His Word. Our Walk. Since 1971
Emmanuel Community Church sits at the corner of US Highway 24 and Amber Road in southwest Fort Wayne, where a single campus on the south side of town serves a congregation that grew out of a small group meeting in the gym of Aboite Elementary School in 1971.
The phrase that captured what those first families were after - "His Word. Our Walk." - has stayed the church's motto. What began as a handful of believers meeting in a school gym has grown into a multi-venue church that draws roughly 1,700 people to its weekend services: around 300 on Saturday evenings and another 1,400 across the two Sunday services.
Today the church describes its single purpose in one line: to be disciples who make disciples. Everything from its kids' curriculum to its global mission partnerships traces back to that calling.
Three Rooms, One Message on US 24
All weekend services happen at the main campus at 12222 US Highway 24 West. Inside the building are three worship venues. Each streams the same music and teaching, so guests can pick the setting that fits them best.
The Worship Center is the flagship room, with a live worship band and live preaching. The Family Life Center, the church's gym, hosts live music and streams the sermon onto a screen. The Commons is a relaxed space built around the needs of parents with young children; the full service streams in, but the room is set up so that little ones can wiggle without distracting anyone around them.
Three services run on the weekend. Saturday worship begins at 6:00 PM. On Sunday, services start at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Saturday averages around 300 in attendance; the early Sunday service draws about 800, and the later Sunday service around 600. Every service is streamed live, and recordings stay available for on-demand viewing afterward.
For those who cannot make it to campus, Emmanuel Online carries the same worship and teaching for both Saturday and Sunday. Online Hosts welcome viewers before services, engage in conversation, and walk guests through next steps if they ask for prayer or want to connect.
What to Wear, Which Door, What to Expect
There is no dress code at Emmanuel. The mix runs from shorts and jeans to suits and dresses, so guests can come in whatever makes them comfortable.
The campus has three entrances to know about. Door 1 is for families with children and for The Commons. Door 2 leads to the Worship Center and to Emmanuel Christian School. Door 3 opens into the Family Life Center and the church offices.
Before the service, the Brew Crew sets out coffee and cookies on Saturday evening and coffee and donuts on Sunday morning. The Commons and the Family Life Center both serve as refreshment spots.
Church office hours run Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to noon. The main phone line, 260-672-3377, is answered during those times. Callers with an emergency after hours can dial 8 to reach a pastor.
Kids' Walk: Children's Discipleship from Infants to Fifth Grade
Children's ministry is a centerpiece of life at Emmanuel. Programming runs every weekend at all three services for infants through 5th grade, and a Wednesday night Midweek program for kids, called HyFi, fills out the week during the school year.
Weekend programming goes by the name Kids' Walk. Children can be checked in for Kids' Walk on Saturdays at 6:00 PM, Sundays at 9:00 AM, or Sundays at 11:00 AM. Families should come through Door 1, where greeters help them get to the right room.
The elementary curriculum is The Gospel Project, a Christ-centered chronological study designed to connect children to Jesus and teach them His Word. A check-in system provides a printed name tag for every child and a matching security-coded tag for the parent or guardian who will pick them up; only the matching tag returns the child, which keeps the rooms locked to anyone else.
Pre-registration is available online to shorten a first visit. New families should plan for an extra 15 minutes on the first Sunday to register at Door 1.
HyFi is the Wednesday night program for kids from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the fall and spring. Children's ministry also publishes a newsletter and runs a Kids Walk Instagram account with curriculum recaps and family devotional ideas. A prayer team covers the ministry monthly in prayer.
Student Ministry: Middle School, High School, and Ignite
Middle school and high school students have their own rhythms throughout the week during the school year.
Collide is the middle school gathering on Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. It is built for grades 6 to 8 to grow in their faith and to build a network of Christian peers. A Snack Coordinator makes sure the room stays welcoming.
