If you are looking for a church or just exploring the Christian faith, we would love to have you join us on a Sunday morning. Here are a few COMMON QUESTIONS about what to expect when visiting for the first time.
When do you meet?
Sunday morning: We hold two morning worship services, one starting at 9:00 AM and the second at 10:30 AM in our main Worship Center. Sunday School classes are also available for all ages.
Sunday night: Breakthrough Student Ministry for 9th-12th grade runs from 5:30-7:30 PM.
Wednesday night: Wednesday night from 6:30 to 8:15 PM is our Family Night Ministry at Berean. We have AWANA for kids age 3 through 5th grade, and Ignite Student Ministry for 6th-8th grade.
What do you believe?
What are your services like?
We sing a blend of contemporary worship songs, traditional hymns, gospel songs and praise choruses accompanied by a wide range of musical instruments. The service may also include Scripture reading and various kinds of instrumental and vocal special music offerings. Because the Bible is the very Word of God, we place a high value on the preaching of Scripture. That’s why you will hear a timely and relevant biblical sermon designed to equip hearers to know and serve God better.
What do you do during the services?
During the service we’ll spend our time praying, singing, reading Scripture, and hearing a message from Scripture. Some Sundays we’ll celebrate the Lord’s Supper (Communion) or rejoice as new followers of Jesus are baptized. Simple instructions are provided along the way to help you know when to do things like stand or sit.
How do I get to Berean?
We are located off US Highway 131 and Centre Ave in Portage.
What should I wear?
You can wear whatever you would like. God is far more interested in our hearts than our appearance. That is why we invite people to wear whatever they are comfortable worshipping in. For some that might be a coat and tie; for others it might be jeans.
What Bible translation do you use?
At Berean, we preach from the English Standard Version (ESV).
What is available for my kids/teens?
Infant & Toddler: Nurseries are available for Sunday morning. Nursery is also available on Wednesday evenings for the children of Wednesday Family Night program workers.
2 years through Kindergarten: Children’s Church is available during Sunday morning services.
1st through 5th grade: Children’s Church is available during Sunday morning services.
K-5th grade: AWANA meets on Wednesday nights.
Middle School: Ignite meets on Wednesday nights.
High School: Breakthrough meets on Sunday nights.
All ages: Sunday School each week at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM.
How do you handle safety and security?
Berean cares about the well-being and safety of all who attend services and participate in other activities here. For that reason, we have a team of trained medical professionals ready to respond to various medical situations and emergencies which might occur, as well as a trained security team that can provide timely and effective responses to any safety and/or security matter on site. The security team monitors the premises for suspicious activities, persons, or other situations that may need to be addressed, and they are equipped to handle these in an appropriate and timely manner. Additionally, our children’s ministry areas are monitored and parents are required to securely check-in and check-out children during our regular activities.
How do I connect with others?
There are many ways to get connected with others at Berean. Coffee & juice are served each Sunday between morning service hours in the Fellowship Hall. This is a great place to meet new people. We would also like to invite you to Pizza with the Pastors, an informal time that happens quarterly after the morning service, to sit down to eat and get to know our pastors and their wives. Sunday School classes are groups of people that meet weekly at church to study the Bible, pray, and encourage one another.
Who is on your staff?
Additional questions
Do you have a question that we didn’t answer? Contact us!