This church is a Bible-based church located in Medford, NJ. Located in an area of south jersey where there are a few major churches around Lakes is not a very large congregation. It is however a strong, loving congregation. Members are quick to notice visitors and introduce themselves to try and make them feel more at home, and simply get to know them more. Pastor Joe has been there for, I think, 13 years or so now. This church places a big emphasis on Discipleship, which I think is great because I could always grow in my knowledge and application of how to better spread God's Word. I've been attending Lakes my whole life as my parents have been going there since they were kids, and my fathers parents were charter members. Lakes youth ministry meets on Sunday's at 6, and will often times incorporate outreach ministries like going to Faces of Change in Camden, NJ, to help hand out food, drink, and clothes to homeless or less fortunate. Along with our few discipleship groups, a young couple started Shine Ministries which is an outreach program to give back as they often times will hand out food in Camden, spend time with children at the Ronald McDonald House, technologically educate men and women in retirement homes, and many others great ways to give back and show Christ's love. I've had nothing but great experiences at Lakes. If you're looking for a church where you can go and slip through the cracks, this may not be for you. If you're looking for a church where you want to feel welcome and be involved, with good, strong biblical teaching, then this church might be for you! Stop on by and check us out! read more

A great Bible Base Church.I have been going here since my Daughter was 3 and is now has grown to be a Godly young Woman who Loves the Lord and has help my Marriage to be Godly, though Christ.If you want a Loving unlegallistic Church Don't stay at home being a lone ranger in a world that is full of lies and sin. Don't forsake the assembly of saints .This is a church you will grow in Christ and Truth. read more

Awesome church! Great atmosphere! Friendly people! I totally recommend giving them a visit!

I have been attending this church for about 4 years now. This church is an awesome bible-loving community that feels nothing short of a family. read more

An excellent church that uses the Bible as the basis for its teaching. Pastor Joe is a great man and is a true Shepherd to the congregation. read more

For almost 50 years, this was a fundamental church using the KJV Bible as the authority. About 13 years ago, "Father" Joe Olachea, brought in the "NEW" King James Bible. He would hold it up so as to display the Triquetra symbol. This symbol is used to represent the Celtic trio moon goddess, Celtic god Odin, and to symbolize Baal by the Phoenicians and Greeks. This symbol is displayed in the witchcraft TV show "Charmed" and still used in Sicily today as a charm. Don't let anyone try to tell you it represents "the Trinity" since we are not to have graven images or likeness of anything in the heaven above, earth beneath, or waters beneath the earth. The services began with contemplative/meditative/hypnotic "prayer" where we closed our eyes, the drummer stroked the wind chimes (Buddhism anyone?), and we were encouraged to "calm our hearts and empty our minds", At first, we followed the sermon supported by Scripture passages. Then it became faster and we could barely keep up with the sermon due to all the jumping around. Finally, we were told there was no need to open or follow along with the Scriptures. After that, several weeks of videos of his trips to Israel were shown instead of conducting a sermon. This lead into the yearly showing of H20 - A Journey of Faith movies. These are full of ungodly and Masonic symbols such as "falling into the pit", the black and white checkerboard, sensationalism, and sun worship. They also introduced "Discipleship" works-based levels which are also occult in nature. Their URL graphic is a black square with a white "G" which is another Freemason symbol. The music was also changed from traditional piano or organ accompanied hymns from the hymn book to a contemporary praise band and words projected on a screen. European/"Catholic" tapestries were placed on the walls including the Catholic/Mayan/Quetzalcoatl "flying Jesus" with his heart exposed and a red cape (recall this was a form of mockery of Jesus' kingship as it was placed on Jesus by the Romans after his awful beating along with the crown or thorns and a reed/staff). This again violates Scripture and open the door to introducing "another Jesus", "another Gospel". The pastor actually discussed "matter" in his sermon. Why was the religion of "Science" presented instead of the Scriptures other than to lead people to the "Gospel of Science" and other unscriptural ideas and to yet again, rip that Bible out of your hands! A survey was distributed shortly after the new pastor arrived. It contained ridiculous and irrelevant questions relating to "what you want out of church". This is part of the ecumenical aka "Romanism" and "church-growth" movement. Instead of a Bible, the Ladies "Bible" study uses books by Beth Moore and Kay Arthur who are dangerous, unscriptural teachers. Teens read "Stolen Women" about a 16-year old Indian girl forced into prostitution. It should be disturbing that teens are having the image of this lifestyle put into their heads. It serves no purpose except perhaps spreading some type of "social gospel". The true purpose is to rip the Scriptures from your hands and substitute false and dangerous ideas. Of course, there is the money made from the book sales too. These groups and books are scripturally wrong. They break up the family ("divide and conquer strategy", and usurp the man's authority as the head of the household. Instead of encouraging Scripture reading, Jesuit Joe Olachea instead supported reading C.S. Lewis books such as "The Lord of the Rings" and that "The Chronicles of Narnia" are good bedtime stories for children. These books are blatantly pagan containing wizardry, witchcraft, and spell casting. To top everything off, we were encouraged to use the online forum and to choose an "Avatar" which in the occult means a form that the Antichrist arrives in. We were also pressured into taking a bus trip to see the movie "The Passion of the Christ" that presented the Gnostic Gospel and overall is highly inaccurate when compared to the Scriptures. In one scene, Satan is shown holding his son, Horus/Osiris as he tries to persuade Mary to intervene in Jesus' sacrifice which is not only nowhere to be found in the Scriptures, but a curious message to add to the film. They also began participating in national events such as "Back to Church Sunday" which kicks off the H20 movies and "Meet you at the Pole" another Freemason joke on Christians to form an occult worship circle around a flagpole/Baal's shaft. You are better off staying home and reading your Scriptures with your family if you are sincere about finding the Truth and following Jesus. If you are looking for a fleshly, worldly, good time where you can feel comfortable in your sin and still call yourself a Christian, then this is the place for you. read more

I have been attending Lakes for over 30 years and cannot recommend it highly enough. I have visited many other churches during that time and Lakes has always been home for me. It is a small church with a family-like feel. The people are loving and everyone knows your name. When there is a need within the church the people are sure to meet it. The pastor is the definition of a shepherd. He is thoughtful and loves his congregation. He is very intelligent while still being personable and friendly. We have a great (and growing) youth ministry run by an awesome young couple and our nursery is growing as well! Unlike the larger churches in the area, there are not too many "extra" things to get involved in, but there are a couple of ministries that can help you get plugged in and the church is always open to suggestions. This is not to say that the members themselves are not doing anything outside of church. It amazes me when I hear about all that this little church does in the surrounding area. This church focuses on teaching straight from the Bible, spending time with your family, discipling others and reaching the lost in love. The teaching is sound, the leadership is great and the people are loving. If you haven't tried it- you should! read more