Sebastopol Christian Church stands near downtown Sebastopol at 7433 Bodoga Avenue and has welcomed people of all ages and backgrounds since it was founded in 1966. It is a multigenerational congregation that desires to know and follow Jesus Christ and exists to serve Sonoma County and the world. Its vision is to be a thriving, Christ-centered community that transforms lives with God's love through intentional discipleship, compassionate outreach, and empowering leadership. The church is known for relaxed Sunday worship and a wide range of ministries for children, students, adults, and seniors.
Music, a Hope-Filled Message, and a Relaxed Welcome
Sunday worship begins at 10:00 a.m. and lasts about 75 minutes. The SCC band begins the gathering with music, and song lyrics are projected onto screens so people can sing along or engage in worship however they feel most comfortable. A pastor follows with an encouraging, hope-filled message about Jesus. Sunday mornings are exciting, casual, and relaxed. Dress is not a concern, and newcomers are welcomed without shame, guilt, or condemnation. The church is made up of imperfect people with every kind of story, and its welcome centers on love, grace, and forgiveness.
SCC Kids: A Careful Check-In and Safe Learning Time
SCC Kids is offered at every Sunday service for children from infancy through Grade 5. Children's Ministry provides a safe, fun, and engaging environment where young people learn about Jesus, grow in faith, build relationships with other children and adults, and begin applying God's Word to life. A detailed check-in process is used the first time a family visits, so parents should allow an extra 10 minutes. An usher directs the family to a check-in kiosk, where the child is entered in the system and given a name tag to wear. The parent keeps a matching tag. A volunteer then takes the child to an age-appropriate room, and the parent presents the matching tag when collecting the child after the service.
For families with infants, a Parent's Viewing Room is reserved exclusively for mothers and fathers who want to remain in the service in a more private, quiet setting. This care is part of the same Sunday program designed for children through Grade 5.
Life Groups for Every Stage of Life
Life Groups are smaller gatherings where people build friendships, grow in faith, connect, pray, and do life together. The groups learn about God and the Bible, and the church organizes serving opportunities for nursery, preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, and adult stages. The youngest groups meet on-site during their service time, students gather on-site weekly, and adult groups meet throughout the week in various locations. This structure allows Life Groups to function as authentic Christian community across generations rather than as a single gathering limited to one age group.
Baptism, Life Groups, service, and compassionate care are presented as ways people can take their next steps in exploring and following Jesus. Each is connected with biblical teaching, fellowship, and a life of service.
Learning and Belonging After School
Youth Ministry serves students in Grades 6 through 12 and exists to help teens develop a relationship with Jesus and others through fellowship, discipleship, and service. Two after-school programs extend that care into the week: After School Bible Club and Fusion Teen Center.
After School Bible Club
Bible Club meets every Thursday during the public school calendar year, from 1:20 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. downstairs at Sebastopol Christian Church. It serves transitional-kindergarten through fifth-grade students. A walking school bus picks up at Park Side Elementary School at 1:10 p.m. and 1:20 p.m.; Brook Haven fifth- and sixth-grade students are also welcome but need their own transportation to and from the church. The schedule combines an active game, snack, Bible lesson, small groups, and a craft or game tied to the lesson. Lessons use Scripture, songs, and sometimes video to present the gospel clearly, give children an opportunity to trust Jesus as Savior, and build discipleship, character, moral, and spiritual growth. Children are also encouraged to attend a local church.
Amber Hernandez is the Director of Children's Ministry. Eve Joseph, Becky Sei, and Holly Dack are identified as Bible Club leaders.
Fusion Teen Center
Fusion occupies the bottom floor of the church by the parking lot and opens Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the school calendar. It welcomes students in Grades 6 through 12 to a safe, fun place to spend time and connect with others. Pool tables, ping pong, foosball, cornhole, video and card games, free Wi-Fi, movies, and snacks are available. At least two adult volunteers are present; they are interviewed and background checked, with more added as attendance requires. Although hosted by the church, Fusion is intentionally not religious, and everyone is welcome. Participation is free, with snacks available for purchase.
