Kirkwood Road Christian Church sits at the corner of Essex and Kirkwood Roads in Kirkwood, Missouri. The independent, non-denominational fellowship is known for Bible-centered teaching, a 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship service, and ministry that reaches from children and families to older adults and neighbors in need. Senior Pastor Richie Kyburz, Youth and Family Pastor BJ Jenkin, and Spanish Bible Study Leader Erick Carreon serve a congregation that includes people from all walks of life. Its identity is summarized in three words: Love, Build, Reach.
At 10 A.M.: A Casual, Bible-Centered Worship Service
Sunday worship begins at 10:00 a.m. in the auditorium. A large parking area sits on the south side of the building, and visitors may park anywhere in the lot. Two entrances serve the building; greeters welcome people at either door and direct families toward Children's Church and the nursery. An elevator at the West Entrance provides step-free access.
The service is intentionally low-pressure. The congregation is casual, and no one is asked to stand or introduce themselves. Members may offer a greeting before or after worship, but public participation is not required. Jeans and a T-shirt are appropriate.
Music is deliberately varied. The praise and worship team focuses mainly on current songs but draws from many decades, moving between contemporary Christian music and hymns and often taking an acoustic rock and folk character. The goal is worshipful singing led by those God has raised up to serve, with places for musicians, music lovers, and volunteers who run sound and visual media.
Communion is served every Sunday as a remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice. People pick up a communion cup as they enter. No offering plate is passed; donation baskets are available, and gifts can also be made online.
Worship is livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook Live. Past sermons are available through both platforms.
The Work Behind the Sunday Service
KRCC's Communion Ministry prepares the trays, manages the communion and offering locations, and provides a short three-to-five-minute meditation that complements the sermon. Teams serve on rotating schedules, and the ministry says its only special requirement is a willing heart.
The Media Ministry supplies the projected words used for songs, videos and graphics during the message, announcement slides, and start-and-end control for the YouTube livestream. Sound and backstage volunteers support the service, while greeters, the building team, and the grounds team help maintain a welcoming setting for each gathering.
Sunday Classes at 9 A.M. and 10 A.M.
Several studies meet from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. before worship:
- Adult Bible Study in English, 9:00-9:45 a.m.
- Young Adult Bible Study in English, 9:00-9:45 a.m.
- Women's Bible Study in English, 9:00-9:45 a.m.
- Children's Bible Time, 9:00-9:45 a.m.
- Estudio Bíblico Dominical en Español, 9:00-9:45 a.m.
At 10:00 a.m., Children's Church and the nursery open while adults worship. The nursery serves infants through age 2 and is also offered during select events. Families with children are escorted to the Children's Church area and nursery space by greeters.
Why Families Say They Stay Connected
Families who regularly attend describe a church life built around several connected strengths: Bible-based teaching, the nursery, Wednesday suppers, and uplifting music. They value weekly Communion as a way of staying connected to Christ, and they also value opportunities to serve, whether in the Puppet Ministry, landscaping, Children's Church, or other volunteer work. The nursery allows parents to worship together, while Puppet performances and VBS give the whole family ways to participate.
When someone needs help, the church gathers around to support that person, and caring for singles is part of its communal life. Its outreach includes two vans that bring neighborhood children for a hot meal, fellowship, and Bible study and worship by age group. The combination of sermons, music, children's programs, Vacation Bible School, teen activities, and friendships that feel like family gives regular attendees a shared reason to return each week.
Estudio Bíblico Dominical en Español
Estudio Bíblico Dominical en Español meets at 9:00 a.m. in the church and online through Zoom for participants anywhere in the United States. Erick Carreon leads the bilingual study, giving Hispanic families and individuals an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Scripture in their native language.
Lessons include biblical teaching and discussion, with leaders seeking to create a warm, supportive setting. The study welcomes newcomers and longtime Bible students alike, emphasizing both stronger understanding of the Word and meaningful relationships among those who attend.
Love, Build, Reach: The Church's Three Priorities
KRCC's three priorities come from its mission and vision. Each has a spiritual foundation and a practical expression.
Love
Love is grounded in 1 Corinthians 13:13, where faith, hope and love remain and love is the greatest. The church calls people to love God with their whole being and to love one another genuinely and practically. That love extends to people searching for truth and people with needs the church can meet, joining the message of Jesus with practical service.
Build
Build comes from Ephesians 4:12 and centers on strengthening the body of Christ through service. KRCC looks for ways to equip members for leadership, volunteer opportunities, ministry inside the church, and involvement in the community. Its people range from children to older adults and come from varied ethnic backgrounds, united as one family with the same Heavenly Father.
Reach
Reach reflects the Great Commission and the church's desire to bring the Word of God into the community. Neighborhood barbecues, Vacation Bible School, the Wednesday teen Bible study, Facebook Live worship, and Zoom Bible studies are among the ways this priority is lived. It also shapes missions support, care for families, help for people experiencing homelessness, and Spanish-language Bible study.
Learning the Bible and Its Language
Scripture learning is both a regular church practice and a public teaching emphasis. Alongside Bible classes, KRCC offers a video series on how the 66 books fit together as one narrative, why it believes the Bible can be trusted, strategies for interpreting different genres, and a workshop for questions and discussion. People can also download a guide explaining common Christian words, terms, and phrases for those who want to understand the language used in church.
