Sai is so down to earth, the girls in the college group rock, and the worship isn't a spectacle. Tbh way better than shoreline (for me personally). However, please train your greeters to pray for people! A homeless man came in asking for a Bible, which they gave him, but then they just let him leave!!! Without offering to pray with him!!! Ahhhh read more

I was just there on September 4, 2022 The church is awesome great pastor amazing worship and. Got to see my friend get baptized in the ocean with 2 other men great day read more

This is a church that strives to build a strong community. I have been attending this church on and off for over three years. What sparked my interest from the beginning was the small knit community. From my very first service the church leaders at the connect bar were very welcoming and eager to help get new faces integrated within the church community. They offer community groups for all ages that meet on weekly basis. The group leaders are well equipped to lead others. The church also offers leadership classes that inform and equipped leaders to grow deeper into their faith. It's also a welcoming place for visitors as each sermon is relatable and applicable to every day life. read more

Dropped in a couple weeks ago while visiting Monterey. Located in an old colonial style bank building downtown a very friendly group of people welcomes you in. Some socializing with free coffee then a modern service. Very solid message backed up by a great worship band. Glad to hear this church is active in mission trips locally and internationally. Had a very enjoyable experience and was glad to see everyone engaged, from 20 year old college students to an Asian couple in their 70s(?). Would definitely go back if I was a local. read more

I love Monterey Church. When I moved into the area in 2017 I didn't know anyone but when I went to service I knew that I would be able to make friends there right away! Everyone was so friendly and actually took the time to get to know me, which was so needed when I was joining a new community. The worship is awesome and I love how Bible focused the messages are. I am happy to call Monterey Church my new home church. read more

As a newbie here I did not connect with anyone even though I tried. I liked the Pastor and worship but could not connect with anyone. I tried the small groups and the women were not interested in making a new person feel welcomed. I did not attend here for too long and not good for new people to feel plugged in. read more

I love Monterey Church! I just moved to Maryland and have realized just how special this place is. I was hoping to return to in person service before I moved, but sadly no. They did a great job during Covid to try and keep going as best as possible with on-line worship and on-line kids services too. They had some pop up worship events socially distanced, but I did not attend them. The pastors and support staff are awesome. The worship team is the best in the county (IMO) and it's just a really nice Church to belong to. I really miss them! read more

I am so blessed to have found Monterey Church. I wish I had stepped in a year earlier when I first saw it. I finally feel like I found a place where I belong. Such an amazing community of believers and people who are not judgmental. With that said, they are solid followers of the Jesus and His word. Pastors Mike and Leland are not afraid to be real. And Pastor James....how do I say this...best preacher ever. Seriously. Well studied and lead by the Spirit. Always something I am challenged with. Worship is also legit. It's well balanced with newer and older songs. Sometimes we dance, sometimes we raise our arms. And sometimes we sit and reflect. I love that there is a good balance in the team, as well. Their dGroups have caused so much growth in my life. I can say that I am more confident in who I am because of the awesome group of guys (and gals) who speak into my life. I highly recommend this place if you are looking for a family and a place to call home. read more

Great praise and worship coming out of this place. The people were friendly, the worship is strong. Come see this church.......

This church really likes to portray itself as contemporary and relevant, not like the stodgy old churches of yore; even their old website, strangely replaced recently by a canned-looking (maybe they were going for minimalist?) new layout, was stuffed to the gills with uber-trendy graphic design elements in an attempt to appeal to the media-savvy web 2.0 generation. Unfortunately, despite the (admittedly very hip) vintage movie theatre setting (rented on Sundays, by the way; the rest of the week it is a real theatre), rock-band style music, and predominance of middle-aged-or-younger parishioners in dressed-down jeans and casuals, the church is pretty shockingly fundamentalist. The preacher (Lead Pastor, Bryan James) seems to make a regular habit out of peppering his talks with inflammatory (and rather ignorant) statements about science and academia, more mainline denominations, and society in general, that honestly sound more like something you would hear from a Southern Baptist, than a young-ish guy in street clothes, back-lit by neon. This would be surprising and distasteful anywhere, I think, but even more-so given Monterey Church's projected image, and in light of the fact that Monterey has a fairly young population, what with the military personnel stationed nearby, and several universities and colleges in the area. Aside from the conservative rhetoric and rather grating delivery, the content of the sermons is problematic too - James is no exegete, and this ineptitude shows in sermons that lack clarity, insight, historical accuracy, and even textual consistency. But James is a Bible Belt import from Georgia, out to rescue the lost west (or at least one peninsula of it) from secular decadence -- a fact he is apt to remind everyone of in one of his frequent, recurring and somewhat off-topic personal anecdotes, if his accent doesn't tip them off first -- and Monterey is in that middle-Cali purple zone between the more liberal south and more conservative north, so maybe none of this is too out of the ordinary. Bottom line: If you actually want some insightful, thought-provoking or (gasp) educated discourse to go with your chucks and jeans, this is probably not the place for you. If, however, you're down for some good-old-boy conservative American religion, but with syncopated beats and bedhead, may you find all you seek at Monterey Church. As for me, I'll skip out on the snide bigotry and false advertising, and head to the beach instead. At least the starfish don't think science is a conspiracy. read more

