Parkwood Baptist Church sits on Lone Star Road in the heart of Jacksonville's Arlington neighborhood, described by the church itself as the city's first suburban area. Since 1960 the congregation has been gathering families, students, and neighbors from across northeast Florida, and the church has grown into a notably multilingual body. On any given Sunday the parking lot empties into services held in English, Amharic, Arabic, and Lautu, all under the same roof. The church's motto, "Experience God and Cultivate Life," captures what leaders describe as a personal, relational, and missional approach to faith.
A Church Rooted in Arlington Since 1960
Arlington is a quick drive from any part of Jacksonville, and Parkwood has called this neighborhood home for more than six decades. Generations of local families have raised children, celebrated baptisms, mourned losses, and served in the church's ministries here. The building itself holds a Welcome Center where greeters meet newcomers on Sunday mornings, a Sanctuary where the main services take place, a Fellowship Hall that fills up for Wednesday dinners and churchwide potlucks, a C Building whose second floor hosts adult and children's small groups, and an E Building that hosts one of the congregation's language fellowships. A parking team is on hand each Sunday to help direct vehicles, and a Safety Team monitors the campus during services.
Believing Together
Parkwood is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and also partners with the Florida Baptist Convention and First Coast Churches. The congregation holds to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 as its statement of faith. Five short values sum up what leaders teach here: to behold the glory of God, believe the Bible and Jesus' commandments, belong to one another in community, become like Jesus through service to one another, and behave like Christ when serving others, offering the hope of salvation. The church's mission is straightforward: "To love people to Christ as we go." Its vision is "To inspire people to experience God and cultivate life in Jesus Christ."
Sunday in Four Languages
Parkwood's most distinctive feature is its multilingual Sunday schedule. The same campus welcomes four distinct language communities, each with its own worship service and follow-up Bible study time.
- English - 10:00 am in the Sanctuary, followed by Small Groups for all ages at 11:15 am in the C Building, second floor. A College small group meets at 6:00 pm.
- Amharic - Small Group at 10:00 am in the Fellowship Hall, then worship at 11:30 am in the Sanctuary.
- Arabic - 3:00 pm in the Sanctuary.
- Lautu - 9:00 am in the E Building.
The Sudanese community also gathers for prayer on Friday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and for rehearsal on Saturdays from 4:00 to 9:00 pm.
Coffee at 9:30, Worship at 10, Small Groups at 11:15
For first-time guests, the rhythm of a Sunday morning at Parkwood is easy to follow. Coffee is served free in the Welcome Center beginning at 9:30 am, where hosts answer questions, share information about upcoming events, and introduce visitors to other members. The English worship service starts at 10:00 am and runs about an hour, blending music and a Bible-based message. Most Sundays the preaching is shared by Lead Pastor Dr. Manny Keyser, Teaching Pastor Mac Jackson, and Andrew Howell. After the service, at 11:15 am, small group classes open for everyone from young children through adults. These classes are designed to help attendees take a step of faith, study the Bible together, and build relationships beyond the sanctuary.
The dress code at Parkwood is intentionally relaxed. Some members wear suits and dresses; many wear jeans and t-shirts. Both styles are welcome. Child care is provided throughout the service.
How the Worship Is Put Together
Parkwood describes its worship style as scripturally based and culturally relevant, drawing on the gifts of the volunteers who lead it. Some Sundays the band leads a new song; other Sundays a familiar hymn links the room to a longer history of faith. The aim, according to the church, is to connect the hearts of those present to the gospel of Jesus across multiple generations and cultures. The Word of God holds a central place in the experience, and communicators present messages that are both challenging and accessible.
Power House: Wednesday Dinner and Devotional
Wednesday nights at Parkwood revolve around Power House, a weekly dinner and devotional that has become one of the congregation's most loved traditions. The church's kitchen staff prepares a full meal in the Fellowship Hall. Adults eat for $7 a person and families for $20, with credit cards, Apple Pay, and cash all accepted. A separate kids' menu is offered most weeks, with familiar options such as chicken fingers and fries or mini pizza. Recent menus have included Mississippi chicken with rice and corn on the cob, sour cream chicken with ice cream for dessert, a baked potato bar with pulled pork or chili, and a summer Fiesta Night.
