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Putting community first
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Posted by lward Mon Aug 21, 2006 14:58:47 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments Ever dreamed of being a part of the First Family?
First Assembly of God on California Avenue has been inviting local residents to do just that since the 1920s. Over the years they’ve expanded their ministries, added members and acres and buildings, started new churches, modernized their services and accommodated Bakersfield’s growing ethnic groups.
“We want to be an integral part of the community versus a place you visit that’s outside of the community,” said First Assembly’s Senior Pastor Steven Hunt, who’s been at the church for six years and describes it as “a lighthouse.” “It’s a friendly place; a place to belong and also a community resource,” he said, noting that for Rick Warren’s 40 Days of Community program First Assembly had 75 small groups take on various local projects, such as cleaning up graffiti and planting trees.
One of the oldest Assembly of God churches in the country, in the 1970s First  Assembly was located at 17th and 0 streets and fondly known as “The Place to Go.” Now, centrally located on 26 acres, the church remains the place to be for about 800 members.
Next to the church campus is The Manor, 75 retirement apartments with subsidized rent for senior members of the church.First Assembly also sponsors Stockdale Christian School, which was started in the 1970s and now serves more than 1,000 students.
In addition to the English-speaking services offered to congregants, First Assembly offers Sunday services in Korean, Spanish and Tagolic.
Sensing the need was there, First Assembly also “birthed” the Bakersfield Hispanic Church in what was formerly a movie theater near the East Hills Mall.
First Assembly’s ministries include HANDS Couples Ministry, which tackles issues from raising children, to relationship building, to family life; and a drama ministry, led by Roger Norwood, which uses the arts to educate, challenge and inspire the congregation and its visitors.  Annual productions include the popular “Gospel According to Scrooge.”
Services range in style from contemporary to traditional. The Gathering, a progressive service held Sunday evenings, caters to those age 18 to 30-something.
At the moment, services are being held in the family ministry center while the sanctuary is being renovated. But Hunt said that’s good enough — even for the “First Family.”
“At First Assembly, we believe that church should be a joyful place.  A vital part of this process is strong relationships with other believers where we learn to care for one another in practical ways,” he said.

First Assembly
of God
4901 California Ave.
327-1995

Sunday Service Times:
8:15 a.m. Traditional
10:45 a.m. Contemporary
6 p.m. Celebration

Ethnic Ministries
Domingo
Escuela dominical
9:45 a.m. FMC sección E

Servicio Evangelístico
10:45 FMC sección E

Miércoles
Estudio Bíblico
7-9 p.m. FMC sección E

Viernes
Servicio de Oración
7-9 p.m. Fireside Room

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