North Belt Baptist Church sits along Old North Belt Drive in Humble, in the northern stretch of Harris County, Texas. The congregation is a family-focused, Bible-centered body known for its trio of Sunday services, its use of the King James Version, and the Sunday "picnic" lunch that fills the gym after the last service of the day.
Three Sunday Gatherings and a Wednesday Bible Study
North Belt runs what it calls "a unique church schedule." The day begins with a Sunday School Hour at 9:45 AM, followed by Morning Worship at 11:00 AM and an Afternoon Worship service at 3:00 PM. Wednesday evenings bring a Bible Study at 6:30 PM, the church's main midweek teaching time. The Lord's Supper is observed on the first Sunday of every month.
What Visitors Find at North Belt
Worship at North Belt is traditional. The congregation loves singing the old hymns, and the central focus of each service is the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. Scripture readings and sermons are drawn from the King James Version.
Special Sunday moments throughout the year include baptisms, baby dedications, fellowships, family play days, graduation celebrations, and baby or wedding showers. Children play on the playground throughout the day, and once the afternoon service and choirs are finished, the volleyball net sometimes goes up in the gym.
Pastor Will Swem
Will Swem has been serving in ministry since 2012. He earned a bachelor's degree in Pastoral Ministries from Pensacola Christian College and a master's from Pensacola Theological Seminary. Before coming to North Belt Baptist Church, he spent eight years pastoring in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He and his wife, Pamela, are the parents of six children. Will is passionate about the clear preaching and teaching of God's Word and what he describes as its "marvelous ability to transform lives and meet our deepest needs."
Anchored in the Whole of Scripture
North Belt Baptist Church describes itself as a group of born-again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ under the total authority of the Bible. The church's stated purpose is to make disciples of all nations in obedience to Matthew 28:19-20 and II Timothy 3:16-17, and to share the Gospel with those who do not yet know Christ.
The congregation holds to a detailed statement of faith built on the Bible as the holy, inspired Word of God. Members believe in one God manifested in three Persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and in Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man, the only mediator between God and men, and the only means of salvation. The Holy Spirit is recognized as fully divine, promised by the Father and the Son, and given to indwell every believer at the moment of salvation.
Salvation, the church teaches, is by grace through faith and is the free gift of God. Once a person is saved, they are eternally secure in the Father's hand. The church also holds to a personal, imminent return of Christ for His Bride, followed by His premillennial return to set up His kingdom. Two ordinances are observed: baptism by water immersion, an outward picture of being spiritually dead, buried, and raised with Christ, and the Lord's Supper, observed in remembrance of Christ's death at Calvary.
Choirs, Children, and a Sunday Crockpot Lunch
Many in the congregation love to sing, and North Belt has two choirs that rehearse on Sunday afternoons at 2:00 PM. The Adult Choir welcomes singers ages 16 and up, and the Children's Choir is for ages 8 to 15.
A nursery is provided for infants through children four years old. A nursing mother's room, complete with a livestream of the service, is also available for the comfort of mothers and their babies. Children of all ages are welcome in every service. After the Afternoon Worship service, families gather in the gym for what the church cheerfully calls a "picnic" lunch. Members bring crockpots, set out casseroles on the warmer, bring coolers and plasticware, or pick something up at a nearby restaurant, and the afternoon turns into hours of fellowship.
Midweek Word, Livestream, and a Podcast
Wednesday Bible Study at 6:30 PM keeps the teaching going through the week. For those who cannot attend in person, services are livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube, and a catalog of past messages is available through the church's sermon stream page. Selected messages are also released as a podcast for listeners who want to keep up between Sundays.
Finding the Church on Old North Belt Drive
North Belt Baptist Church is located at 7534 Old North Belt Drive in Humble, Texas. The church office can be reached at 281-441-2254. Online giving is available through a secure portal for those who want to support the work of the church from home.
The church family at North Belt describes itself as "family-friendly," focused on the encouragement and support of the family as a whole. Visitors are welcomed warmly each Sunday, and the prayer of the church is that each one will "experience the truth of God's Word and the love of Christ in a new way."