Will I stick out because I am new?
Big Life C.C. exists to welcome people who don't go to church. At Big Life, we are all about welcoming people to experience faith for the first time - or the first time in a long time. And as a new church, everyone is new or has been new very recently.
The environment is casual and accessible. Seating is open and set up for accessibility, comfort, and visibility. There are tables, couches and padded chairs of different sizes.
And most important, almost everyone affiliated with Big Life C.C. is new or returning to faith themselves, and everyone strongly believes in the importance of sharing faith with those who are not yet here.
Big Life C.C. exists to welcome people who don't go to church. At Big Life, we are all about welcoming people to experience faith for the first time - or the first time in a long time. And as a new church, everyone is new or has been new very recently.
The environment is casual and accessible. Seating is open and set up for accessibility, comfort, and visibility. There are tables, couches and padded chairs of different sizes.
And most important, almost everyone affiliated with Big Life C.C. is new or returning to faith themselves, and everyone strongly believes in the importance of sharing faith with those who are not yet here.
What kind of people attend big life?
All kinds of people attend Big Life... doctors, nurses, teachers, janitors, cops, executives, recovering addicts, families, singles, single parents, blended families, aging adults, teenagers, kids, conservatives and liberals. It is a cross-section of the Oswego area. Big Life C.C. has about 200 people affiliated. Some weeks the church has lots of those folks in attendance, some weeks fewer come to worship together. The one thing we all have in common is that we are seeking Jesus. Welcome to judgement-free faith in Jesus.
What do people wear?
Some people wear shorts or jeans and t-shirts. Some people wear dress clothes. Just come comfortable for you. God doesn't need you to change your clothes and hair to come to worship; God accepts you as you are and so does Big Life C.C.
What is the music like?
Big Life C.C. loves to share in music together. Musicians from the congregation get together to create worship music that is accessible and positive, whether it is your first visit to a church ever - or just your first visit in a while. To put it simply, the music will not embarrass or exclude you, and you might be surprised by how much you like it!
How long will worship events last?
Worship events last only about about an hour. We know your life is busy. We truly believe this one hour each week can impact every other hour of your life.
What do Sunday mornings look like at Big Life C.C.?
- Before Worship - Everyone is welcome to come early and enjoy some refreshments! Nursery opens at 9:30ish AM
- Opening & Welcome
- 30 Second Meet & Greet (A very quick opportunity to welcome one another and put each other at ease.)
- Worship Songs (Usually 2 songs)
- Prayer & Lord's Prayer (The Lord's Prayer is projected on the screen, so you don't have to have it memorized.)
- Kids Time (Elementary Age Kids have a separate program in the room adjacent to the worship space. Junior High Kids have a participation worksheet and a special balcony area to hang out and be together during worship.)
- The Message
- Communion (Everyone is welcome to come forward, break off some bread, and dip it in the juice.)
- Offering (Baskets are passed)
- Closing Prayer & Kids Time Finishes
- Final Announcements
- Clean up & Community time (Everyone is invited to pitch in to take care of the worship space and get to know one another better over treats and coffee.)
What if I am not sure about faith?
At Big Life C.C., sharing faith is what we do. Big Life was born and built to share faith in Jesus with people who are seeking non-judgmental, authentic Christian faith. That means that you will not be excluded, pressured, or coerced by anything that happens at a worship. Everything we do will be easy to understand, and easy to participate in. You can take the next step in faith, decide for yourself, and move at your own pace with God.
Big Life C.C. has about 200 people affiliated as a church and has baptized over 150 people since it began. The majority of these people were not a part of faith, church, and many were not yet believers in Jesus when they began connecting with the church.
At Big Life C.C., sharing faith is what we do. Big Life was born and built to share faith in Jesus with people who are seeking non-judgmental, authentic Christian faith. That means that you will not be excluded, pressured, or coerced by anything that happens at a worship. Everything we do will be easy to understand, and easy to participate in. You can take the next step in faith, decide for yourself, and move at your own pace with God.
Big Life C.C. has about 200 people affiliated as a church and has baptized over 150 people since it began. The majority of these people were not a part of faith, church, and many were not yet believers in Jesus when they began connecting with the church.
Personal recommendations:
"I am a person who was brought up in a Lutheran Church and became very disenfranchised from the church community for much of my adult life. 3 years ago, I found myself in Big Life for the first time and I haven't looked back since. I'm involved with the praise band, which is amazing btw, and have found a true community at Big Life. When they say "Everyone is Welcome," they MEAN it. It doesn't matter where you have been or what you have done, YOU are welcome to join our community. It's a judgement free zone, and we are happy to welcome every single person who walks through our doors. My family's life is better because of Big Life Community Church." - A.
