This a a review on their Christmas Event for 2019. The performance was 5 star worthy - It was…read moreWONDERFUL - up to the very end. Then the musical pastor came out and it all became creepy and that's when the stars dropped! The production - phenomenal! The number of people that were part of it was mind boggling and we're talking regular people like you and me. Not Broadway performers! But I'm telling you, they were good! A must see! But....leave right after the last act! After the last act, the musical pastor came out and spoke about a little about the production but no real praise for the cast. He praised the sound guys and then he had us sing O Little Town of Bethlehem. Nice touch. He then starts singing another song on his own and I honestly now felt like I was at a concert for someone I didn't really want to see.....THEN, all of these women dresses purely in white with caps on their heads started entering the sanctuary two by two and walking as if they were in a wedding. You know the 'march'. This is when it got creepy. Anyone who has watched The Handmaid's Tale will know what I'm talking about! The man is still singing his heart out and then ANOTHER man starts singing and the women (there might have been a couple guys dressed up too!) keep marching to the stage. Then man #3 starts singing and Jesus and the angels drop from the ceiling and I'm wanting to leave because I am feeling like this has now turned in to a concert highlighting these men who are surrounded by what appears as subservient women. Nothing about the epic performance of the cast. No curtain calls for them. Just glory for the men! I would love to see it again but would definitely leave when the true performers finished.

I have attended the last 10 years. Previous years I remember leaving each show feeling board way…read moreproductions had nothing over on Glorious Christmas Nights. This year's production was not equal to the the previous years. I guess we are so surrounded by negativity now days, A Timeless Hope could not help but to embrace it with songs like "Gotta Have a Hat", I Didn't Do It" and "Sick of Sheep"! Come on West End Assembly of God, you are much better than "A Timeless Hope".

This is my favorite church. The music program is outstanding with an orchestra. It is well known in…read morethe RVA area. The church has many activities for all age groups. This church is open to liberal believers.

I knew when I walked in the doors that the presence of God resided in its congregation. Although…read moreit is growing larger every day, God has provided sound leadership to help us grow in the right direction Hope church doesnt only come alive on Sundays, it continues its missions into the community, and with fellowship groups all week long Hope may look too big at first but the congregation will welcome you and help you find your niche with small groups available.

I found this church from what only could have been a sign from God. I was struggling at the time…read moretrying to switch job fields to provide for my child as a single mother. One rainy morning, I was on the way to work, replaying my rusty job interview responses that did not result in a job offer. Suddenly, the car in front of me slammed on its brakes. To prevent from hydro planning, I swerved into a turn lane to avoid a collision. I had to turn into Hope's parking lot to reroute back onto Patterson to continue my morning commute to a dead end job. I strongly feel like in this moment, God was leading a lost soul back home. I attended that weekend, and the sermon was everything and more. It completely restructured where I placing my trust and faith with keeping a tight control on my life. I handed it over to him that day, and asked him to reveal his plan. Throughout that week, I heard several people repeat a line I had heard in the sermon the prior Sunday. Everything comes back in a fill circle, just like God's plan. This line kept coming back up in conversations with complete strangers. His plan will be revealed in his own time. It will come back in a full circle, but we will not know, while we are going through it. We just have to trust. One of these moments, occurred at my next job interview and I have been a member with Hope over the past 5 years. It has brought so many blessings since. Now I listen for him to guide me. In addition, they have a wonderful youth program for my son. I met my now spouse and we have a strong faith based relationship where God is the center. The music is amazing. The sermons are very scripture based and provide background context to explain why the bible is written in specific vernacular and the intentional meaning behind it. Things I never was taught growing up in my old church. I just love everything about Hope and agree, they meet you where you are. They are friendly, but not pushy. You can become as involved as you wish, and offer tons of classes and study groups. The pastors tend to rotate during each series. They do each have their own style of preaching and depth, but I recommend giving it 2-3 Sundays to feel it out if you are new, before judging a book by its cover. Not every sermon will hit you and be life changing, but they have a lot of very powerful sermons that have so much depth and leave you wanting more. The only thing is it is a pretty large congregation so it can be hard to get to know the pastors and new faces personally on busy Sundays. I recommend coming to a small group or class and get a chance to speak with them in a smaller setting where's its not as busy. Overall, I can't speak more highly of this home church. It's every thing I had been craving as a young and now older adult. I've grown so much in my faith and very thankful for Hope.

Sure it is a week before Easter but ya got to beat the holiday weekend crowds. River Road UMC threw…read morea quaint and very personal Egg Hunt. They provided areas for different ages and an amount of eggs that would take care of the church community but not the whole community. Fun... none the less. We were even surprised by one of our clients at this event so the adults were able to bond over food trucks and conversation while the kids had fun getting temporary tattoos bonded to their skin. Great area and weather for the gathering...

