Alberta Baptist Church, located at 2210 University Blvd East in Tuscaloosa, is known for a gospel-centered rhythm of worship, community, and practical service. Its motto, “Know God. Find Community. Live On Mission,” describes a congregation that gathers for Bible teaching and worship while caring for children, students, families, and neighbors in tangible ways.
Sunday Small Groups at 9:30 and Corporate Worship at 10:45
Sunday begins with small groups at 9:30 a.m. The gathering includes college students and children through fifth grade as well as other groups for Bible teaching and fellowship.
- College students meet in the café for table groups, where they discuss part of God’s Word, apply truth to life, and have coffee provided.
- Children from babies through fifth grade are taught with Answers Bible Curriculum through Bible stories, activity sheets, hands-on activities, and music. Babies and preschoolers continue this teaching during worship.
Corporate worship begins at 10:45 a.m. The ABC Worship Choir and a praise team of singers and instrumentalists lead the congregation in song. Sunday worship is livestreamed on YouTube. When families arrive, they check in their children and receive a printed code to use at check-out.
Welcoming Guests and Preparing for Worship
Several serving teams make the gatherings work as neighbors and guests arrive. The Welcoming Team greets people before Sunday School and worship and directs guests to the right place. The Audio/Visual Team runs sound, livestream, and slides for Sunday worship and other gatherings. The Coffee Team provides hospitality before Sunday School and cleans afterward. The Hospitality Team prepares Wednesday Feast Day and special meals, while the Sunday Resource Team prepares Communion and Baptism elements and clears them afterward. The Kids Ministry Team teaches lessons, maintains supplies, facilitates events such as VBS and camps, sets up classrooms, and trains workers.
Wednesday Evenings Across the Church
Wednesday is a full church night:
- 5:30 p.m. Groups for adults, youth, and children meet.
- 6:30 p.m. A fellowship meal brings the church together.
- 7:00 p.m. The Adult Choir practices.
- 7:30 p.m. College Bible study begins after a free 6:30 meal in the gym on the north side of the church under the breezeway.
The Helping Hands Life Group also meets at 6:00 p.m. in the Ministry Center to plan ministry opportunities, study biblical truth, and pray together.
Learning and Fellowship from Childhood Through College
Children at Every Stage
ABC’s children’s ministry covers babies, preschoolers, and elementary children through fifth grade, with teaching suited to each stage. Wednesday’s 5:30 gathering teaches children to learn about missions, pray for missions, support missions, do missions, and tell people about Jesus through the WMU Missions Journey curriculum. Children are taught and cared for by people who love children and have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Teens Gather for Worship and Fellowship
Student ministry serves sixth through twelfth graders and combines worship, Bible study, apologetics training, fellowship, and mission opportunities. On Sundays, students share a meal and time of worship and fellowship from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. At 5:30, middle school and high school students meet in separate groups for discussion and prayer before the whole church shares a meal at 6:30.
College Table Groups and Bible Study
College students join the wider church on Sunday and also meet for a dedicated Wednesday gathering. Sunday table groups in the café move into corporate worship at 10:45. Wednesday’s College Bible Study centers on applying God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship with other students, with the free meal beginning at 6:30 and study at 7:30 in the church gym.
Housing, Rides, Food Bags, and Handyman Work
Helping Hands exists to meet physical and spiritual needs through practical work. Its food-bag ministry makes Transient Bags for people without the means to cook and Family Bags for households that can. Donations include crackers, peanut butter, fruit cups, canned meat, pasta, rice, beans, powdered milk, and baby food. Transportation needs include rides to church, work, or appointments, which can be met by providing a ride or donating a car. ABC is also working toward a ministry house for temporary housing for displaced neighbors.
A Handyman Ministry assists with small repairs and chores, especially for older or under-resourced neighbors. Helping Hands also provides food, transportation help, housing help, and financial coaching. Community Fun Day brings families to the gym once a month on a Saturday afternoon for Bible stories, games, and interactive snacks. ABC families also share the gospel with children at the nearby Boys and Girls Club through games, stories, and snacks during after-school time.
Life Groups in Homes and Around Shared Activities
ABC Life Groups are welcoming communities that meet in homes or around shared activities. They focus on knowing Jesus and finding community among God’s people, while helping members pray for one another, encourage one another, bear one another’s burdens, and spur one another toward love and good deeds. Recurring examples include a Tuesday Apologetics Home Group at 6:00 p.m., a Monday Men’s Breakfast Life Group at 6:30 a.m., and a Monday Mom’s Morning Life Group at 9:00 a.m. Other groups center on board games, thrifting, or writing, and some meet only on selected Sundays or Saturdays.
Music, Worship, and the People Behind the Ministry
Music is a central part of ABC’s worship ministry. The ABC Worship Choir is open to worshippers from high school through senior adults, leads regularly in Sunday morning worship, and practices Wednesday evening at 7:00. The praise team leads the congregation through song, and skilled instrumentalists also serve. Jennifer Mills leads the choir and praise-team ministry.
K.J. Pugh returned to Alberta Baptist Church in 2021 after spending most of his 30s planting churches in Europe with his wife and two children. Pastor Jared Roggli wants to see teenagers and adults grow in faith and obedience and make an impact in their circles of influence for God’s glory. Lizzy is passionate about teaching children the Word of God and helping them grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
From Salvation and Baptism to Church Planting
At the center of ABC’s mission is a desire for every person to know Christ as Savior, follow that commitment with believer’s baptism, and continue growing in relationship with God. The church emphasizes meaningful gospel-centered community, including prayer, encouragement, shared burdens, and spur one another toward love and good deeds. People are encouraged to identify the gifts and passions God has given them and use those gifts both in the church and around the world.
ABC has participated in planting Church at the Oaks in Tuscaloosa, Iglesia Jesús es el Camino in Cottondale, Citizens Church in Birmingham, Grace Church Boroughbridge in Yorkshire, England, and Emmanuel International Church in Ternes, Paris, France. Its global partners include the Cooperative Program of the Southern Baptist Convention, the International Mission Board, the International Baptist Convention, the Haiti Collective, Global Gates, and Doulos Partners in Cuba. Giving is available in person through church offering boxes and online, with a short tutorial from Pastor Jared explaining the online process. At Alberta Baptist Church, worship, community, practical care, and mission are joined in one effort to know God, find community, and live on mission.