On the east side of Paris, Kentucky, just off Lexington Road, Bedford Acres Christian Church opens its doors each Sunday morning to a steady stream of families, students, and neighbors. The church describes itself as a place where "there's a place for you," and its life together stretches from a sanctuary packed with worshipers at 10:30 a.m. to mid-week Bible studies, monthly craft circles, and mission work that reaches from Bourbon County to New Zealand.
A Church Rooted in the Restoration Movement
Bedford Acres identifies itself as an independent, non-denominational Christian Church with deep roots in the Restoration Movement. That movement, the church explains, began in the early 1800s as part of an outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Cane Ridge, Kentucky, a catalyst of the Second Great Awakening, when a generation of American leaders set out to return to the basics of Christianity. Bedford Acres traces its own beginning to the 1960s, when a small group of believers in Paris began gathering for worship in a living room. God grew that handful into the congregation that meets on Lexington Road today. "The faces and songs may look different from then, but our root beliefs have not changed: God's Word determines our lives and Jesus is Lord."
What Bedford Acres Believes
The church's statement of faith opens with the words, "In essentials: Unity; in opinions: Liberty; in all things: Love," a motto that captures the Restoration spirit of unity on core doctrines and freedom on secondary matters. Sixteen core convictions shape the church's life together:
- One God revealed in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- God as the Creator of all things, seen and unseen.
- Jesus Christ as God's one and only Son, fully human and fully divine, born of the virgin Mary, crucified under Pontius Pilate, buried, physically raised on the third day, ascended to the Father's right hand, and destined to return in person to judge the living and the dead.
- The Holy Spirit's ongoing work, dwelling within every Christian and empowering the Christian life.
- The Bible as God's inspired, inerrant Word and the final authority for all matters of faith and practice.
- Humanity's willful sin and resulting separation from God, healed only through Christ's sacrifice.
- Salvation by grace alone, received through faith in Jesus, marked by repentance, confession that Jesus is Lord, and baptism by immersion.
- The Church as the global community founded at Pentecost and belonging to Jesus Christ.
Bedford Acres is made up of people from many denominational backgrounds, and the church prizes unity on these essentials while allowing liberty on opinions.
Sunday Mornings at Bedford Acres
The Sunday rhythm at Bedford Acres begins at 9:00 a.m. with Sunday School for every age. Adults scatter to a collection of Bible studies meeting across the campus: Dan McKenzie leads the Journey Seekers class in the Fellowship Hall; Melody Scott teaches a women's class in Room 106; Gary Linville guides Friends in Him in Room 107; Dan Giese leads the men's class in Room 108; and Wayne Currans hosts a young adult Bible study downstairs near the elevator.
At 10:15 a.m., children from birth through fifth grade gather for Kidz Praise, and at 10:30 a.m. the congregation assembles in the main sanctuary for the Sunday Worship Service. The hour-and-a-half service moves through singing, the Lord's Supper, and preaching from God's Word. Communion is observed each Sunday. During the sermon, youth in sixth through twelfth grade are dismissed to their own Bible study and discussion time. Nursery care and Kids' Church are offered downstairs in a security-monitored area for the youngest children throughout the service.
Visitors are invited to come as they are. Some dress casually, others dress up, but the church cares more about people feeling welcome than about what they wear. Guest parking is marked by the trees in the front lot, and greeters are ready to help newcomers find their way around the building.
Kids and Students
BACCYard Children's Ministry, the church's program for children from birth through fifth grade, frames every lesson around four ideas: Connect, Learn, Play, and Share. Sunday School meets at 9 a.m. and Kidz Praise at 10:15 a.m. Every volunteer working with children has been screened with a background check and an interview, and at least two trained adults are present with every class. Monthly family resources and additional free parent guides are shared so the lessons learned on Sunday can be reinforced at home.
Middle and high school students gather under the banner of Ignite Student Ministries. They meet for worship and Bible study at 10:30 a.m. alongside the rest of the church and have their own retreat each fall.
