Forum Christian Church gathers at 3900 Forum Boulevard on the south side of Columbia, Missouri, and lives by a three-word mission: intentionally connecting people to Jesus. From a single building near the intersection of Forum and Nifong, the church runs three Sunday morning services, a full children and student ministry, dozens of weekly small groups, an extensive marriage ministry, a professional counseling practice, and partnerships with more than thirty local, national, and international mission efforts. The teaching team is led by Lead Minister Bradley Williams, supported by an elder board, a large staff, and a wide volunteer base.
Three Sunday Gatherings, One Building
Forum meets at 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 AM on Sunday mornings. Every gathering follows the same rhythm: singing, communion, prayer, and Bible teaching. Communion is observed at each service, and any visitor who is a follower of Jesus is invited to take communion as they enter the auditorium.
Kids programming is offered during the 8:30 and 11:30 AM services for infants through fifth grade. During the 11:30 AM gathering, middle school students have their own service in the Family Life Center (the church gym). The 10:00 AM gathering does not include formal kids programming, which makes it a popular choice for families who want to worship together in the auditorium.
For those who prefer a smaller setting, Worship 201 offers a more intimate environment for the sermon and worship. It is reached by walking through the double doorway to the left of the lobby coffee bar, past the restrooms, turning left at the T, and taking the first door on the left.
Where to Park and Where to Enter
The parking lot is entered from either Forum Boulevard or Nifong Boulevard. A Parking Team guides cars into available spots. First-time visitors who tell a parking volunteer they are new are directed to the Visitor Parking area, located directly in front of the lobby doors. There is also an awning where drivers can drop off passengers before parking.
What Happens Inside
Anyone wearing an orange or navy lanyard is there to help with questions, directions, or to point guests to the complimentary coffee bar. The Starting Point, a U-shaped green desk in the lobby, is staffed after every service with volunteers ready to answer questions, provide building tours, or hand out a gift for first-time guests. On the far left of the lobby, the New Family Check-In Kiosk makes it easy to register children for the first time. Forum encourages first-time families to arrive about fifteen minutes early to allow time for check-in.
Sermons are available online for those who cannot attend in person. The Sunday Gathering is livestreamed, with a backup stream on YouTube when technical difficulties arise.
Forum Kids: From Nursery Through Fifth Grade
Forum Kids exists to partner with parents in connecting children, from infants through fifth grade, to Jesus. The ministry is divided into two divisions: Early Childhood (nursery through kindergarten), led by Kaylan Flanagin, and Elementary (first through fifth grade), led by Rochelle Gerdts. Both divisions gather for small group programming at the 8:30 and 11:30 AM services, where children experience Bible teaching, age-appropriate worship, and activities designed to help them belong to, believe in, and become like Jesus.
Level Path Ministry serves children and youth with special needs from infant through age 18. Trained one-on-one companions help these children participate in the Sunday gathering alongside their peers. A chill space is also available for kids who need a quiet moment.
Families can also use the NextGen App for check-in, viewing events, giving, and reading the Bible. A monthly Kids Connection resource provides a Bible theme, memory verse, family devotions, and at-home activities tied to what kids are learning on Sundays. A Spotify playlist features the songs used in Forum Kids lessons each week. Joyful Noise, a Christmas music program for four-year-olds through kindergarteners, runs Sunday evenings from September through December.
Middle School and High School Ministry
Student ministry at Forum is built around weekly touchpoints, small groups, and summer camp through Christ in Youth (CIY) MOVE.
Middle School students gather every Sunday morning at 11:30 AM in the Family Life Center for connection, Bible study, worship, and discussion. Middle School Community Groups meet on Wednesdays during the school year from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, organized by grade and gender. Each semester includes one service project and one fun event. Shelby Quick serves as the Middle School Minister. On the first Sunday of each month, middle schoolers can pick up a personalized NLT Study Bible with their name on it from the Middle School check-in desk.
High School students have two weekly gatherings. Sunday nights from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the Family Life Center offer large group teaching, small group discussions, and peer-led time. Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 9:00 PM provide a midweek gathering with worship, Bible study, prayer, and conversation. Tyler Hensley serves as the High School Minister. Forum encourages high schoolers to attend Sunday morning worship in the auditorium with their families and to serve in the church body, treating their gifts and presence as part of the congregation now.
Community Groups Around Town
The Community Groups ministry is built on a simple conviction: it is one thing to sit side by side on a Sunday morning, it is an entirely different thing to sit face to face throughout the week. Groups meet in homes, restaurants, and around kitchen tables across Columbia, organized by the Groups Minister Justin O'Dell.
