A Sunday Morning Welcome in Sappington
Crestwood Christian Church sits at 11750 Eddie and Park Road in Sappington, a quiet corner of southwest St. Louis County where residential streets meet a stretch of church properties and small businesses. The congregation describes itself as "so many different people brought together in our common love of Jesus," and the building is set up to make a first visit feel easy. Greeters meet visitors at the front doors, a coffee bar offers a free drink to the right, and a coat rack waits to the left. The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What a Sunday Service Looks Like
Sunday worship begins at 10:30 a.m. As people arrive, a worship song plays to give everyone time to find a seat, then a welcome is offered. The service moves through a mix of newer songs and older hymns, a time of prayer, communion, and preaching. Baptisms occasionally take place during the service when someone makes that decision. Communion is served each week using individual supplies laid out on a table near the entrance, and each person decides for themselves whether to participate. Baptized members are welcome at the table, but the choice is left to the individual. An offering box sits at the back of the sanctuary, and giving is also available online. Visitors are not expected to give.
Children Have a Place from the Start
Children are woven into Sunday worship from the nursery through fifth grade. A nursery and toddler class meet in rooms past the restrooms for the entire service. Children in kindergarten through fifth grade join their families for the singing and then head to a class of their own during the sermon. The children's wing sits to the left of the main entrance, just past the restrooms, so families do not have to walk far. For older students, a junior high class is also offered during the worship hour.
Wednesday Nights Around the Table
The middle of the week has its own rhythm at Crestwood. A fellowship meal is served from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m., followed by Bible study from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. The meal and study together are called Power Hour, and it has become a central gathering point for the church. During the summer the schedule moves a little earlier, with supper from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. and study from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evenings also include classes for preschool and grade school youth during the Bible study hour.
A Faith Built on the Bible
Crestwood Christian Church teaches that the Bible is the sole authority for what it believes and practices. From the opening pages of Genesis, the congregation confesses that God created humanity and gave people free will. That freedom was used to rebel, separating people from God. Because of that separation, God sent Jesus as the perfect payment for sin. He died on the cross and was raised to life on the third day.
The path of salvation is laid out in five steps. A person believes, confesses Jesus as Lord, repents of sin, is baptized, and seeks to follow Him. The church practices baptism by full immersion, pointing to Jesus' own baptism in the Jordan, the description of immersion in Romans 6, and the meaning of the original Greek word for baptism.
Ministries for Every Season of Life
Beyond Sunday and Wednesday, the church hosts a range of regular gatherings. A Ladies Bible Study meets on Tuesday mornings at 9:30. Once a month, women gather for a Sunday evening fellowship, and three Sundays a month the men meet for the Wild At Heart group. The Senior Servants ministry hosts a monthly fellowship meal and program on the third Thursday of each month, with additional outings planned through the year.
The Team
The ministry team is small and steady. Mark Revisky serves as Senior Minister, having joined Crestwood Christian Church with his family in June 2008. He is a graduate of St. Louis Christian College, where he earned a degree in Bible with a specialization in preaching. Greg Annis leads worship and has served in that part-time role since joining the church in 2010, coordinating worship teams and song selection, and leading the morning service from the piano. Lisa Fitzgerald, who joined the staff in 2008, keeps the office running. Tom and Lisa have been members of the church since 2000.
Staying Connected Throughout the Week
Worship is livestreamed each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on Facebook, and select sermons and songs are also posted to the church's YouTube channel. Many sermons are available in audio form through the church's podcast on Spotify. The church encourages visitors to follow its Facebook page for announcements, livestream reminders, and updates about events.
Giving
The church supports all of its ministry through the giving of its members. Visitors are not asked to give. Those who wish to contribute can place an offering in the box at the back of the sanctuary or give online through a secure PayPal option.