Bible Way Christian Center sits on Oakland Road in San Jose, a non-denominational church that describes its calling in three words: grow, care, and love. The congregation meets for worship on Sunday mornings and then pours out into the surrounding community through tutoring, a re-entry program for returning citizens, jail ministry, and a regular outreach to people living in encampments nearby. The church's own shorthand is "Kingdom Builders and Life Changers," and the calendar is built to live up to it.
Sundays at 10:00 AM and the Last-Sunday Lunch
Sunday worship begins at 10:00 AM in the main sanctuary and is described as a "powerful worship experience." Services are livestreamed on Boxcast, and a replay archive is available for anyone who wants to catch up on past messages.
The last Sunday of every month is Friends & Family Day. The service runs from 10:00 AM to about 12:30 PM, and a complimentary lunch follows in the Dining Hall. The church's invitation is direct: "Bring your people and come worship with us! After service, stick around for a complimentary lunch in the Dining Hall - meet somebody new, make a few connections, and enjoy some good food with even better company. There's always room for one more at the table."
Foundations Class is the on-ramp to church membership. The four-hour interactive class covers the history, core beliefs, and expectations of the church, walks through the various ministries, and ends with a certificate of completion. A catered lunch is provided. Graduates are formally recognized during a Sunday worship service and invited to a New Members Reception.
The Tuesday Night Hour of Power
On the last Tuesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, the church hosts an evening gathering called the Hour of Power. The format is described simply as "Pray, Connect, Grow" - an hour of praise, preaching, and prayer designed for working adults, students, and anyone whose week does not fit a Sunday morning schedule. The Hour of Power is held at the church and runs in the same teaching rhythm as the Sunday services.
A Midweek Bible Study on Zoom and a Sermon Archive
Teaching happens through Sunday morning sermon series and a midweek Bible study offered via Zoom, with a replay archive online for those who want to catch up on past messages. RightNow Media is available to members as a free resource for additional Bible study, marriage, and family content.
Believer's Baptism by Full Immersion
Bible Way baptizes by full immersion, treating the act as a first step of discipleship after conversion rather than a prerequisite for salvation. The water is "an element to enhance the symbolism of spiritual washing or regeneration." Adults, teens, and older children who understand the commitment of faith are accepted as candidates. The church does not baptize babies, but offers a separate Child Dedication ceremony for them.
Bible Way's teaching on re-baptism is that a believer's baptism "occurs only once." Baptism Sundays are scheduled periodically, and anyone interested can sign up online.
Child Dedication Sundays
Parents who wish to dedicate an infant or young child participate in a brief ceremony during a regular Sunday service. The pastoral staff prays for the child, and parents, godparents, and the congregation make vows to instruct and support the child in the Christian faith. The dedication typically lasts about ten to fifteen minutes and is offered on scheduled Sundays throughout the year. There is no strict age limit, though it is most common for infants and toddlers. Parents are asked to bring nothing specific, though some families choose special attire for the child.
Marriage Labs
Marriage Labs is a monthly Sunday afternoon workshop designed for couples who want to strengthen their relationship through practical coaching and honest conversation rooted in biblical principles. Each session runs from 12:30 to 2:00 PM in the church and focuses on a single theme. Past labs have included "Why Did We Get Married?", "Are We Speaking the Same Language?", "I Win vs. We Win," "Let's Connect," and "Behind Closed Doors" - the last exploring physical intimacy as a sacred gift within marriage. The workshops are open to all couples.
SPARK Sunday, Chess Club, and the Kids' Calendar
The children's and family calendar at Bible Way is among the most active in the area. On the second Sunday of each month, the church hosts a Chess Club - the "Checkmate Collective" - from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. All playing levels are welcome, all materials are provided, and refreshments are served. The club is designed for families to learn the game together.
On the fourth Sunday of the month from August through November, the church partners with Jamii Tech for SPARK Sunday, a hands-on series for elementary and middle school students. From 10:00 AM to noon, students explore 3D printing, solar-powered gardening, custom T-shirt design, and robotics. Snacks are provided, and registration is free.
A multi-day fall camp for kids runs each year with cultural enrichment, hands-on art projects, sports, outdoor activities, and a field trip. The camp is free, and registration opens weeks in advance. Space is limited.
