My name is CG Coats and my wife and I have been attending Calvary for the past 3 years. We love…read morethis American Baptist church a lot, so much that I decided to start working there as the Youth and College Pastor here. We hope you can join us in our many activities you can find here: www.calvarynewark.org We have a blended contemporary/traditional worship service at 10:30 am on Sundays with Sunday school before hand at 9:15 am for all ages! We have free childcare during our services as well. We also have tons of activities like a rocking contemporary worship service on the first Sunday night of every month (6-7 pm) with a FREE dinner afterward. We have youth group for 6-12th graders on most Sundays 4-6 pm and every Wed. 6-8 (with a free dinner as well). We have a young adult/college Bible Study group that meets twice a month for fun events and Bible Studies usually on Sundays 12-2 pm (with a free lunch, can you sense the pattern?). We have many other activities to offer like small groups for various ages on Wednesday nights 6-8 pm, and other fun things. Come check us out!

Calvary is the warmest church I've ever walked into. The loving and welcoming environment is beyond…read morecompare and the programs for all ages are top notch

As someone who has served with The Journey for a good amount of time, I'm leaving this review to…read moreshare concerns about discipleship, leadership, and finances. The people are often friendly and the gatherings are welcoming, but my concerns became apparent when I looked beyond that atmosphere. In my experience, weekend gatherings are heavily oriented toward being relevant and experientual to unbelievers and newcomers rather than deeper corporate discipleship of believers. Outreach is biblical, and unbelievers should be welcomed, but I question the balance. Scripture describes the gathered church as a place where believers are taught, encouraged, equipped, and built up in the faith. There is also no communion practiced in the main gatherings. I understand the church points to small groups as a place where communion can take place, but that raises questions when those groups can include unbelievers and be led by people with varying levels of biblical understanding. It also means access to communion can depend on whether someone is able to join a small group and whether that particular group practices it. Leaders receive training to lead groups, but I question the level of theological oversight and correct doctrine accountability when so much spiritual formation happens in decentralized groups. I also have concerns about pastoral leadership. The church has three locations, yet preaching is highly centralized around one primary pastor and broadcast across locations. Other leaders may have pastoral titles, but they do not regularly provide the primary teaching at those locations. I found it difficult to understand the elder structure and accountability surrounding senior leadership. Anothert concern is the $18 million BEYOND campaign. The campaign encourages families to consider "stored resources," including savings, real estate, personal possessions, and retirement accounts, and offers assistance facilitating gifts of property and stock. I am not claiming anyone is forced to give. I believe God may lead people to give sacrificially. My concern is whether equal emphasis is placed on biblical stewardship, providing for one's household, and planning wisely. Of the $18 million, 10% is designated for compassion efforts such as outreach and food distribution. Serving the broader community is valuable, but Scripture also calls us to provide for our households (1 Timothy 5:8). Be cautious and stay grounded in Scripture. Jesus warned against placing burdens on people that God has not placed on them, and He says, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Giving and serving should flow from faith and grace, not become measures of whether we are faithful enough. The church is also called to uphold sound doctrine, teach Scripture faithfully, and guard against error. Christ has already accomplished our salvation on the cross. Test everything against God's Word, pray for wisdom, and hold fast to what is true. If Jesus said, "Feed my sheep," should the gathered church primarily be shaped around those outside the faith, or around building up Christ's sheep while welcoming those who are seeking Him? Life is hard, and we carry real burdens. When we gather, I want to know more of the God I serve, who He is, what He has said, and how He calls us to live. I do not need five steps to improve my circumstances or my relationships. I want to leave focused on Christ, not myself.

My went to the Palm Sunday service. He was not happy about it at all. He said all the did was…read moretalk about and how much they wanted to raise for the new building. He said he will never get back there again because it should've been about Palm Sunday

Terrific church! Folks are friendly and welcoming. Call first, hours may vary. Services are Hybrid…read more LGBTQ+ friendly. Diverse. Building is accessible, sight & hearing assistance/supports available. Childcare available. Meditation, yoga, gaming nights and other events take place on a regular basis. Please contact the church office for more info.

