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SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Bayside Church, led by senior pastor Ray Johnston, is forging a new model of church growth based on special holiday services which “give back to the community.” Last year, more than 58,000 people attended Easter and Christmas services led by Johnston, with special music from celebrated worship leader and Bayside worship arts pastor Lincoln Brewster. In response to the growth these services have helped foster, Bayside recently launched a new Sunday evening service, bringing their total number of regularly scheduled services to eight.
During the 2011 Christmas season, Bayside held 17 special services drawing more than 41,000 people. The services included a sermon from Johnston; original Christmas music by Brewster; and a performance from Silhouettes, who garnered national acclaim on America’s Got Talent. An estimated 2000 people made commitments to Christ during the services.
Each day Christmas services were held, Bayside partnered with an organization to raise awareness within the congregation of a specific need and those working to make a difference. The Salvation Army and Acres of Hope were spotlighted, among other organizations, while such needs as malaria prevention in Congo; child sex trafficking in Cambodia; care packages for US troops; and the provision of books and bicycles for under-resourced children were also highlighted. All proceeds from the purchase of a special Bayside Christmas ornament went to the organization featured at each respective service.
Earlier in the year, Bayside hosted 17,000 at a special Easter service held at Sacramento’s Power Balance Pavilion. In addition to a message from Johnston and music led by Brewster, the event included a special appearance from World War II prisoner of war and Olympic athlete Louie Zamperini. Attendees also had the opportunity to learn about and support three local organizations.
“Following Newsweek’s cover story in April, 2009 on ‘The Decline and Fall of Christian America,’ we made a radical shift in our philosophy of ministry,” recounts senior pastor Ray Johnston. “We decided to focus on unleashing compassion—and that has changed everything for us. Through these special services, and a concerted effort to support organizations in our community that are making a difference in people’s everyday lives, we have come to believe that nothing happens without unleashing compassion.”
“Our special holiday services have allowed many to see church in a new light, in a different way,” said CJ Alvarado, director of communications and technology, Bayside Church. “After these services, we continue to be encouraged by the commitments we have seen, and the life-transforming stories we have heard.”
“It is such a joy to be involved with planning and walking out the special services we hold at Bayside,” Brewster says. “As a worship leader, it is an amazing privilege to lead each and every congregation in worship. But, in a greater sense, it’s so rewarding to be a part of a church body God is using to truly impact this community—and world—for Christ.”
Lincoln Brewster is a Dove Award-nominated worship leader, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. His latest Integrity/Columbia Music recording, 2010’s Real Life, debuted at #1 on Nielsen Soundscan’s Praise & Worship Albums chart. In addition to solo performances, Brewster serves as a worship seminar and workshop leader around the country. For further information, visit www.lincolnbrewster.com.
Bayside Church was founded by current senior pastor Ray Johnston in 1994 and has grown to encompass four campuses in the Sacramento region. Bayside’s average weekly attendance is 10,000-12,000. For further information, visit www.baysideonline.com.
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