Tucked along Barber Cut Off Road in Kingston, Washington, Bayside Community Church is a Sunday gathering for the North Kitsap area, a small but growing region across Puget Sound from Seattle. Roughly 25,000 people live in the surrounding communities, and the church estimates that only about a third are regularly involved in a local church. That gap, the leaders say, is the reason Bayside exists. The church's mission is simple and stated plainly on its front page: to transform lives through Christ; lives dramatically altered by His love for us. Everything the church does - from its Sunday gatherings to its benevolence fund, kids' programs, and partnership with local nonprofits - flows from that aim.
Sunday Gatherings at 10
Bayside meets in person on Sundays at 10 a.m. at 25992 Barber Cut Off Road NE, and the same gathering is livestreamed on the church's Facebook page for those who want to join from home. A cry room by the back entrance is available for parents with small children, with the service broadcast into the lobby. Families are encouraged to take part in the first part of the gathering for worship before children are dismissed to Bayside Kids. Coffee and a warm welcome from greeters and ushers are part of the morning rhythm, and the church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for questions and visits during the week.
What Bayside Believes
Bayside's statement of faith is rooted in historic, evangelical Christianity. The church teaches that God has eternally existed in three co-equal persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and that human beings are made in God's image but separated from Him by sin. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived a sinless life, died on the cross as the substitute for sinners, rose again on the third day, and will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Salvation is described as a gift received by faith, not earned by works, and the Holy Spirit is present in every believer, teaching, comforting, and empowering them for ministry. The Bible is regarded as God's word, written under the Spirit's guidance, and is the supreme source of truth for belief and living. Two ordinances are emphasized: baptism by immersion as a public declaration of faith, and communion, observed with bread and juice as a remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. Bayside teaches that both ordinances are acts of obedience, not means of salvation.
The Team
Lead Pastor Dustin Hirschy oversees the spiritual life and preaching of the church, and most of the sermon series available through the podcast library bear his name. Shannon Rickert serves as Worship Director, shaping the music and leading the congregation in song each week. Kimberly Jones leads Bayside Kids, directing the children's ministry and overseeing the safety and training of every volunteer who works with young people. Ariana Trueb serves as Groups Lead, helping people find a small group that fits their life and stage. Travis Rickert serves as chaplain, providing pastoral care to those facing crisis, needing prayer, or simply wanting someone to talk to. Office questions and general inquiries are directed to the church office email.
Bayside Kids: Nursery Through Fifth Grade
Bayside Kids exists to see children excited about following Jesus and grounded in biblical truth in a fun, safe, and engaging environment. Children's ministry is offered during the 10 a.m. gathering for children from birth through sixth grade, and every volunteer passes a background check and child safety training before joining the team. The nursery serves infants and toddlers through age two (or until potty trained) in a clean, vibrant space with simple activities introducing basic biblical truths. The preschool area covers potty-trained two-year-olds through pre-kindergarten, with group story time, music, games, and crafts. Elementary-aged children are divided into kindergarten through second grade and third through fifth grade classes, designed to help kids feel included as they learn to live out their faith. Kids Church is available during the 11 a.m. gathering on Easter Sunday, and the nursery is open during both Easter services. Parents with questions can reach Kimberly Jones by calling the church office or emailing her directly.
Bayside Youth: Tuesday Nights on the Hill
Bayside Youth is a ministry for middle school, high school, and college-aged students, meeting every Tuesday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Youth Center located on the hill behind the church and the main building. The evening includes games, worship, and engaging messages in a setting that students are encouraged to call the best two hours of their week. Because food is part of how relationships grow, a weekly meal is provided, and the church recruits a meal team of volunteers to make that possible. The youth ministry sees itself as a partner in helping young people navigate the defining moments of their faith, and it ties its work directly to Bayside's mission of transforming lives through Christ in the North Kitsap area.
Women's Ministry
The heart of women's ministry at Bayside is to give women opportunities to connect for spiritual growth and personal development. Events rotate through the year, including a Women's Pie Party in early December with local artists and makers, an annual Women's Game Night with potluck food and favorite board or card games, and a spring Charcuterie Dinner that has raised awareness for local anti-trafficking work. Bayside has also hosted the IF:Gathering as a North Kitsap satellite site, bringing women together for a two-day event focused on discipleship, worship, and prayer. A women's community group meets regularly as well, and the church encourages ladies to bring a friend whenever they attend.