A Clear Faith Without a Human Hierarchy
KRCC is an independent church with no creed but Christ, no name beyond New Testament descriptions of followers of Jesus, and no human hierarchy governing the congregation. It has no tests of fellowship based on creeds or human tradition, and it depends on Jesus Christ and the Word of God.
- The Bible is the complete and inspired word of God.
- Jesus Christ is the Son of God and divine. He was born through the Virgin Mary, died for humanity's sins, rose on the third day according to Scripture, and now intercedes at God's right hand.
- The Holy Spirit is the third member of the Holy Godhead and resides within every believer. Spiritual gifts are given to build up the body of Christ and expand the kingdom on earth.
- All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and no human being except Jesus has ever been morally perfect. Salvation can be obtained only through faith in Jesus Christ.
- Those who respond to the gospel are to believe in Jesus Christ, repent of sin, confess Jesus as Lord, be baptized by immersion in his name, and remain faithful even to death.
The church exists to glorify God through worship and obedience, to connect people with Christ and one another, and to build people up in faith through love.
Wednesday Suppers, Study, and Neighborhood Children
On Wednesdays, a freewill-offering supper begins at 6:00 p.m., followed by Wednesday Night Adult Bible Study at 6:30 p.m. in the lower level of the church building. Older youth and teens meet at 6:45. The shared meal and classes make room for people of different ages to study and worship together.
Neighborhood outreach adds another layer to Wednesday nights. Two large vans bring children from nearby neighborhoods to the church for fellowship, a hot meal, and Bible study and worship time divided by age groups. Families describe this combination of supper, study, and care for neighborhood children as one of the reasons they stay connected to their church family.
Children Grow in Christ and Take Their Place in the Church
Children's Ministry partners with parents to disciple children toward a heart for Christ. Its aim is to equip children to know Christ, grow in Christ, and show Christ to others. Sunday classes and Children's Church create regular opportunities for children to learn and participate, and volunteer teachers and helpers are welcomed for classes, worship, and special events.
The nursery provides a loving, clean, secure, and safe setting for children from infancy through age 2. Vacation Bible School is a June program, while the Puppet Ministry uses both young people and adults to create memorable skits centered on Bible stories and Scripture. Junior and senior high ministry gives older students their own place in the church's learning and fellowship life.
A Building Used for Learning, Worship, and Fellowship
KRCC's building serves more than worship. The lower level hosts the Wednesday adult Bible study, while the coffee house provides a regular setting for the Circle of Friends Book Club. Children's Church and nursery spaces give younger families a place to participate during worship. The Building Ministry handles regular maintenance and approved projects, and the Grounds Ministry plants, mulches, waters, trims, weeds, and repairs fences to create an inviting environment.
Meals, Homeless Ministry, Grief Care, and Other Support
The Meals Ministry provides meals for people recovering from surgery, facing extended illness, welcoming a new baby, or dealing with the loss of a family member. Meals can be delivered in different ways, turning practical support into direct care.
Helping Hands collects and distributes Bibles, hygiene items, backpacks, blankets, coats, and other winter clothing to people experiencing homelessness and need. Deliveries go to shelters serving homeless people in St. Louis, providing both essential supplies and Bibles.
Grief Ministry offers Hope and Healing through the holidays, support for the loss of a spouse, and Good Grief gatherings. It recognizes that support for people in sorrow is a continuing part of church life.
The Missions Ministry partners with people and organizations committed full time to making disciples of Jesus, while recognizing that meeting human needs is often central to those ministries. It also communicates opportunities for short-term service. Christ in Cards sends greeting cards with a personal note when people are hurting, ill, or celebrating a special day, adding a message of care from the church family.
Many Ways to Serve, Meet, and Belong
Service at KRCC is distributed across many teams, so involvement can take many forms. A community choir visits nursing homes. The Circle of Friends Book Club meets monthly on Friday evenings in the church's coffee house to discuss a Christian-themed book, and the Circle of Friends Coffee Club gathers at 8:30 a.m. on the last Saturday of each month at St. Louis Bread Company in Sunset Hills.
Other regular roles and groups include:
- A men's ministry focused on spiritual health, education, and leadership through a monthly breakfast, Iron Sharpens Iron conferences, outings, and retreats.
- Women's luncheons, weekend conferences, the book club, and the monthly coffee gathering.
- Greeters, worship, sound, media, backstage, and fellowship teams.
- Puppet Ministry, Christ in Cards, Missions Ministry, and outreach service.
- Building and Grounds Ministry, turning property care into regular service to the congregation.
Whether in music, teaching, hospitality, property care, meals, outreach, or missions, these teams let members contribute specific gifts while strengthening the life of the congregation and community.
A Continuing Ministry at One Kirkwood Address
After serving as KRCC's senior minister for 31 years, Glenn handed regular preaching and lead ministry to Richie Kyburz. Richie now serves as senior pastor, alongside BJ Jenkin in youth and family ministry and Erick Carreon in the Spanish Bible study. Their work continues the church's emphasis on Bible teaching, worship, practical care, and service across generations.
At the Corner of Essex and Kirkwood Roads
Kirkwood Road Christian Church's life follows a steady rhythm: adult and youth Bible study at 9:00 a.m., worship at 10:00, and a Wednesday supper followed by study and youth connection. Around that rhythm are children's classrooms, a nursery, Spanish-language study, grief and meal support, outreach to the homeless, music-led worship, fellowship over food, and many volunteer roles. At 529 N. Kirkwood Road in Kirkwood, the non-denominational fellowship seeks to love God, build up people in faith, and reach the world in practical ways.