Dinner comes first on Day Drive: a Wednesday night at Sebastian Christian Church

"At SCC, we want to help people take their next step toward Jesus," says Todd Thomas, lead pastor of Sebastian Christian Church. "For some, that means discovering the life-changing message of the Gospel for the first time. For others, it means reconnecting with a church family after time away."

On Wednesday evenings at 190 Day Drive, that next step often starts at a dinner table.

Dinner comes first

The meal is served at 5:30 in Building B and opens what the church calls Midweek @ Sebastian. After everyone eats, the room splits up. Kids, teenagers and adults head off to their own groups, from second graders to seniors.

The meal fits the way Thomas describes how faith grows. "We believe that growth happens as we get to know God personally, build meaningful relationships with others, and serve the people around us," he says.

Eating together first says a lot about this church. Its website tells first-time visitors there is "no need" to dress up. Its mission begins with "reaching all generations."

That easygoing welcome matches the church Thomas describes. "That's the kind of church we want SCC to be—a place where you can ask honest questions, find encouragement, and discover how God can work through you to make a difference," he says.

Where it came from

The church started in the mid-1980s as Indian River Christian Church. It later moved to its current campus and took the name of the town around it. It is independent and non-denominational, and a board of elders leads it. Thomas has been lead pastor since January 2010, more than 16 years.

Not everyone at the table is new, and Thomas says the next step looks different for them. "And for those already following Jesus," he says, "it means continuing to grow in faith and putting that faith into practice throughout everyday life."

Where the offering goes

One way the church puts faith into practice is with its checkbook. "At SCC, generosity is one of our core values, and we put it into practice by sharing what we receive," Thomas says. "For every dollar given, 10% goes to our supported missions, divided equally among local, national, and global work."

Close to home, its mission partners include The Chum Bucket, CareNet Indian River County and Safe Families. Members also help run First Priority student clubs at Sebastian River High, Sebastian River Middle and Sebastian Charter Junior High, and GameDay Bible Club at Pelican Island Classical Magnet School.

The giving doesn't stop at 10 percent. "We also regularly contribute to special missions projects and help people in need through our benevolence ministry," he says. "Altogether, we give away closer to 13% of what we receive each year."

Sundays

Wednesday is the midweek meal; Sunday is the main gathering. Worship services are at 9 and 10:30 a.m. The 9 a.m. service is the family service, and kids are welcome to attend. A nursery and SCC KIDS! classes run in Building C during both services. Student Church for 6th through 12th graders meets at 10:30 a.m. in Building B.

Coming up

"Following Jesus brings us into a family," Thomas says. "We share an identity in Christ and a purpose that reaches beyond ourselves. As we worship, grow, and serve together, we experience the community God created us for—and extend that invitation to others."

This season, that invitation includes three dates open to the whole neighborhood:

• Sunday, Nov. 29, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: 5th Sunday Fellowship Meal, a potluck "open to everyone."
• Thursday, Dec. 24, 4 to 5 p.m. and again from 6 to 7 p.m.: Christmas Eve services, with "cookies and hot cocoa" between services.
• Thursday, Dec. 31, 6 to 8 p.m.: New Year's Eve communion and prayer. Drop in any time.

For anyone thinking about that first Wednesday, Thomas puts it simply: "Wherever you're starting, our purpose is the same: to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ."