The Bakersfield Voice

All > Having Faith
Church hopes to draw new members
Topics:
Posted by mmachuca Wed Nov 30, -0001 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 971 times
0 responses 0 comments When Pastor Randy Brewer first opened Joy Community Church, a non-denominational evangelical church, more than a year ago, only a handful showed up for the Sunday morning service.
Since that Sunday in August 2004, the congregation has enjoyed a slow but steady growth. The church now has approximately 50 to 60 active members.
That is good news for Brewer. The church, which was formerly known as Rosedale Praise Center, had been closed down for about a month when he and his wife first took it over, Brewer said, adding that the community has responded well to Joy Community Church and its new name.
Over the years, the church has changed its name, Brewer said, noting that it first opened its doors 40 years ago when the Northwest Bakersfield area was mainly dirt roads and small ranches.
Today, new developments and mega churches built in the area in recent years make it a challenge for small congregations, like Joy Community Church to compete, he said.
“A lot of the bigger churches have programs that we cannot compete with due to budget,” Brewer said, “but what we try to do is - on a personal level - look after the congregation and if anyone calls, we try to give them individual attention.”
Located at 2408 Allen Road, just south of Rosedale Highway, the church was built in 1966.
Since then, it gone through quite a transformation, said Brewer. The original founding pastor was Marvin Bell, who now lives in Texas.
Brewer, who was born in McFarland but raised in Southern California, said he was visiting relatives who live in Northwest Bakersfield when he was approached by church members to take over the church.
“We are trying to instill in our people not just about going to heaven, but that we also need to have a positive Christ-like lifestyle every day,” said Brewer, adding that traditional family morals seem to be going by the wayside.
For instance, profanity has become more acceptable, crimes have increased and the war continues, causing division and other problems, Brewer said.
Brewer said the church is not targeting a particular group of people. Instead, it is open to the entire Northwest Bakersfield community.
He said he and congregation members are not trying to come in and take people from other churches or transfer growth from other churches, either. The pastor said he is looking for people who want to get back in touch with their faith or are looking for a new church.
“We are just trying to establish our name in the area, so, if people have spiritual needs, emotional needs or physical needs, they have a community church where they can come and seek refuge and their spiritual needs met,” he said.
The church’s building, which sits on an acre of land, has a sanctuary with a 125-seating capacity, a full kitchen, fellowship facility and educational classroom.
The church also coordinates holiday events, such as recreating a nativity scene last Christmas. Brewer said the response from the community was so great that they plan to have it every year.
Other activities include Christian singing groups, concerts once every three months, and speakers on a regular basis.
As part of its youth outreach efforts, the church hosted a youth concert with a Christian Rock ’n’ Roll band that performed on a recent Friday night. About 65 teenagers showed up to the event, Brewer said.

Joy Community Church
2408 Allen Road
Services
Sunday Morning Celebration, 10 a.m.
Wednesday Night Bible, 7 p.m.
Friday Night Youth, 7 p.m.
Details: 589-9675

Send to a Friend

Report a Violation