The Short Answer
You do not need to be Pentecostal or Charismatic to attend Axess Church. Unlike some other church traditions that limit non-members’ ability to participate in church functions, Axess Church is open to anyone to visit and participate with us. In fact, we encourage those from other backgrounds and traditions to join us. Our promise is that we will never pressure or put someone on the spot to do anything they are not comfortable with.
What Do “Pentecostal” and “Charismatic” Mean?
A Pentecostal or Charismatic church is a church that actively welcomes the spiritual gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12–14, like prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues, as a normal, expected part of daily life and the gathering of the saints.
Although most churches, regardless of their tradition within the Christian faith, would say they are led by the Spirit, the term “Spirit-filled” has become largely synonymous with Charismatic and Pentecostal traditions. These traditions find their roots in Acts 2 at the Day of Pentecost where the Spirit enabled the disciples in the upper room to speak in unknown languages called “tongues,” signaling the beginning of the outpouring of the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
What You’ll See at Axess
Every Sunday is structured the same way, but the content varies. Each week we begin with worship that is often vibrant and on the more energetic side. People will be singing along, raising their hands, and occasionally kneeling at the altar or other places in the worship space as a sign of surrender and humility in God’s presence. Worship goes for 25 to 35 minutes.
After worship, someone will come forward and lead a time of prayer based on what they sense the Lord is doing in the room. This might include the reading of Scripture, the sharing of a testimony, or a specific encouragement they feel the Lord placing on their heart.
Then we transition into a time of fellowship where people can greet each other, refresh their coffee, grab a snack from our hospitality table, and sign kids in for Axess Kids.
The message is usually 30 to 40 minutes in length and is followed by a time of response and reflection. This altar time is dynamic, ranging from a closing prayer to extended space and time for people to respond to what God is doing and saying to them. It’s important to know that everyone is encouraged to participate because we believe God is always at work in our lives, but no one is ever pressured to participate. Usually the worship team will come back up and lead a song or two to close things out.
What If I Don’t Agree, or Just Have Questions?
We ask that everyone have an open mind when attending Axess Church. We strive to create a welcoming and safe environment for people to learn about and experience the work of the Holy Spirit. We understand that people will have questions, and we want to make room for that. The best way to ask questions is through the connect cards that are placed on each seat on Sunday morning. Fill one out and drop it in the black box so we can get in touch with you. You can also email any question to info@axesschurch.com.
