At 2600 Ave. A in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Council Bluffs First Church of the Nazarene is a family-focused, Bible-centered church known for making room for children, students, adults, and families while keeping prayer and practical service near the center of church life. Its Sunday rhythm begins with New Testament Church Groups at 9:15 a.m., continues with worship at 10:30 a.m., and extends into weekly prayer, student ministry, shared meals, and care through the Friendship Pantry. Worship can also be watched on YouTube or Facebook.
Sunday School and Worship for Every Generation
New Testament Church Groups, also called Sunday School, meet from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. and require no sign-up. Classes are for growing in faith, studying God's Word, and connecting through conversation, teaching, and prayer. Ushers at the front door help people find the right class, and there is a class for everyone. Two adult groups are Glory Class in the conference room and Faith Connections in the fellowship hall.
Sunday worship begins at 10:30 a.m. The church pairs inspiring worship and practical teaching for adults with dynamic children's programs and engaging youth gatherings. During the service, children stay with their families for the opening portion and are then dismissed to Children's Church. Ushers at the front door guide families to the children's area, while volunteers at the check-in desk help parents settle children into the correct rooms.
The congregation gathers in person and online every Sunday morning. The livestream is available on YouTube and Facebook, and participants can join from a living room, a car, or a family member's house.
Parking Beside the Church
The main parking lot is directly across the street to the south of the church and has plenty of space. A smaller lot sits across the street to the east. Visitors who need accessible parking will find designated spaces in the lot immediately next to the church on the west side.
Help for a First Visit
The church offers a plan a visit option with information about the service, help connecting and answering questions, and assistance pre-registering children. Ushers meet families at the front door, guide them to the children's area, and help with Kids Check-In. Sunday School requires no sign-up; some other groups ask participants to sign up. A typical worship service can be viewed on YouTube.
Safe Ministry From Six Weeks Through Sixth Grade
Children's ministries serve ages six weeks through sixth grade. Children in kindergarten through sixth grade begin the 10:30 service with their families in the sanctuary, then move to age-appropriate classes after worship. At the check-in desk, volunteers help families find the right room, and ushers greet guests at the entrance. Pre-registration is available to make a first visit easier.
Safety is a stated priority. Volunteers are trained, every volunteer is screened with a background check, and the children's hallway is monitored by security personnel and security cameras. Lessons are age-appropriate and interactive, use multiple approaches for different learning styles, and focus on God, his love, who Jesus is, and how Jesus can make a difference in a child's life. The aim is for children to understand faith in a setting described as safe, fun, and engaging.
Prayer Meeting and Prayer Burn
Every Wednesday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., the whole church gathers for Prayer Meeting in the sanctuary. The Monday Prayer Burn runs from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Both are times to seek God, pray for one another, and spend time in his presence. Everyone is welcome at either gathering, and no sign-up is required.
Lead Pastor Chris Burrell is especially committed to prayer. He sees it as a vital way to commune with God, intercede for others, and grow closer to the Lord.
ECHO Student Ministries and ReSonate
ECHO Student Ministries is for students in sixth through twelfth grade. It meets from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Sundays of each month for Bible study, fellowship, friendship, and games. The ministry also uses Colossians 2:6-7 to describe the aim: roots growing down into Christ, lives built on him, and faith growing strong in the truth taught so that life overflows with thankfulness. Students also have a Sunday school class at 9:15 a.m.
ReSonate Dinner and Worship brings the family together on the fourth Saturday of each month from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Dinner is served in the fellowship hall at 5:00, followed by worship in the sanctuary at 5:30. It is presented as an evening for a great time of worship, with the whole family invited.
Men's and Women's Fellowship
Men's and women's ministries give adults and families regular ways to meet. The Men's Prayer Breakfast includes breakfast, fellowship, a devotional, and prayer, and all men and boys are welcome. The Women's Prayer Breakfast has the same emphasis, with all women and girls invited. Women's Craft Night centers on crafts and fellowship, and attendees are asked to sign up if they plan to come.
Young adults also have an opportunity to gather, fellowship with one another, and worship Jesus. Alongside these groups, Sunday School remains an open way for people to study the Bible, talk, and pray without registering first.
Friendship Pantry at 2616 Avenue A
The Friendship Pantry gives the church's mission a visible form at 2616 Ave. A in Council Bluffs. Its purpose is to introduce people to God's love through the love of God's people and to reach people whose needs other organizations do not meet. Guests receive a one-month supply of grooming and cleaning supplies, treated with respect and compassion. The pantry also offers conversation, refreshments, and prayer, and usually has used household items available for guests to choose.
Distributions are by appointment on the second Saturday of each month from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. A pantry visit includes someone praying for the guest and providing for the guest's needs.
What the Church Believes
The church's core beliefs center on one God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and on Jesus Christ, who died for sins, rose again, and is coming to take believers to heaven. It teaches that the Bible is God's inspired Word, that people have a sin nature and need God, and that turning from sin and trusting Christ leads to cleansing, new birth, and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. The church is described as the community that confesses Jesus Christ as Lord, a covenant people made new in Christ and called together by the Holy Spirit through the Word.
Baptism is the outward symbol of inner transformation and a public demonstration of following Christ. The Lord's Supper remembers Christ's death for sins, and all who confess Jesus as Lord are welcome to participate. The church believes in final judgment and Christ's return, with the dead raised. It also teaches that God can heal and that the church prays for healing while also believing God can work through medical science. The church also holds that Scripture is plenary, salvation through faith in Christ is for the whole human race, and believers are wholly sanctified after regeneration.
Love for God and Love for People
Council Bluffs First Church is a community of believers seeking to know God more closely. It wants to serve everyone who comes through its doors weekly and lead them to Jesus, while pursuing a culture of love and generosity in the name of Jesus Christ. Its mission is to introduce people to God's love through the love of God's people.
The church's purpose is expressed through three commitments: trusting God wholeheartedly, leading others to Christ, and committing oneself to holy living. Its vision has four parts. Community means being sensitive to the needs of the community and trying to meet them. Accepting means loving the family of God unconditionally while building authentic relationships. Reaping refers to gathering a great spiritual harvest. Empowering means equipping and encouraging every member for service in the church family and the wider community.
Those aims shape an outward posture the church calls a church without walls. Drawing on the book of Acts, it emphasizes going outside the walls to reach people who are lost and broken, seeing the city changed, and extending grace and the hope of Jesus Christ. Relationships, fellowship, the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God are all valued closely.
Lead Pastor Chris Burrell
Chris Burrell is lead pastor. He is passionate about helping people encounter Jesus and grow in authentic community. He gave his life to Christ at age five and felt called to preach by age ten. Raised in Kansas with three brothers and a sister, he grew up around horses and cattle before attending MidAmerica Nazarene University, where he graduated in 2001.
That same year he married Carly and entered full-time ministry. They are raising two daughters who love and serve Jesus. Chris values connecting with people over coffee or lunch and believes life is meant to be lived in community. He has a particular heart for the next generation, considering today's youth to be the church now, not only its future. Away from ministry, he enjoys motorcycles, camping, disc golf, and time with family and friends.
Giving and Mission Support
Online giving, tithes, and offerings support the church's ministry and outreach. Generous giving is presented as worship and personal handing back what God owns, citing 1 Chronicles 29:14. The church also emphasizes faithful stewardship, ethical business practices, and accountability to the lead team and denomination. Council Bluffs First Church is involved with mission groups around the world, and gifts can support that wider mission work.
At 2600 Ave. A, Council Bluffs First Church continues to gather families, students, and adults around worship, prayer, biblical teaching, fellowship, and compassionate service.