Even though it's
taken some time, the Rev. Farris Baker has created the
ideal haven for those so enraptured by the Holy Spirit
that they need to jump, shout, scream, weep and dance.
"We are a
church of participation, not spectators," said the head
of The Father's House, an independent revival ministry
located in northwest Stockton.
"We are
known in the community for extreme freedom in worship
and being a center for refreshing and experiencing the
power of the Holy Spirit," he said. "What we mean by
extreme freedom in worship is that some folks may dance
or wave flags as they sing and worship during our praise
and worship portion of our service. People are allowed
to express heart-felt emotions and love for God as they
sing praises to him."
The
Father's House began offering Sunday morning services in
October 2001, meeting at San Joaquin Delta College, he
said. But throughout the following summer, the
congregation outgrew their college surroundings. They
moved to the Hammer Landing Center in northwest Stockton
in June 2002, and moved into a larger space within the
same center.
The move
and growth has helped the church achieve its mission to
do its part in fulfilling the commission of going to the
world making disciples, teaching, and demonstrating the
power of God, Baker said.
"It is
imperative that new believers are equipped and released
from The Father's House to extend the outreach from this
community to other parts of the world as God leads," he
said.
Their
presence is also felt on the Internet. The church's Web
site offers tapes, video clips and photos of the
services. Baker said the site surpassed 10,000 hits last
July.
The pastor
also emphasizes plans for growth are multifaceted.
"Like any
church, we hope to continue to grow and eventually have
our own facility, but individual growth in people is far
more important to us than the size of a building or
number of the congregation," Baker said. "We hope to
eventually start other churches in various parts of the
city, too. We have a vision of a community of Christians
living close together within the city as a center of
help, education and healing."
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Part of
educating their members and the public is offering
"Prophetic Fire," a gathering of several prophets that
will take place at the church starting today and runs
through Sunday, Jan. 25.
Information
*
Denomination: Independent Ministry
*
Location: 3436 W. Hammer Lane, Suite C, Stockton
*
Contact: (209) 478-5200,
TFH@thefathers
housestockton.org or
www.thefathershouse
stockton.org
*
Services: 9 a.m. Sunday school; 10 a.m. morning worship
and 6 p.m. evening worship 7 p.m. Tuesday prayer, and 7
to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday prayer for the sick; 7 p.m.
Wednesday adult and youth Bible study.
*
Congregation: 50
*
Staff: Frank Brown, worship leader; Connie Baker, youth
leader; Pat Zimmerman, outreach.
Pastor
Baker, 44,
received his bachelor's degree in biblical studies from
Pacific Coast Bible College. He and his wife, Connie,
have been married seven years and have eight children.
Baker said he has served in leadership roles in several
churches as well as ministered to both adults and young
people. The Father's House is his first time as senior
pastor.
From the
pulpit
"Our motto
is: 'Breaking the traditions of man when necessary to
keep the commandments of God.' What we mean is that we
are not interested in doing things according to
traditional church methods," Baker said. "We are more
interested in serving and ministering in the most
reasonable and practical ways as long as they match
biblical example, but not necessarily long-standing
church traditions. What happens is we may seem different
in operation than many churches but we are doing the
things that Christ has asked us to do in His Word."
"Our heart
for ministry at The Father's House is to see individuals
reach their full potential as Christians as well as
members of society. We look to get people active serving
in their particular gift. Many of the guest speakers
that we bring in ... help to activate and encourage
people to use their individual gifts and talents for
God. We want people to be participant Christians, not
spectators.
"One of the
most rewarding things is to have members come to church
and tell stories of praying for friends, family and
sometimes-casual acquaintances and some one was
healed or encouraged. Often, Christians have great
abilities and desires to do more for God but don't
always find opportunity to do so."
* To reach
reporter Steve Echeverria, phone (209) 546-85771
or
e-mail sechever@recordnet.com
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