This is a great parish community! I have been a part of this parish community for 30 years and have…read moreloved it. During this pandemic, there have been very encouraging, inspiring and uplifting masses, messages and outreach efforts. The church does so much to reach out and help the community. Father Geoffrey Baraan is a great Pastor of this community. We appreciate him very much! For those new to the community or looking for a Church, please come and be a part of this great community.

I been going to St. Joseph's Church in Pinole since the 1990's. I have attended CCD 1991-1993. I…read morehave seen half of students from Pinole Valley High School attend mass at St. Joseph's Church. The smoke usage during the mass can be distracting and can bother people. Also the blessing with the holy water by the priest can hit you hard (we all have seen the priest whack the choir member in the eye with that). I attend either Saturday 5pm or Sunday 8:30am, 10am, 12pm, or 5:30pm mass. Not hard to find seating at either time. Parking can fill up at the church lot.

I was initially enamored. After a 3+ years, the senior pastor and some elders showed me enough of…read morethemselves off the pulpit (stage) to confidently walk away to search for a church and church leadership that walks the talk consistently and not conditionally. I do not recommend this church based on how it negatively affected me.

My first Sunday checking out Bay Hills, I was beyond nervous. I knew almost no one. I hadn't been…read moreto church in decades and I wasn't where I wanted to be with God. I wasn't even completely ready to socialize, but I took a leap of faith and showed up to check this place out. The second I walked up to the doors, I was greeted by two sincere people and with many other smiles. The music had already started and it was positive, encouraging and moving. I felt God in the worship. The message began and it made me laugh, cry (yes in the first day...lol) and think. The dermon was completely based on scripture. He used comprehensive examples, hilarious stories, and I didn't catch myself zoning out or checking the time...which...to be completely honest, I'm prone to in uncomfortable situations. Afterwards, I helped myself to coffee and doughnuts and bumped into a few people i knew! They were excited and surprised to see me there and we caught up. They introduced me to someone else who showed my the childrens ministry (epic!) And the nursery was a DREAM for me as a new mom. Time was flying, and before I knew it, I had to head out. I came back the next week...and haven't stopped going since. The messages at Bay Hills have helped me become the closest to God I've ever been, and the friendships i've made over the past 7 years are such an important aspect of my life. As an active member, I am now happily involved with the church including the children's ministry and small groups. Learning about the churches structure and community over the years has only made me feel more and more blessed to have found such a Jesus-focused, diverse, sincere, honest, and fun place to call home.

A very friendly atmosphere, very welcoming. The Children Church is Great I Love the Praise and…read moreWorship.

Very good. Merits a review…read more I stopped in on a Wednesday and Thursday and would go back as time allow. Thank you for being a part of this. (2025)

I have been attending since November 2013. The pastor is kind, funny, and humble. I like the…read moresermons and how they always give out a lesson papers for the topic of that day and for notes. I like how they have lots of bible studies and fellowship options that can fit our busy schedules. This church teaches biblical truths. They focus on teaching us to Look (for ways to honor God), Love (Everyone God put in our path) , Live (For His purpose and will for us), and Lead (others to holiness in Christ). And I was drawn here the most because of the fact that they have areas for kids to grow in the Lord too. Lots of ministries for all ages. I got saved in October 3rd 2013 in my home. I wasn't attending church or reading the bible. I did not know the Lord or followed anything in the bible. The Lord came to me one night and revealed many things to me about who He is and what he knows about me. It was a very supernatural experience that can only be understood by those who have experienced stuff like that themselves or are open to know the wonders of what's really out there (the spiritual world). I grew up in a catholic back round. So when I got saved I was exploring where exactly God's Spirit was guiding me. I was so excited to find out all about Jesus and how I can make the best of the second chance he had given me. I really didn't want to put myself in a religious category. I just knew what God, my heavenly Father revealed to me. Jesus is the one true God and the Holy Spirit is definitely real and living inside of me. And so the Lord began to help me narrow it down to what I needed to study to learn more about Him. The Lord was teaching me His Word thru His Spirit with no book or anyone influencing me the first weeks of my new beginning. God calls people and renews their mind body and souls. And sometimes people that go to church get called there. Other times people have near death experiences and the Lord speaks to them thru those circumstances. My experience was out of the blue one night at 2am with a dream of the spiritual realm and God telling me that I needed to change. The day I was saved God revealed himself to me and I actually FELT His Spirit in my room and He was speaking truth and wisdom and there was a lot of conviction. My mind was being renewed and I am just a completely different person with no more vices and better relationships. But its hard to put all the details on this review. I found this church because I asked God to lead me to where I can grow and learn. And he reminded me that wherever I go to learn His word to make sure its kid friendly where they can learn and be exposed to God's love thru the people that teach them His word. The women's bible studies has helped me surround myself with women of God that have a lot of experience with God's Word and testimonies that strengthened me and inspired me. I am an active volunteer in the kids ministry because I feel its so important to help our youth towards the right path. It starts when your young and I believe I wouldn't have made so many mistakes if I had a strong support system like the one they offer here. So I like it here and I am still growing spiritually. ****IMPORTANT: It is important that if anyone is looking for a church they find one that is in accord with the bible. There is no such thing as a perfect church. There are many church hoppers that never find what they are looking for. I can see how it can be hard. But prayer is the most important way to find God's direction for you. The devil will always give you reasons and point out imperfections to stir you away from church. I pray fervently for my church. And there are lots of churches that are amazing and teach God's Word just as good as this one. When I don't like something or am not sure about something I pray about it and God does something about it and never lets me down. For people new with the church scene, don't get discouraged. My husband is not social and doesn't like to be around too many people but God has opened his heart to be just a little more open with others and I have seen so much change in Him. Prayer and God's faithfulness is the answer. Church is where you go to worship together as a whole group. To connect with others and be inspired by testimonies like healing, restoration, salvation. God speaks to you thru sermons and convicts you of things you need to change. You get to see God in action and surround yourself with people that really love the Lord. Learning God's Word and putting it into action is what we do after church. And no matter what church we attend if we are just listening and not seeking ways to change our community with God's truth and values there is no impact or effect. Our pastor always says, information without application is just entertainment. My church has helped me find and seek ways to make a difference and go where I am needed. I help in the nursery, girls ministry, senior home ministry, and still on the hunt for more.