After the meal, the room transitions into a time of worship and a Bible devotional. Each week the group explores a different passage or topic from Scripture, looking for ways to apply it to daily life. The evening is open to anyone in the community, whether they have been attending Parkwood for years or are stepping through the door for the first time.
Children, Students, and College
Parkwood's family ministries are designed for every stage. On Sunday mornings during the 10:00 am service, Parkwood Kids welcomes children from infancy through fifth grade. Parents check kids in at the Welcome Center, and trained volunteers lead age-appropriate teaching and activities. After the service, children's small groups continue the teaching in the C Building alongside adult classes.
Students meet on Wednesday evenings for their own small group time, paired with the Power House dinner. Adult volunteers serve as small group leaders, walking teenagers through the Bible and modeling what it looks like to follow Jesus in everyday life.
College-age students have their own small group that meets on Sundays at 6:00 pm, providing a space to connect with peers and dig into Scripture outside the larger worship gathering.
Open Door Biker Church
One of the most distinctive ministries at Parkwood is Open Door Biker Church, led by Pastor Chris Baumgardner. The ministry extends the congregation's reach into Jacksonville's riding community, gathering bikers for worship, fellowship, and outreach in a setting that reflects their culture and shared identity.
Volunteering at the Park
Parkwood invites anyone interested to serve through a structured set of teams. The Parking Team welcomes cars and assists visitors in any weather. The Safety Team monitors the campus on Sunday mornings, keeping entryways secure and helping anyone who needs assistance. The Guest Experience Team serves as the front-door liaison, greeting newcomers, recording contact information, and helping people find their way around. The Family Ministry Team includes Sunday morning small group facilitators for kindergarten through fifth grade and Wednesday evening student ministry leaders. Volunteers typically serve one Sunday a month.
Preaching Team and Message Series
The pulpit at Parkwood is shared by Lead Pastor Dr. Manny Keyser, Teaching Pastor Mac Jackson, and Andrew Howell, with guest communicators filling in at times. The Messages archive stretches back more than a decade, with series such as "Unveiled," "A Life Well Played," "The Word of the Lord," "The Long Way," "Jonah," "Hidden Kingdom," "Off The Charts," "Silent Night," "For The Win," and many more. Messages can be watched or listened to on demand, and previous series remain available for catch-up.
Missions and Outreach
Missions are woven into the life of the church. Each spring Parkwood hosts the Missions Together Expo, a half-day gathering of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and ministry booths designed to help attendees take their next step in what the church calls the Great Commission. The church also supports outreach through partnerships and giving, and members are encouraged to give, serve, and invite others into the mission of God.
Special Nights Throughout the Year
Alongside the weekly rhythm, Parkwood plans a number of annual and seasonal events that bring the wider church family together. The Family Farm Fest, held on a Friday evening each fall, transforms the campus into a free carnival with games, candy, bounce houses, face painting, horse riding, and a train ride, with tickets sold for food and extra attractions. A Back-to-School Bash Movie Night fills the Fellowship Hall with families, blankets, and concessions in mid-August. A Comedy Night with comedian Mike Williams pairs a catered dinner with a family-friendly show. The May calendar includes a churchwide potluck and financial update in the Fellowship Hall, where members share a meal together and hear from the church's leaders about the year's finances.
Plan a Visit, Watch Online, or Stay Connected
Anyone planning to attend in person is invited to fill out the connect form on the church's visit page so a host can greet them by name. Sunday morning is the main entry point, with the Welcome Center opening at 9:30 am. Those who cannot make it in person can join the 10:00 am service through the livestream on YouTube or through the church's livestream page, and any past message can be rewatched on demand. A digital connect form is also available for online visitors.
Church Office and Giving
The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and on Sundays during the 10:00 am service. Visitors and members can reach the office at (904) 725-2500 or hello@pbcjax.org. Giving is available online through the church's giving partner, and a link is provided from the homepage and footer of every page.
Parkwood Baptist Church sees itself simply as a family church, gathered on a single Arlington campus to experience God together, equip one another through Scripture, and send people out to love their neighbors to Christ. Whether someone shows up for the English worship service at 10:00 am, joins the Wednesday night Power House, attends an Amharic or Arabic service, or connects through the YouTube livestream, the invitation is the same: come as you are.