Ventura police said the boy was approached by the man in the parking lot of the Coastline Bible Church in the 400 block of Mills Road at about 6:20 p.m.
The boy managed to push the man away and run to a friend's home, where he called his parents, according to Ventura police.
They say the man has red hair and appeared to be in his 40's. He was wearing a green flannel shirt and black pants, and was driving a gray older model Honda four-door sedan.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Ventura Police Department Detectives at (805) 339-4488.