The aroma of coffee and fresh baked pastries drifted through the foyer as people gathered. Their laughter and greetings filled the space with warmth. Across the room, a teenager hesitated in the doorway with tense shoulders, until a group of peers waved him over, making space in their circle. In one of the wooden pews, an older couple sat with a young man as they guided him through the pages of his first Bible. When the service began, voices rose in unison, a chorus of faith and fellowship echoing off of the beams.
At Calvary Chapel in Downey, churchgoers bond through common faith. Chad Naaktgeboren, a pastor at the church, said the dynamic of his congregation is welcoming.
“One of our main goals is to make sure that no one feels alone, because they’re not,” Naaktgeboren said. “At the end of every service, church members are given an open invitation to pray with one of our staff members. When this happens, countless people are given the opportunity to confide in someone and receive counsel and comfort. It takes intentional effort to make sure everyone has had the chance to get connected.”
Like many religious groups, the leaders of Calvary Chapel work to set a foundation of belief, trust and support. Across the globe, 84% of people identify as religious, according to the Pew Research Center. Micah Lemon, an expert in biblical studies and theology from Biola University, said that religion can create community.
“A healthy family and healthy church should both provide a safe and secure environment, where family members can express themselves and seek support from each other,” Lemon said. “Parents and other family members, elders, pastors and siblings can model positive behaviors, such as empathy, self-control and healthy communication. The church is, at its core, a family.”
Emphasizing the importance of personal connections in keeping the community strong, Naaktgeboren’s church fosters relationships through small groups, outreach programs and regular fellowship events that bring people together beyond Sunday services. But he acknowledged the challenges of maintaining a large church.
“It’s easy for people to feel isolated when they are surrounded by people,” Naaktgeboren said. “Our struggle is making people feel connected on an individual level. We do this by getting together in smaller groups that provide a close level of connection between members.”
These efforts can make an impact on those who attend. Aylin Carpio is a member at Calvary Chapel in Downey and is involved in multiple community groups that are focused on outreach, as well as women’s ministries.
“I wasn’t always a Christian,” Carpio said. “Before I got connected here, I felt like I was trying to do everything on my own. One day, I came forward during one of the altar calls and had a pastor pray with me while I cried. I’ve never felt more supported and encouraged to be a better person. At church, people don’t just tell you what you want to hear, they tell you the truth.”
Carpio said she feels connected with members of her church when they sing or worship. For her, church is a place of love and support.
“I learned so much about myself from experiencing church with people,” Carpio said. I’ve grown a lot and had a lot more accountability in my life.”
