A Church on New Hartford Road
Owensboro Christian Church sits on New Hartford Road in Owensboro, Kentucky, where it has become a steady presence for families, students, and adults across the tristate area. The congregation gathers around a three-word mission: Redeem. Restore. Renew. Pastors describe the church as a place where people from all walks of life can discover hope, healing, and purpose through Jesus Christ, sharing the good news, fostering genuine community, and serving neighbors in practical ways.
The building itself is more than a worship space. On any given week, the campus hosts weekend services, classrooms full of children, high schoolers meeting in small groups, adults in Bible study, and a Recreation Center that opens its doors to the surrounding community.
Weekend Worship: Saturdays and Sundays
Owensboro Christian holds three identical weekend services each week. Saturday evening worship begins at 5:30 PM, and Sunday morning services are held at 9:00 AM and 10:45 AM. Each gathering runs about 65 minutes and includes singing, biblical teaching, and communion. The worship style is contemporary, with occasional hymns woven in, and examples of recent services are available through the church's live stream.
The preaching calendar follows books of the Bible. The current teaching series walks through the letter to the Romans, a multiyear commitment that began the previous year. At the close of every service, a pastor is available to pray with anyone who would like to stay.
Kids Ministry from Nursery Through Fifth Grade
Children from birth through fifth grade are welcomed into Kids Ministry during both Sunday services at 9:00 AM and 10:45 AM. The team's goal is to help parents raise kids who love Jesus, love the Bible, and love people, and to make the family's church experience as easy as possible.
Kids check-in is located through Entrance B and to the right. Every Kids Ministry leader has been through a screening process that includes a background check and an interview, and at least two leaders are present with each child at all times. Environments are themed with age-appropriate games, songs, activities, sets, and decor designed to make learning about Jesus feel like an adventure. Parents of infants and young children are encouraged to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to check in.
Student Ministry for Middle and High Schoolers
Middle and high school students (sixth through twelfth grade) meet weekly during the 10:45 AM Sunday service, with check-in through Entrance B and to the left. The Student Ministry exists to partner with parents in raising students who love Jesus, live out their faith, and make a difference in the world around them.
Weekly gatherings blend high-energy games, engaging worship, and real conversations. Small groups give teenagers space to ask honest questions and build lasting friendships. Every Student Ministry leader has completed a background check and an interview, and multiple adult leaders are present at each gathering.
Groups for Every Season of Life
Beyond weekend services, Owensboro Christian offers a wide range of groups designed to foster community and spiritual growth. Bible study groups typically gather on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM in the fellowship hall, prayer groups meet on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM in the designated prayer room, and community service teams organize monthly projects around Owensboro.
The church also runs dedicated groups for men, women, married couples, and senior adults. Men's groups combine Bible study, hangouts, and sporting activities like pickleball. Women's groups offer meaningful conversations, creative gatherings, and friendship-building opportunities for every season of life. Marriage groups host date nights and real conversations for couples. Senior adult groups fill their calendars with lunches, game nights, and Bible studies. Registration is handled through the church center platform.
Outreach: Local, Global, and LifeBridge
Outreach is organized into three streams. Local Outreach follows the example of Jesus by walking, talking, and meeting community needs alongside partner organizations. Global Outreach supports regional and international ministries and missionaries with a portion of the church's giving, ensuring that the good news of Jesus reaches beyond Owensboro.
LifeBridge Ministry is the church's pastoral care movement for people in crisis. Whether someone is navigating poverty, divorce, addiction, or financial hardship, LifeBridge exists to walk with them from brokenness toward transformation. Each stream is led by a dedicated staff member who can be reached directly for questions or involvement.
The Recreation Center: A Gym Open to the Whole Community
Located at Entrance H, the Owensboro Christian Recreation Center is open to church members and the surrounding Owensboro community alike. Operating hours run from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday through Friday (closing at 5:00 PM on Wednesdays), 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturdays, and the center is closed on Sundays.
The facility offers treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, Cybex weight machines, free weights, a walking track (17 laps equals a mile), billiard tables, ping pong, air hockey, and foosball. Fitness classes include Pilates and Senior Strength, and childcare is available from birth through age five during group fitness hours, with expanded summer care for children ages six through twelve.
Sports programming is equally broad. The youth basketball league runs each winter with divisions for kindergarten through eighth grade and high school, coached on the principles of faith as well as fundamentals. Adult basketball and softball leagues run throughout the year, pickleball matches take place every week, and the church fields summer softball teams in a community-wide league. The walking track, ping pong, billiards, and family shoot-around time are all free during operating hours.
Baptism, Membership, and Beliefs
Baptism is described as the union of the believer with God, a public declaration of faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. Those ready to be baptized can register through the church center, and a team member will follow up to celebrate the step. New Testament passages on baptism are shared as part of the process, including Acts 2:37-39, Romans 6:1-14, and Matthew 28:18-20.
For those wanting to make Owensboro Christian their church home, Membership Pathway is a one-time, casual class with coffee and donuts. Participants receive a video from Lead Pastor Scott Kenworthy and a digital booklet to read before gathering.
The church affirms the Bible as the inspired Word of God and practices the sacraments of baptism and communion. Seven values shape the culture: keeping the Gospel central, connecting with people far from God, creating inviting environments, building one another up toward maturity, fighting for the forgotten, doing hard honest excellent work, and partnering with others who share the same dreams.
Leadership and Staff
Scott Kenworthy serves as Lead and Teaching Pastor, with Greg Gilmore as Executive Pastor and Tom Harrigan as Care Team Leader and Teaching Pastor. The Next Gen Team is led by Kegan DeWitt (Elementary), with Kassey Coomes leading Preschool Ministry, Leah Fillinger leading Middle School Ministry, and Connor Strunk leading High School Ministry. Jon Bailes directs Local Outreach, Brenda Sharp leads LifeBridge Ministry, and Tricia Ahart leads the Connections Team, which includes Debbie McDaniel (Senior Adults), Fred Turner (College and Young Adults), and Angie DeWitt (First Impressions). Tom Crusenberry leads the Creative Arts Team, Josh Lambert leads the Recreation Team, and Tommy Howard leads the Facilities Team. A board of Elders, chaired by Jeff Johnson, provides spiritual oversight.