At 206 Edgewood Drive in Denham Springs, Louisiana, Abundant Life Church is known for four themes: believe, belong, become and bless. Its stated emphasis is hope in the saving grace of Jesus Christ and relationships with other believers. Sunday worship pairs modern music with practical Biblical teaching, while small groups, family ministries and service help people pursue that hope.
A Sunday Service at 10 A.M.
Abundant Life's weekly Sunday service begins at 10 a.m. It combines modern music with practical Biblical teaching, with the aim of helping people have a life-changing encounter with God. Pastor Greg Beatty describes the church as a place for community, purpose and belonging. The service is also livestreamed on YouTube.
A Casual Arrival on Edgewood Drive
Guests arrive at 206 Edgewood Drive, where the Connect Deck sits in the center of the lobby. Friendly faces welcome newcomers, offer a gift and help individuals and families get connected. Parking is available anywhere on the church grounds, and clothing is casual. This easygoing approach is intended to help people feel relaxed and at home when they first arrive.
Believe, Belong, Become and Bless
Believe: God as Someone to Know
God wants people to have a personal relationship with him rather than practice religion at a distance. Sunday teaching is intended to help people know God more deeply. The church frames this personal faith through the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Belong: Small Groups Become Family
At its core, a Small Group is less about what participants do and more about who they do it with. Groups are places to find family and freedom, and anyone can join. A small-group directory helps people find a group that is right for them. People interested in leading can pursue training and share new Small Group ideas.
Become: Next Steps and Purpose
Next Steps meetings help people discover purpose and take a next step in church life. They are designed for new people and those interested in joining a Serve Team, combining learning about the church with meeting staff and finding ways to get involved. The gathering after Sunday service includes lunch in the Celebration Room.
Bless: Gifts Used to Serve
The Serve Team gives people a way to use their God-given gifts by serving the church and local community. Its ministry roles include greeting, children and student care, nursery and preschool work, production, worship, prayer and Small Group leadership.
ALK and 180 for Children Through High School
Abundant Life Kids, or ALK, serves K-5 students on Sunday mornings. Its goal is to create a safe, fun and exciting environment where children learn about the Bible and how Jesus loves them. The ministry wants each Sunday class to become a meaningful part of the child's week.
180 JV is the Junior High ministry for grades 6-8. These students have their own Sunday service in the JV room directly after the main worship gathering. The student ministry focuses on helping young people have a personal relationship with Jesus.
The 180 High School gathering meets on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the 180 building. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The gathering serves Junior High and High School students and gives them a place to connect with one another and with the church's student leaders.
Big Things Happen in Small Groups
Small Groups place relationships at the center of church life. They are less about a shared activity and more about the people doing life together. Anyone can join, and the directory is organized to help individuals find a Small Group that fits. Small Group leaders are welcome to bring new ideas, complete the training manual and meet with a pastor.
Life Young Adults connects college students and young adults ages 18-30. The group meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting address shared with participants. The Life Young Adults Instagram account, lifeyoungadultsla, carries its meeting schedule and updates.
A Place to Serve the Church and Community
Serve Team members volunteer alongside Abundant Life's ministry leaders. The roles are varied and give individuals a practical way to use their abilities.
- Abundant Life Kids: Volunteers serve once a month with K-5 students. Every volunteer must pass a background check.
- Greeting Team: Volunteers welcome guests as they arrive, open doors, work at the Connect Desk and pass out handouts.
- Opening and Closing Team: Opening volunteers arrive by 9 a.m. to prepare the campus and building, while the closing team begins at 11:30 p.m. to pick up flags, turn off televisions, remove trash and lock doors.
- Nursery and Pre-School: This team is open to women and serves children from birth through preschool. Positions include lead teacher and helper, and volunteers must pass a background check.
- Production Team: Volunteers assist with audio, cameras, lighting and computers during the Sunday main service and the Wednesday 180 High School gathering.
- Student Ministry: Volunteers serve with 180 JV on Sunday mornings and 180 High School on Wednesday evenings.
- Worship Team: Musicians and vocalists with gifts in music or song are invited to audition.
- Prayer Partner: People who feel called to pray for those at the altar can join the Prayer Team after meeting with a pastor.
- Small Group Leader: Prospective leaders receive training and meet with a pastor. New Small Group ideas are always welcome.
Financial support is also simple to offer through the church's online giving.
Baptism and Child Dedication
Water baptism is an outward expression of a decision already made in the heart. At Abundant Life, baptism follows Jesus' example and obeys His command. It is a public declaration of three realities: a person is following Jesus Christ, a changed life in Christ is beginning, and the person is part of a new family.
- You are a follower of Jesus Christ.
- You are beginning a changed life in Christ.
- You are part of a new family.
Children can be baptized when they understand what baptism symbolizes and want to make their own public declaration. Parents are encouraged to partner with Abundant Life's children and student ministries as they guide children through these decisions of faith.
For babies and young children, Abundant Life provides Child Dedication opportunities. During a dedication, parents commit to raising their child in faith until the child is old enough to make a personal confession of Christ. The church's teaching connects the public expression of baptism with the family's responsibility to nurture a child's faith.
What Abundant Life Holds
The Bible, Trinity and Jesus
Abundant Life holds that the Holy Bible, and only the Bible, is the authoritative Word of God and the final authority for doctrine. Scripture is described as inspired, infallible and inerrant. There is one God, eternally existent as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, coequal and co-eternal. Jesus Christ is the Son and second person of the Trinity, fully God and fully man.
Redemption and Salvation
Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, performed miracles, died on the cross and shed His blood for sins. He rose from the dead on the third day, ascended to the Father's right hand and will return in power and glory. Redemption is found in Jesus Christ after humanity fell through voluntary transgression. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus and His death, burial and resurrection; it is a gift from God rather than a result of good works or human effort.
Repentance, Sanctification and New Life
Repentance is the commitment to turn away from sin in every area of life and follow Christ. Sanctification is the ongoing process of yielding to God's Word and Holy Spirit to complete the development of Christ's character. The church also teaches that Christ indwells believers through the Holy Spirit, surrendering His authority as Lord and Savior over their lives.
The Holy Spirit and His Gifts
The baptism in the Holy Spirit is described as the promise given at Pentecost that empowers the church to preach the Gospel. All believers are encouraged to earnestly desire the Holy Spirit's gifts, which are to operate in harmony with Scripture. Healing of the sick is included in Jesus' commission and the work of the Spirit. God's provision is taught as extending to spiritual, mental and emotional, physical and financial needs.
The Church and Its Sacraments
The church is the body of Christ and the spiritual unity of believers. Abundant Life identifies three sacraments: water baptism, the Lord's Supper and marriage. The Lord's Supper remembers Jesus' sacrifice with bread and grape juice as the Body and Blood of the Lord. Marriage is defined as a biblical covenant and sacred bond between one man and one woman.
Resurrection and Christ's Return
Jesus is believed to be physically resurrected, and both the saved and the lost will receive resurrection. Heaven is the eternal dwelling place for believers, while unbelievers will face eternal judgment in hell. Jesus will physically and visibly return to establish His kingdom.
Hope, Connection and Purpose at Abundant Life
At Abundant Life Church, these beliefs and rhythms meet in a close relationship. Sunday worship centers on Jesus, modern music and practical teaching. ALK, 180, Life Young Adults and Small Groups give people ways to belong, while the Serve Team puts faith into action. Water baptism, Child Dedication and the church's biblical convictions shape its public expression of faith. At the center of Abundant Life Church remains the saving grace of Jesus Christ and relationships with other believers.