An Unlikely Beginning at a Drive-In Theater
Overland Park Christian Church sits at the corner of 75th Street and Conser, between Metcalf and Antioch, on the west side of a Johnson County suburb. Its story, however, starts somewhere a little less conventional. OPCC did not begin in a sanctuary. It began at a drive-in theater.
From those unusual beginnings, generations of people have worshiped, served, celebrated, grieved, learned, and grown together as Overland Park Christian Church. The congregation marked a 75th anniversary with a retrospective video that traces the people, places, and ministries that shaped it. The drive-in theater may be long gone, but the willingness to see church a little differently has stayed. The building has changed, the parking lots have been paved, and the surrounding neighborhood has grown up around it. The congregation's openness to what church can become has not.
Sunday Mornings at the Corner of 75th and Conser
A Sunday at OPCC starts earlier than the worship service. At 9:00 a.m., coffee is poured in the Fireside Room and conversation begins to fill the hallway. The same hour opens Christian Education classes for children, youth, and adults in classrooms throughout the building, including seasonal studies. Coffee Fellowship continues throughout the morning, so people can move between class and worship without missing a cup.
At 10:30 a.m., the Sanctuary fills for the congregation's primary weekly gathering. Worship brings together prayer, music, scripture, communion, and a message for the journey of faith. Children are welcome in worship, and during the school year, Children Worship & Wonder follows the communion portion of the service for children ages three and older. The nursery is open from 10:00 a.m. to noon for parents and caregivers. The space is not regularly staffed, so families who plan to use it are encouraged to contact the church office ahead of time.
For anyone who cannot be in the room, the service is livestreamed on YouTube, and a recent service is available to watch whenever it fits the week. A worship bulletin is also posted online so people can follow along at home.
Worship That Draws from Both Ancient and Modern
OPCC resists a single label for its worship, and the congregation considers that a good thing. The service weaves together ancient and modern practices of the Christian faith. On a given Sunday you might hear a hymn alongside a contemporary song, an organ and choir alongside other musicians, familiar liturgical words alongside creative expressions. Together these become moments of prayer, praise, preaching, reflection, fellowship, and joyful participation.
The dress reflects the same mix. Jeans and sweatshirts sit next to jackets and ties. There is no required way to show up.
At the center of every Sunday is the Lord's Table. As a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), OPCC understands itself as part of a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world, and it celebrates an open Communion table. Anyone who seeks to follow Christ is welcome to receive, whether or not they are a member of OPCC or of the Disciples of Christ. There is no test of faith at the Table and no requirement to agree on every question. What matters is a desire to follow Jesus and share in the life of the community.
Children, Youth, and the Wonder of Faith
Children are not an afterthought at OPCC. They are a regular presence in the sanctuary, and the sounds of children are treated as a reminder that God is moving in the midst of the gathering. A Family Friendly Worship area provides space and resources to help children stay engaged during the service, and Children Worship & Wonder runs year-round during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. After communion, children are invited to join a Worship & Wonder leader for an age-appropriate lesson in the Children Worship & Wonder room. During the summer, children are encouraged to remain with their families in worship, and resources are available to help them participate.
Beyond Sunday, children and families have opportunities throughout the year to learn, play, and grow together, including Vacation Bible School and other special activities. Children and families can also participate in camp and retreat experiences offered through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), with options for children, youth, families, and grandparents.
Youth ministry for high schoolers is in a season of reorganization as the congregation develops new ways for young people to gather, ask honest questions, and connect faith with everyday life. Families interested in the latest opportunities are encouraged to reach out to the church office. Regional Disciples camp and retreat experiences are also available throughout the year.
Music as a Way of Gathering
Music is one of the most visible ways OPCC worships together. The Chancel Choir helps lead the congregation in worship and rehearses on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. during the program year. The Reverberations Handbell Choir offers another way to make music together, with rehearsals on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. during the program year. Vocalists and instrumentalists are invited to share their gifts through solos, ensembles, accompaniment, and other musical opportunities as needs arise.
Music Director Becki Bayless first led a congregation in worship at age eight and grew up composing songs at the piano. She holds a bachelor's degree in music education and a master's in music, directs the Chancel Choir, and oversees the music department. Accompanist and Bell Choir Director Julie Dean rounds out the music staff and supports both the chancel choir and handbell choir throughout the program year.
Adults in Conversation and Fellowship
Faith formation does not end when adults graduate from Sunday school. OPCC offers a number of ongoing groups for adults who want to learn, build friendships, and support one another through different seasons of life.
The Middlers class meets on Sunday mornings for Bible study, conversation, and continued spiritual growth. Girlfriends Unlimited gathers Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. during the program year, from Labor Day through Memorial Day, for friendship and connection among women. Men's Fellowship meets at 9:00 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month, year-round, for time together. Care & Share meets monthly at local restaurants for fun, fellowship, and mutual support.
Walking With One Another Through Hard Seasons
Care and support is treated as a core part of the congregation's life, not a side ministry. Prayer requests are welcomed. Pastoral care is offered for people seeking spiritual guidance or support through personal concerns, relationships, life transitions, grief, illness, crisis, and other difficult circumstances. When needs extend beyond pastoral care, additional resources or professional support can be discussed.
Visitation is a regular practice, whether someone is hospitalized, recovering from an illness, living in a nursing or care facility, homebound, or facing another situation where a visit or practical support would help. Pastors and the wider community also walk alongside families during the final moments of life and following a death, helping with funeral, memorial, funeral-home, or graveside services. Grief support extends beyond death to cover other kinds of loss: divorce, illness, job loss, relocation, financial hardship, family difficulties, and other major life changes.
A Pantry on the Lawn: Tiny Pantry Times
On the church lawn stands Tiny Pantry Times, an accessible community food resource available 24 hours a day. The pantry is restocked between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. daily, so neighbors in need of food assistance can find something to take with them at any hour. The pantry is part of a broader Tiny Pantry Times network in the area and reflects OPCC's commitment to sharing Christ's love beyond the sanctuary walls.
A Building That Serves Beyond Sunday
OPCC believes a church building can serve its community throughout the week, not just on Sunday mornings. The facilities provide space for groups, gatherings, community activities, meetings, and other uses that bring people together, and the sanctuary may be available for weddings. Groups interested in using the building are invited to ask about availability.
Open and Affirming, Rooted in a Disciples Identity
OPCC is an Open and Affirming congregation. Welcome is treated as something to embody, not just say. Whatever a person's background, identity, family, story, or place along the journey of faith, they are invited to participate fully in the life of the community. The congregation understands its differences as opportunities to see beyond its own experiences, encounter one another more deeply, and discover a greater expression of the love Jesus taught.
As a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), OPCC is part of a movement whose identity is rooted in Christian unity, welcome, and the Lord's Table. The Disciples understand themselves as a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world, and the Communion table stands at the heart of worship. The local expression of that faith continues to take shape in Overland Park and the surrounding community, and the story of OPCC keeps being written every time someone walks through the doors, asks a question, joins at the Table, lends a hand, shares a gift, or simply decides to see what this community is about.
Joining the Life of OPCC
Beyond Sunday worship, the church publishes a monthly newsletter, The OPCC Scene, and a church calendar of upcoming events. Giving is available online through Zeffy, and the congregation maintains an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The office can help connect visitors and members with the right staff person, group, or next step, whether that is a Bible study, a choir, a food pantry, a wedding, a building rental, or simply a conversation.
Anyone who wants to learn more, serve, or get involved can begin by contacting the church office at office@opccdoc.org or (913) 677-4646.