Bedford Acres also serves as the charter organization for American Heritage Girls Troop KY-5414, a Christ-centered character and leadership program for girls. The troop meets at the church and emphasizes purity, service, stewardship, and integrity through badge projects, service opportunities, and outdoor adventure.
Adults and Small Groups
Bedford Acres describes itself as a church where "God made you for real community," and the adult ministry lineup is built to fit a wide variety of stages.
The Well is the young adults ministry. It meets every Tuesday from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., rotating between the church building and a member's home.
Hearts and Hands gathers crafters of every skill level at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month in the Fellowship Hall. Members learn new skills, pray together, and create prayer shawls that are then given to people in the Paris community.
Golden Age (50+) brings senior adults together on the second Thursday of every month. The group reads from God's Word, hosts guest speakers, and organizes outings.
Ladies Circle meets after the Sunday worship service on the first Sunday of each month, often in the Fellowship Hall. The group tackles a service project together, gathers for lunch, or simply enjoys fellowship.
Small groups also meet throughout the week in homes and at the church for discipleship and Bible study, and several adult Bible studies gather on Sunday mornings during the Sunday School hour.
Mission Partnerships Near and Far
Mission is woven into Bedford Acres' identity. The church supports a network of partners close to home and around the world.
Locally, the church backs Operation Food Basket in Paris, the largest food pantry in Bourbon County. It also partners with the Bourbon County and Paris Schools Family Resources program (FRYSC), a state organization that supplies hygiene products, food, clothing, and medical transportation to at-risk local families. Financially, Bedford Acres supports Russell Cave Church of Christ in Lexington, New Beginnings in central Kentucky (a pro-life ministry to at-risk expecting and new mothers), and Refuge for Women in Lexington, described as the nation's largest recovery program for human trafficking survivors.
Across the globe, the church supports Nate and Whitney Hutchison, who are planting churches in New Zealand, and Michelle Gash with GO International, a mission team recruiter. Bedford Acres participates in Operation Christmas Child each year, packing shoeboxes for children around the world. The Missions Team also plans local service projects such as serving at soup kitchens, hosting fund drives, Build-a-Bed, and meal-packing events.
Serving Inside the Church
Bedford Acres calls volunteers "towel bearers," a reference to Jesus washing the disciples' feet, and lists a wide range of roles that keep the ministry running. Children's ministry and youth ministry need adult volunteers each Sunday. The Worship and Tech Team covers audio, slides, camera, and photo and video work. Greeters and hospitality volunteers welcome guests on Sunday mornings. The Pastoral Care team assists with homebound communion visits. There are committees for Building and Grounds, Fellowship meals (including funeral receptions and benevolent care), the Finance Committee, Outdoor Ministry, and Small Group leadership. Most roles require an active relationship with Jesus, a teachable spirit, and - where working with children or finances is involved - a background check.
Leadership
Bedford Acres is led by Senior Pastor Dean Scott. Dan Giese serves as Family and Discipleship Pastor and teaches the men's adult Bible study; Carl Willoughby is the Youth Pastor; Zeke Atha is the Worship Pastor; and Josh Giese serves as Children's Pastor. Bob Jespersen serves as Office Manager and Kristen Downing as Children's Ministry Assistant and Custodian.
A team of elders shepherds the congregation: Sam Bologna, Richard Eads, Jeff McClure, Derek Osborne, and Tommy Wagoner. The Finance Committee provides financial oversight, and a Missions Committee coordinates the church's many local and global partnerships.
Visiting Bedford Acres
Bedford Acres Christian Church meets at 5414 Lexington Road in Paris, Kentucky. Sunday School for all ages begins at 9:00 a.m., children's Kidz Praise starts at 10:15 a.m., and the Sunday worship service begins at 10:30 a.m. The service is livestreamed on the church's Facebook page for those who cannot attend in person, and past sermons are available on the sermons page. Giving can be done online through the church's Church Center platform. Visitors can dress casually or a little more formally; guest spaces in the front parking lot are reserved for newcomers and a greeter team is on hand to help. Children from birth through fifth grade are cared for in a secure area downstairs, and middle and high school students have their own programming during the sermon.