My family and I have really enjoying attending bayside church! From the moment you walk in to walking out you feel welcomed. The kids ministry has been wonderful for my grandchildren. If you're looking for a church to build relationships and grow spiritually - bayside is the church! read more

You will be amazed by the friendly staff and regular folk visiting a great church environment.

Unfortunately Bayside is a fairly run of the mill non-denominational church as a business style organization. In a culture that needs biblical truth more each year, this church does not much more than pander to the same culture that Christ says will hate Him. Below are a few notes for someone who is critically thinking about which church they should attend. Sermons - With the exception of one campus pastor, each sermon I have heard at the different campuses, as well as Randy's sermons are theologically shallow and provide little past emotional quips and jokes. I have personally heard parts of sermons that are blatantly plagiarized from other pastors around the country as well. They stream Randy most weeks to all campuses and it seems his love for the spotlight is the central focus of most sermons. I have heard him attempt to share the gospel during an altar call without mentioning sin once which says a lot about the maturity of the message being given. If your gospel is only about the therapeutic feel good aspects of Jesus loving you and taking away shame while failing to mention the sin that separates us and makes Jesus necessary for salvation, then you will leave people with an anemic and unbiblical view of themselves and Christ. A couple other examples of some of the preaching atrocities I have heard are: I have heard a pastor call Rahab "a hoe" during a sermon, Charlotte Gamble preaching some of the most unorthodox, nonsensical sermons ever to be spoken, I could go on. Culture - Bayside has some very loving people in their congregation but since the church is structured in the way that it is, there is very little connection between the community and its pastors if you are not within the inner circle. They use their objectively commercial success on social media and in congregation size as a justification that what they are doing is right when actually it seems this church and many in the community follow the same marketing/investment techniques to get as many butts in seats as possible. The worship centers on spectacle over truth. There is also a very unspoken but noticeable culture around the staff and the broader more connected people in the church that shames or dismisses any criticism or desire for growth in the organization. I have personally heard of Randy mocking a fellow staff members, volunteers being overworked, and people who bring anything up about it are quickly pushed to lower influence positions or outright relegated to not serving in any meaningful capacity. The culture emphasizes spectacle and emotional highs over the truth of God's word. Their budget for "At the movies" is higher than both their easter and Christmas services. Very telling for how little respect for any type of orthdoxy this church has. Closing Thoughts - Overall I would avoid this church if you are looking to grow in faith and not just be entertained. I personally think it is only a matter of time before this church becomes the center of some scandal and hope that God can turn it around before people get hurt. read more

I'm visiting for a few weeks from up north and went with friends to Bayside. I LOVED it and will definitely be attending for the length of time I'm down here. The music was wonderful as was the sermon by Pastor Murphy. Can't wait to go back next week! read more

I went to the Christmas Eve Service at Bayside Community Church and it blew away my expectations. Well-deserved five stars. My family and I felt welcomed at this church even though we are just visiting Bradenton for the holidays. They provided hot chocolate, tea, cookies and candles for everyone. Everyone was so friendly and warm! They wanted to make all the guests feel included. The decor inside was beautiful and the actual Christmas Eve performance was spectacular. I was impressed by the sheer talent of some of the singers and musicians as well as the production involved.. The church even included well made videos and original Christian Christmas songs. I really enjoyed the sermon Pastor Bezet delivered since he is an excellent story teller. The candle lighting at the end was my favorite part. I can't recommend this church enough! We will definitely be coming back in the future :) read more

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Although huge, this church strives to accommodate and reach all walks of life. To teach people of the Love of Jesus Christ. Bible base church. They provide childcare of all ages. The volunteers are a blessing. They have several campuses. I prefer the east Bradenton campus bc of the live message is preach there. They have lobby seating and private room seating to watch the message. They even have a nursing room that accommodates about 5-6 nursing mothers. Come as you are to receive the Word of God. read more

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Excellent sermons, Bible based with real application to daily life. Wonderful small groups, and youth programs. read more

By far the most loving and caring Church I've ever attended. When they say welcome home, the truly mean it. To hear them say this and then say if you don't feel this is home to you, please let us help llp read more

I used to play piano for the middle and high school sermons with the worship team at Bayside. I took a not so voluntary leave to work on my mental health issues and when my family and I came back, we were practically shunned away and I couldn't play piano for them anymore. Now for me, performing music is one of the things that keeps me going, so them shutting us out and talking to my parents as if it was my fault was the final straw in my realizing they are nothing but a money hungry organization, not a church. For reference I had been playing keys for the worship team for 2-3 years and that meant nothing to them. At least the sermons are okay, but the administration is not as understanding and forgiving as they show themselves to be. read more

