Visiting a church for the first time can be a little bit uncomfortable. You may have lots of questions: What time should I arrive?
What should I wear? What is there for my kids to do? Will I get singled out and embarrassed? (No, you won't.)
Here are answers to the questions people often ask:
Where are you located?
We are at 2323 Mt. Vernon Avenue, at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Bernard Street in East Bakersfield, California. We are just south of Home Depot. We are also the home of Heritage Christian Schools, so you might see that sign first when you enter our driveway from Bernard Street. You can also drive into our parking lot from Mt. Vernon Avenue which is closer to our offices and the church building proper. We meet for services in the Auditorium which is on the west side of our property, near the big water tanks.
What time does your church's worship service start?
WORSHIP CELEBRATION is at 10:30 AM. We gather to fellowship, enjoy worship in song to the Lord, and learn from a scripture-based sermon or lesson. Several of our Life Groups meet on Sundays at 9:00 AM for Bible study and fellowship. In addition there is a 15 minute break time at 10:15 where you can grab a cup of coffee or a snack and mingle a little bit. You are welcome to join us at this informal visit time.
Will I have to stand up and be recognized as a visitor?
We want to welcome you for sure, but we don't want to embarrass visitors by singling you out in our worship service. You won't be asked to stand and introduce yourself. But we try to make sure no one feels unnoticed so someone will probably say hello, and welcome you before or after the services. And we don't ask you to put money in the offering basket. You are our guest and we simply want to know you.
What can I expect at your worship service?
The focal point of the service is a practical Bible message, surrounded by music and additional teaching moments and testimonies. During the music portion of the service it’s not uncommon for some folks to raise hands in response to songs. We typically enjoy a sermon, or lesson, by our pastor or a guest speaker. We have a schedule to follow on Sunday mornings but we are open to the Holy Spirit's leading and also sensitive to your time expectations. You can anticipate the service to last until 12 PM. at 10:15 AM, join us in the Social Hall for coffee or juice and light snacks and to meet new friends, find the restroom, or discover where a Life Group is meeting that you might connect with.
What do I wear to your church?
We are pretty casual here. Some women will wear a dress and some men will wear slacks and shirt. But many of the people here wear shorts or jeans and a t-shirt, and that's just fine too. The Pastor dresses pretty casually, and he wants you to feel free to dress comfortably too.
What is there for my kids to do?
What else is there to do at HBC?
We’re glad you asked! Sunday nights are when our high school students meet for ROCK high school group. On Wednesday nights there are activities for all ages: Youth group for junior high students, AWANA Club for children age 3 through 6th grade, nursery for little ones and Women's Bible study or Prayer Meeting. In addition, occasional special classes offered like Financial Peace University.
We also warmly encourage you to join a Life Group that might meet on Wednesday or Sunday or another time. Life Groups are small groups of people who meet to study God's word, encourage each other, grow in friendship and serve together in our community. Life Groups take many forms and are the core of who we are as a body of believers.Your life group may be your Bible study group on Wednesday evening, or one that meets on Sunday mornings. Life Groups are your opportunity to belong, grow, and serve.
What kind of church is HBC?
Heritage Bible Church is a church that teaches from God’s word. We believe that the Bible is God’s letters to us, and it can be trusted implicitly. HBC is affiliated with the US Mennonite Brethren Church. We are a part of the Pacific District Conference of MB Churches.
Do I have to become/be Mennonite to participate at HBC?
We are not here to lead people to being Mennonite, we are here to lead people to Jesus, and help them learn to have a relationship with Him.
What is a Mennonite anyway?
Here is a little bit more of our story.
Isn't a Mennonite person like the Amish people?
We have some parallel history if you go back far enough, but we do not share the lifestyle traditions of the Amish. You wouldn't notice us on the street because of our dress or appearance. We do not drive horse drawn buggies. But we do love the Lord Jesus Christ, and if you see someone from HBC at the grocery store or on the street, we hope you will get a warm smile and friendly greeting. That's the most important thing we share in common: a love for the Lord, and a love for people (that's you!).
The Bottom Line?
Connecting the disconnected to Jesus and His family. That is what we are about.
We are at 2323 Mt. Vernon Avenue, at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Bernard Street in East Bakersfield, California. We are just south of Home Depot. We are also the home of Heritage Christian Schools, so you might see that sign first when you enter our driveway from Bernard Street. You can also drive into our parking lot from Mt. Vernon Avenue which is closer to our offices and the church building proper. We meet for services in the Auditorium which is on the west side of our property, near the big water tanks.