Uth XL and the Destiny Academy
Uth XL is the youth ministry for middle and high school students. The group meets regularly and goes on outings throughout the year, including day trips, college visits, and chaperoned excursions. Transportation is provided from the church.
The Destiny Academy is the church's free tutoring and academic enrichment program for students in grades K-8. It meets on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at the church, with a free dinner served before tutoring begins. The program is designed especially for students from historically underserved demographics and offers high-quality multi-subject tutoring, writing workshops, STEAM workshops, professional therapeutic services, social activities, and parent classes.
The Golden Harvest Senior Ministry
Adults ages 55 and up are part of the Golden Harvest Ministry, which plans regular outings, socials, and seasonal events. The group has enjoyed day trips to local parks and to Pier 39, a Strawberry Planting Day at the church's community garden, and a Christmas Social each December with raffles, food, and music. Newcomers are welcome; the only requirement is being 55 or older.
The Anointed Soil Community Garden
In the heart of the church's family ministry is the Anointed Soil Community Garden, a working garden that the congregation tends together. Seasonal events include the Spring Garden Social with a live smoothie demonstration using kale harvested on site, the Harvest Planting Day in the fall, and the Strawberry Planting Day in December. Children are welcome at the planting days, and the events double as hands-on lessons in gardening and community care. A rock-painting station keeps the youngest gardeners busy.
Men's Prayer, Women's Prayer, and the Daily Prayer Line
Men's Prayer meets in person on the first Monday of every month at 6:30 PM in the Bible Way Dining Hall. The format is simple: prayer, food, and community. The gathering carries the same three-word tagline as the Hour of Power: "Pray, Connect, Grow."
Women's Prayer is virtual and meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM on Zoom. Women connect with one another "to be inspired, encouraged and uplifted." A Women's Holiday Prayer Night is held each December with dinner and fellowship.
A Bible Way Prayer Line is available every weekday at 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM, with fifteen minutes of live prayer. The dial-in number and access code are available for anyone who wants to call in.
ByWays Outreach, Destiny Re-Entry, and Jail Ministry
Bible Way's convictions about service are concrete. The church's outreach ministry runs several distinct programs that touch different parts of the surrounding community.
ByWays Outreach meets the third Saturday of every month from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Volunteers arrive at the church and package snack kits, toiletries, and other essential items. At 11:00 AM, adults travel to a local encampment to distribute the kits, share prayer and encouragement, and connect with people in need. Children and youth are welcome to help with preparation and clean-up. The ministry is open to anyone willing to serve.
Destiny Re-Entry is a resource center for people returning home after incarceration. The program offers support, encouragement, and connections to community resources, with the understanding that "rebuilding your life, reconnecting with loved ones, and finding your place again in the world isn't easy." A direct line is available for anyone interested in starting the conversation.
Jail Ministry trains volunteers to serve in local correctional facilities. A "Going In, Staying In" training, developed in partnership with other area ministries, is held periodically and is free and open to anyone over 21. The training covers orientation to chaplaincy, trauma-informed ministry, and cultural humility.
The Circle is the church's grief support ministry, with a special Holiday Session in late November for those who find the season difficult.
A Short Statement of Faith
The church's statement of faith is rooted in Scripture and centers on a short list of core convictions:
- The Bible is the true Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
- One God, manifested as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 John 5:7).
- Repentance and remission of sins (Luke 24:47).
- The will of God that every believer be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4).
- The resurrection and rapture of true believers (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
- Praise and worship as a part of every believer's life (Psalm 150).
- Believers are to assemble regularly in church (Hebrews 10:25).
The church describes itself as "a Christ-centered body of believers who serve God through serving people" and emphasizes that "many first-time visitors become long-time members of our family because of the genuine love they feel." The congregation, the church says, "embraces individuals from all backgrounds."
Finding Bible Way on Oakland Road
The church meets at 2090 Oakland Road, San Jose, California. The phone is 408-571-2222, and the general inbox is info@biblewaycc.org. Sunday worship begins at 10:00 AM, and the livestream is available through the Boxcast channel. The Prayer Line is open every weekday morning and evening. Those who want to learn more about membership can sign up for Foundations Class.
Online giving is available through Pushpay. Baptisms, Child Dedications, marriage workshops, and community outreach events each have their own registration pages. Bible Way is active on Facebook and Instagram, and a sermon archive is available for anyone who wants to sample the preaching before a first visit.