I wonder why their head pastor has such a hard time in his "apology you tube video "just simply confessing the sins of the church,get in his knees and pray Outlook for forgiveness in front of the camera,to Jesus and Yaweh.I also wonder why he intimates a political comment at the end of this rant about "our country being divided "when he should know bible scripture, "in the end times,mother will be against daughter,son against father, "ect.in Revelations,many wars and other signs before Jesus returns.He simply makes a comment about our country being divided and ended the rant.what happened to asking for God's forgiveness??humbling yourself as Jesus did by submitting to death by crucifixion!!This pastor just couldn't do it even though his church suffers with online scrutiny. I will pray for him that he finds God and relearn the scripture especially the New Testament, focusing on Jesus's words and the prophesy in Revelations. read more

This is the most friendly church I've been to in a very long time. It does not feel like a forced or fake friendly either. We met the main Pastor, Pastor Randy one morning and that evening we went to a special class that night. He had remembered mine and my husbands name... Which was amazing to both of us considering his congregation has thousands of people in it. The very first morning that we went to that church we knew that was the church God wanted us at. We've only been members there a few short weeks however it feels like family already. And it's obvious that the pastor and his wife care deeply for the members at the church. I also love how the other church members treat each other. While it's important to remember most of the people there are Christian saved by God's grace, we are all still humans and mess up once in a while. It seems as though everybody there has that mentality as I have not seen any type of clicks or special groups leaving people out. If you want to be involved in this church it's easy to become involved. There are several small groups to involve yourself with throughout the week. If you like fishing there is a small group for fishing. If you like running there is a small group for running. If you like coffee there's even a small group for that. During small groups you enjoy activities as well as build Christian relationships. You are able to pray for one another and also involve yourself in devotionals if you'd like. If you are hesitant about trying out Bayside I would say don't be... It's very down to earth. You can come as you are and you won't be judged. If you don't have any friends who attend there and you don't want to go by yourself just leave me a note and I'd be glad to meet you at the door. :) read more

Bayside Community Church - Lakewood Ranch Campus - Amazing praise and worship team! - Churches Near Me - Bradenton, Florida

Seemed like a great church while I was serving in there childrens ministry and while my family tithed thousands of dollars to them. As long as we were benefiting them. When it came down to reaching out for help from my church is when I saw the true colors of the church and how it is a business. I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning situation involving Bayside Church, as a long standing member of their congregation. As a dedicated member of Bayside Church for the past five years, I have faithfully contributed my time, talents, and what financial support I can as a single mother of 4 to the church community. Recently, I found myself in need of assistance with my security deposit for a new rental property. When I approached Bayside Church for help, they initially agreed to assist me after a lengthy application and (even though I didn't check off enough of there boxes) by sending a check directly to my landlord, providing the landlord's address themselves. However, just four days later, they rescinded their offer of help, stating that they could not assist me because the security deposit might go to me if I were to move. In addition to retracting their offer of assistance, Bayside Church accused me of not tithing enough and claimed that I did not meet their criteria for receiving help. This is deeply troubling, as I have faithfully given my time and talents to the church's children's ministry, following the teachings of the Bible. Despite my family contributing over $30,000 annually to the church, we are being denied help in our time of need. This behavior by Bayside Church is in direct contradiction to the principles of compassion, generosity, and support for those in need that are espoused in the Bible. As stated in 1 John 3:17-18: "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." However, their actions in retracting promised assistance and accusing me of insufficient tithing demonstrate a troubling focus on financial gain rather than fulfilling their duty to support those in need within their congregation. Furthermore, the actions of Bayside Church are not aligned with the spirit of community and care that should guide a church's interactions with its members. Despite already receiving $1.2 million this year for kingdom-building efforts that are intended to benefit the community, the next generation, and the world, Bayside Church has failed to fulfill its commitment to provide support to a member in need. This behavior is not in line with the teachings of the Bible and constitutes false doctrine. Bayside Church is failing to practice what they preach and is operating more as a business than a Place of worship. read more

Great place to worship! Bible teaching ministry and the worship team is amazing! I am so grateful that the Holy Spirt lead me here.

Great Church, I always leave refreshed and feeling great from the awesome messages they preach. read more

Bayside Community Church - Lakewood Ranch Campus - Churches Near Me - Bradenton, Florida

Amazing Mega Church. The worship service is Amazing. The preaching is always amazing...right on holy spirit filled messages. The children programs are amazing. Brought two junior high grandchildren and they didn't want to go home. God is moving in this church. Can you tell I believe it's amazing. read more

Love everything about Bayside! The pastors, people, music, childrens ministry... I go to the East Bradenton campus.

Nice friendly church and good messages from the bible! I like music too, nice praise and worship!

