About Us

Trinity First is a Christian church of and for San Francisco with our hearts and hands focused on the city’s southern neighborhoods of Outer Mission, Excelsior, Ingleside, Crocker-Amazon, and Mission Terrace.

Our identity is shaped by biblical and historic Christianity. This means, for starters, that we believe in an infinite, glorious, creator God who is triune in nature (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and we believe that the Bible is the perfect and holy words of God.

We claim the ancient faith statements of the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. We are also formed, as a community, by the reformed creeds of the Belgic, Belhar, and Westminster Confessions, the Heidelberg and Westminster Catechisms, and the Canons of Dort.

We are currently seeking denominational affiliation within the reformed tradition. Our roots are in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and Reformed Church in America (RCA).

Our Values

Last revised April 11, 2024

We’re sacramental. God’s grace overflows in the most ordinary liturgical practices of word, prayer, and sacrament together. That’s where God shows up for us. We’re a supernatural place.

We’re diverse. We’re such a varied tapestry of age, culture, ethnicity, theology, education, vocation, and politics – we’re sure our unity must be a miracle. We love it!  Only unity in Jesus’ love could explain this place.

We’re focused. We prioritize what’s important, and don’t allow minor and smaller issues any emphasis. Jesus and the cross are the main thing. Keeping that the main thing is the main thing. We’re Jesus’ place.

We’re a home. You can expect to be warmly greeted when visiting, but that’s just the start of a “life on life” discipleship. We experience growth and transformation through spiritual intimacy. We’re a living place.

We’re a haven. We are a community of refuge in the modern city, where you can hide from being manipulated and commodified. Metrics aren’t a part of how we measure success. We’re a safe place.

We’re a hospital. Spiritual, emotional, and physical wholeness is the desire of our age, despite the destruction and damage all around us. We’re prepared for triage on the modern soul, seeking renewal and rebirth by the Spirit. We’re a healing place.

Some ways that we might be described:

• Personal, not programmatic
• Family, not institution 
• Seeking to come and give, not coming to get
• Freedom, not control
• All serving each other, not top down
• Spirituality, not religion
• Casual, not formal
• Tired, but expectant
• Generous, not stingy
• Affectionate, not aloof

Our Staff