I Love this church. I have been attending as a non member over the years. However they treat…read moreeveryone like family. Pastor Jim & the Youth Pastor Corey really know how to preach. This church is very diverse and extremely involved with the community & children that attend the church. They also do a lot of missionary work worldwilde. I was married at this church on 10/13/12 & loved everything about my wedding. The Pastor sister Janet was very helpful with the planning and answered all my calls and emails in a timely manner even though I probably annoyed her lol. If you are looking for a church home PLEASE check out Hilltop.

Awesome family church with a caring Pastor that teaches and doesn't preach down to you. Great…read morecounselor and super understanding and patient.

FGF is awesome!!! I have been coming to this church ever since I was 13 and the main reason why my…read morefamily moved to this church was because of the great children and youth ministries. The children ministry has evolved into its own service on Sunday mornings. It's wonderful because kids are learning how to worship God. The praise and worship team has grown to a deeper level of worship being more sensitive than ever to the Holy Spirit. The pastor, who was my youth pastor for 4 years, John Wright, preaches messages that are powerful and with conviction. Pastor John has a vision to bring people together; that's why we have multi-cultural events to learn about each other's cultures and we have movie/comedy nights. Please keep in mind that he is very careful in what movie or comedian he chooses to share with the congregation - he just doesn't go by what the reviews say. There are so many more great things I can say about this church, but I'll stop now. You will always be welcomed at this church!

My family and I had a lovely time attending here today. The pasture was honest, insightful, and…read moremodest, and all of the people were warm, kind, and inviting. My children loved the kids services, and I was shocked at how all of the topics of the adult service pertained to my current thoughts and beliefs. I really appreciated how relatable everyone was, and no one seemed pushy. To top it off, they served a feast of a lunch with polish sausages, hot dogs, hot links, veggie dogs, chicken, fruit, and an assortment of sides fit for a queen. Haha! We will be back, for sure.

"Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, you are welcome here." I can't exactly pinpoint who…read moreuttered those words to me when I was new in the church, but those were music to my ears. And this church stands by those words. Whether you are new in the Christian faith, a returning prodigal son, or simply further along in your spiritual journey you have a place in this church. The members are diverse and very welcoming, socially conscious, warm, friendly and supportive. The sermons are socially relevant and thought provoking. Above all, there is a sense of family when I come to church on Sundays. CHRIST THE LORD CHURCH - SHARING THE LOVE OF CHRIST WITH THE WORLD.

This is a very unique and open community that I have come to love. I spent months "shopping around"…read morelooking for a community that would welcome me and my same sex husband. After the passing of Prop 8, I was heart-broken and disappointed with the Catholic Church and religion all together. Then, I found Christ the Lord Episcopal Church in my own city of Pinole when I saw the rainbow heart with the church logo. I decided to visit the following Sunday, and I have been attending service regularly now for over 2 years. I am still on a spiritual journey, often asking myself if God and Christ really exist, but I know something is right here... I feel acceptance, love, community, and faith. Christ the Lord church is about social justice and growing spiritually. For me, that is what I believe the presence of God is about. This is a great and welcoming place for the LGBTQ community, people of all races, people questioning their faith, and people in recovery. I am here to stay!

Beautiful welcoming Catholic Church with a wonderful staff starting with the head of the church…read moreFather Larry, a great leader of the church

This is an extremely beautiful church and such a welcoming community. Father Larry is the head…read morePriest for this church, Father Larry mass is my favorite so I always try to come during his mass the other Priest are also great but Father Larry gave me such a great welcoming I truly appreciate him. Plenty of parking and they they have bathrooms in the school plus in the school on Sunday they have the best Catholic store, they sell so many beautiful rosary, first communion gifts, an incredible inventory of religious artifacts and so many beautiful biblical books including some beautiful Bibles. The Church itself has several seating arrangements and the church is full of windows so there is an abundance of spectacular light coming throughout the entire Church, this has become my new church.

My fiancee and I made our first visit here on Good Friday 2015. I was born & raised Methodist in…read moreSouthern California, and now that I'm a Bay Area resident, I'm trying to check out the Methodist Churchces that are around.. I was expecting a simple service, but instead we were treated to a lovely drama with the different characters and events that led up to the crucifixtion-it was a lovely surprise! I literally live 1 block away from Pinole Methodist but I will definitely try to come back to El Sobrante for services.

I am a member of OCSL in Oakland, but they are closed today and I wanted to spend some time with…read moreother folks since both of my kids were elsewhere today. It is just around the corner from me. The potluck was delicious, and I was so impressed at how warm and welcoming everyone was. That was in spite of the fact that everyone knew each other very well. I probably will be back to participate in the yoga class, or the photography class. This church is very service oriented, which is my favorite thing about the Methodist denomination. They have a free clothing give away, and they were collecting for the food bank as well. The United Methodists denomination is known as thinking and caring. I think this church is very good.