New to "The Ridge"?

We promise that the first thing you'll experience at Austin Ridge Bible Church is a warm, smiling welcome. If you need childcare or help finding your way, one of our greeters will be nearby to help. We know trying out a new church can be a bit...well, stressful! We want your visit to Austin Ridge Bible Church to be as pleasant of an experience as possible. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of some things that you as a guest may want to know:

• What should I wear to church on Sunday? Whatever you like. You will not see very many ties, since most of our people prefer a casual dress. We know God is much more concerned with a person's heart than their clothes. (Plus, you wouldn't want to spill the coffee on your nice clothes, now would you?)

• When should I arrive? We suggest arriving 10-15 minutes before the service begins. Be sure to look for our visitor parking spots close to the building when you arrive. Feel free to talk to one of our GREETERS or visit the WELCOME CENTER so that we can assist you.

• Where do I go when I get there? Worship Services are currently being held in both Building A and Building D.  Please click HERE for a map of our campus.  As you walk into the lobby you will see the WELCOME CENTER. The Welcome Center exists to welcome you to Austin Ridge Bible Church and help you understand how to get where you need to go. Look for our greeters. They are available every Sunday morning to assist you and find answers to your questions.

• What are your services like? Our services are desgined to connect the worshipper to the life-changing truth of Jesus Christ and the Bible. In order to help make those connections, we use various elements such as music, an occasional skit or drama, videos, real-life stories from people in our congregation, times of focus prayer and practical messages that show how the Bible is relevant to the needs people face. We celebrate communion once a month. Our music styles is a mix of upbeat newer music, fresh arrangements of traditional hymns and slower contemplative songs, all led by a rhythm band and vocal team. Our Teaching Pastors, led by our Lead Pastor, Brad Thomas, present the truths of the Bible in a way that speaks to today's culture. Using a straight forward, non-threatening style of communication, they focus on how to apply God's teachings to everyday life. The music connects to the message in an inspiring and relevant way.
  

• How will I fit in?  One of the best ways to fit in is to get involved in our Journey Class. This is a great chance to hear more about the church, while also getting to know other people in the process!  We value people.  The relationships that are built into this and other ministries will help you feel connected and make The Ridge easier to call "home".

• When are your services? Beginning August 21, 2011, Austin Ridge Bible Church will have TWO Sunday services at 9:00 AM, 10:45 AM. Each service lasts about 75 minutes. All morning services feature excellent children's programs for kids birth through pre-K.  Elementary aged childen (K-4th grade) can enjoy programming during the 9 AM and 10:45 AM services.  6th-8th graders (junior high) meet @ 9am in Building C to align with the first service, and 9th-12th graders (high school) meet @ 10:45am n Building C to align with the second service.  For families with students in both ministry areas, we suggest serving in the alternate hour somewhere on campus and are happy to assist with getting connected.  Note: Student Ministry will move from one side of the building to the other at some point in the next month or so, but it should be clear on the signage out front. 
  

• How do I get to Austin Ridge Bible Church? Austin Ridge Bible Church is located in West Austin on Bee Caves Road (FM 2244) at Cuernavaca Dr., approximately 15 miles from downtown, between Loop 360 and Hwy 71. Click here for a map and directions.

• What can I expect on my first visit? From the moment you pull into the parking lot, you'll feel safe and comfortable! Our parking lot volunteers will wlecome you as you enter the campus. (If you choose, you may park in the Visitor Parking area near the front of our building.) Then, our greeter team will be poised and ready to assist with directions or answer any questions you may have. If you have children, you can check them in at the Children's Ministry welcome center and then be personally escorted with them to their room. As you enter the worship center, our ushers will welcome you and help you find a seat. So come on in and enjoy the service! You will not be singled out as a visitor in our worship service! If you have any questions before or after the service, visit our Welcome Center or meet some of our Pastors and Elders in the Starting Point area at the far end of our lobby after services. You'll find it with people eager to help in any way they can.

• Where do I take my children? You'll find first-class programs for your children, from birth through 4th grade. The Building Block Nursery (located to the left when you walk in the main doors) offers a warm, colorful, and caring environment for your precious ones, with rooms desinged for each stage of development. The Crosswalk Preschool Department, located on the 2nd floor, is an amazing place that will captivate your child's heart and imagination, from 2 years old (by September 1) through pre-kindergarten. Your elementary children, from kindergarten through 4th grade, can join the fun in The Alley,  a ministry experience designed just with grade school kids in mind. Your girls and boys will experience church like never before, with the latest games, music and video, created to present God's truth in fun and innovative ways. Regardless of the age of your children, you will want to check in at the Children's Ministry Information Station on the 1st or 2nd floor of our building when you arrive. Our greeters will be happy to help you find that area and assist you in getting your children plugged into their classes.  Click here for more information on our children's programs.

• What do you offer Jr. High and High-School students? Our student ministry is comprised of students from several campuses in and around the Austin area.  
  
