We are involved in many local, regional, and international ministries! Here are some of the ministries we currently support:
- Lao Worship Service
- Men’s monthly breakfast
- Monthly fellowship meal
- Jerry and Marilyn Farnik in Prague, Czech Republic.
- Vacation Bible School
- Walk for Life
Faith Families
Faith Families are small discipleship groups that meet during the week (on Wednesday or Friday evenings) at various homes around our area. They provide added opportunities for instruction, prayer, and informal fellowship. We encourage you to visit the Faith Families and get involved on a regular basis. You don’t necessarily have to pick the closest to you geographically, but one where you feel at home with the fellowship and would enjoy participating on a regular basis. These groups foster a more intimate fellowship among members of the body and afford an opportunity for intercessory prayer that goes beyond what we can provide during the worship services on the Lord’s Day. You will find them very helpful in strengthening your relationships with others in the church and helping your faith and service to Christ mature through instruction in and discussion of various biblical topics.
GEMS and Cadets
The Calvinist Cadet Corps is an independent (non-denominational) youth ministry organization whose purpose is to provide the local church with a ministry program that will enable them to effectively share Christ’s love with boys from their church and community. Founded in 1952, the Corps has more than 600 clubs throughout North America. In addition to Bible study, boys are encouraged to explore God’s creation through badge work on over 100 merit badges. These range from Archery to Coin Collecting to Music, Sewing, Surfing and Team Sports and many, many more. In addition to regular club nights, monthly “fun” outings keep our boys hopping – LaserTag, rock climbing, camping, and paintball to name a few.
The Bayview Cadet club meets on the first, second and third Wednesday beginning in September through May. Club meetings begin at 5:00pm. Contact Craig Doty (619-980-3935) for registration information, or if you want to join in ministering God’s love to young men, ages 6 and up. We are on Facebook as “Bayview OPC Calvinist Cadet Club” so feel free to join and receive email updates. The links below provide much more information on Southern California Cadet events, and our headquarters organization in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
A young girls program (1st grade-8th grade), known as GEMS (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior) meets monthly (Oct-Jun) at Bayview OPC on the first and third Wednesdays at 5:00pm. The GEMS ministry is a place where girls of all backgrounds are invited into a safe and nurturing environment where they are accepted, known, seen and loved as Jesus Christ loves His church. Each evening the girls gather together for mutual support, prayer, crafts, worship, games and service projects. For registration information contact Nicole VanDerHorst (619-306-8968) or at pride.vanderhorst@gmail.com. For information on the specifics of a GEMS program, click on the link below.
- Southern California Cadet Council – http://www.socalcadets.org/index.htm
- Calvinist Cadet Corps (National headquarters) – http://calvinistcadets.org/
- GEMS website – http://gemsgc.org/
Youth Group
The Youth Group is designed to provide informal fellowship, instruction, and recreational opportunities for our junior and senior high school aged young people. It meets weekly after the evening service on Sundays at the Pastor’s house. Singing, fellowship, Bible discussions, and refreshments are provided.
Women’s Bible Studies
A weekly studies of various topics are provided on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in local homes. The purpose of these studies is to help women become better acquainted with the basic teachings and biblical foundations of the Reformed faith. The level of study is basic, and there is ample opportunity for questions and discussion of the material studied. Fellowship and prayer for one another is also a regular part of each meeting.
Monthly Men’s and Women’s Prayer Breakfasts
These breakfasts are designed primarily to foster informal fellowships among the men and women of the congregation, out of which closer Christian friendships might grow. If you are new to the church they provide a great way to get to know others in the congregation quickly. There is also an emphasis on intercessory prayer at the close of the meetings. The women meet on the first Saturday morning of each month at 8:00 o’clock in various homes (announced in advance). The men meet on the fourth Saturday of each month at 7:30 AM at La Bella’s Restaurant on 3rd Ave. in Chula Vista.
Work Days
Regular “Work Days” not only provide us as a congregation with an opportunity to discharge our stewardship from God as we take care of the facilities He has given us to use in His worship and service, but they also give us an opportunity for growth in a working unity as a church family. Israel learned valuable lessons from working together to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. So can we. Not every valuable spiritual lesson comes from a textbook.
For the men there are frequently mini-work days for a couple of hours following the monthly prayer breakfasts. For every member there are the “All-Hands Work Days” on the fifth Saturday of those months which have an extra one. These work days are announced well in advance, and we encourage you all to participate on one level or another. It’s also a great way to encourage your deacons (much more meaningful than a simple “Thank You”.