Gateway Baptist Church on Sandy Ford Road in Newton, NC, is known for the caring welcome named in its motto, "A Church that Cares About You." Its weekly life pairs adult Bible study and two Sunday worship gatherings with Wednesday Awana for ages 3-18, a summer student gathering, and adult Bible study and prayer. The church defines its mission around a living relationship with Jesus Christ, worship, evangelism, discipleship, Christian fellowship, and personal and family ministry.
A Gospel-centered Mission in Newton
The mission of Gateway Baptist Church is to lead people to experience a living relationship with Jesus Christ and to share that relationship with others. Five expressions of that mission shape the church's ministry:
- Exciting worship
- A vigorous program of saturation evangelism
- A need-oriented plan of discipleship training
- A warm, caring atmosphere of Christian fellowship
- A strong emphasis on personal and family ministry
A featured scripture is Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." The recurring worship theme is the celebration of the finished work of Jesus Christ through blended worship music and biblical preaching. This Jesus-centered focus also appears in the student ministry's aim of helping young people become fully devoted followers and in the gospel-centered family resources offered for spiritual growth.
Sunday School at 9:30 and Worship at 10:45 and 6:30
Sunday begins at 9:30 a.m. with Sunday School, which continues until 10:30 a.m. Gateway Baptist Church offers a wide range of Bible study classes for adults, giving worshipers a choice intended to fit their spiritual needs. Greeters are available to help first-time attendees find the class that fits them.
The morning worship gathering begins at 10:45 a.m. The congregation celebrates the finished work of Jesus Christ through blended worship music and solid, biblical preaching. Nursery and children's church are provided during the 10:45 a.m. service. A second worship gathering takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday evening.
Wednesday Awana and Year-Round Prayer
Wednesday evenings center on two steady rhythms. During the school year, Awana begins at 6:30 p.m. for children and students ages 3-18. The program combines meaningful time together, fun, service, relevant Bible study, and discipleship, with a particular emphasis on meeting young people where they are. Adults meet for Bible study and prayer at 7:00 p.m. throughout the year.
When school is out, middle and high school students gather at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. The student ministry says its volunteer team is committed to leading young people toward becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus through activities that bring them together for fellowship, Bible study, service, and discipleship.
Gospel Bluegrass, Southern Gospel, and Contemporary
Music is a major part of Gateway Baptist Church's identity, led by Music Director Charles Tomblin. The adult choir practices each Sunday afternoon, and the church also has ensembles and groups for both men and women. Its music is described as well blended, ranging from Gospel Bluegrass and Southern Gospel to Contemporary music.
There are opportunities for people who sing solos, duets, trios, and other groups, along with musicians who play piano, guitar, harmonica, saxophone, flute, and other instruments. Volunteers also work with children's music. Weekly rehearsals include the Ladies Ensemble at 4:30 p.m. and Choir Practice at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
The music ministry says, "If God has given you the talent of singing or playing an instrument, please use it to praise Him." Its goal is to use those musical gifts in serving "our King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
Young People Are the Church
The student ministry's conviction is that young people are not "just the future of the church" but "they ARE the church." A team of volunteers leads the youth toward becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus through activities that include meaningful time together, fun, service, Bible study, and discipleship.
During the school year, Awana serves as the Wednesday student gathering for ages 3-18. The summer schedule gives middle and high school students their own meeting at 7:00 p.m. Children's Church is provided during the 10:45 a.m. worship gathering, with a team of Children's Church Directors serving that ministry.
Named Leadership and Spiritual Resources
Jerome Walker serves as senior pastor. Charles Tomblin is Music Director and Church Administrator. Children's Church Directors are Lisa Hoyle, Anthony Hoyle, and Katie Hoyle, while Jeremy Parker leads Youth Ministry. These roles place music, children, and students alongside the pastoral leadership of the church.
Gateway Baptist Church's spiritual-growth offerings include several resources for individuals and families:
- My Utmost for His Highest, a daily devotional by Oswald Chambers that compiles his Christian preaching to students and soldiers
- Gospel-centered family devotional books
- Daily Spurgeon morning and evening readings from Charles Spurgeon
- The Bible Project, with creative Bible teaching videos on books of the Bible and biblical themes for parents and teens
The church's Facebook feed offers another way to remain connected with the life and ministry of Gateway Baptist Church.
On Sandy Ford Road in Newton
Gateway Baptist Church is located at 3105 Sandy Ford Road, Newton, NC 28658. The main church phone is (828) 294-1519. A "Watch Online" option is available for worship. Church office hours are Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sunday School begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship at 10:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Awana for ages 3-18 begins at 6:30 p.m. during the school year. Adult Bible study and prayer continues at 7:00 p.m. throughout the year, while middle and high school students gather at that time during summer.
At 3105 Sandy Ford Road, Gateway Baptist Church carries out its stated mission through blended worship, biblical preaching, discipleship, caring fellowship, evangelism, and personal and family ministry.