Two community group launches happen each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Each launch spans four evenings with dinner, conversation about what community life looks like at Forum, and connection with other Jesus followers. Childcare is provided. By the end of the four weeks, participants are placed into a new group with people they met during the launch.
Groups are encouraged to maintain three rhythms: with Jesus (engagement with Scripture, prayer, and honest discussion), in community (regular gathering plus sharing ordinary life), and on mission (looking outward to the needs around them). Each week, Forum publishes discussion guides tied to the Sunday sermon so groups can continue the conversation through the week.
Marriage Matters
Marriage Matters is one of Forum's most developed ministries, with a deep bench of mentor couples, a calendar of intentional date nights, and resources for every stage of married life. Brady Bilbro coordinates the ministry.
Marriage Mentoring
Trained mentor couples walk alongside other couples to build Christ-centered marriages. Couples seeking mentoring fill out a brief information form, are matched with a mentor couple, and meet at a convenient location to discuss Scripture passages and apply them to both their relationship with God and with one another. Assignments between meetings help couples affirm their relationship and provide points of discussion with their mentors.
Merge
For seriously dating, engaged, and newly married couples, Merge is a multi-week study that addresses common challenges from a Biblical perspective. The study is designed to prepare couples for a strong and passionate marriage through community.
Date Nights and Events
The Marriage Matters calendar is full of intentional date nights, including Drive-Thru Date Nights, game nights, sock hops, coffee conversations, murder mystery dinners, float trips, rock climbing, and an annual Navigate event. All events are open to engaged and married couples, no matter the age, stage, or health of the marriage, whether or not Forum is their church home.
Other Resources
The ministry also offers financial coaching for couples, accountability groups for those seeking freedom from sexual sin, marriage counseling referrals, and a library of marriage stories and resources. Marriage Matters maintains a presence on Facebook at facebook.com/MarriageMattersCOMO.
Women's Ministry
Women's ministry at Forum, directed by Diana Baxter, is built around Bible studies, mentoring, and accountability groups. A wide range of women's Bible studies runs across the week.
Weekly Women's Bible Studies
- Better: A Study of Hebrews (Jen Wilkin), Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in Room 200.
- 2 Peter: Growing in Truth, Wednesdays from 9:00 to 11:00 AM in Room 200.
- Genesis: Adam to Noah, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 9:00 to 11:00 AM in FLC-A.
- The Epic of Eden: Isaiah (Sandra Richter), Wednesdays from 9:00 to 11:00 AM in Room 203.
- The Names of God, Wednesdays from 9:00 to 11:00 AM in Room 202.
- Ephesians: A Study of Faith and Practice (Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes, Melissa Kruger), Wednesdays from 9:00 to 11:00 AM in Room 200.
- Acts: Awakening to God in Everyday Life (Melissa Spoelstra), Wednesdays from 6:15 to 8:00 PM in Room 200.
Other Women's Offerings
- Holy Ghost Stories, 2nd Mondays from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in Room 201. An evening where women share stories of how the Holy Spirit is working in their lives.
- Healing Hearts: Widows Fellowship and Support, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 AM in Room 202.
- Prayer Shawl Ministry, 2nd Tuesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 AM in the lobby. Knitting, crocheting, and praying together to bless those in need.
- Forward Motion for Single Moms, Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in Room 108, with dinner and childcare provided.
- Mom's Group, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from 9:00 to 11:00 AM in FLC-A, with childcare provided.
Mentoring connects women of different generations for encouragement and growth, and accountability groups provide a confidential setting for women seeking freedom from sexual sin.
Men's Ministry
Men's ministry is built around small groups of three to six men who meet weekly for Bible study, prayer, and conversation. The goal is that all would be formed into the image of Jesus through spiritual rhythms, accountability, and consistent community. Beyond small groups, men's ministry offers accountability groups for those seeking freedom from pornography and other sexual sins, plus sports leagues and serving opportunities. Men of all ages are welcome at worship nights, special events, and service projects.
Sunday Morning Bible Classes
Bible classes run alongside the gathering hours for those who want to dig deeper into a book of the Bible. Current offerings include:
- Our Righteousness in Christ, led by Arthur Rawlings. Open to all. 8:30 AM in Room 203; 10:00 AM in HUB; 11:30 AM in HUB.
- The Gospel of Luke, led by Clint Miller. Open to all. 10:00 AM in Room 200.
- 1 & 2 Corinthians, led by Steve and Marilyn Roberts. For engaged and married couples. 10:00 AM in Room 202.