"At Big Life, I feel free to follow God's Plan for my life without restrictions. They support me and the INK 180 Ministry, and we are working on great outreach projects to help our community and others. Big Life is definitely FOR YOU. Come out and see what we all mean when we say 'God deserves better'." - Chris Baker, Tattoo Minister, Founder INK 180
"Geoff relates everything to real life situations that each one of us can relate to. I am middle-aged and single and relate just as well as my sister and brother-in-law that have been married for 11 years with children. Geoff and Marissa (and everyone else!) are very, very welcoming! Feels like home!! ...And the music is amazing!!!! I leave every Sunday with a smile that lasts all week :)" - C., RN
"At Big Life, I don't feel pressure to be something I'm not. I can just be me. Not sure where I am on my journey with God. At Big Life, that's ok. Pastor Geoff's sermons are short and to the point and easy to understand, the music ROCKS. It's a great way to start your week. It really is for EVERYONE!!! Even my kids love going, so you know it's a great place. Come check it out." - L, Purchasing & Adminstration
"big life is a blast of light to begin every week. I love being a part of the music that is so integral to the heart of what it's all about. It is a place of connection, celebration, and wise and peaceful reflection. It really is for anyone and everyone who wants to dispense with the obstacles to a stronger, fuller spirit. The time to feel happy and hopeful is now." - J., Marketing / Small Business Owner
"Every week there is always a connection between the message and my life and I can look around and see I am not the only one feeling this way. What a great way to start the week feeling so fulfilled." - T., Support Staff
"I love Big Life! This is a church where it won't even feel like you're at church. They make you feel welcomed, Pastor Geoff is very funny when delivering the message, they have great music and I think most importantly for newcomers is that they don't shove religion down your throat. Come check it out and I promise you you won't regret it! :)" - D., Finance
"big life has made a BIG change in my life, and it has all been for the better. I have struggled with religion all my life. It was never here nor there for me. The best part of going to church when I was growing up, was that my parents would take us to Long John Silvers afterwards. Hush-puppies were my Savior. As I got older, church just did not seem that appealing nor important to me. So I stopped attending. Struggling through the last couple of years, I was delighted to be recommended to big life by my good friend Matt Salis. Now, not only do I enjoy going to church, but I look forward to it every week. big life has helped me grow spiritually and in many other ways. It has helped me with my personal life, my family, and friends. Every week I get to see my beautiful wife Dalia sing with the rocking band. Our pastor Geoff always has a moving, relatable message to give to us. It is always the exact thing we need to hear. There is no longer a need to tiptoe around the issue. Just give yourself to God, because He has already given Himself to you and will continue to do so." - C., Customer Service
"Before I walked into big life for the first time, I had not been to church in about 8 years, and I had not attended regularly for nearly double that. When I first heard about big life, I loved the idea: church for people who don't like to go to church, everyone is included, no judgment. At the same time, I was clear, "Jesus just isn't for me." Much to my surprise, Geoff's response was "That's ok. I'd still love to hang out with you and get to know you." What? That's ok? No countless invites? No endless nagging to come to church? I did end up getting an invite to Father's Day service at big life. I can't say for sure why I decided to go, but I did. After service, the only thing that came to mind was, "Wow, that didn't suck." I kept going to church, and I met with Geoff for lunch several times. Now Sunday is my favorite day of the week. I love being at church, and when it's over, I can't wait till next Sunday. There are so many things that make big life different from other churches. It doesn't start early in the morning, although, I do love to show up early and stay late. There was never any high-pressure sale to come to big life. I never felt like anyone was trying to force religion on me. I've never felt so comfortable in church before as I do at big life, and it's not the folding chairs. I have never felt judged and I have never felt afraid to just be myself, flaws and all. Maybe it was the robes, or the long drawn out sermons, but at my last church, the pastor just seemed like he was above everyone else. He seemed impossible to relate to, and unapproachable. I never felt like I could be myself around him, or around anyone at that church. Really, he is a nice guy, and a friend of my grandparents. I think sometimes the formalities of church get in the way of what's really important about church, and that's Jesus. Anyone that knew me a year ago could tell you that I was not the guy that loved to go to church, and invited others to church. I was the guy that openly mocked religion. I was reasonably certain that God was not for me, and I was not for God. That is all different now. Big life has changed my life. I truly believe that God brought everyone at big life here for me. Sometimes God is mysterious, but sometimes he is very clear and deliberate. Big life has supported me in my life, even though I had only known these people a few months. I enjoy serving at church on Sundays, and the church brought me to Young Life, where I now serve as a youth ministry leader. The biggest testament to how I feel about big life, is the people I invite. When I look at what big life has done for me, I want to share that with everyone. I invite friends and family and strangers, and those that come, come back. Big life is not only for people who love church and love Jesus. Come if you're just curious about Jesus. Come just to hear - sing. Come just to share a snack with me after worship. If you just love free bread, big life is for you. If Jesus isn't your thing, big life is most especially for you. :)" - M., Chef
