A Single Church with Three Front Doors Across Northern Kentucky
First Church of Christ sits in the rolling country south of Cincinnati, where Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties meet. From that anchor point, the church meets as one body in three locations: the Burlington Campus on Camp Ernst Road, the Campbell Co. Campus on William Blatt Avenue in Southgate, and the Union Campus on Frogtown Connector Road near Walton. The motto printed on the front of its site, "Come As You Are!," captures what leaders say is the heart of the place. "First Church is one church meeting in multiple locations in Northern Kentucky," the welcome page reads. "No matter your background or story, you are invited to come and be a part of what God is doing at First Church." A verse from John 10:10 anchors the mission: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
The church is self-described as non-denominational. "We are not part of a denomination," the beliefs page explains, "but are led by elders who have been recognized by our church as qualified to lead us spiritually." The stated vision is to become a disciple-making church through relational engagement in small groups and leadership development in discipling and mentoring relationships. Mailing correspondence and the main phone line (859-586-4673) are routed through the Burlington address.
Sunday Mornings at Each Campus
Sunday is the center of the week, and each of the three campuses runs the same schedule at slightly different times so that parents and kids can move together between services.
At the Burlington Campus (6080 Camp Ernst Rd.), worship gathers at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM, with the kids' program for Birth through 5th grade offered at the same hours. Middle and high schoolers gather at 11:00 AM. A third service at 5:00 PM, called Trio, is described as a gospel-style gathering that leans into southern gospel, choral music, and the singing of old hymns.
The Campbell Co. Campus (22 Wm. Blatt Ave., Southgate) holds Sunday morning worship at 9:30 and 11:00 AM. Birth through 5th grade meets at 11:00 AM, and middle and high school students meet at 9:30 AM.
The Union Campus (12993 Frogtown Connector Rd., Walton) also gathers at 9:30 and 11:00 AM. Birth through 5th grade meets at both hours, middle school students meet at 9:30 AM, and high school students meet at 11:00 AM.
First-time guests are encouraged to fill out a "Plan My Visit" form for the campus they plan to attend. The Connections Team uses it to greet newcomers with a gift and to help families check in faster.
fc|Kids: Birth through 5th Grade
fc|Kids runs alongside the morning services at every campus and is built around large-group worship and teaching, with small-group time for application and friendship. The kids' team describes the goal simply: a fun, safe, and impactful environment where children can meet Jesus, grow in their faith, build friendships, and "have an absolute blast doing it."
Parents can keep the weekend's worship going through the week using the Spotify playlists curated for preschoolers and elementary students. A Parent Cue app provides simple prompts for faith moments at home that line up with what is being taught on Sunday.
On the fifth Sunday of months that include one, the children's ministry shares the Gospel message and explores the meaning of baptism. Families interested in having a child baptized are invited to connect with the team.
fc|Kids also runs The Way of Jesus Family Guides for children from age 2 through 5th grade. These booklets walk each spiritual practice studied in the adult church through the year, including Study, Sabbath, and Pray / Fast, and are designed for parents to adapt to their family.
Special Needs: Buddies, Sensory Rooms, and Unified
First Church teaches that "grace, love, and a relationship with Jesus are for everyone, regardless of ability," and has built three layers of support.
At the 9:30 AM service at the Burlington and Union campuses, trained Buddies serve as one-on-one helpers for elementary-age children with special needs, allowing parents to attend service while their child is cared for in a developmentally appropriate setting. Both Burlington and Union also have sensory rooms that offer a quiet space for kids who need extra support or who have difficulty integrating with the larger group.
For middle school students and adults, the church offers Unified, a monthly worship service held every third Sunday at 9:30 AM at the Burlington Campus. Unified brings people with and without special needs together for a shared time of worship, friendship, and belonging.
fc|Students: Middle and High School
The student ministry is built around two rhythms: a Sunday morning group time on each campus and a Sunday evening gathering called CONNECT.
Sunday groups meet at Burlington at 11:00 AM (combined middle and high school), at Campbell Co. at 9:30 AM (combined), and at Union at 9:30 AM for middle school and 11:00 AM for high school. CONNECT, the Sunday evening program, runs from 5:30 to 7:00 PM each Sunday from September through May at every campus. The format is intentionally low-pressure: games, hang time, a short devotional, and a small-group discussion. The stated goal is to CONNECT students to Jesus and to one another.
Like fc|Kids, the student ministry provides a Family Guide and a Student Journal that follow The Way of Jesus material being taught across the church.
Young Adults, Senior Adults, and the Burlington Gym
The Young Adult Ministry serves 18 to 29 year olds across Northern Kentucky and stays in touch through a GroupMe chat and occasional outings, including Red River Gorge day trips.
