North Glencoe Baptist Church gathers in the heart of Glencoe, Alabama, with a weekly rhythm that starts at 9 a.m. and continues through Wednesday at 6 p.m. Its contact address is 1119 Chastain Blvd., Gadsden, AL 35905. The church's message is to make much of Jesus “whether that be inside or outside our church walls.” Its distinctive work for families is Kid City, where children learn about Jesus through Bible lessons, worship made for children, games, activities, and friendships.
A Sunday Rhythm: 9 A.M. Groups, 10 A.M. Worship
Every Sunday morning at 10 a.m., the congregation gathers for worship. The 9 a.m. hour is not one undifferentiated class but a set of small groups for adults, children and youth, and seniors. North Glencoe presents gathered worship as engaging and welcoming to people of any and all backgrounds, with the aim that people discover who God is and the purpose He has for them in His story.
First-time visitors need three regular times and one address:
- 9 a.m. Sunday: Adult and senior small groups, Kid City classes, and youth groups meet throughout the church.
- 10 a.m. Sunday: The weekly worship service gathers the church together.
- 6 p.m. Wednesday: The midweek gathering includes worship and fellowship, with children's ministry beginning at the same hour.
The church can be reached at 256-492-1910 and secretary@northglencoe.org.
Small Groups Divided by Life, Interest and Age
North Glencoe's 9 a.m. groups give adults and seniors distinct places to study the Bible and pursue the subjects closest to their lives. Some groups welcome single or married participants, while others focus on men, women, parents, or particular seasons of life.
Adult Groups
- Faithwalkers meets in Room 101 for adults of all ages, single or married. Mark Harper leads an in-depth study of the Bible, chapter by chapter and verse by verse.
- Family Strong meets in Room 200 for adults and parents, including single and married participants. Chip McKenzie and Chase Pope lead the group, which focuses on strengthening families through biblical principles.
- Keeping it Real meets in the Battles Conference Room for adult men of all ages, single or married. Jeff Little leads the class around authentic Christian living.
- Men's Bible Fellowship meets in Room 104 for adult men, generally age 30 and older. David Holmes leads a group devoted to deepening understanding of Scripture and fellowship.
- Journey Through the Bible meets in Room 108 for ladies of all ages. Judy Brown leads an exploration of the Bible's narrative from a female perspective.
- The Struggle is Real meets in Room 103 for adult women of all ages, single or married. Denise Higginbotham leads a class about finding strength and support in God's Word through life's challenges.
Together, these adult classes show a church that takes seriously both careful Bible study and the realities of daily life. The subjects range from verse-by-verse examination to family strength, authentic faith, and support through personal struggles.
Groups for Seniors
- Healing Hearts meets in Room 102 for senior adult ladies. Carolyn Spurgeon leads a class centered on finding healing and encouragement in God's word.
- Joy meets in the Pastor's Office for senior ladies. Betty Pope leads a group focused on finding joy and inspiration in Christ.
- Ladies III meets in Trailer 204 for senior ladies. Jennifer Long leads a group for fellowship and Bible study.
- Joe Cothran's Class meets in Room 106 for senior adult men. Harley Goble and William Whitehead lead a class for Bible study and fellowship.
- Men I meets in the Main Office for senior adult men. Don Smith leads a class for men's Bible study and fellowship.
Kid City: Children at the Center of the Church
Kid City was created to be a safe, exciting, and faith-filled environment where children can grow in their relationship with Jesus. North Glencoe believes that kids “aren't just the future of the church. They're a huge part of it right now.” The ministry combines Bible-based teaching, worship made especially for children, games, activities, and meaningful friendships. Its aim is for each child to know that he or she is loved by God and by the church family.
A 9 A.M. Class for Every Child and Student
Children and students begin the Sunday morning in age-specific settings:
- Nursery serves children from birth through age 4 in the nursery. Leah Loyd, Cathy Heath, and Susan Mostella lead the class.
- Mid Town serves ages 5 and 6 in Kid City under Allison Barkley, Melissa McKenzie, and Tonya Farrow.
- First and second grades meet in Kid City with Judy Buck.
- Third through fifth grades meet in Kid City with Chris Steward, Sean Barkley, and Chip McKenzie.
- Middle and high school students meet at The Warehouse under youth minister Wade Carney.
When adult worship begins at 10 a.m., all Kid City ages 4 through fifth grade come together for a larger-group experience. That gathering includes worship made for them, understandable Bible teaching, games, activities, fun, connection, and encouragement. Children remain in Kid City throughout the worship service, allowing parents to participate fully in worship while knowing their children are cared for in a safe and meaningful environment.
Safe Check-In and Room for Parents
Every Kid City volunteer completes background checks, training, and screening, while secure check-in procedures support each arrival. Friendly volunteers help families check in and show them exactly where to go. Parents who need a quieter moment with a young child can use a comfortable nursing room. Cozy seating is also available for parents and children who need a break during the service.
Wednesday at 6 P.M. Keeps the Week Going
Wednesday's 6 p.m. gathering is for worship and fellowship, and Kid City gives children an evening gathering of their own. Beginning at 6 p.m., children take part in interactive Bible lessons, worship, friendship-building, games, and activities. The evening also centers on midweek encouragement and community, giving families another opportunity to stay connected, grow in faith, and build lasting friendships.
The Ministry Team Behind the Gatherings
North Glencoe's ministry team combines pastoral leadership with dedicated work in worship, media, preschool, children, women, and youth:
- Craig Renyolds serves as senior pastor.
- David Anderson serves as worship and media pastor.
- Leah Loyd serves as preschool director and helps lead the nursery small group.
- Donna Huff serves as children's and women's director and leads the children's ministry.
- Wade Carney serves as youth minister and leads the middle and high school group at The Warehouse.
Donna Huff describes her goal as helping children know that they matter deeply to God and to the church family. Her work spans Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights, from Bible lessons and first-day reassurance to worship, games, and relationships with families. Leah's work connects preschool ministry with the nursery group, while Wade's youth leadership centers on the students who gather at The Warehouse.
Making Much of Jesus Inside and Beyond the Walls
North Glencoe's mission is framed around discovery. Its hope is that people who join the journey will discover a God “active, alive, and at work” in their lives. The church holds that people can discover who God is and the purpose He has for each of them in His story, with an emphasis on a faith that is real and relevant in life today.
That conviction shapes the ministry in practical ways. Kid City treats children as active members of the church now, not as people waiting on the sidelines. Adult and senior groups pursue biblical understanding in different forms, from the narrative of Scripture and chapter-by-verse study to strengthening homes, finding encouragement, and supporting one another through challenges. North Glencoe wants church to be an engaging and exciting place where people of any and all backgrounds can encounter a God who is real and relevant in their lives.
Messages, Giving and the Continuing Life of the Church
Every service can be watched on YouTube. Sunday morning worship, past sermon series, and special services remain available for people who are traveling, home sick, working late, or revisiting a sermon that spoke to them. The church also maintains a podcast on Spotify.
Giving is available through the church's online giving, and an events calendar keeps the congregation informed about gatherings. North Glencoe also offers church merchandise in a Collegiate Collection that includes T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, and other casual pieces.
A Church with Room for Every Part of the Story
North Glencoe Baptist Church's week has a clear shape: small groups at 9 a.m., worship at 10 a.m., and a Wednesday gathering at 6 p.m. Adults and seniors study and fellowship in groups built around their lives, children move from age-specific classes into a place of their own during worship, and students have a dedicated youth setting. North Glencoe carries the same invitation through every part of its ministry: discover who God is, grow in His story, and make much of Jesus inside and beyond the church walls.