  
  Our junior high ministry (6th-8th grade) meets on Sunday mornings @ 9am in Building C.  We also offer small group Bible studies (AMP Groups) on Wednesday evenings throughout the school year and middle schoolers meet from 6-7:30pm, eat dinner, play games, and then split up into grade and gender-specific groups to talk about life and get into the Word!  No need to sign up for one of these groups, just show up on Wednesday night and we will get you set up!
  
  
  Our high school ministry (9th-12th grade) meets on Sunday mornings @ 10:45am in Building C and also has AMP Groups on Wednesday nights from 7:30-9pm, with dinner followed by grade and gender-specific small group time.  No need to sign up for one of these groups, just show up on Wednesday night and we will get you set up! 
  
  
  During the summer months, the schedule looks a little different with various camps, retreat and events keeping us busy!  Please see the student ministry website at www.broadcastsm.com to stay up-to-date on all things student ministry related, and feel free to call (512.263.7701) or email (tyler@austinridge.org) Tyler McKelvy for additional details, or to be added to our distribution/contact list.

• What is this week's message? You'll find that each service at Austin Ridge Bible Church is designed to meet your needs wherever you are spiritually.  Pastor Brad Thomas is a gifted teacher and communicator with a passion for seeing lives changed by the truth of the Bible. You can listen to each week's sermon posted online here.

• How did Austin Ridge Bible Church get started? The best way to describe what has happened in the past and what is happening most recently at Austin Ridge Bible Church is "it's a God thing".  Since the church opened its doors in 1980,  God has been actively involved in sustaining and growing a church that seeks to equip people who experience and express the transforming life of Jesus Christ.
  

• What does your church believe? Austin Ridge Bible Church is a biblically-based church committed to equipping people to experience and express the transforming life of Jesus Christ.  We desire to connect people with God in biblically compelling ways.  Click here for more information on our Statement of Faith.

• What is the best way for me to get around your campus?  We currently have construction occurring on our campus, but have the parking lot marked to allow you to enter and exit quickly.  Directly in front of our Worship Center (Building A- Please see the map in our maps section for a better description of the location) we have reserved parking for guest and handicapped.  Please feel free to use those spots.  If you need assistance with your children or things you might need to carry into the church, please allow our greeters to help you.  That is one of the reasons they are there.  If a Greeter does not meet you first, please come to the Welcome Desk.  There, we will escort you to your children’s classes, answer questions you might have, and bring you back to the lobby for a cup of coffee before you go to worship service.  We also have a large lot on the back side of our campus, which serves as a great place for students attending Jr. or Sr. High services. 

• Do you have groups for Singles?  We have two groups, based on age.  Both groups are very social, and have a great time together.  For more information on these groups, please go to http://austinridge.org/ministry/singles/twenty-thirtysomethings for the single group for 20-30 somethings, and to http://austinridge.org/ministry/singles/single-focus for single adults 35 years or older.

• Do you have Men’s and Women’s Ministries?  Yes we do!  They are both full of opportunites and things to participate in.  Please go to http://austinridge.org/ministry/women/main for more information on Women’s Ministry and http://austinridge.org/ministry/men/men for Men’s Ministry.

Are you involved in Outreach?  Yes, because we want to bring Christ to people.  We offer both local and global opportunities.  Please go to http://austinridge.org/ministry/outreach/outreach to find out what is happening and to become a part of the solution.

• Do you have Life Groups?  We will match you with a group based on where you live or your season of life.  You need other Christians and other Christians need you, and people who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ need to see the “oneness” of those that do!  Our Life Groups are a great place where deep roots set in.  Click http://austinridge.org/ministry/lifegroups/join-a-lifegroup to find out when the next Life Group Link is scheduled or for contact information of groups that fit your needs.

• Do you have a recovery program?  We have a great one!  Freedom at the Ridge (FATR) is a Christ-centered recovery program designed to help people address a variety of hurts, habits, and hang-ups.  FATR is a safe environment for real life change in Jesus Christ.  Click here for more information http://austinridge.org/ministry/celebrate-recovery/celebrate-recovery   

• Do you do any special equipping?  At The Ridge, we offer equipping through many different avenues, from Men and Women’s Ministry programs, and studies that are offered at different times, such as marriage “retreats” or special interest Bible Studies and training.  For more information, go to http://austinridge.org/ministry/equipping/equipping. 

• Does The Ridge have Prayer Ministries?  Prayer is a top priority at The Ridge.  Whether you want to be a part of a prayer team or need personal prayer, we have a place for you.  Please see http://austinridge.org/ministry/prayer/prayer-ministry for ways to get involved.

• Can I be involved in the Choir?  We would love to have you!   Becky Ellsworth is the contact for all things Choir.  She can give you everything you need to know by emailing her at becky@austinridge.org.  And no, you do not have to audition.