A Southern Baptist Church on the Currituck Waterway
Tucked along Worth Guard Road in the small community of Coinjock in Currituck County, North Carolina, Coinjock Baptist Church sits as a Southern Baptist fellowship with deep roots in the area and a steady witness to its neighbors. The church describes itself as a welcoming and loving community of believers who gather to glorify God and follow His Son, Jesus Christ. Its motto, set in the verses above the church's main entrance, comes from the apostle Paul: "That I May Know Him" (Philippians 3:10). That single phrase captures the heartbeat of everything the church does, from its Sunday worship to its midweek Bible studies and its mission partnerships around the world.
Pastor Ethan Drum leads the church alongside a team that includes Ministry Coordinator A. A. Sawyer, Jr., Music Director Heidi Sawyer, and a board of deacons made up of Rodney Sawyer, Brian Deem, Billy Curling, and Paul O'Neal. Together they oversee a congregation that takes seriously the Bible's authority, the church's responsibility to its community, and the call to make disciples of Jesus Christ at home and abroad.
"That I May Know Him"
Coinjock Baptist Church exists to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ through proclaiming the Word of God, praying for all people, and partnering in God's mission in the community and around the world. Its doctrinal statement begins with the conviction that the Bible is the Word of God and the ultimate source and guide for doctrine and practice. The church affirms the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as an official doctrinal statement for belief and practice, aligning itself with Southern Baptist churches across the country.
The church's motto, "That I May Know Him," points to the deep Pauline longing in Philippians 3:10. The verse sits at the top of the church's home page and recurs throughout its teaching. Visitors can expect a congregation that is serious about studying Scripture, prayerful about its decisions, and eager to see lives shaped by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sunday Rhythms at Coinjock Baptist
A typical Sunday at Coinjock Baptist Church begins at 8:30 AM with coffee and fellowship in the social hall, a time when adults gather before the Sunday School hour to reconnect with friends and welcome newcomers. Sunday School classes for all ages start at 9:00 AM, filling the hallways with the sound of conversation as children head to their classes and adults make their way to theirs. At 10:00 AM the congregation gathers for the Sunday Morning Worship service in the sanctuary.
The worship service is led by the church's Music Director, Heidi Sawyer, and features congregational hymns led from the piano and organ by Rodney Sawyer and A. A. Sawyer, alongside the adult choir and the praise team. Each Sunday includes prayer, Scripture reading, congregational singing, special music from the choir or praise team, and a sermon from Pastor Ethan Drum. Services are also livestreamed on YouTube, and recordings of past sermons are available for those who cannot attend in person.
From September through May, the rhythm of Sunday continues at 4:30 PM with the AWANA Club, an energetic hour and a half of Bible learning, games, and Scripture memory for children and youth ages 2 through 18. AWANA meets until 6:00 PM.
Sunday School for Every Age
The Sunday School program at Coinjock Baptist Church is one of the most intentional parts of the church's ministry to families. The John 8:31-32 verse sets the tone for the program: "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Classes run simultaneously at 9:00 AM each Sunday, and the church has built a slate of classes designed to serve every stage of life.
The Upper Room Adult Class, taught by Rodney Sawyer, and the Social Hall Adult Class, taught by A. A. Sawyer, welcome adults of any age. College students and young professionals meet in the College and Career Class (18+) taught by Pastor Ethan Drum. Youth in grades 6 through 12 gather for a class taught by Sam Parcher. Children in grades 3 through 5 are taught by Marie Santoro, children in grades K through 2 are taught by Ashley Larkin, and preschoolers ages 3 to 5 are taught by Cindy Spain. An infant and toddler nursery is available for the youngest members of the congregation.
AWANA Club: Training Young Hearts
AWANA stands for "Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed," drawn from 2 Timothy 2:15, and the program is built around teaching children and youth the truths of Scripture and how to study the Bible for themselves. AWANA at Coinjock Baptist Church meets on Sunday afternoons from 4:30 to 6:00 PM, running from September through May each year, and is open to children and youth ages 2 through 18. The program combines Bible lessons, Scripture memorization, game time, and small-group interaction in a structured environment where young people can build friendships and grow in their knowledge of God's Word.
AWANA is part of a larger children's ministry that includes the Wednesday Night Children's Bible Study at 6:30 PM, the annual Vacation Bible School held each summer, an annual Easter Egg Hunt for the community, and an annual Fall Festival with Trunk-or-Treat in October. Vacation Bible School takes place over a week each July with nightly meals, Bible lessons, crafts, games, and gospel presentations, all designed to engage the children of the church and surrounding community with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday Nights: Bible Study and Choir
Midweek at Coinjock Baptist Church is anchored by the Wednesday Evening Bible Study at 6:30 PM. The Bible study is structured so that every member of the family has a place to learn. Adults meet in the Sanctuary for teaching from Pastor Ethan Drum, youth gather in the Fellowship Hall, and children meet in the Preschool Room. The hour is a focused time of verse-by-verse study through books of the Bible and other Scripture-driven subjects.
At 7:30 PM, after the Bible study concludes, the adult choir gathers for practice. The choir sings during the 10:00 AM worship service each week and presents special musical programs throughout the year, including an Easter cantata on Easter Sunday and a Christmas cantata in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Choir practice is open to anyone who loves to sing and wants to serve the church through music.
Children and Youth Ministry
Children's ministry at Coinjock Baptist Church is built around three weekly touchpoints: Sunday School at 9:00 AM, AWANA at 4:30 PM on Sundays during the school year, and the Wednesday Night Children's Bible Study at 6:30 PM. The church's philosophy is rooted in Proverbs 22:6 ("Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it") and Ephesians 6:4 ("bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord"). All ages are welcome at the Wednesday night study.
The youth ministry, designed for students ages 12 through 18, follows the same weekly rhythm: Sunday School at 9:00 AM, AWANA at 4:30 PM during the school year, and a dedicated youth Bible study on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM, alongside the Adult Bible Study and the Children's Bible Study. The youth group also engages in serving other church ministries, mission work, summer camps, Christian concerts, and other activities throughout the year. Sam Parcher teaches the youth Sunday School class and the youth are led by Pastor Ethan Drum.
Life Groups and Music
Beyond the main weekly schedule, Coinjock Baptist Church offers multiple Life Groups that meet throughout the year for Bible studies, ministry projects, and fellowship. Life Groups are designed as a smaller setting for members to grow in their relationships with one another and to engage in shared ministry.
The music ministry at Coinjock Baptist Church is led by Heidi Sawyer, the Music Director, and includes both a praise team and an adult choir. The praise team contributes a variety of worship songs during the 10:00 AM worship service each week, while the choir sings anthems, hymns, and seasonal cantatas. Pianists Rodney Sawyer and A. A. Sawyer provide accompaniment on the piano and organ for congregational hymns and worship songs. Music is a vital part of the church's worship life, with a strong choral tradition that emphasizes both classic hymnody and gospel-centered congregational singing.
Missions: Local, State, National, and International
Coinjock Baptist Church frames its missions ministry around Matthew 28:18-20, the Great Commission, and partners at every level of the Southern Baptist Convention's missions network. On a national level, the church cooperates with the Southern Baptist Convention and its Cooperative Program, supporting missionaries through the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board. On a state level, the church partners with the North Carolina Baptist State Convention, and locally it cooperates with the Chowan Baptist Association.
Each year the church collects the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for international missions. On the local front, Coinjock Baptist regularly supports the Waterlife Pregnancy Care Center in Nags Head, North Carolina. Waterlife is a pro-life pregnancy care center that provides ultrasounds, resources, and the gospel of Jesus Christ to pregnant mothers. The church also engages in local community missions and evangelism in Currituck County, encouraging members to share their faith and serve their neighbors.
Sermon Series and Teaching
Pastor Ethan Drum's preaching ministry at Coinjock Baptist Church is shaped by verse-by-verse exposition through books of the Bible. Recent and ongoing sermon series include "After God's Own Heart," a multi-year walk through the life of David in 1 and 2 Samuel, and "Life in the Lord," a Wednesday evening study through the book of Leviticus. Earlier series include "The House of God" on the nature and mission of the church, "Not Hearers Only" through the letter of James, "Who Is Like Our God?" through the prophet Micah, "God's Work, God's Way" through Nehemiah, "Contenders for Christ" through Jude, "Loving As He Loved" through Philemon, "I Know Your Works" through Revelation 2 and 3, "The Lamb Has Overcome" through the book of Revelation, "More Than Conquerors" through Romans 6-8, "Life, Death, Judgment, and Eternity," "How Great Is Our God" on the attributes of God, "God's Perfect Word" on the authority of Scripture, "For God So Loved" through the Gospel of John, and many more.
Audio recordings of each sermon are posted online, with fill-in-the-blank sermon outlines accompanying most messages to help listeners follow along. The pastor's blog also publishes written reflections tied to the current sermon series, offering extended commentary on the text being preached.
What to Expect When Visiting
Coinjock Baptist Church is located at 193 Worth Guard Road, Coinjock, North Carolina 27923, just off US Highway 158 in the heart of Currituck County. Visitors will find a warm, multigenerational congregation that worships in a blended style, mixing traditional hymns led from the piano and organ with songs led by the praise team. The Sunday School hour at 9:00 AM is an excellent way for newcomers to meet people and find a place to study the Bible; coffee and fellowship begin at 8:30 AM in the social hall. Nursery care is provided for infants and toddlers during the Sunday School hour, and children's classes are available for all ages during Sunday School and during the 10:00 AM worship service.
The dress at Coinjock Baptist Church is typical of Southern Baptist congregations in eastern North Carolina, ranging from business casual to dressy. Anyone wishing to learn more before visiting can call the church office at (252) 453-4020 or email admin@coinjock.org. Online giving is available through the Give Online page for those who wish to support the ministry financially.
A Church Anchored in Scripture and Service
From its Sunday morning worship to its Wednesday night Bible study, from its AWANA club to its Vacation Bible School, from its Life Groups to its missions partnerships, Coinjock Baptist Church is built around a simple goal: to know Christ and to make Him known. The church's motto from Philippians 3:10 is more than a decoration above a doorway. It is the heartbeat of a congregation that gathers every week in a small North Carolina community to study God's Word, to worship the risen Christ, and to send one another out into the world to serve in His name.