"At Big Life, I feel free to follow God's Plan for my life without restrictions. They support me and the INK 180 Ministry, and we are working on great outreach projects to help our community and others. Big Life is definitely FOR YOU. Come out and see what we all mean when we say 'God deserves better'." - Chris Baker, Tattoo Minister, Founder INK 180
"Geoff relates everything to real life situations that each one of us can relate to. I am middle-aged and single and relate just as well as my sister and brother-in-law that have been married for 11 years with children. Geoff and Marissa (and everyone else!) are very, very welcoming! Feels like home!! ...And the music is amazing!!!! I leave every Sunday with a smile that lasts all week :)" - C., RN
"At Big Life, I don't feel pressure to be something I'm not. I can just be me. Not sure where I am on my journey with God. At Big Life, that's ok. Pastor Geoff's sermons are short and to the point and easy to understand, the music ROCKS. It's a great way to start your week. It really is for EVERYONE!!! Even my kids love going, so you know it's a great place. Come check it out." - L, Purchasing & Adminstration
"big life is a blast of light to begin every week. I love being a part of the music that is so integral to the heart of what it's all about. It is a place of connection, celebration, and wise and peaceful reflection. It really is for anyone and everyone who wants to dispense with the obstacles to a stronger, fuller spirit. The time to feel happy and hopeful is now." - J., Marketing / Small Business Owner
"Every week there is always a connection between the message and my life and I can look around and see I am not the only one feeling this way. What a great way to start the week feeling so fulfilled." - T., Support Staff
"I love Big Life! This is a church where it won't even feel like you're at church. They make you feel welcomed, Pastor Geoff is very funny when delivering the message, they have great music and I think most importantly for newcomers is that they don't shove religion down your throat. Come check it out and I promise you you won't regret it! :)" - D., Finance
"big life has made a BIG change in my life, and it has all been for the better. I have struggled with religion all my life. It was never here nor there for me. The best part of going to church when I was growing up, was that my parents would take us to Long John Silvers afterwards. Hush-puppies were my Savior. As I got older, church just did not seem that appealing nor important to me. So I stopped attending. Struggling through the last couple of years, I was delighted to be recommended to big life by my good friend Matt Salis. Now, not only do I enjoy going to church, but I look forward to it every week. big life has helped me grow spiritually and in many other ways. It has helped me with my personal life, my family, and friends. Every week I get to see my beautiful wife Dalia sing with the rocking band. Our pastor Geoff always has a moving, relatable message to give to us. It is always the exact thing we need to hear. There is no longer a need to tiptoe around the issue. Just give yourself to God, because He has already given Himself to you and will continue to do so." - C., Customer Service
"Before I walked into big life for the first time, I had not been to church in about 8 years, and I had not attended regularly for nearly double that. When I first heard about big life, I loved the idea: church for people who don't like to go to church, everyone is included, no judgment. At the same time, I was clear, "Jesus just isn't for me." Much to my surprise, Geoff's response was "That's ok. I'd still love to hang out with you and get to know you." What? That's ok? No countless invites? No endless nagging to come to church? I did end up getting an invite to Father's Day service at big life. I can't say for sure why I decided to go, but I did. After service, the only thing that came to mind was, "Wow, that didn't suck." I kept going to church, and I met with Geoff for lunch several times. Now Sunday is my favorite day of the week. I love being at church, and when it's over, I can't wait till next Sunday. There are so many things that make big life different from other churches. It doesn't start early in the morning, although, I do love to show up early and stay late. There was never any high-pressure sale to come to big life. I never felt like anyone was trying to force religion on me. I've never felt so comfortable in church before as I do at big life, and it's not the folding chairs. I have never felt judged and I have never felt afraid to just be myself, flaws and all. Maybe it was the robes, or the long drawn out sermons, but at my last church, the pastor just seemed like he was above everyone else. He seemed impossible to relate to, and unapproachable. I never felt like I could be myself around him, or around anyone at that church. Really, he is a nice guy, and a friend of my grandparents. I think sometimes the formalities of church get in the way of what's really important about church, and that's Jesus. Anyone that knew me a year ago could tell you that I was not the guy that loved to go to church, and invited others to church. I was the guy that openly mocked religion. I was reasonably certain that God was not for me, and I was not for God. That is all different now. Big life has changed my life. I truly believe that God brought everyone at big life here for me. Sometimes God is mysterious, but sometimes he is very clear and deliberate. Big life has supported me in my life, even though I had only known these people a few months. I enjoy serving at church on Sundays, and the church brought me to Young Life, where I now serve as a youth ministry leader. The biggest testament to how I feel about big life, is the people I invite. When I look at what big life has done for me, I want to share that with everyone. I invite friends and family and strangers, and those that come, come back. Big life is not only for people who love church and love Jesus. Come if you're just curious about Jesus. Come just to hear - sing. Come just to share a snack with me after worship. If you just love free bread, big life is for you. If Jesus isn't your thing, big life is most especially for you. :)" - M., Chef
