Meet Abe Camacho | Pastor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Abe Camacho and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Abe, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The journey to starting Local began during one of the most challenging times—the pandemic. My wife, Crystal, and I had just transitioned from a church where we had served for 15 years. As we looked around, we realized how disconnected and confused people felt. We had experienced the power of community within the church, but we were struggling to find a place that truly felt like home, a community built with us in mind.

San Diego has some incredible churches, no doubt, but none seemed to resonate with where we were at or what we were looking for. That got us thinking—if we were feeling this way, maybe others were too. We believe that people are eager to connect with God, but sometimes the church isn’t as open to connecting with them.

So, we did something about it. We gathered five of our closest friends around our dinner table and launched what is now, three years later, a vibrant church community of over 400 people across two locations, speaking two languages. It’s been an incredible journey of building a church that’s not just for us, but for anyone looking for a place to belong.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Local Church was created with a singular vision: to build a home for the people of San Diego. And when we say “home,” we mean a place for their souls—a space where they can be authentically themselves. We’ve seen people walk in as strangers and leave as friends. In a world where we’re more connected than ever through social media but often disconnected in real life, there’s nothing more refreshing than being surrounded by others who are on the same journey—people who make you feel seen, known, and loved.

One of the greatest joys for us is hearing that when people talk about our community, it’s not the production or the preaching that made the biggest impact—it’s the people. It’s the heart of hospitality they experienced when they visited. That’s what makes Local truly special.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
It cracks me up every time a friend visits San Diego because the first thing I do is play tour guide, taking them to all the iconic spots that remind me why this city is called “America’s Finest.” But once we’ve hit the sights, there are a few must-visit places on my list. Coffee at Provecho is non-negotiable—the coffee, culture, and crew there are world-class. After that, if you’ve got a reservation or know the right person at the door, breakfast at Morning Glory is a vibe.

For lunch, it’s gotta be tacos al pastor. Now, which taco shop is the best? Honestly, that changes for me weekly, so I won’t start a debate here—I know how passionate the San Diego community is about their tacos. By now, you can tell I’m a bit of a foodie. For me, fun is all about good food with great friends. And to wrap up the day, just pick any spot by Consortium Holdings—they nail it every time with the aesthetics and atmosphere. That’s my idea of a perfect day in the city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I firmly believe in the saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together.” Starting something new takes courage, and honestly, even pastors can sometimes find themselves lacking in that department. But deep down, when you have a vision burning inside you, you know it’s something you’re called to do, even when it feels daunting.

For us, Pastors Chad and Julia Veach from Zoe LA have been that source of courage from day one. The way they live, love, and lead as a family has been a model for us, showing that it’s possible to build something impactful for the city without sacrificing what matters most—your family. Their example has been a guiding light, reminding us that we can create something beautiful while staying true to our core values.

Website: abecamacho.org and localchurchsd.com

Instagram: @abecamacho and @localchurchsd

Youtube: localchurchsd