The concept of church was God's idea. He created it to encourage and help Christians to serve Him and accomplish His work on earth. No man is an island. We need one another for strength, support, encouragement, and correction.Not to be confused with a building or facility, the local church is a group of people committed to fulfilling the work of God, together.

If we as Christians are to have a walk with God, we must submit ourselves to His Word and other Christians who are firmly rooted in the faith. These goals can best be accomplished through a warm and caring body of believers - the local church. The church is a place where you consistently live your life out before others - not for a day or a week, but for a lifetime. (Acts 20:28; Philippians 2:15; Thess. 5:11)

The local church is where you serve the Lord by serving others. We all need to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. It is a place to grow, to be challenged, and to become all that God wants you to become.

Ventura First is not the only church in our community, or in the world. God is using many others to reach the world for Him. In the big picture we are one of many churches and denominations committed to bringing others to Christ. Our desire at Ventura First is to be used by God to help direct lost and hurting people to Christ's love and salvation, and provide an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit can perform His special work in the lives of Christians.
If you don't have a church home, we invite you to join us as we worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24). There is a place for you at Ventura First!

About our Worship Services

Worship plays a major role at First Assembly of God. freedom in worship is accommodated and encouraged. Many will pray and thank God audibly during times of corporate thanksgiving and prayer. Some will pray silently, expressing little outward emotion, while others will weep openly before the Lord, communicationg their love and adoration in tears. Regardless of style, each sincere expression of praise and worship is welcomed. These visable expressions are not for show, but rather avenues of communing with God.

In Case You Are Wondering ...

Why do we have this type of worship?
John 4:23-24
Philippians 3:3
Why do we have audible praise unto God?
Psalms 103:1
Psalms 34:1
Acts 4:24
1 Corinthians 14:25
Why do we lift our hands?
Psalms 134:2
Psalms 63:4
1 Timothy 2:8
Why do we clap our hands?
Psalms 47:1
Why do we sing choruses as well as hyms?
Ephesians 5:18-19
Colossians 3:16
Why does the whole church pray at once for specific needs?
Acts 4:24
Why do we anoint with oil and pray for the sick?
James 5:14-15
Why do we lay hands on people?
Mark 16:18
Acts 28:8
Why do we speak in tongues?
Acts 2:4
1 Corinthians 14:39
Why do we have prophesy or interpretation of tongues?
1 Corinthians 12:10
1 Corinthians 14:1-5
What does "Word of knowledge" mean?
1 Corinthians 12:8
1 Corinthians 2:11-12

Statement of Faith
We believe ...

* the Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative written Word of God

* there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

* in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father and in His personal future return to this earth in power and in glory to rule a thousand years

* the blessed Hope - the rapture of the Church and Christ's second coming

* regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for personal salvation

* the redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing of the human body in answer to believing prayer

* the baptism in the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 2:4, is given to believers who ask for it

* in the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy life

* in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting damnation

You can find more information concerning our beliefs and the doctrine of the Assemblies of God at the A/G Online Web site, under "About the A/G".