High school students meet on Sunday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 PM and gather monthly for Ignite, a Wednesday evening worship night from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Ignite gathers middle and high school students together for dinner, games, worship, gospel-centered teaching, and meaningful table conversation. Dinner is provided.
Two weekend retreats round out the year. Middle School Headrush and High School Headrush are weekend retreats designed to deepen faith, build friendships, and give students a next step in following Jesus.
Side by Side Studies are short-term discipleship studies designed around student schedules. Groups of two to four students meet for two to six weeks to grow through studies on the Gospels, Bible journaling, sharing your faith story, and similar topics.
High school students are also invited into the church's Community Groups, broken down by grade and gender, meeting in homes on Sunday evenings during the school year.
The youth ministry partners with parents through a weekly 5 Things email and a parent Facebook group, and a seasonal youth calendar is published for families.
Young Adults, Men, Women, Seniors: A Ministry for Each Season
Emmanuel organizes adult ministry around stages of life so that everyone can find their people.
Young adults from post-high school through age 30 meet through Group Nights. There is a College Group Night for those navigating post-high school and early adulthood, a Co-ed Group Night for others in a similar season, and a Couples Group Night for the engaged and newly married. After Group Nights help attendees meet people in their step, the next move is usually to form or join a Community Group for deeper, smaller-circle fellowship.
Men's ministry exists to develop men into disciples who pray, pursue, prepare for ministry, and participate in Kingdom opportunities. The ministry gathers men around common interests throughout the year and runs men's studies - in-person or online, morning or evening - including BetterMan Defined.
Women's ministry centers on Wednesday evening Midweek studies during the school year, a Wednesday morning women's Bible study, and a monthly gathering called Refresh, where women share personal testimonies of what God has done. The ministry also runs Coffee Connection as a relaxed way to meet other women, and a private Facebook group keeps the connection going between studies. Other recurring touch points include Coffee Connection, the Women's Bonfire, Friendsgiving, the Women's Pioneer Festival, and Dance Night.
Seniors find their community in Oasis, or "Older Adults Sharing in Service." Oasis is built around monthly Lunch & Learn events, day trips, group travel, and a low-impact Morning Stretch class. The seniors also serve alongside other ministries of the church.
Studies, E:Connect, and Membership
Bible studies for adults are offered at various times throughout the week, with most happening during the Wednesday night Midweek programming from September through March. The 6:30 to 8:00 PM Midweek slot runs programming for the whole family: kids in HyFi, students in youth ministry, and adults in their own class.
Studies include Grow in His Word (an orderly study with memory tools to help students grasp what happened in Scripture and in what order), the Colson Fellows-in-Training program (which develops Christian worldview thinking), and Rightnow Media (a streaming library of Bible studies and video resources the church provides free to its people).
E:Connect is the entry point for newcomers. The one-hour class is offered once a month and is designed to introduce visitors to the staff, beliefs, and ministries of the church. E:Connect is also the first step toward membership, and a separate Membership Class follows for those who want to make that commitment.
Baptism and Baby Dedication
Baptism is offered several times a year as a public declaration that Jesus has changed a life, with staff walking alongside those who want to take that step. Baby Dedication is a regular opportunity for parents to publicly commit to raising their children to know and follow Jesus while inviting the church family to walk alongside them with prayer and encouragement.
Six Keys to Biblical Community: Small Groups at ECC
Community Groups are the small-group spine of life at Emmanuel. The church has identified six foundational practices - called the Six Keys to Biblical Community - that help groups stay rooted in Christ. A handbook is available to download.
Most groups meet weekly or bi-weekly, often single-gender for in-depth accountability, and as couples monthly. Groups shape their own format. Some walk through book studies together; others share personal Scripture reflection. Groups are encouraged to share three guiding questions: How are you feeding your soul? How are you feeding your flesh (and where do you need prayer)? How are you feeding others?
When conflict arises, Emmanuel points groups to Jesus' model for reconciliation in Matthew 5:23-24 and 18:15-17. A Community Shepherd is a trusted leader assigned to support each group with prayer and counsel.