As a child, I would attend a local Unity Church with my family. My parents wanted me to follow a…read morespiritual path that believed in equality and acceptance for all people. I will not attend any place of worship that does not accept everyone or bashes other religions. That is the reason; I decided to attend the Unitarian Universalist church. They are a very open-minded church that welcomes everyone. Honestly, I have not attended any Sunday services in over a decade. I know I am not the church goer type. My religion is compassion and kindness; however, I would like to attend a place with people that share my similar thoughts and values about the world and life. Today I arrived here and a gentleman in the front greeted me and handed me a pamphlet. A very nice couple also greeted me and invited me to sit with them and their family. I appreciated the very kind gesture. The church members are very nice people. During the service they invited people to share their current life situations and light a candle. I think it was very nice to see people so open. They had a guest speaker, I enjoyed listening to him. In addition, they sang many songs. Please forgive me for saying, but I was bored by the songs. Yes, the songs had a beautiful message however; the music was boring and outdated. Young people want to hear a beat to keep them awake. They have children and teenagers members but most of the members are experienced people. I love older people because of their knowledge and wisdom. I feel in order to keep these members through adulthood they need to be more current. It is a great place for a young adult to be part of because they are involved in social justice and humanitarian efforts. I think what they are doing is wonderful; however, I would like to see more young adults and diversity of races.

We are from out of town and wanted to go to Church this Sunday to a Bible believing church and we…read morewere not disappointed. Pastor had a great Mother's Day message. Thank you!

Solid church with strong leadership and really good involvement from every member who attends and…read moreparticipates in small groups. The Word is preached without apology. Several discipleship classes are offered throughout the head. Strong Christian community as it was intended.

I started attending LOCC almost 10years ago and in that time my whole family has been water…read morebaptized together at the same time. I also have got to witness my only brother re-dedicate his life back to Christ and get baptized again. Our new Pastors, Pastor kirk and Shianne Pearson's our absolutely two of the most spirit lead caring/loving individuals I have ever met. They truly live & have the love of Christ in their hearts. They took over as the new Pastors in 2022 when our old existing Pastors Steven and Barbra Harvell retired. I love this Church!!! God made no mistake when he sent us our new leaders. There has been an amazing number of men, women, young adults, teens, family's giving their life to God each week. There is a spiritual powerful connection being apart of this church. I can not even being to explain the blessings, opportunities for my business and miracles that have happened with myself, family and members connected to the body of christ here at LOCC. This is my home and these our my Pastors. I pray every body gets to experience the love of christ, because the moment you walk through those doors, you feel it!

Warm and inviting atmosphere. Soul stirring worship. Excellent Children's Ministry. Something for…read morethe whole family. Great people, great church!

Church was amazing, good sermon, music peeps. It was about battling addiction, and the pastor…read moreadmitted to being addicted to ice cream. There are the typical addictions "Shopping, working, gambling, smoking, drinking, food Internet (i.e. FB) etc. BUT... Now there is a new category" "Nomophobia" Addicted to your smart phone! Yes I definitely fall into that category. Probably would have to do an intervention for me "walk away from your phone.. it's ok.. we love you and are here for you... Totally addicted to it! If you like causal, contemporary, non denominational churches its a must try! They have the fundamental beliefs in Christianity well worth it!

A very family friendly church that teaches and preaches from the Word of God. Great worship and…read morefriendly people. I love this church!

This is a great church, very down to earth and every one is so friendly! They have activity groups…read morefor children of all ages, my kids love it there!

faith community church was excellent for my first visit there today! the book of (daniel ch9, vs…read more20-26) was shared with the congregation today and was wonderfully recieved. thank you pastor john roseti! i look forward to next sunday's message with daniel ch. 9 vs. 27 with assistant pastor john desiderio!

Used to go to Moms of Preschoolers in 1997. My children attended AWNA. My oldest and I just chatted…read moreabout going here. Scripture verses. Lending library. Gym.

A truly wonderful church to hear the Truth and connect with christian neighbors who can become your…read morefriends.

We stopped in to this church to visit our niece and her family today (Sunday, 2015-05-03). It took…read morejust a few minutes to find it at 444 creamery way, but the awning helped us find it. The congregation is vibrant: there are people engaged of all ages in worship, the worship leadership, and also in Sunday school afterwards. It was encouraging to see people going in with bibles in their hands and the emphasis on scripture in the service. The people were all very welcoming and made us feel at home for our first visit. We're sure to stop in again if we're ever in the area!