A Neighborhood Church One Block North of the Square
Bentonville Community Church of the Nazarene gathers each Sunday at 220 NW A Street, one block north of the Bentonville square in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. The congregation's story begins in 1921 at a tent revival, and more than a century later it still shows up for its neighbors - through Sunday worship in two languages, a midweek program for kids and students, a network of small groups, a Christian preschool, and a client-choice food pantry that draws people from across the city.
Worship on Sunday Mornings
Sunday mornings center on a 10:00 a.m. worship gathering offered in both English and Spanish, with children from six weeks through sixth grade dismissed to their own programming at the same hour. A bilingual staff and a Worship Arts Pastor lead the singing, and services are livestreamed for those who want to join from home. The church building sits in the heart of downtown Bentonville, and guest parking is available in the garage directly south of the building - enter from NW A Street or N Main Street and head toward the playground, where the main entrance is.
Kids and Preteens
The children's ministry at Bentonville Community Church aims to give kids a place where they feel loved, valued, and excited to grow in their faith. Programming runs on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. and is divided by age:
- Nursery: 6 weeks through 35 months
- Early Childhood: 3 years through Kindergarten
- Elementary and Preteens: 1st through 6th grade
Each classroom has a secure check-in system so only approved adults can pick up a child, and leaders monitor every room during service. Parents receive regular updates on what their kids are learning, with resources to keep the conversation going at home. A Kids Ministry Director leads the team.
Youth
Middle and high school students meet on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. for a time of hanging out, asking big questions, and discovering who Jesus is in a way that feels honest. The Pastor of Student Ministries and his wife, Hannah, lead the group and emphasize that beginners, seekers, and committed followers are all welcome - students do not need to be Christians to come to church. Life together happens through small groups, serving others, and just doing life as a group, often over a movie, a round of pickleball, or time with friends.
Community Groups
Small groups are treated as essential to the journey of following Jesus, and the church offers several options for different stages of life. Most meet on the church campus:
- The Ambassadors - a lecture-based, "Sunday School" style group for members ages 60 and up. Sundays at 8:45 a.m. in Room 202.
- The Pier - a group for 30- to 50-somethings that takes a deep dive into the weekly sermon topics. Sundays at 8:45 a.m. in Room 208.
- The Young and the Rest of Us - a mix of Boomers and younger adults alternating between Bible studies, book studies, and the pastoral sermon series. Sundays at 8:45 a.m. in Room 204.
- Open Hands - a meal-based group in the empty-nest stage and beyond that unpacks the Sunday sermon in greater depth. 1st and 3rd Sundays at 11:30 a.m. in the Legacy Room.
- Nexus - a group focused on listening to Jesus through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and one another. Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in Room 206.
- Men's Group - an intergenerational group of men exploring faith through a variety of studies. Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Legacy Room.
- GriefShare - a 13-week support series for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one. Wednesdays at 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the Legacy Room and 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in Room 204. A $20 registration fee applies.
- The Group at "the Table" - a new intergenerational group meeting Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the Community Table on the bottom level of the parking garage.
The Community Table: Bentonville's Only Client-Choice Food Pantry
Out of the church's compassion for its city has grown The Community Table, described by the congregation as the only client-choice food pantry in Bentonville. Guests walk the shelves and choose what they need - no fees, no eligibility requirements, served first come, first served. Open shopping hours are every Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at 216 NW A Street (south parking garage entrance; look for the sign on A Street). Volunteers are welcome, and donations of shelf-stable food, dairy, produce, meat, baby supplies, diapers, and paper goods keep the shelves stocked. The Pastor of Community Impact oversees the ministry.
Ministerio Hispano
Hispanic Ministries is a Spanish-speaking community within the church, gathered around the same mission of encountering God, journeying deeper, and making an impact. Weekly rhythms include Bible study on Sundays at 8:45 a.m., worship at 10:00 a.m., and a Wednesday evening time of prayer and study at 6:30 p.m. The Pastor of Hispanic Ministries leads this ministry, and the food pantry also welcomes Spanish-speaking guests, with a Spanish-language new client form available.
In His Image Learning Center
On the church's campus sits In His Image, a Christian preschool serving about 150 children a year through a dedicated staff of around 30. Children from six weeks through age five are welcomed from the wider Bentonville community. Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with extended care available from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Families can choose M/W/F, Tu/Th, or full-time schedules, and the program follows the Bentonville Public Schools calendar with a summer session. Faith is woven through the day - Bible stories, worship, music, circle time, art, play, and themed learning shape a holistic early-childhood experience. A $200 nonrefundable enrollment fee reserves a spot, and a waitlist begins once classes are full. The ministry is led by an In His Image Director and an In His Image Site Supervisor.
What Bentonville Community Church Believes
The congregation identifies as a partner congregation of the Church of the Nazarene, a Protestant body in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. Beliefs are stated in seven short articles: belief in one God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the full authority of the Old and New Testament Scriptures as the truth necessary for faith and Christian living; the fallen nature of humanity and its inclination toward evil; salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for all who repent and believe; entire sanctification as a work of the Holy Spirit after trusting Christ; the return of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment. The church's broader story begins in 1921 at a tent revival in Bentonville, while the Nazarene tradition itself dates to 1908 in Pilot Point, Texas.
Sharing Space with the City
The church building is used both for its own ministry and for events that fit its faith and values. Outside groups can request to host an event through an online form; staff and the church board consider whether each event is true, beautiful, and good, and review requests against the Building Use Policy and the Covenant of Christian Conduct and Character in the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene. Facilities are smoke-free and alcohol-free, and final compatibility decisions rest with the staff and board.
Supporting the Work
Generosity is described as an act of trust, worship, and joy, and gifts support life-changing ministry, local outreach and crisis care, partnerships with nonprofits, and Nazarene missionaries and church plants around the world. Giving is available online, in offering boxes during Sunday gatherings, or by mail to 220 NW A Street, Bentonville, AR 72712.