Juniper Bay Baptist Church sits along Juniper Bay Road in Conway, South Carolina, just west of Myrtle Beach, where a diverse congregation of young families, middle-aged couples, and retired believers gathers around a shared purpose: loving God, loving people, and magnifying the name of Jesus Christ. Known for its warm blend of classic and contemporary worship and a deep commitment to missions both near and far, Juniper Bay describes itself as a community for all, built on the conviction that Jesus is the center of all they do.
Sunday Mornings Blend Old Gospel with New
Sunday is the heart of the week at Juniper Bay. Bible study classes for all ages begin at 9:30 AM, followed by morning worship at 10:30 AM and an evening service at 6:00 PM. The morning gathering is described as a wonderful blend of classic worship and new worship, with a worship band, choir, and special music woven throughout the service. The pastor is described as a passionate and energetic preacher who keeps the congregation engaged with solid biblical messages.
The 6:00 PM Sunday evening service takes a different shape. Adults gather for topical Bible studies while youth, children, and preschoolers rotate through age-group studies that include music and activities designed for them. A well-staffed nursery is available during all services, and children's church is offered for ages three through eight during morning worship.
Wednesday Nights for Prayer and Mission Education
Mid-week at Juniper Bay centers on a 6:30 PM service that runs two parallel tracks. Adults gather for a prayer meeting with Bible study while youth, children, and preschoolers move into missions education groups that teach them about global missions and involve them in hands-on mission activities. The structure reflects the church's conviction that faith is something to be lived, not just learned about.
Students Led by Brother Jamey and His Team
Middle and high school students have their own active ministry at Juniper Bay, meeting in the Family Life Center on Sunday mornings at 9:30, Sunday nights at 6:00, and Wednesday nights at 6:30. The student ministry is in the hands of Brother Jamey Bishop and his team, who lead Bible lessons, a time of music and worship, and discipleship and mission opportunities throughout the year. Students new to the area, lifelong residents, the curious, and committed followers are all invited to come and meet Jesus, know Jesus, and share Jesus.
Children: PreK through Fifth Grade
The children's ministry reaches PreK through fifth grade and runs during the 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM Sunday hours as well as the 6:00 PM evening service and Wednesday nights at 6:30. Special events are sprinkled throughout the year, all aimed at helping kids grow in their relationship with Christ in a safe, fun environment.
Small Groups on Sunday Mornings
Juniper Bay's small Bible study groups meet during the 9:30 AM Sunday school hour, with group sizes ranging from six to twenty-six. The church sees these smaller settings as the ideal place for people to interact, ask questions, and go deeper into a passage together.
Men, Women, and the "Retired Teenagers"
Juniper Bay runs ministries tailored for every stage of life. The men's ministry, led by Tommy Hardee, meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 PM for fellowship, dinner, and a guest speaker. The women's ministry, known as Women of God, gathers on Tuesday mornings and evenings. Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM find Gwen Johnson leading a women's Bible study. Across the year, the women join together for special events, conferences, and fellowship.
The senior adult ministry, playfully called the "Retired Teenagers" and open to anyone 62 plus, is led by Lisa Norris and meets quarterly for fellowship and fun. Members joke that once you get past 60, the fun has just begun.
Praise Band and Choir
Music plays a central role at Juniper Bay. The praise band serves every worship service and accompanies the choir. The choir rehearses on Sundays at 5:00 PM and sings specials at worship services, revival services, and other church functions where music is needed. Cheri Connor serves as Minister of Music.
Vacation Bible School Each Summer
Each summer Juniper Bay hosts Vacation Bible School, a multi-night event that gathers children for worship, Bible study, fellowship, crafts, games, and a free dinner each night. VBS runs from 5:30 to 8:30 PM, and the church notes that it serves as a polling location and so takes a brief mid-week break during local elections.
A Heart for Conway and the Nations
Juniper Bay identifies itself as a Southern Baptist church and partners with the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board, taking up the annual Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong offerings. The congregation supports the Norris family serving with ABWE missions in Ecuador and partners with several local and regional ministries, including Connie Maxwell Children's Home, Child Evangelism Fellowship (which sponsors the Good News Club on campus), the Gideons, the Shepherds Table in Conway, and Samaritans Purse. A monthly food pantry operates on the church campus.
Beliefs in Plain Language
Juniper Bay's mission is to love God, to love others, and to magnify the name of Jesus Christ. The church teaches that believers help others meet Jesus by sharing the gospel (John 3:16), come to know Jesus through discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20), and serve Jesus by loving others and serving the community (Matthew 25:40). The vision includes making true disciples throughout all nations by means of missionary activity and support, ministering the ordinances, edifying believers, and doing all that is sovereignly possible and biblically permissible to magnify the name of Jesus.
Meet the Pastoral Team
Pastor Jonathan Vandermark has been serving in pastoral ministry for twenty years, leading worship and preaching across Virginia, South Carolina, and internationally since 2005. He is described as a passionate, energetic, "Old Time Gospel" Baptist preacher and the author of "9 Months to Say Goodbye" and "Pew Potato." He and his wife Jennifer have three children, RJ, Virginia Rose, and Samuel.
Jamey Bishop serves as Youth Director, Cheri Connor as Minister of Music, and Lacey Hatley as Director of Children's Ministry.
Visiting Juniper Bay
Juniper Bay Baptist Church is located at 5265 Juniper Bay Road in Conway, South Carolina. The office phone number is 843-397-2787 and the church email is juniper_bay@sccoast.net. Services are livestreamed online, and recordings are available on the church's YouTube channel. Schedule updates and announcements are posted on the church's Facebook page.