Barnabas Ministry: Showers, Meals, and Clothing
The Barnabas Ministry exists to meet the needs of marginalized people in the community and anyone else who would benefit. Everything offered is free. Showers are available Monday and Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., with towels and hygiene products provided. During those same hours, Barnabas serves a hot meal, coffee, and a sack lunch. A special lunch is also offered on the first Saturday of every month. Clothing can be obtained on weekdays on a first-come basis, and anyone who wants a Bible or prayer can ask for assistance.
Community Food Bank Connections
Barnabas also identifies two drive-through food bank resources. The Local Drive Thru Food Bank at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 500 Robinson Road, is available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. The Redwood Empire Food Bank drive-through at the Sebastopol Veterans Building, 282 S. High Street, is available Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Baptism by Immersion Is a Public Declaration of Faith
Baptism is treated as a sacrament and as the outward, public expression of inward faith and new life in Jesus Christ. It pictures Christ's burial and resurrection, identifying the baptized person with his death, burial, and resurrection. Baptism does not make someone a believer or save that person; only faith in Christ does. Every baptism in the Bible is presented as immersion under water, and the Greek word baptizo is translated as “to immerse or dip under water.”
The church asks every person who has decided to believe in Christ to be baptized. It also welcomes children who are old enough to understand what baptism means and make a personal declaration of belief. Baptism is described as an act of faith and obedience, a public confession of commitment to Christ, and a next step after salvation through repentance and faith.
Jesus, Scripture, Grace, and the Greater Church
Sebastopol Christian Church teaches that Jesus became “God in the flesh,” was born through a virgin birth, lived a sinless life, was physically crucified as a substitutionary payment for sin, and was physically resurrected. After his resurrection, Jesus ascended into Heaven and will return in bodily form as Lord of the Universe, gathering his followers and judging those who reject him. These teachings are grounded in Scripture, including the accounts in John, Matthew, Acts, 1 Corinthians, and Hebrews.
The Bible is described as a library of books written by approximately 40 authors over a 2,000-year period. “All Scripture is God-breathed,” meaning God was actively involved in influencing the prophets and human authors to communicate his message. The Bible is the church's sole authority for faith and practice, and all of its beliefs for faith and Christian living come from that authority.
The church understands itself as one local congregation within the greater Church of Jesus Christ, which is not limited to one institution or denomination. It consists of all who have trusted Jesus Christ for redemption and forgiveness, with local congregations meeting regularly for worship, prayer, fellowship, and Bible teaching.
Salvation is taught as faith, meaning belief and trust in Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross, and it cannot be earned. God's offer is grounded in grace rather than human merit, and every person is free to accept or reject it. Saving faith calls for repentance, a change in life toward conformity to Christ, and results in obedience.
Serving Teams Put Hospitality and Support in Motion
Pastor Jim and the pastoral and ministry team are committed to helping people know Jesus, grow in faith, and feel supported within the church family. Serving is presented as a way to use personal gifts, love others, grow closer to Jesus, and develop the servant attitude Jesus modeled. People can lead small groups across nursery, preschool, elementary, middle school, high school, and adult stages. Other teams handle setup and teardown, the band, audio and video, safety and security, building and maintenance, and caring for people throughout the week. A welcome team includes coffee and donuts, ushers, greeters, and a Welcome Team, all focused on helping guests feel cared for without being overwhelmed.
Giving and Online Connection
Giving is described as worship and trust in God that supports ministry, outreach, and care both within the church and beyond it. Secure online giving is available. At a service, gifts can be placed in the offering basket using a check or cash from an envelope in the pew; checks should be made payable to “Sebastopol Christian Church” or “SCC.” Gifts can also be mailed or placed in the secure mailbox at 7433 Bodoga Avenue.
A livestream is available for worship, and a past-sermon playlist provides messages that bring Scripture to life. Belles and Beaus is the church's senior ministry, rounding out the named programs for adults in the community.
A Church Rooted in Sebastopol
Sebastopol Christian Church's identity is built around Jesus Christ, biblical teaching, worship, discipleship, service, and compassionate care. Its Sunday gathering, age-specific ministries, Life Groups, and community-facing programs express the same aim: helping people know Jesus, grow in faith, and serve others. At 7433 Bodoga Avenue near downtown, the church continues the work it began in 1966 by serving Sonoma County and the world.