On September 8th, 2024, my journey to visit every Christian church in Lynchburg brought me to Christian Chapel, right in the heart of town. This visit marked the 71st church I’ve had the privilege to explore, guided by the Holy Spirit.

As I set out early in the morning, the radio blessed me with the perfect song, “Shout To The Lord” by Hillsong Worship. Little did I know, this melody of praise would set the tone for a truly memorable and uplifting day.

Christian Chapel is a place where the Spirit and the Word come together in a beautiful harmony.

What began as a gathering of like-minded believers in a basement has blossomed into a full-blown ministry that, for 45 years, has tirelessly worked to expand God’s Kingdom here on earth. As I was told, they will continue in this mission with passion until our Lord Jesus returns.

This church has a powerful and loving message: It doesn’t matter who you are, what your past is, or how you look. They don’t care about your bank account or your wardrobe. They don’t see color or creed, only your heart and its relationship with God. At Christian Chapel, they embody the truth that the body of Christ, just like the human body, can only function with all its parts working together. Here, they encourage everyone to come as they are, to grow, and to become part of the family.

Upon arriving early, I was welcomed into Sunday School, where the study was focused on Exodus 9:9. The group was engaged in a lively discussion about God’s goodness, His healing power, and how He protects us.

I felt so blessed to sit among them and soak in the wisdom being shared. It was a reminder of how God is always present, no matter the difficulties we face.

During my visit, I learned that Christian Chapel is celebrating a significant milestone this month…its 45th anniversary!

It’s remarkable to think about how much this church has grown and what it represents to our community.

And yet, they are still pressing forward, with plans to plant new churches and spread their message of love and grace to even more locations. They recently opened a daycare with the belief that children should be surrounded by love and conservative Christian values from a young age.

The worship at Christian Chapel was unlike anything I’ve experienced before.

Pastor Alvin’s voice carried beautifully as he led the congregation in worship, but what stood out to me was how the entire worship team flowed so seamlessly.

Each member took turns playing instruments, singing hymns, and harmonizing. It was more than just a performance…it was a true act of praise. Singing together hymns like “At the Cross” touched my soul, and I could feel the presence of God moving through the room.

Pastor Alvin and his wife Melissa welcomed me warmly, along with the entire congregation. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I felt like I had been part of their family for years.

Many of the members have been attending for over 40 years, and their love and dedication to the church were apparent in every conversation I had.

They spoke with such affection about what a special place Christian Chapel is.

The sermon Pastor Alvin delivered on The Prodigal Son was incredibly powerful and unexpected in the best way.

His sense of humor was infectious, especially when he tied in a message about how we act in traffic and even referenced Yosemite Sam, making everyone laugh while driving home the importance of grace and humility in our everyday lives.

Despite the lightheartedness, the message spoke deeply to me. His fresh take on the familiar parable reminded me of God’s endless love and the beauty of returning home to Him.

Every person in that sanctuary magnified Jesus above all, and I left feeling more healed than when I entered. The love and kindness I received from the congregation were overwhelming in the best way.

Christian Chapel is truly a place where the Spirit moves freely, and I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to visit this welcoming and Spirit-filled congregation.

As I reflect on this visit, I am in awe of how God is using each church I visit to heal the broken places in my heart.

I am eager to continue this journey, to see where the Holy Spirit will lead me next, and to experience the continued healing that comes from being in the presence of God and His people.

Every visit brings me closer to Him, and for that, I am truly grateful.