- Romans, led by John Bassford and Chris Hill. Open to all. 10:00 AM in Room 203.
- International Class, led by the Messimers, Petters, and Morgans. Open to internationals and friends. 11:30 AM in Room 200.
- Pursuing Purity, led by Brady Bilbro, Ben Strode, and Justin O'Dell. Open to people in their twenties or thirties. 10:00 AM in FLC-A.
The Senior Bible Study meets 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Room 200 and is open to both men and women.
Care, Counseling, and Support
Forum's pastoral care ministry is led by Michele Muroski and offers a wide range of care touchpoints.
Christian Counseling
Melissa Small, a Licensed Professional Counselor on staff, provides individual counseling for all ages. Melissa earned her BS in Counseling and Bible (2006) and her MA in Professional Counseling (2008) at Johnson University, and uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as her primary modality along with Scripture. She has special training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) and experience with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship difficulties, parenting, and more. Counseling is provided in person or via telehealth for Missouri residents. At this time, Melissa is only taking new clients who attend Forum.
Prayer Team
A staff prayer team meets Monday and Wednesday mornings at 9:00 AM in the church office. Anyone is welcome to join in prayer or to submit a prayer request online.
Meal Ministry
The Meal Ministry coordinates meal trains for church families going through major life transitions such as the arrival of a new baby, hospitalization, or bereavement. Volunteers can sign up to be notified of new meal trains or to bring meals to families in need.
Home Communion
The Home Communion Ministry sends Elders, Deacons, and other volunteers to visit members who are homebound or in care facilities. Visits are made on Sunday afternoons and include conversation about the morning's sermon, communion, prayer, and encouragement.
Other Care Ministries
Healing Hearts provides fellowship and support for widows. Overcoming Sexual Sin offers one-on-one support and accountability groups for those seeking freedom. The Benevolence Team reviews requests for financial assistance, with priority given to members, then regular attenders, and then those outside the church. The committee meets two or three times a month to pray over requests. For emergencies, the team suggests contacting Love Columbia.
Outreach and Missions
Forum runs three streams of outreach: in Columbia, across the United States, and around the world.
In Columbia
Volunteers from Forum serve dinner once a month at Loaves & Fishes, a local soup kitchen. Forum also partners with a number of local organizations for ongoing service, including Mizzou Christian Campus House (CCH), My Life Clinic (a faith-based pregnancy resource center), Student Mobilization (StuMo), and others.
COMO Ministry Leader Gathering
Twice a year, Forum hosts a gathering for area ministers, designed for unity and refreshment. The next gathering includes breakfast, worship, reflection, and small group discussion for ministry leaders from across the city.
National Partners
Forum partners with Central Christian College, Christian Prison Ministries of Mid-America, Christ in Youth (CIY), High Hill Christian Camp, the International Conference on Missions (ICOM), Missouri Operation for Vigorous Evangelism (MOVE), Ozark Christian College, Shiloh Children's Ranch, Show-me Youth Home, and Arizona Reservation Ministry.
International Partners
International partners include 3 Measures (Namibia and Columbia), Central India Christian Mission, Fellowship of Associates of Medical Evangelism, Go Ministries (Dominican Republic), Good News Production International, Home of God's Love (Taiwan), Ivory Coast Christian Mission, Kerala Christian Mission, Kontaktmission (Europe), Literature and Teaching Ministries, Living Water Christian Mission (Haiti), Mustard Seed Network (Japan), Pioneer Bible Translators, Team Expansion, and Wise Missions (Caribbean). Forum also supports pastors spreading the love of God in Ukraine through financial partnership.
The Fall Series: The Gospel
Each fall and spring, Forum walks the entire congregation through a teaching series. The current fall series, The Gospel, runs seven weeks and traces God's kingdom promise from its earliest roots through the life, cross, and resurrection of Jesus and the mission he has given his followers today. The series is designed for people who have been in church for years as well as those asking questions about faith for the first time.
Recommended resources for the series include The King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnight, Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright, and the BibleProject's Gospel of the Kingdom video. Sermon discussion guides are available for groups and individuals who want to continue the conversation during the week.
Weddings, Events, and Facility Use
Forum Christian Church opens its building and gym to church members and community groups. The process begins with reviewing the Building Policies and Building Usage Fees, then submitting an Event Request. Once approved, the event is added to the building calendar and payment is made online.
The gym is available for sports and ministry gatherings, reviewed case-by-case to ensure alignment with Forum's spiritual mission.