The Senior Adult Ministry, called the JOY Club, focuses on celebrating the senior years as the prime of life. Monthly luncheons are held on the second Tuesday of each month from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM in rooms FC101-104 at the Burlington Campus. Most are potluck, with guest speakers or entertainment that varies month to month, and offerings help defray expenses. Seniors also gather for Trio on Sunday evenings, where the slower gospel-style worship draws a steady older crowd.
The Burlington Campus Main Gym and Student Center Gym host an extensive sports ministry that doubles as a community gathering point. Pickleball runs Monday and Wednesday evenings (competitive play, 5:00 to 8:00 PM), Tuesday evenings (beginners / learn to play, 5:00 to 8:00 PM, October through April), and weekday afternoons from 1:00 to 5:00 PM Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for senior pickleball with instruction for new players. Adult open basketball runs Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:30 PM, and adult open volleyball runs Sundays from 1:30 to 4:30 PM. The church provides equipment and welcomes younger players to play volleyball alongside their parents.
The Way of Jesus: Seven Spiritual Practices
Across all ages, the discipleship pathway at First Church is built around a two-year journey called The Way of Jesus, which rests on three goals drawn from the life of Jesus: be with Jesus, become like Jesus, and do as Jesus did. The journey is organized around seven spiritual practices that the church calls a "Rule of Life for the modern era": Worship, Pray / Fast, Serve, Give, Sabbath, Community, and Study.
Each practice has its own devotional framework. Worship is described as a way of life and a continual pursuit of encountering God. Prayer and fasting are taught as a heartbeat of communication with God. Service is presented as putting others' needs above our own. Giving is framed around tithing and generous living. Sabbath is a 24-hour period set aside to stop, rest, delight, and worship. Community focuses on small groups as the context for growth. Study is built around daily Bible reading as a way of knowing God.
Each practice is paired with curated books, sermon series, and RightNow Media videos that members can work through on their own or in a group. Family Guides and Student Journals extend the same material into the home.
Core Beliefs and Core Values
The beliefs page begins with the church's purpose: "We exist to lead people to Know, Worship & Serve Jesus Christ." Core beliefs are stated in plain language. First Church affirms belief in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the creator and sustainer of all things. Jesus Christ is described as the Son of God, the Savior and Lord of all people; the church teaches that His death on the cross makes it possible to be made right with God and that salvation is found only in Him, that He rose from the dead, and that He will return one day to complete His plan for humankind. The Holy Spirit is described as living in Christians and empowering them for ministry, as the source of assurance, strength, wisdom, and gifting for building up the church. Baptism is taught as identifying with Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, receiving His Spirit, and declaring Him as Lord. The Bible is described as the very words of God, the foundation of faith and life. The Church is described as made up of all Christians in the world, with First Church as the local expression of that body.
The church also names five core values. Grace frames the church as a family loved, accepted, and motivated by God's grace. Growth names transformation as a process of becoming more like Him. Connection says that life change happens in the context of community. Care calls the church to care for one another and for the broader community. Prayer is described as central to the relationship with God, with prayer described as part of everything the church does.
Serving in the Community
A wide range of local and global serving pathways is open to anyone in the church family, and the church has produced a Serving Bingo Card to help people find simple, concrete ways to love their neighbors.
Locally, the church partners with a long list of organizations in and around Northern Kentucky. Campus Connection builds ongoing school partnerships. Neighborhood Impact reaches out to kids and families in surrounding neighborhoods. Whiz Kids Tutoring and Mentoring partners with City Gospel Mission to support reading and confidence. International Student Ministry welcomes students arriving from overseas. Homeless Ministry serves meals, clothing, and encouragement in conjunction with partner organizations. Go Pantry packs food for hungry kids on days when school is not in session. Master Provisions prepares donated items that flow out to more than 67,000 people each month. Bloc Ministries builds long-term relationships in broken neighborhoods. Fairhaven Rescue Mission hosts two worship-and-meal nights a month. Other partnerships include Ignite the Norse at NKU, Care Net Pregnancy Services of Northern Kentucky, CASA, DCCH Center, Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, Family Nurturing Center, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Fresh Start Shower Ministry, Kentucky Refugee Ministries, New Hope Pregnancy Center, Northern Kentucky Children's Advocacy Center, Orphan Care Alliance, Reset Ministries, Rooms with Love, Transitions, and Young Life Capernaum.
Globally, First Church lists a roster of mission partners: Bethlehem Living Water, Christian Arabic Services, His Eyes Honduras, Master Provisions, Mohi Africa, NWHCM, Orchard Group, Pioneer Bible Translators (via pbt), TCMI (via tcmi.org), CMFI, Kentucky Christian University, Team Expansion, VNMI, MMS Kids, and Cincinnati Christian Bible College. A current list of upcoming mission journeys is posted in the global section of the site.