It was great worship and good message. I will go back and see if this continues to workout for us. (people were very friendly and genuine.)

Best church on the Monterey Peninsula! The Pastor, PBJ is courageous and brings light and truth each week. Don't want to spend my Sunday morning anywhere else! The Holy Spirit is thick in this place. Will never step foot in another church on the Peninsula. read more

Monterey Church (currently meeting at the Golden State Theatre on Sunday Mornings @ 10:45 a.m.) is totally amazing! My wife and I discovered it at the invite of a friend and were drawn in by a young, vibrant group of people who have a real and contagious faith. The rock band that leads worship is top-notch, and the preaching is down-to-earth, applicable and unpretentious. They have a great program for kids, and every Sunday you are welcomed by friendly people and hot coffee. There are many military families, college students, and people from all walks of life. Meeting at the Golden State Theatre is very cool, because it gives the atmosphere a very relaxed vibe. We had visited a number of churches in Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel, Seaside but had not found one as authentic and real as this. Check out their new site: www.montereychurch.net read more

Amazing Church! Very welcoming and friendly people, great worship, and solid Biblical teaching. A great place to encounter God and participate in a life changing ministry! read more

My life has completely changed since I became part of this church, they push you out of your comfort zone in the best way possible.!

This is in response to Dell A. Yes the sermons are fundamentally grounded in the Bible. No pablum or feel good Christianity here. If that's what rocks your boat then by all means you'll have to find it some where else. You're right about not compromising with the Word either, Jesus did the same. So if the sermons bother you because you wanted to hear something that validates what your life style is then I can see how you would be offended. The Pharisees were deeply offended when confronted with the truth. The truth is we are in fallen world and if you can't see prophecy staring you in the face and want to live in a feel good Joel Osteen prosperity any thing goes kind of church then you're so right, this church is not for you. I want to be slapped with the truth, I want to hear how to prepare for what's coming, not hear validation of my own way of thinking. read more

The service is contemporary, nondenominational. It is a very welcoming church and the pastor really is in tune with the Lord! A great children's ministry and worship band. They have many activities outside of Sunday services and provide lot's of fellowship. read more

Monterey Church - Monterey Church - Churches Near Me - Monterey, California

We have been attending Monterey Church for about nine years. During that time we've experienced such growth in our relationship with Christ and with our church community. We are so blessed to be apart of this community. Our favorite part about the church is the small group bible studies. It gives you a chance to connect and unpack the sermon from the week. They are also highly focused on mission work and partner with compassion international to change the lives of over 500 kids. Their teaching modern, but holds true to the Bible and makes your really reflect and grow. Highly recommend! read more

My kids and I have been attending Monterey Church for over 10 years. We were with the church when they met at York School and then at the Golden State Theatre and now at the permanent location. I love Pastor Bryan teachings. He is not afraid to tell the truth on what God has to say to the church body. The worship is great too. The teachings are Biblically based. The church is friendly and I feel we are not being judged. I feel the love and support from the church body. I belong to a d group where we meet once a week. These groups are awesome with connecting with the church body. read more

I love this place. It's over at York school now, which isn't nearly as cool as being in the state theater, but Pastor James is still awesome. Great messages, practical style no fluff, no bologna teaching. I don't fall asleep in church, anymore at least, Bryan keeps me interested, I'm not really sure how, but he does. Been going here for awhile, I highly recommend it. read more

I attend the Saturday services here, and after a few months of prayer, discernment, and talking to the leaders, I know that this church is biblically sound (I was told by several people that it wasn't). Pastor Bryan James's sermons are amazing, the worship music is great, the people are very welcoming. I enjoy the D group (Discipleship group) I am involved with. Pastor Leland is very knowledgeable with the Word of God. I definitely recommend the church to anyone. read more