About Canyon Hills

Pastor Larry, his wife, Shirley, and their three young children, started Canyon Hills Friends Church in East Yorba Linda on June 3, 1990. The church first met in a leased facility on La Palma Avenue for 15 years. In 2003, Canyon Hills purchased the property on Fairmont Connector and built an 18,000 square facility. On April 3, 2005, Canyon Hills had its first service in its new and current facility.

Since its beginning, Canyon Hills has reached beyond the city of Yorba Linda by starting new churches. Canyon Hills has started five other churches. The first was in Corona, California; the second in the Philippines; the third in Norco, California; the fourth in Juárez, Mexico; and the fifth in Clovis, California.

Today, Canyon Hills is still a church family dedicated to following the model of Jesus Christ and sharing His message of love and grace both locally and globally.

Canyon Hills Staff

Click on the images below to learn more about each staff member.

Carlos LopezLead Pastor

Larry MendenhallFounding Pastor

Matthew DietzAssociate Pastor

Micah DardenEquipping Pastor

Chase BarnhartYouth Pastor

Josh PowersChildren's Pastor

Wesley HaugenAdministration Pastor

David NampiWorship Pastor

Tiffini DietzOffice Administrator

Amber WelchChildcare Director

Mission Statement

Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” - Matthew 28:19-20

The mission of Canyon Hills Friends Church is to obey the Great Commission of Jesus by “making more and better disciples” of Jesus both locally and globally.

Purpose Statements

Pursuing Christ

Canyon Hills exists to invite people to pursue Christ and to develop a character that is constantly becoming more and more like His.

The methods that Canyon Hills uses to help people pursue Christ include worship services, small group Bible studies (ROOTED), and coaching opportunities.

Equipping Christ-Followers

Unleashing Compassion

Canyon Hills exists to unleash the compassion of Jesus Christ by involving the church family in serving the lost, poor, widowed, orphaned, oppressed, and hungry. The methods that Canyon Hills uses to serve others include starting new churches, feeding the hungry, offering counseling and care to those in crisis, and offering events to help us connect our people with those who are harassed and helpless. We strive to serve others and to show compassion in obedience to God’s Word which says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” - Ephesians 2:10

Building Community

Canyon Hills exists to build a strong community or, a strong church family that connects with each other, encourages each other to model their lives after Jesus Christ, worships together, serves others together and carries out the mission of Jesus Christ together.

The methods that Canyon Hills uses to build community include ROOTED (small Bible study groups) for all ages, large special events, seminars, and opportunities for mentoring.