Support for Hard Seasons
First Church runs a small support-group ministry alongside its small-group network.
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group that walks participants through one of life's most difficult experiences. DivorceCare is a safe place with practical tools and counsel for those healing from separation or divorce. Marriage Mentoring connects couples with mentors from within the church family. Christian Survivors of Suicide (CSOS) meets on the second Wednesday of every month and is open to anyone grieving the loss of a friend or loved one to suicide.
The church also maintains a Community Resources page that points to outside agencies serving Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. Listed organizations include the American Red Cross, Be Concerned, Brighton Center, Burlington Baptist Church Food Pantry, Care Net 24-Hour Hotline, Hosea House Soup Kitchen, Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky, Fairhaven Rescue Mission, Fresh Start Shower Ministry, Hope Ministries, Mary Rose Mission, NKY Addiction Helpline, NKY Community Action Commission, St. Vincent de Paul, United Christian Volunteers, United Ministries, Welcome House of NKY, and United Way 211. Crisis numbers on the page include 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the 24-hour Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741), and 1-800-273-8255.
Christian Counseling and Mental Health
Pastoral care and Christian counseling referrals are offered through the church's counseling page. A roster of recommended Christian counselors is listed for direct contact, including Dr. Tom Noyes and colleagues, Kara Goode, and Barb Loftin. Discounted online marriage counseling is also available through a partner organization for couples within the church and community.
A separate Mental Health Resources page points to outside providers, including SUN Behavioral Health at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, NAMI of Northern Kentucky, Mental Health Association of NKY, NorthKey Community Care, Lindner Center of Hope, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services, LifeStance Health, and LifeWay Counseling, along with suicide and crisis lines.
Kid's Academy Preschool
Kid's Academy Preschool operates at the Burlington Campus as a weekday preschool for three and four year olds. A child's day includes phonics and alphabet work, math and number skills, science activities, social studies events, Bible stories, Bible verses, daily calendar, story time, and music time. The program runs in three tracks: a Four-Day Four Class on Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM for kids who will be four by August 1; a Three-Day Four Class on Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM for four year olds; and a Three-Day Three Class on Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM for three year olds. The preschool grounds its philosophy in Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." New families are welcomed through an open house each winter for the following school year.
Reserving the Building
The church opens its campuses to outside groups. Auditoriums, classrooms, modular spaces with retractable walls, gyms, and kitchens can be reserved for corporate events, team meetings, non-profit events, school graduations, and seminars. Available services include convertible rooms, visual presentation, audio/video tech, lighting tech, an event host, and ample parking, with optional add-on services such as sound tech, camera tech, special lighting effects, and visual presentation software. Building hours are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with weekend bookings by availability. Fees are kept low, with discounts for non-profit organizations, and all facilities are smoke, tobacco, and alcohol-free. The buildings are already used by homeschool groups and local public schools for graduations and training events.
Union Campus Construction
On the Union Campus in Walton, the church is in the middle of a building project. A photo gallery on the site tracks drone images of construction progress, and three ways to participate are listed: pray (using a downloadable prayer guide), give (through a dedicated building fund online), and serve (volunteering with fc|Kids or student ministry to expand the next-generation ministry that will meet there).
Staying Connected During the Week
Several tools keep the church in touch with members throughout the week. The Church Center app functions as a central hub for check-ins, online giving, watching sermons, and communicating with small groups. RightNow Media, described as a Christian video library comparable to a Christian Netflix, is offered free to anyone connected to the church and includes more than 10,000 Bible studies, parenting and marriage resources, and kids' videos. Sermon messages are posted to the church's YouTube channel and Spotify playlists. Giving is available online, through the Church Center app, or in person using boxes in the lobby. The church also sends text updates for church news, events, and prayer prompts.
Visiting First Church
First-time guests at any of the three campuses are greeted by a Connections Team and given a small gift when they fill out a Plan My Visit form in advance. Sunday services at Burlington and Union begin at 9:30 and 11:00 AM, with the gospel-style Trio service meeting at Burlington at 5:00 PM. Campbell Co. holds the same 9:30 and 11:00 AM services. Children from birth through 5th grade have their own programming at every campus during designated service hours, and the Burlington and Union campuses offer one-on-one Buddies and a sensory room at the 9:30 AM service. Middle and high school students meet during one of the morning services at each campus, and CONNECT runs Sunday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00 PM during the school year. Ample parking is available on each campus, and there is no dress code beyond the church's casual "come as you are" welcome.