Weddings can be hosted at Forum, with the Wedding Coordinator Paige Douce handling the details. Couples review Wedding Fees and submit an interest form to request a date.
What We Believe
Forum Christian Church holds to classic Christian beliefs, summarized as follows.
About God. One creator God, eternally existing in three co-equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
About Jesus Christ. Out of love for the world, God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, who was fully human and fully divine and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, suffered death on the cross, was buried, physically rose on the third day, and ascended into heaven.
About the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment. He indwells, empowers, and gifts the followers of Jesus as they are led to proclaim the gospel and grow in spiritual maturity.
About the Bible. The scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are fully inspired by God and are the final authority for faith and practice.
About Salvation. Salvation is a gift through faith in Jesus Christ. His death is the only sufficient payment for our sins. This salvation is available for anyone who has faith in Christ as Lord and Savior.
About Faith. Faith in Christ begins by repenting from sin, confessing faith, being baptized by immersion, and continues as we live according to the pattern and teachings of Jesus.
About Eternity. Those who have faith in Christ have eternal life with God, and those who reject Christ are eternally separated from God. Christ will return one day in glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom and reign are without end.
Baptism
Baptism at Forum is practiced by full immersion in water, following the example of Jesus and the early church. It is described as a visual declaration of a brand-new life in Jesus: going under the water symbolizes leaving the past behind, buried with Christ, and coming up out of the water represents rising into a new life made whole through his resurrection. The whole church family stands with the person being baptized to celebrate the moment. Forum provides parent resources for families walking with a child toward baptism.
The Path Toward Membership
For those ready to take the next step toward belonging at Forum, the church offers a clear path. The Connect Event is a dinner on select evenings throughout the year where newcomers hear about Forum's mission and ministries, ask questions, and meet staff. The Covenant Course follows, meeting over two Sundays with teaching, conversation, and a spiritual gifts assessment. Lunch and childcare are provided.
Staying Connected
A mobile app, Forum Christian Church, is available on iOS and Android. The app allows users to watch messages, manage giving, and stay connected to the church. RightNow Media, a digital library of more than 20,000 discipleship videos for kids, youth, and adults, is available free to church members.
The Friday Five, sent the first Friday of each month, highlights five things Forum wants its members to know about. Sermons are archived on YouTube, with discussion guides available for groups and individuals. Giving is processed through Pushpay, with options to give online or through the app.
Staff and Leadership
The pastoral team is led by Bradley Williams, Lead Minister, who teaches, oversees adult ministry, and provides pastoral care and administration. Tyler Morris serves as Associate Minister, with responsibilities in pastoral care, adult ministry, and teaching.
The rest of the ministry team includes Kim England (Executive Director), Garett Elliott (Worship Minister), Ben Strode (Connections Minister), Diana Baxter (Women's Ministry Director), Justin O'Dell (Groups Minister), Tyler Hensley (High School Minister), Shelby Quick (Middle School Minister), Rochelle Gerdts (Elementary Childhood Minister), Kaylan Flanagin (Early Childhood Minister), Jessie Spellman (Director of Environments), Michele Muroski (Pastoral Care Ministry Leader), Brady Bilbro (Creative Coordinator and Marriage Matters point person), Rod Petersen (Missions), Kelli Snyder (Upward Director), Tarry Koutz (55 Plus Minister), and Melissa Small (Counseling Ministry).
The 2026 Elder board includes David Buster, Shawn Dawes, Ted Fletcher, Chris Hill, Jason Mayer, Tyler Morris, Charles Shoaf, and Bradley Williams. Elders serve as shepherds of the ministry, leading in humility, wisdom, and purity.
55 Plus Ministry
The 55 Plus Ministry, led by Tarry Koutz, is described as the most fun ministry at Forum. It gathers for meals, day trips, and Bible classes and welcomes anyone with 55 years or more of life experience.
Sports Ministry
Through the Upward program, directed by Kelli Snyder, Forum connects people of all ages through recreation. Sports are an intentional part of Forum's mission to connect people to Jesus in everyday life.
Visiting Forum
For first-time visitors, the simplest path is to show up at any of the three Sunday gatherings. Parking volunteers will guide cars in, and the Visitor Parking area is right in front of the lobby doors. Visitors who fill out a Plan a Visit form will hear from Ben Strode, the Connections Minister, before their first Sunday. The form closes every Saturday at 7:00 PM.
The dress is casual, the coffee is free, and the building is easy to navigate. Anyone with an orange or navy lanyard is there to help. Communion is celebrated at every gathering, and any follower of Jesus is invited to take it.