Sunday Morning in Valley Station
South Jeff Christian Church sits on West Orell Road in Valley Station, a Jefferson County neighborhood in southwest Louisville, Kentucky. The church's motto, "Sharing-Growing-Serving," points to a congregation that wants its impact to land in the community around the building as well as inside the worship center. That outward tilt is paired with a simple statement of purpose: "a passion for Jesus Christ is at the heart and soul of everything that we do."
The main Sunday gathering runs from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. and is available both in person and online. Visitors walking up to the doors are greeted by a few people at the entrance who can help point them to restrooms, classrooms or a seat in the worship center. In the middle of the lobby sits a table with individually wrapped communion elements; anyone who calls themselves a believer is welcome to take one and participate.
The service itself is laid-back enough that late arrivals can slip in without a fuss, and anyone who wants to bring their coffee is welcome to do so. Worship is led by a live band. The musicians span generations, and the song selection mixes modern worship music with contemporary hymns so that students and longtime members alike can join in.
What to Wear and Where to Park
Dress at South Jeff runs the full range. Some people wear dress pants, button-down shirts and dresses; others show up in shorts and T-shirts. The only rule is comfort, and no one will be sized up for what they put on. A guest with questions about logistics can find answers on the church's first-time visitor page.
Programs for Children
Children's ministry at South Jeff runs during the Sunday service for three age groups: nursery, preschool and elementary.
- Nursery. The nursery room is painted with a mural of Noah's Ark and is furnished with age-appropriate toys, rocking chairs and a crib for little ones who need a nap. Every volunteer who serves with children has cleared a background check.
- Preschool. Preschool-age children learn about Jesus through stories, play with their peers, and often create a craft that ties into the lesson of the day.
- Elementary. Elementary-age kids are led by volunteers through age-appropriate worship, a lesson and often a craft as well.
Middle-school and high-school students are encouraged to take part in the main worship service. The student ministry at South Jeff has integrated youth into the leadership of the church as well; some students play in the worship band, while others help serve in the nursery, preschool and elementary classrooms.
The children's ministry team is led by Molly Hall and Katelyn Young. The church describes its goal in simple terms: "we want to point kids to God and make a difference in their lives." Volunteers want to reflect God's love, pray for the children and speak His truths into their lives, and they put it this way: "Kids need people in their lives who will show up to hang out with them, love them, and show them what it looks like to follow Jesus."
Student Ministry on Sunday and Wednesday Nights
The student ministry meets twice a week outside of the main Sunday gathering. On Sunday nights from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. and on Wednesday nights from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., middle-school and high-school students gather for teaching, fellowship and discipleship. Jon Thornsberry, Director of Student Ministries, oversees the program.
The student ministry's stated purpose is to make sure every student feels valued and cared for. The church's framing of the work is candid about the issue at stake: "More and more students feel looked over, and unheard. Here at South Jeff we accept all students no matter what they have gone through, or what they deal with on a daily." Leaders want to demonstrate that God loves them not only in word but also through the attention of the adult leadership.
The student ministry follows a four-step discipleship rhythm drawn from Jesus' words in the Gospels: come and see, connect with Jesus and others, grow as kingdom workers, and go make disciples. Family events and broader connection points are part of the calendar as well, so students and parents can come together around what the ministry is teaching.
Students or parents who want to reach the student ministry can email jon.thornsberry@mysouthjeff.org.
Weekly Communion and a Bible at the Center
South Jeff describes itself as "a non-denominational church, committed to Christianity as it is expressed in the Bible." The communion table sits open in the lobby before every service, and the church teaches that the Lord's Supper was a weekly practice of the New Testament church (Acts 20:7). Members and visitors who have faith in Christ are welcome to share in it.
The Bible is treated as the authority for faith and practice. The church teaches belief in one God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit; in Jesus as the living and only Son of God, Savior and Lord; in salvation by grace through faith; in baptism by immersion as a believer's picture of Christ's death, burial and resurrection; in the indwelling Holy Spirit who empowers believers to live in obedience; in the unity of all who profess Jesus as Lord; in a life fully devoted to following Christ; and in fulfilling the Great Commission to make disciples of all people. South Jeff also appoints Elders, Deacons and other leaders to help shepherd the local church.
For those who want to dig deeper into what the church teaches, the church points newcomers toward an introductory class called Starting Point.
The Worship Band and Sunday Music
Worship at South Jeff is led by Bryan Crady and a rotation of musicians who span the generations. The band includes students and adults, and the song selection intentionally mixes modern worship favorites with newer arrangements of older hymns. The leadership wants to give every generation a way to participate, "with whatever talents and gifts they have."
Visitors who want a preview can tune in to the church's YouTube livestream on Sunday morning or watch past sermons on the church's channel.
The Pastoral Team
Brett Baker serves as the pastor of South Jeff. He preaches most Sundays and also writes a regular column called Insights, with short articles on Christian living that get shared on social media. Recent installments have explored trust and idolatry, the difference between a fear-based faith and a love-based faith, the impossibility of the Christian life apart from the Holy Spirit, and the difference between the God of the Bible and the pagan gods of the ancient world.
Jon Thornsberry leads the student ministry. Bryan Crady directs worship. Donna Sisco serves as receptionist, and Tresa Perkins serves as business administrator. The office mailing address is 6500 West Orell Road, Valley Station, Kentucky 40272, and the office line is 502-937-3732.
How to Plug In
mysouthjeff.org has a first-time visitor page, the statement of beliefs, service information, the staff list, details about the children's and student ministries, small group information, contact information and a prayer request form, plus a photo directory and a members-only section.
Prayer requests can be submitted through the church's online prayer page; a member of the team follows up on each submission. South Jeff has a Christian unity that runs across denominational lines. One of its explicit beliefs is that all who profess Christ as Lord belong to one church, so newcomers from a variety of backgrounds tend to find a place in the pew and in the ministry teams.