High school students also have their own Community Groups, broken down by grade and gender, meeting in homes on Sunday evenings during the school year.
Care, Re:generation, and Marriage Restoration
The Care and Recovery ministry at Emmanuel offers Christ-centered pathways for people navigating hard seasons.
Personal support includes one-on-one care, counseling referrals, financial assistance, funeral support, and resources for life's difficult seasons. A Care Ministry team, led by a Pastor of Care Ministries, walks alongside individuals.
Re:generation is the church's Christ-centered 12-step recovery program. It is built around confession, inventory, mentorship, and community, and it is open to anyone seeking freedom from hurts, habits, and hang-ups. The program runs on Mondays.
Betrayal and Beyond is a parallel track for women navigating the pain of sexual betrayal.
Marriage ministry offers Biblical guidance, intentional discipleship, and practical tools for couples at every season, whether they are looking to strengthen, restore, or rebuild.
Each of these ministries draws its leaders and mentors from within the church, and there are serving opportunities for those who want to help others find hope and healing.
ABLE: Special Needs Ministry at Emmanuel
ABLE Ministries partners with other ministries at Emmanuel to include individuals with special needs and their families. The goal is to provide support and to nurture a growing knowledge of Jesus Christ for anyone with special needs.
ABLE provides assistance during weekend and Midweek services, support for any church-sponsored activity, respite care resources, and social events like the ABLE Friends' Club - a recurring evening for children with special needs and their siblings that gives parents a few hours to rest - along with the annual ABLE Fall Ball, a prom night for individuals with special needs ages 14 and up.
ABLE also supports caregivers. A support group gathers caregivers of individuals with special needs, as well as adoptive and foster parents. ABLE caregivers fill out an Individualized Spiritual Plan each year so that ministry staff can support each person's spiritual goals.
ABLE has also partnered with UB Global in Thailand to help develop a special needs program at Baan Thang Luang School, where teachers and parents are learning how to support and educate children with special needs.
Reaching Near: Local Outreach in Fort Wayne
The REACH team at Emmanuel has a two-sided calling: reaching near and reaching far.
Locally, Emmanuel partners with several organizations. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) works with coaches and athletes. A Hope Center provides free pregnancy services. Inasmuch Ministries in downtown Fort Wayne focuses on food, clothing, household and hygiene items, bus passes, and limited financial assistance. International House serves refugees and internationals in Fort Wayne. LifeWise Academy brings Bible education to public school students in the area. New Mercies Ministries supports women and families in need of housing and stability. The Phoenix Alliance advocates for survivors of human trafficking. Place of Grace provides Christ-centered recovery for women. Redemption House runs transition homes for women rebuilding their lives. The Rescue Mission of Fort Wayne serves people experiencing homelessness across eleven surrounding counties.
On the second Sunday of each month, groups and families can serve together at The Rescue Mission, preparing and serving lunch as a community.
Reaching Far: Global Mission Partnerships
UB Global is the mission arm of the United Brethren church, and Emmanuel partners with it along with several other agencies.
The church supports missionary partners around the world. The Glunt family works in Thailand through a Good Soil Community Center, teaching English, visiting homes, and leading ministry to children. Jenaya Ferreira Novo serves in Macau, where she is finishing a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education. Chris and Kelly Lillpop serve on the US-based Josiah Venture International team, expanding partnerships with churches and universities. Adam and Ola Löffler mentor volunteer youth leaders across Poland. The Millers lead Fusion, a ministry that equips Polish believers to reach teens through music. Jeremiah and Elisa serve immigrants in a large US city. Mia serves the Oshari people in a restricted-access country.
Emmanuel also supports HOPE International, which provides Christ-centered microfinance and savings programs that help people restore dignity and self-worth. Wycliffe Bible Translators is the focus of a Bible Translation Project partnership, supporting translation needs in restricted-access nations. International Needs connects the church with the Palacios family in Barranquilla, Colombia, supporting medical, sewing, children's ministry, construction, refugee relief, and church planting. Trans World Radio brings the gospel through radio and online media.
