, not just the adults in the room.

For kids: New Hope Kids is led by Ashtyn Van Cleave, who grew up right here in El Dorado County and has been a part of this church family since childhood. She leads children's ministry with a deep conviction that every child is a gift from God — and that's how your kids will be treated. Valerie Soto, our Interim Children's Director, brings the same warmth that has made our church family feel like home for so many.

For teenagers: Erik Erwin leads our Student Ministry, and The Barn — our newest space — was built specifically as a refuge and gathering place for the youth of our community. It's designed to be welcoming and Christ-centered, a place where young people can build real friendships and grow in their faith outside of the Sunday service.

For young adults: Reed Albertsen leads our Young Adults group. Reed came to New Hope Fellowship because of how genuinely loving the community was, and that same spirit shapes the group he leads.

For the 55+ crowd: Susan Baldi, an ordained Foursquare pastor, leads our Silver Wings ministry with a heart to see every season of life lived fully in Christ's love and purpose.

When a church invests across generations — not just in the adults who tithe — it's a sign of long-term health and genuine care.

4. Can You Grow Beyond Sunday Morning?

Showing up on Sundays is a starting point, not a destination. The best churches give you pathways to go deeper — and New Hope Fellowship has built quite a few of them.

Small Groups are where real community happens. Our groups meet throughout the week across Shingle Springs, Cameron Park, and the surrounding area, giving you a place to do life with other people, study the Word together, and support one another through the real stuff of life.

Ministries for every season: Men of Honor, Women's Ministry, Marriage Ministry, Prayer Ministry, Freedom in Christ, and Community Outreach are just a few of the ways people at New Hope get connected beyond the weekend service. Whether you're working through something difficult or simply want to serve, there's a team for you.

Starting Point is our pathway for people who are new — whether new to faith or new to our church — to take their first steps and discover where they fit.

Volunteer Orientation gets you into a serving role quickly. We believe every person has gifts, and our coaching culture is designed to help you find yours and use them.

5. Is the Church Honest About What It Believes?

A church that is clear about its beliefs saves you from surprises later. You deserve to know what a church actually stands for before you bring your family.

New Hope Fellowship publishes our Distinctives openly on our website, including our position on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, women in ministry leadership, and our theological commitments. We believe God calls and equips both men and women for all areas of ministry — a conviction backed by the full witness of Scripture and reflected in our own team, which includes ordained women pastors in multiple roles.

We hold our positions with conviction and without apology, while also maintaining a posture of genuine love and welcome for all people. As our Distinctives state: "We are committed to loving all people unconditionally, welcoming all who come, and serving without hesitation."

We also want to be clear: we don't see ourselves as competing with other churches in El Dorado County. We regularly pray for and support our neighboring congregations, because the mission of Christ advancing in our community is more important than any one church's attendance numbers.

6. Does It Feel Like Home?

This last one is harder to measure but easy to feel. Walk in on a Sunday morning. Does someone say hello before you find a seat? Do people seem glad to be there? Is there a sense that something real is happening — not just a religious performance?

At New Hope Fellowship, we have a cafe. We have a church whose lead pastor laughs easily and openly shares his own story of brokenness and grace. We have a hospitality team led by people like Sherry Reilly, who says flatly that she doesn't believe in strangers. We have a worship team led by Ranell Coleman, who gave up eight years in the secular music industry to sing for an audience of One and never looked back.

And we have a church culture built on a simple conviction: "We cannot promise an easy life, but a transformed life."

Come Find Out for Yourself

New Hope Fellowship of Shingle Springs gathers every Sunday at 10am at 3838 Ponderosa Road, Shingle Springs, CA 95682. We serve the communities of Shingle Springs, Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Placerville, Pollock Pines, and all of El Dorado County.

Can't make it in person? Join us for our Sunday livestream at newhopess.com.

Ready to take the next step? Plan your visit — or just show up. There is always room for one more.

New Hope Fellowship
3838 Ponderosa Road, Shingle Springs, CA 95682
530-677-3646 | newhopess.com

New Hope Fellowship is a Foursquare Christian church proudly serving Shingle Springs, Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Placerville, and Pollock Pines.