An incredible church with professional tour level production. Great people and excellent messages. Tons of ways to connect. read more

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My husband and I are SO blessed to have found this church when we moved to Lakewood Ranch last year. From the very first service we felt welcomed--even though we were two of hundreds who attend. The positive, godly energy permeates the people and the pastors and the music and the building itself. God is doing amazing things through His people at Bayside Community Church! There were more than 1,000 volunteers who donated their time and efforts to help the Irma Hurricane victims in the area--not to mention the several teams of volunteers who traveled to Texas to assist the victims there. VOLUNTEERS! Isn't that what our Christian faith is all about? I actually get up every Saturday morning thinking, "Yea! I get to go to church tonight!" Try it--you'll love it! read more

After trying out the church for a month it's definitely not for me. The people who go there are rude PERIOD. Walk in front of you, cut in line, don't speak to you. The volunteers don't smile and look miserable. The pastors material needs serious help. 80% of his message was making jokes and speaking on topics that have little to do with the Bible, Gods Word, with 20% acctually quoting the Bible and trying to tie it into the message he is conveying. This mega church(E Bradenton).... this church... feels like they want to show off their fancy lights, fancy nice interior, Kids classrooms/play area... where's the crosses? No cross in the auditorium...no cross anywhere I could see. They spend way to much time with songs which are so loud my son has to cover his ears the entire time. All I want is to become closer to God and find a church to become my family FOR my growing family. I do not recommend this church. read more

This is an awful place to live next to. They turn the bass up so loud it shakes our house. Sleeping in on sunday morning past 7:30am? Nope :( read more

Snow bird delight. Young and vibrant congregation, sincere and friendly people. Highly recommend

I attended Bayside for several years and I still go on occasion. The staff, volunteers and pastors are great. The children's ministry area is the best, the way it's designed appeals to kids very weill. The music is my favorite part of the whole experience. Granted I think the lead pastor, Pastor Randy, he gets all of his sermons from a McSermon website or something because I can listen to a sermon he did and then go home and listen to the same exact sermon on tv at another church on the other side of the country. While the messages are good, they are a bit generic. While I think some of their beliefs are a bit extreme (such as men and women can't be alone in a room together except family members or married couples or the door has to at least be open), they have a very appealing atmosphere and they are very welcoming. I think that their 24/7 program is extreme and has a very cult-ish aspect to it. It's ridiculous how the entire front row is reserved strictly for pastors, staff and the 24/7 program. While I understand the lead pastor or whoever is speaking that weekend having a reserved spot so he or she can get on stage quickly without having to think about finding a spot. I don't think it's necessary for the "students" to have reserved seating. They should be intermingled with the congregation. Not be held on some sort of soap box. If anything, they should have reserved seating in the back row. I know that the church wants to "encourage" the congregation with the way the 24/7 students worship because they jump around, dance and raise their arms like there is no tomorrow but I know most people find that distracting and don't worship like that. That's one of my many complaints with the church, which is why I gave it 4 stars. I would have given it 3 but I've had many positive experiences there despite all the negative I have had with them. The facilities are only a couple years old and very clean. The children's ministry is awesome, the middle school program (6th-8th grade) is awesome and the high school program is awesome. read more

Wonderfully amazing non denominational church! From my first time, I've always been made to feel welcome, and important. No religious dogma taught here, only direct truth straight from the Bible! You'll enjoy a few laughs here and there as well. I would recommend this church to anyone! I Bayside Community Church EBC! read more

This church is one you must try. The pastors are some of the sweetest people on the planet and very genuine. When Pastor Randy preaches, you'd think he was your best friend for life because he's so warm and personable. As a matter of fact, every person on their team is that way. He's a great communicator and a great lover of people. Perfect combo. read more

beautiful church filled with beautiful souls. this church has so much to offer and so many resources including areas for the kids to enjoy and praise the lord , cafes , the main worship auditorium , daycare for babies , teen lounge & so much more ! i felt very welcomed & taken care of being a first time visitor and recommend this church to anyone who is looking for a place of worship. enjoy ! read more

This church has it going on! We just moved here and from the moment we walked in Bayside the whole family knew it was where we were meant to be. Our 3 kids (ages 12, 9, and 7 at the time) were beyond excited talking about how they couldn't wait to come back the following Sunday. The services are powerful, funny and the music gives me goose bumps! The 10:30 service is the most crowded so if you want to avoid that go to the 9am service... much more room to move around at the 9am. read more

I have gone to Bayside for around 6 years and i am IN LOVE. they have a great welcoming atmosphere and everyone is so nice and open it's a home away from home for me. The sermons are always fantastic and really get you going, the lead pastor (pastor Randy) always includes jokes to just keep it going with a lively feel. Great for children and is just a amazing place to be. read more