About

Our Story

 

Anytown Church began in 2003 when Pastor Lester and Leah Peabody and 3 other families began meeting together in their home to pray and seek God’s guidance as to how to reach Anytown with the love and Good News of Jesus.  These early gatherings grew to include meals, bible study and helping one another.  The time together was so rich, we couldn’t help but invite others to join us. Before we knew it, the house was packed, and we sensed God calling us to find a larger space, so more people could join us.

In 2004, Anytown Church was officially formed and began meeting at Anytown Elementary School.  A few years later, God provided the opportunity to purchase and renovate the building at 123 Main Street where the old Anytown Hardware Store had operated before it went out of business.

As our church has grown, so has our love for God and the people of Anytown.  Our ministries include discipleship groups, a pregnancy center and a food bank. And we encourage our members to be the hands and feet of Jesus at work, in their neighborhoods, as a part of other Anytown community organizations and through partnerships with missions organizations around the world.

What To Expect

 

Worship services are casual at Anytown Church. Many people wear jeans or or dress "business casual." We encourage you to arrive about 10 minutes before the service starts so you can grab a cup of coffee and meet people. Our services start with music, often songs you might recognize if you listen to Christian radio - Chris Tomlin, Lauren Daigle, Hillsong. A pastor or elder teaches a bible-based message with practical application to help you live out your faith during the week.  Some services we celebrate communion, but there’s no pressure to participate if you don’t want to.  Services are usually a little over an hour, and then you’re welcome to hang out and talk with people afterwards

If you have children under the age of 3, we have a team of loving, trained volunteers in our secure nursery area.  For children 3 years old through 5th grade, we have Children’s Church - a fun, up-beat service that includes music, games and a bible lesson taught at their level.  We encourage middle school and high school students, to join their parents in adult service.

Our Staff

 

Les Peabody - Senior Pastor
Les Peabody - Senior Pastor
Willie Wilson - Worship Pastor
Chia Chester - Children’s Director
Olivia Oz - Office Manager

Our Beliefs

 

BIBLE. 

We believe the Bible, consisting of 66 books, to be the inspired Word of God, without error, the revelation of His will for the salvation of men, and the divine and final authority for all Christian faith and life.

GOD. 

We believe in one God existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God has always been and will always be the only God. There were none before Him and shall be none after him.

THE FATHER. 

We believe that the Father created all things in heaven and on earth. He created human beings out of a love for us and desires a personal relationship with each of us.

JESUS. 

We believe that Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life and died on the cross as the sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Furthermore, He arose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven.

HOLY SPIRIT. 

We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict men, making them aware of their sin and the salvation available through Jesus. He regenerates, guides, instructs, and empowers the believer for godly living and service.

MAN.

We believe that man was created in the image of God and sinless, but fell into sin and is therefore lost and subject to judgment. There is nothing man can do to save himself from this judgment, but he can accept the death of Jesus as punishment in place of his own eternal death by acknowledging God and accepting the free gift of salvation.

SALVATION. 

We believe that the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ provides the only way of justification and salvation for all who believe. Any who attach additional works of man as a requirement for salvation are false in that they infer Jesus’ death is insufficient in and of itself to save and that human beings somehow have the capability to save themselves.

ACCEPTING THE SINNER, DENOUNCING THE SIN. 

We believe that no sin is too big for God to forgive. Therefore, as Christians we should be open and eager to share the Gospel with everyone regardless of their sin or affliction. However, making Jesus Lord of our lives means striving towards holiness and turning from our sinful ways. Therefore, while being open to all sinners, Christians ought not accept, ignore, or promote any sin as permissible.

NON-ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS. 

We believe the above tenets make up the basis of Christian faith on which all Christians believe and agree. We have intentionally omitted any statements regarding areas of legitimate disagreement (i.e., baptism, predestination, end times) on which agreement is not essential for salvation.