Men's Ministry
Men's ministry at Bayside provides opportunities for men to connect and grow through groups and special events, with a particular aim of helping men be better fathers, husbands, and leaders in their everyday lives. A quarterly Men's Breakfast brings men ages 12 and up together for a meal, coffee, and conversation, with a short devotional tailored for men. Guys' Football Nights on the big screen have become a casual outreach, and the ministry has historically organized a Men's Retreat at the Seabeck Conference Center featuring teaching, group discussion, and plenty of outdoor space. The men also have their own community groups, with options like the Men's Round Table and other open groups that meet throughout the area.
Groups for Every Stage
Bayside's small group ministry is built around the conviction that people are designed to live in community. Groups meet in homes and around the area and are designed with diversity in mind - across age, location, availability, and style - so that anyone can find a fit. A Men's Group, a Women's Group, and mixed groups that study books of the Bible or work through sermon series are all part of the mix. New groups launch each fall, and the church keeps a current list with details, locations, and sign-up information available through its groups page.
Care Ministries: Help Along the Way
Bayside takes seriously the call to come alongside people in practical and spiritual need. Bayside Counseling offers Christian counseling that integrates faith with psychological theory, with a team that specializes in a number of areas and works toward healing and transformation. The G6:2 Initiative - named for the Galatians 6:2 command to carry one another's burdens - exists to help people in the local and church community during times of crisis or hardship by assisting with basic needs. Donations to G6:2 are channeled entirely to those in need, and applications for financial assistance are available for anyone facing difficulty. On the first Friday of each month, the church hosts a free community meal for those in need, with a full dinner, dessert, and drinks served indoors in a welcoming environment. Hospitality is the goal, and everyone is welcome. A chaplain is also available to meet in person or by phone for prayer, support, or simply a listening ear.
Local Ministry Partners Across Kitsap County
Bayside is actively involved with four local ministry partners and encourages its people to serve alongside them. Coffee Oasis is a faith-based nonprofit that runs coffee shops and programs for homeless, street-oriented youth, partnering with civic groups, businesses, and other churches to meet the needs of at-risk young people. ShareNet Food Bank and Thrift Store serves people of all ages in Kitsap County, from seniors to elementary children, and welcomes volunteers through its own application process. Mission House Ministries is a residential, work-based program for men battling addictions, with a six- to nine-month Christ-centered curriculum that pairs discipleship with community service. Scarlet Road works to intervene in and prevent sexual exploitation, providing holistic care, safe exit resources, and long-term support for survivors. Bayside's women's ministry has hosted fundraising events to support Coffee Oasis and Scarlet Road, and the church hosts the annual ShareNet Christmas Shop, providing free Christmas gifts, wrapping, and refreshments to ShareNet clients during the holiday season.
Annual Rhythm: From Easter to Summer Baptisms
The church year at Bayside moves through a steady rhythm of community-wide events. Lent and Easter include a Good Friday Communion service, a community Easter Egg Hunt and Carnival with games and candy for toddlers through fifth grade, and Easter Sunday gatherings with worship, teaching, and Kids Church. The summer begins with a Summer Kick-Off BBQ, followed by the free Kids Camp - a Vacation Bible School-style week with games, crafts, music, Bible stories, and lunch for pre-K through eighth grade. Bayside's community meal gathers neighbors on the first Friday of each month. A Halloween Hullabaloo and Trunk or Treat fills the grounds in the fall, and Christmas brings a Pajamas and Pancakes Kids' Christmas Party, the ShareNet Christmas Shop, the Women's Pie Party, and a Christmas Eve candlelight service with special music and a message of hope. Connexion Sundays are held periodically after the gathering for anyone wanting to learn more about the church, meet ministry leaders, and explore membership.
Giving and Connecting
Bayside teaches that giving is an act of worship and an important step in discipleship. Gifts can be made online through the church's giving platform, by mail to the PO Box in Kingston, or by texting any dollar amount to 84321. Designated giving is available for the G6:2 Initiative and for Kids Camp, among other funds. Anyone interested in taking a next step - joining a gathering, applying for membership, signing up for a ministry team, or asking a question - can fill out a connect form, and the church will follow up personally.