What time does your church's worship service start?
WORSHIP CELEBRATION is at 10:30 AM. We gather to fellowship, enjoy worship in song to the Lord, and learn from a scripture-based sermon or lesson. Several of our Life Groups meet on Sundays at 9:00 AM for Bible study and fellowship. In addition there is a 15 minute break time at 10:15 where you can grab a cup of coffee or a snack and mingle a little bit. You are welcome to join us at this informal visit time.
Will I have to stand up and be recognized as a visitor?
We want to welcome you for sure, but we don't want to embarrass visitors by singling you out in our worship service. You won't be asked to stand and introduce yourself. But we try to make sure no one feels unnoticed so someone will probably say hello, and welcome you before or after the services. And we don't ask you to put money in the offering basket. You are our guest and we simply want to know you.
What can I expect at your worship service?
The focal point of the service is a practical Bible message, surrounded by music and additional teaching moments and testimonies. During the music portion of the service it’s not uncommon for some folks to raise hands in response to songs. We typically enjoy a sermon, or lesson, by our pastor or a guest speaker. We have a schedule to follow on Sunday mornings but we are open to the Holy Spirit's leading and also sensitive to your time expectations. You can anticipate the service to last until 12 PM. at 10:15 AM, join us in the Social Hall for coffee or juice and light snacks and to meet new friends, find the restroom, or discover where a Life Group is meeting that you might connect with.
What do I wear to your church?
We are pretty casual here. Some women will wear a dress and some men will wear slacks and shirt. But many of the people here wear shorts or jeans and a t-shirt, and that's just fine too. The Pastor dresses pretty casually, and he wants you to feel free to dress comfortably too.
What is there for my kids to do?
- Kids are welcome in the worship service or they are invited to come to HQ. For more information regarding our Sunday Morning Children’s Ministry, click Kids and Youth.
- Older youth can attend Bible study and fellowship in the Youth Room under the Administration Building at the east end of the campus at 9:00 AM, and join their parents in the worship service at 10:30 AM.
- The Nursery and toddler care are available on Sunday mornings. Look for the Nursery just outside of the east entrance door onto the courtyard. We care prayerfully and lovingly for your children. We will page or text you if your presence is required for your child's needs.
- Also, there is a Mother's Room just inside the church foyer, adjacent to the east foyer entrance. We reserve this room for moms and infants. Moms can watch the service on a live feed TV in this room, so they won't miss anything if its time to nurse, comfort a crying child, or change a diaper.
What else is there to do at HBC?
We’re glad you asked! Sunday nights are when our high school students meet for ROCK high school group. On Wednesday nights there are activities for all ages: Youth group for junior high students, AWANA Club for children age 3 through 6th grade, nursery for little ones and Women's Bible study or Prayer Meeting. In addition, occasional special classes offered like Financial Peace University.
We also warmly encourage you to join a Life Group that might meet on Wednesday or Sunday or another time. Life Groups are small groups of people who meet to study God's word, encourage each other, grow in friendship and serve together in our community. Life Groups take many forms and are the core of who we are as a body of believers.Your life group may be your Bible study group on Wednesday evening, or one that meets on Sunday mornings. Life Groups are your opportunity to belong, grow, and serve.
What kind of church is HBC?
Heritage Bible Church is a church that teaches from God’s word. We believe that the Bible is God’s letters to us, and it can be trusted implicitly. HBC is affiliated with the US Mennonite Brethren Church. We are a part of the Pacific District Conference of MB Churches.
Do I have to become/be Mennonite to participate at HBC?
We are not here to lead people to being Mennonite, we are here to lead people to Jesus, and help them learn to have a relationship with Him.
What is a Mennonite anyway?
Here is a little bit more of our story.
Isn't a Mennonite person like the Amish people?
We have some parallel history if you go back far enough, but we do not share the lifestyle traditions of the Amish. You wouldn't notice us on the street because of our dress or appearance. We do not drive horse drawn buggies. But we do love the Lord Jesus Christ, and if you see someone from HBC at the grocery store or on the street, we hope you will get a warm smile and friendly greeting. That's the most important thing we share in common: a love for the Lord, and a love for people (that's you!).
The Bottom Line?
Connecting the disconnected to Jesus and His family. That is what we are about.