Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

AFMC stands for the Anaheim Free Methodist Church which has been located at 1001 N. Mayflower, Anaheim, California since 1964. AFMC has connection to the Pacific Coast Japanese Conference (PCJC) and to the Free Methodist Church denomination. Please check back and visit the history page of our website to learn about our rich past.

On March 12, 2023 the Superintendent of the Pacific Coast Japanese Conference (PCJC) announced to our congregation that the following would take place, effective the following Sunday, March 19, 2023:

1. Pastor Taka Iguchi would be appointed as our Lead Pastor (due to the resignation of Lead Pastor Kevin Wong)
2. AFMC would become a secondary/satellite location of the Voice Church - effectively being renamed into The Voice Church North OC

As we received additional information after the March 12, 2023 meeting we learned the following would also be taking place as the takeover process was implemented:

1. AFMC non-pastoral staff would be terminated and replaced with Voice staff
2. AFMC's Treasurer would be terminated and our finances would be merged with the Voice finances
3. AFMC's official Board would be replaced with a Board of Voice members

These unexpected actions taken against us have led to severe trauma and devastation for our congregation. Some members have sustained physical and mental ailments due to the stress and anguish this has caused. It has been deeply hurtful and upsetting, leading some members to be hesitant to continue attending church services. Our church members feel as though their church has been stolen and they've been silenced and ignored in their pleas for help from the PCJC and Free Methodist Church denomination, creating a large distrust of these parties. As it has been put, "By installing the Voice church, we (AFMC) have lost our voice and Anaheim Free Methodist Church is no longer free."

The AFMC official Board, Delegates and Congregation were not consulted regarding these changes and had no opportunity to provide input before these decisions were forced upon us. We noted that numerous processes dictated by the Book of Discipline regarding how to approach church mergers were not followed. Due to this we have taken the following actions:

1. File two Letters of Appeal, one to Bishop Matthew Whitehead of the Free Methodist Church of North America and one to the Pacific Coast Japanese Conference. Bishop Whitehead reviewed our Appeal but decided to uphold the PCJC's decisions despite acknowledging proper processes were not followed. The PCJC never responded to our Appeal despite our attempt to follow up.
2. Based on the lack of support and response to our Appeals, and based on our Congregations desire to remain AFMC, the official Board filed a legal lawsuit. (see question below regarding lawsuit)

AFMC reluctantly filed a civil lawsuit to maintain the status quo when PCJC did not stop the takeover by Voice. We also filed suit to ask a court to determine the law that applies to California nonprofit religious corporations. PCJC, Voice and AMFC are all organized under California’s corporations code.

AFMC's immediate goals are to maintain its name of Anaheim Free Methodist Church and continue operating as an independent society (not be merged into the Voice)

You can help support us by:

1. Praying for us! Please pray for God's will over our congregation as we navigate this trying time.
2. Be our Voice! Please send respectful letters of support for us to the following parties: FMCBishops@fmcusa.org and keith@pcjcfm.org.
3. Give to our Legal fund. Please make checks payable to "AFMC" and mail to the address below. Check Memo should contain: "Save AFMC Legal Fund". An online donation method will be available soon.
   Save AFMC
   6230 Irvine Blvd, Unit 455
   Irvine, CA 92620