Education Trips: From the Holy Land to Iona
Emmanuel's Education Trips program designs immersive travel experiences for adults that bring the Bible, church history, and Christian heritage to life.
Recurring itineraries include visits to the Land of the Bible (Israel, walking through Galilee and Jerusalem), the faith of St. Patrick across Ireland, the churches and thinkers of England and Scotland (including the grave of C. S. Lewis in Oxford and the island of Iona), the Christian heritage of Spain (Madrid, Toledo, Seville, Granada, Barcelona), and a Following the Reformers tour through Berlin, Wittenberg, Prague, Munich, Zurich, and Geneva.
Emmanuel Christian School
On the same campus sits Emmanuel Christian School, an accredited K through 5 elementary school that has been part of the church's mission for decades. ECS also operates a Homeschool Resource Center for secondary learning.
Families can schedule a tour to see how students are challenged academically, nurtured spiritually, and known personally. Door 2 opens directly into the school, and the school shares hallways with the Worship Center on Sunday mornings.
Spiritual Gifts and Serving at ECC
For anyone who wants to serve, Emmanuel offers a free spiritual gifts assessment as a starting point. The church has serving opportunities that cover nearly every gift and schedule.
Kids' ministry needs Elementary Small Group Leaders, Pre-K Classroom Leaders, Nursery Leaders, Stage Coordinators, Supply Coordinators, Kids' Kash Attendants, Guest Services volunteers, Events Team members, Mom to Mom childcare volunteers, and Tech Support.
Youth ministry needs Middle School and High School Community Group Leaders, Ignite Leaders, Ignite Meal Coordinators, Collide Group Leaders, Snack Coordinators, and Event Leaders.
Worship Arts recruits Band Members (particularly electric guitarists, drummers, and keyboardists) and Online Hosts for the Emmanuel Online services. Hospitality, Media and Production, Facilities, Care and Recovery, and Outreach all have their own teams.
Background checks are required for any role working with children, students, or vulnerable adults.
What We Believe
Emmanuel Community Church is part of the United Brethren in Christ denomination. The church focuses on the essentials of the Christian faith while keeping less important issues open for discussion, and the United Brethren founders identified seven essentials for those who want to become more like Christ in daily life.
The church confesses belief in the Triune God, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Emmanuel's own list of core values spells out what those commitments look like in practice:
- Christ-Centered - worshiping and serving Christ above all.
- Biblical - rooting everything in Scripture.
- Authentic - being open and honest about themselves.
- Transformational - measuring success by stories of life change.
- Missional - making disciples locally and globally.
- Relational - structuring life around healthy relationships.
- Courageous - expecting change and working through challenges.
Encounter and the Weekday Rhythm
Beyond the weekend services and the Wednesday night Midweek, Emmanuel runs several recurring rhythms that keep the life of the church rooted in worship and prayer. Held on the first Sunday evening of the month, Encounter is a one-hour gathering of worship and prayer designed to fix eyes on Christ and respond to Him as one church family. Encounter, together with the weekly Midweek, the Saturday service, the two Sunday services, and the Community Groups, fills out a week that keeps Scripture, prayer, and relationships at the center.
The Branch and a Wider Footprint
A second building, called The Branch at 7227 Bittersweet Moors Drive, hosts select classes, groups, and ministry gatherings during the week. It is a nearby campus that gives Emmanuel more space for the smaller rhythms of church life: Bible studies, support groups, leadership meetings, and the overflow that a growing congregation on the southwest side of Fort Wayne needs.
His Word, Our Walk, in Southwest Fort Wayne
Emmanuel has been a fixture of southwest Fort Wayne for more than half a century. From a small group meeting in a school gym to a multi-venue campus that serves children, students, and adults through every stage of the week, the church's purpose has stayed the same: to be disciples who make disciples, with His Word as the anchor and the rest as the walk.