Planning your first visit

Sunday worship is in Mandarin. If you don’t understand it, you don’t need to ask anyone for help. Someone will notice, bring you headphones, and interpret into English for you.

If you would rather have it sorted out beforehand, email us and we’ll have it ready for you.

There’s also an English Fellowship made up of American friends and Chinese American young people, if English is the language you think in.

We gather at 11:00 and begin with about half an hour of worship in song. From 11:30 there’s a message from the Bible, usually finishing around 12:30.

You don’t have to sing, stand, give, or say anything. Sitting quietly at the back and watching is a completely normal way to spend your first Sunday.

Worship starts at 11 a.m. Most people get here five or ten minutes before that.

If you arrive right at eleven, you haven't missed anything.

1801 Gurley Avenue, Waco, TX 76706.

We’re a non-denominational church, and we share this building with Emmanuel Baptist Church, our partner congregation. That’s why the sign outside says Emmanuel Baptist. You’re in the right place. Sunday worship is in the Sanctuary; Friday Bible study is in the Fellowship Hall.

There's a parking lot right in front of the church, facing the front door. It's large, and you'll see it from most directions as you come up to the building.

If it's your first time driving over, search for the church on Google Maps and it will bring you straight to it.

Yes, and it helps. Email wacochinesechurch@gmail.com and say which Sunday you’re thinking of, so we know to expect you.

You don’t have to do this. Turning up unannounced is entirely fine.

On Friday, yes. The evening starts with dinner together at 6:00pm before anything else happens. You’re welcome to come just for that.

Chinese food features heavily in the life of this church. Hotpot has been known to solve most problems.

The whole church worships together at the start of the service. When the message begins, younger children are welcome to go to their own group. Most families find it helps, and we would gladly have your children there.

They’re just as welcome to stay with you. Plenty of children do, and a restless child in the pew bothers nobody here. The group exists to help you, not to be expected of you.

If you want to check that it suits your child’s age, say so when you arrive or email ahead and we’ll tell you what to expect.

There's no dress code. Most people wear long pants or jeans, with long or short sleeves. Some come in shorts.

Wear what you're comfortable in.

No. You don't have to be a Christian to come.

Some of the people here grew up in church. Some had never been inside one until a friend brought them to a Friday dinner. Both are ordinary here, and you're welcome exactly as you are.