Which service should I attend?

You are welcome to attend any of our services and activities, but our Sunday morning worship service at 10:30 presents the most complete picture of what our church is all about. On Wednesday nights, we focus on primarily on prayer. People who are unable to attend the prayer service in person may call in to a free conference number (618-248-0208) and share requests and pray with those attending in person. From time to time, we begin Bible studies on Wednesday nights also.

Where do I go first?

We are currently a small church, one where you won’t get lost in the crowd. Our people are friendly and like to greet guests before and after the service so plan to come a bit early or stay a few minutes afterward so we can shake your hand and introduce ourselves. You’ll find a comfortable place in the foyer or fellowship hall to enjoy coffee and light refreshments as we get acquainted before the service, and you can meet our children’s workers at that time. During the service, we won’t single you out in anyway, and we believe you’ll find our folks are genuinely cordial but not pushy. Please fill out a welcome (connection) card while you’re here so we can inform you of future events. Most Sundays, we’ll offer you a small gift as a token of our appreciation for your visit.

We think prayer is very important, and the prayer team that meets every Friday morning will be glad to add your concerns to our prayer list. With this in mind, we provide prayer cards and a box in the foyer for your confidential requests.

What will the service be like?

We love music–all kinds of music, and our worship services reflect a variety of musical styles. We don’t claim to be professional musicians but we work hard to prepare worship music that draws our attention to God and not ourselves. We sing a mix of newer and older songs, contemporary, southern gospel, classic hymns, and even a little country. Worship is not about performance but participation and we encourage you to sing along. The words are on the screen, the worship team will guide us through the first part of the service. We usually repeat less familiar songs so that the congregation learn to “praise the Lord with a new song” (as the Bible tells us to). About half of the time we have together on Sunday mornings is devoted to corporate worship (including singing, prayers, Scripture reading, giving).

If you have young children, our children’s ministry includes a volunteer nursery/supervised playroom for infants up to 2-year-olds and a children’s church for Pre-K through 2nd grade students. Young worshipers remain with parents as we worship in song and will exit with children’s ministry workers about halfway through the service. They will continue worship and learning activities in our children’s area near the fellowship hall on the lower level of the building.

In the last half of the service, our pastor will invite us to follow along as he shares a Bible passage God has impressed upon him. If you don’t have a Bible or can’t locate specific passages, you’ll find his text and a brief outline in the program you received at the door. Our pastor doesn’t usually raise his voice or preach with different tone than his normal speech, but many think he’s an interesting story teller and can explain complicated ideas with simplicity. He’s transparent and honest about his own Christian walk and frequently admits that he struggles with some of what the Bible says we should do.

The service usually concludes with a reflective moment, and you may be asked to consider what God might be saying to you. Our altar (the front of the stage) is always open for those who desire to kneel in prayer or have the pastor or someone else pray with them. We do not pressure people to come forward or ma. We’re not about inciting fear, guilt, or shame, but we simply want you to know that God is nearer than you may think. He loves you and wants a life-changing relationship with you.

How long will it last?

The 10:30 Sunday morning worship usually lasts just over an hour, but special services may run a bit longer (rarely more than 90 minutes). If you attend Sunday school (9:30 am), the class will last 45-50 minutes.

Will You Ask for Money?

As our guest, we do not expect you to make a donation. If you would like to give, we have a box in the foyer or in the back of the auditorium to place offerings in. We consider giving to be a spiritual act of worship and if that’s what you feel God wants you to do, that’s between you and Him. We seldom talk about finances because God has always provided just what we need to do the work He’s called us to do in our community. He also commissioned His followers to share the Good News with all the world, and we support North American church planters and international missionaries through regular and special offerings. A tithe (10%) of every undesignated donation to our church goes to outside causes (missionaries, teachers, church planters, etc.).

Should I Take Communion?

About six times each year, we include the practice of communion (also called the Lord’s Supper) in our worship. This is a practice that Christ-followers have been doing together since the night before Jesus was crucified. We invite any true believer regardless of church membership status to prayerfully participate in communion with us.

What other rituals do I need to know?

We’re not a ritualistic church, but we do practice communion and a few other “ordinances” (as Free Will Baptists usually call them). Baptism of new believers by immersion in water, anointing the sick with oil during a fervent time of prayer, and “washing of the saints’ feet” are things we do at appropriate and meaningful times in the life of our church. We believe these “traditions” arise from biblical teachings and help us worship and serve the Lord with all our heart, mind, and strength.

If you would like to know more about what we believe and what we’re trying to do in the community, please check out this information on our website or call the church office. We will be glad to answer your questions or listen to any concern you may have. We would love the opportunity to minister to you and your family.