Heights First Church of the Nazarene sits along Paseo del Norte NE in the northeast heights of Albuquerque, where it gathers on Sunday mornings and around a busy week of small groups, classes, and mission projects. The church describes itself as a community that meets people where they are, with a blended worship style, an active children's and student ministry, and a Wednesday night built around learning, conversation, and care. Services stream live, and a calendar of events is kept current through Church Center.
Sundays at HFCN
The Sunday rhythm begins with Discipleship Groups at 9:30 AM, when adults gather in classes around Scripture and conversation. The main worship service starts at 10:45 AM and is offered both in person and online. Teaching Pastor Jeff Moore brings the message, and the service uses a blended style that weaves together classic hymns and contemporary songs, supported by a choir and a worship band. Families with children find a nursery and a children's program running alongside the service, and coffee and tea are available before and after for connecting with others. Guests are welcomed to come as they are.
A Wednesday Built Around Community
Wednesday evenings are the second pillar of the week at Heights First. ESL classes begin at 6:15 PM, and from 6:30 PM the building fills with a Deep Dive teaching time led by Pastor Jeff and Pastor Jaycob, alongside children's and student activities and small groups. DivorceCare, a thirteen-week support program for people working through separation and divorce, meets from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. The intent of the night is to make room for learning, conversation, and care at every age.
Learning Groups for Every Season
Beyond Sunday morning and Wednesday night, the church offers a range of small groups. Teaching Pastor Jeff Moore leads a Sunday School class at 9:30 AM, and Loretta Kilgore leads a more traditional Sunday School class in the same hour. Wednesday evenings feature a forty-week learning journey with Pastor Tim that walks through other belief systems and hard cultural questions, and a weekly viewing and discussion of The Chosen hosted by the Neills. Link Groups for men, called Iron Man and Whole Hog, are forming for those who want closer fellowship.
Children, Students, and College-Age
Children's ministry serves babies through elementary age, with a nursery led by Beverly Vito and a team of volunteers who help kids discover Jesus, learn to follow Him, and share His love. Student ministry runs alongside for middle and high schoolers, built around adult leaders who walk with students through small groups, activities, and trips. Pastor Jaycob Blea oversees the College and Career ministry, giving young adults a dedicated place to belong. All adult leaders in children's and student ministry complete a Naz Safe background check.
Worship Arts: Choir and Band
The church still uses a choir alongside its worship band. Adal Esparza leads the music ministry, and choir membership is open to all ages. The worship band seeks additional musicians, with openings on keys, lead electric guitar, rhythm electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass, and drums. Auditions may be requested for the band.
Care Through the Hard Seasons
Visitation Pastor Dennis Rushing leads a team that calls on shut-ins, nursing home residents, and people in the hospital. DivorceCare meets on Wednesday nights during its thirteen-week cycle and is open to anyone in the community working through the pain of divorce, with sign-up available through DivorceCare's national directory. Connections Pastor DeAnn Rushing oversees the hospitality team, which includes greeters, the info desk, and security.
Missions from the Neighborhood Outward
The missions team frames missions as starting with the people next door and extending outward. Locally, members serve in outreach projects in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Globally, the church supports Errol and Rhonda, who serve at Nazarene Theological College South Africa in Johannesburg, where Rhonda serves as principal and Errol focuses on leadership development. Year-round opportunities to participate are available through the missions team.
What HFCN Believes
Heights First Church holds to the Church of the Nazarene's Articles of Faith and orders its life around three postures: unity in what matters most, liberty in disputable matters, and charity in all things. Core values named by the church include Christlike character, meaningful worship, excellent stewardship, engaging youth and children, global missions, compassionate service to those in need, reaching the lost, and serving in the local church. The membership class covers the full statement of faith and the vision that drives day-to-day ministry.
A Pathway for Newcomers
The church offers a clear pathway for anyone exploring faith or looking for a place to belong. The journey moves through the Starting Point Class for newcomers, regular worship attendance, joining a small group, the Core Faith Class, baptism, and membership. The S.H.A.P.E. class helps members identify their spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences for serving. Baptism and membership are both available, and members are invited to share their story as part of the life of the church.
Plan a Visit
First-time guests find a reserved parking spot near the entrance, friendly greeters ready to help, and an Info Center where they can get a tour. The building offers full disability access, open community spaces, and modern amenities. Those who want to make their first visit easier can fill out the visitor form ahead of time, and families with children can pre-register kids so check-in is quick on arrival. Services stream live, and previous sermons are available on the church's YouTube channel.