First time here and we felt very welcomed. Enjoyed the sermon and friendly people. The music was…read morenice too!

Welborne has been home to me since it was a little starter church in 1966. I love the beauty here…read more... In the people and the buildings. I work with the kids, and they are always teaching me. We have been transitioning and I am proud of the way Welborne is growing up gracefully with the times. It's exciting! We welcome YOU to our arms-open community!

Give this church a try! It has something for all ages. No church is perfect, but you will find…read morethis church to be Bible-based in the preaching!

I found this church to be surfacey. I went for several years--Sunday School too--and no one really…read morereached out to me or tried to be my friend. If you want to be told you are a part of a family while feeling unsupported and unknown, this may be the place for you. It is for 'clique' Christians who deny their own human side.

If you are curious about Catholic worship, St. Marys is a beautiful introduction to the Mass…read more(Latin for "dismissal to Share the Good News of the Gospel). You will hear the Old Testament, the Psalms, the Letters and the Gospels read in English. . In 2025 we are reading John. Fr. Mike's leadership is inspired, and his sermons connect the readings to Christ's love and invitation to salvation. . Expect to hear a soft laughter ripple through the congregation as a dash of wit always emerges. The Eucharist, (Greek for Thanksgiving) is the center of the Mass. Time collapses; we experience Christ's commandment and blessing and breaking of bread just as the earliest Christians did. The music may bring tears. Three invites per weekend - Saturday evening, Two on Sunday.

Started going to St Mary's this year and I've really loved it! I come from a non denominational…read morebackground and am currently in OCIA class. Everything has been an excellent experience, from mass to after hours for classes. The people on staff/leadership are very knowledgeable and always eager and willing to answer any questions you have! Mass is very well organized and Father Mike always throws a joke or two in to make it feel more personable instead of all business which I love! Amazing church and I'm very happy here so far!

I am deeply saddened and disappointed. My family genuinely hoped to make Heights Church our church…read morehome, but our experience has been profoundly discouraging. Scripture reminds us that "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7). Unfortunately, this church seems far more focused on outward appearance than inward transformation. The excessive spending on extravagant Christmas decorations was troubling. Rather than showcasing the church building, it would have been more Christ-like to meet real needs--perhaps providing Christmas trees, food, or assistance to families struggling during the season. Jesus taught that caring for the poor is not optional: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40). When spectacle replaces service, the mission of the Church is compromised. One of the most disturbing moments was hearing a pastor speak as though she herself was assured of heaven while implicitly condemning others. Scripture is clear that judgment belongs to God alone: "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge" (James 4:12). We are also reminded that "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 7:21). No one truly knows the state of another's soul, and humility--not spiritual superiority--should mark church leadership. This experience reflects a larger issue within American church culture, particularly among megachurches. There is a glaring lack of financial transparency. Churches should willingly report and audit their finances, as Scripture calls believers to walk "above reproach" (2 Corinthians 8:20-21). At Heights Church, there appears to be nepotism, unclear salaries, and no accountability regarding how much actually serves the community versus sustaining unhealthy spending habits. The food pantry is the one truly commendable ministry, and it genuinely serves the local community. However, good works alone do not excuse compromised doctrine or moral blindness. Jesus warned the church in Revelation: "Because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16). This church tells people what they want to hear, not what they need to hear. Scripture instructs pastors to "preach the word...correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2), yet biblical truth here is watered down to attract a wealthier, more comfortable demographic. There is also an unhealthy culture of overworked volunteers, unquestioning loyalty, and what feels like a cult-like mentality. Jesus warned against religious leaders who burden others while exempting themselves: "They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people's shoulders" (Matthew 23:4). Charity is celebrated, but morality and humility are lacking. Even secular corporations give generously--yet generosity without integrity is meaningless (1 Corinthians 13:3). Many sermons appear borrowed or spoken verbatim, sometimes involving false personal stories and alleged conversations with God. Scripture is severe in its warning: "Not many of you should become teachers...for we who teach will be judged more strictly" (James 3:1). Teaching falsely or carelessly is not a minor offense. Does this church fear God? Or do they fear People? Overall, I am heartbroken. I am far from perfect and do not claim moral superiority. But after years in church, this stands as one of my greatest disappointments. If you are looking for a church that prioritizes status, waters down Scripture, affirms comfort over conviction, and focuses on earthly values rather than eternity--"storing up treasures on earth" instead of heaven (Matthew 6:19-21)--then this may be the place for you. But for those seeking truth, repentance, humility, and genuine relationship with God, I cannot recommend it. "They have a form of godliness but deny its power" (2 Timothy 3:5). And that is the most devastating part of all. May God be with us! Matthew 3:11 2 Timothy 3:1-5

What a wonderful church! The people are welcoming and the service was great. The building is…read morebeautiful. Pastor Josh preached a message that was straight from the word of God.