At 701 Manning Avenue in Elon, North Carolina, Powerline Church of the Nazarene is known for modern worship, clear Bible-based messages for everyday life, and ministries that include infants, children, students, men, and women. The church's three commitments are Love God, Love people, and grow together, with an easygoing, no-pressure welcome for first-time guests.
Sunday Worship and Family Gatherings
Sunday worship begins at 10:00 a.m. at 701 Manning Avenue. Adults gather for a service that lasts about 60 minutes.
- 10:00 a.m.: Adult Worship Service
- 10:00 a.m.: Nursery for children ages 0 to 2
- 10:00 a.m.: Kids Church for children in grades 3 to 5
- 5:30 p.m.: Student Ministries for grades 6 to 12
- Throughout the week: Small-group opportunities
Students in sixth through twelfth grades attend student ministries at 5:30 p.m. The youth program also joins the main Sunday worship before gathering Sunday evening.
What a First Visit Feels Like
Music comes from a modern live worship band, while teaching remains Bible-based and intended for everyday life. The atmosphere is relaxed and genuine. Guests are not expected to give, serve, or sign up for anything during their visit. Friendly greeters meet people at the door and help them find what they need. Most people dress casually, and the church's simple instruction is to come as you are. Parking is easy at the church, with accessible spaces near the entrance. The children's program is safe and fun, uses secure check-in, and opens 15 minutes before the service.
Power Kids and the Next Generation
Children's ministry is called Power Kids, while the regular gatherings divide care and instruction between nursery and Kids Church. Secure check-in and age-specific groups help families know where younger children belong while adults worship. For students, the church connects Sunday morning worship with a 5:30 p.m. gathering for sixth through twelfth graders. That arrangement lets students remain part of the church's main worship rhythm before moving into their own evening ministry. Stephen Bell, an ordained elder, says, "You are never too young (or too old) to be involved in what the church is doing." Hannah Bell works to create inclusive environments in which families can grow in Christ together.
Small Groups and Quarterly Gatherings
Small groups are available throughout the week. Two named ministries gather quarterly. Powerline Men's Ministry exists to bring men into a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ through studying Scripture together, prayer, and meaningful accountability. Tim Hylton, who has been part of the church since 2005, helps men connect, grow in faith, and walk through life together. Powerline Women's Ministry is a Christ-centered community of women who grow in faith, live life together, and serve the church and community with love and purpose. Mecca Thompson is passionate about encouraging women to grow in Christ and live life in community. Hebrews 10:24-25 expresses the heart of the women's ministry: believers should spur one another toward love and good deeds, keep meeting together, and encourage one another.
Love God, Love People, Grow Together
Powerline centers its life on Jesus Christ and describes three distinct commitments. Love God means seeking to know God's character and follow God's ways through worship, prayer, and the study of Scripture. Love people means treating every person as created in God's image and worthy of dignity, grace, and compassion. It also calls for serving generously, speaking truth with humility, and reflecting God's love in word and action. The church seeks a community where mercy is practiced and forgiveness is authentic.
Together means faith is never meant to be lived alone. People do not have to have everything figured out to belong. In community, they learn, ask questions, carry one another's burdens, and grow in God's grace side by side. As the church grows, it makes space for others because it understands God's family as open to those seeking Christ.
Ordained Elders and Ministry Gifts
Rev. Jerry Gardner, Hannah Bell, and Stephen Bell are ordained elders in the Church of the Nazarene. Hannah creates inclusive environments for families, while Stephen focuses on helping the next generation find its role in the church. Randy Evans holds a Nazarene district minister's license and is passionate about addiction ministry. Harrison Ford is devoted to creating atmospheres where people can connect to God through music. Mecca Thompson centers her ministry on helping women grow in Christ and live life together, while Tim Hylton focuses on helping men connect with one another, grow in faith, and walk through life together.
Community Partnerships in Elon
Powerline's community partnerships focus on defeating poverty by providing resources for the mind, body, and soul. Named partners include Freedom's Hope, Arms of Grace, Habitat for Humanity NC, and Cone Health's Congregational Community Nurse program. The work includes educating, encouraging, and empowering individuals through the journey of parenthood; providing safe, decent, and affordable places to call home; advancing health equity through free nursing services; and preparing community students to be 21st-century learners, responsible citizens, and productive members of a global society. These partnerships bring together education, family support, housing, and health needs around the church's call to love people in word and action.
Following Jesus, Serving, and Staying Connected
For people ready to make their faith public, Powerline describes baptism as a next step and says its team will help with preparation and questions. The church also provides dedicated ways to follow Jesus, volunteer, pursue membership, and give. Membership includes a guided process, while giving is available online through EasyTithe. Past services, series playlists, and new uploads are available through the church's YouTube channel. These practical resources reflect the church's stated mission to make disciples and share Christ's love in the community and beyond.
Powerline Church of the Nazarene is a contemporary, family-focused congregation on Manning Avenue in Elon, with worship for adults, nursery and children's programming, a student gathering, weekly small groups, quarterly men's and women's ministries, and community partnerships centered on education, housing, and health. Its identity is simple to state: love God, love people, and grow together in community.