Our Ridge Kids environment is safe and secure. Each week, children are checked-in by a parent or guardian and not released until their person returns with their matching name tag/code. The kids environment is secured from the outside and only our kids ministry staff and volunteers have access. 

When you enter the building, head to the left at the end of the hall, for Ridge Kids check-in. We will meet you and your family, check your child into our system, and take them to their safe, age-appropriate room. We will ask for the following personal information: family members' names, children’s names and birthdates, address, phone number, and any special instructions (allergies, special needs) for your child.

Our goal is for your kids to drag YOU to church…. and trust us, they will! Not only will your kids have a BLAST in Ridge Kids worshiping, singing and meeting new friends, but they will love learning about Jesus with teaching that is Christ-centered!

The women's ministry at Ridge Church exists to help every woman, in every life stage, follow Jesus. There are quarterly events and gatherings that take place for women, but the heart of our women's ministry is to grow in our following of Jesus through women's connect groups that meet weekly. This ministry provides weekly gatherings at different times and locations, of women in all stages of life, coming together to grow in their relationship with Jesus and with one another. New groups form in the fall and winter, but there is room for anyone in existing groups. 

To get more information, USE THIS SIGN UP FORM and one of our women's ministry directors will be in touch soon! 

The men's ministry of Ridge Church exist to help men from all walks of life and ages, follow Jesus. Our desire is to see men be Jesus followers, that multiply disciples and lead their families well to do the same. The heart of men's ministry at Ridge Church happens in men's groups that meet at different times and places throughout the week. There are groups that meet online, at Ridge Church Oak Ridge and in homes. To find the right group for you, FILL OUT THIS FORM and let us know you're interested! 

(From Replicate) 

How do complete a HEAR Journal

The acronym H.E.A.R. stands for Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond. Each of these four steps contributes to creating an atmosphere to hear God speak. After settling on a reading plan and establishing a time for studying God’s Word, you will be ready to H.E.A.R. from God.

For an illustration, let’s assume that you begin your quiet time in the book of 2 Timothy, and today’s reading is the first chapter of the book. Before reading the text, pause to sincerely ask God to speak to you. It may seem trite, but it is absolutely imperative that we seek God’s guidance in order to understand His Word(1 Corinthians 2:12-14). Every time we open our Bibles, we should pray the simple prayer that David prayed: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law (Word)” (Psalm 119:18).

After praying for the Holy Spirit’s guidance, open your notebook or journal, and at the top left-hand corner, write the letter H. This exercise will remind you to read with a purpose. In the course of your reading, one or two verses will usually stand out and speak to you. After reading the passage of Scripture, Highlight each verse that speaks to you by copying it under the letter “H”. Write out the following:

• The name of the book
• The passage of Scripture
• The chapter and verse numbers that especially speak to you
• A title to describe the passage

This practice will make it easier to find the passage when you want to revisit it in the future.

After you have highlighted the passage, write the letter “E” under the previous entry. At this stage, you will EXPLAIN what the text means. By asking some simple questions, with the help of God’s Spirit, you can understand the meaning of a passage or verse. The next chapter will teach you in detail how to understand the meaning of a passage. Until then, here are a few questions to get you started:

Why was this written? 

To whom was it originally written?

How does it fit with the verses before and after it?

Why did the Holy Spirit include this passage in the book? 

What is He intending to communicate through this text? 

At this point, you are beginning the process of discovering the specific and personal word that God has for you from His Word. What is important is that you are engaging the text and wrestling with its meaning.

After writing a short summary of what you think the text means, write the letter “A” below the letter “E”. Under the “A”, write the word Apply. This application is the heart of the process. Everything you have done so far culminates under this heading. As you have done before, answer a series of questions to uncover the significance of these verses to you personally, questions like:

How can this help me?       

What does this mean today? 

What would the application of this verse look like in my life? 

What does this mean to me? 

What is God saying to me? 

As you complete your HEAR journal, these questions bridge the gap between the ancient world and your world today. They provide a way for God to speak to you from the specific passage or verse. Answer these questions under the “A”. Challenge yourself to write between two and five sentences about how the text applies to your life.

Finally, below the first three entries, write the letter “R” for Respond. This is the last part of the HEAR Journal. Your response to the passage may take on many forms. You may write a call to action. You may describe how you will be different because of what God has said to you through His Word. You may indicate what you are going to do because of what you have learned. You may respond by writing out a prayer to God. For example, you may ask God to help you to be more loving, or to give you a desire to be more generous in your giving. Keep in mind that this is your response to what you have just read.

Women's Groups

• Natalie and Jamie- Tuesday Nights 6:30-8:30 at the Ridge- Jen Wilkin's "In His Image"
  
• Jessica and Angela- Tuesday Nights - 7p Online/Facebook Video Messenger- "Blessed are the Chosen-Bible Study" ("The Chosen" S.2)
  
• Samantha and Loni- Tuesday Mornings- 9:30am @ Chic-Fil-A Oak Ridge- Joanna Weaver's "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World"
  
• Brittany and Alyssa- Wednesday Nights- 6p at the Ridge- Loui Giglio's "Don't Give the Enemy A Seat at Your Table"
  
• Jaymee- Thursday Nights- 6p at the Ridge- "True Woman 101 Divine Design: A Study on Biblical Womanhood" (This study digs into the heart of God's design for womanhood in the Bible, explores the distinct roles of men and women, and examines why gender matters.)
• Jaymee- Thursday Nights- 6p at the Ridge- "True Woman 101 Divine Design: A Study on Biblical Womanhood" (This study digs into the heart of God's design for womanhood in the Bible, explores the distinct roles of men and women, and examines why gender matters.)

Men's Groups

• Steve Crow- Tuesday Nights 6pm at The Ridge
• Wesley Hicks- Every other Saturday 630am, Various locations

Mixed Groups

• Kevin and Julie Bradford- Wednesday nights 6pm at the Bradford residence, Oak Ridge
• Larry & Lisa Pemberton, Steve & Rhonda Crowe- 6pm at The Ridge

Baptism isn’t required for salvation, but is the first step of faith for believers. The baptismal waters don’t save anyone. It’s Jesus that does that. Baptism is a picture of the work that Jesus has done in a person’s heart. Baptism illustrates Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) It shows our new life as a follower of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Baptism doesn’t make you a believer… it shows that you already believe. Baptism doesn’t save you; Jesus does! Baptism is like a wedding ring, signifying a relationship rather than forming that relationship.

We follow Jesus’ example in baptism. He was baptized (Mark 1:9), and commanded us to be baptized (Matthew 28:19-20).

At Ridge Church, we baptize by immersion. That’s the example we see throughout Scripture, and is the basis for the meaning of the word “baptize,” which means to immerse (or dip under) in water.    I'M READY!

If you’re a believer, you should be baptized! It doesn’t matter if you were saved 20 years ago or just last week… it’s time to take the next step in your faith journey. We can normally baptize you during any worship service. Just fill out this form and let us know when you would like to be baptized. Someone will get in touch with you shortly with instructions. I'M READY!

Since the pandemic has changed the way we’ve gathered for a season, we don’t want that to keep you from following God and taking the next step on your faith journey. Baptism is an important step of obedience in the life of a believer; as recorded in the book of Acts, we also believe it’s something you can follow through on anywhere that there’s water and another believer to baptize you! 

Here are some quick instructions on getting baptized in your home (or any location).

What you need:

1. A tub/container full of water.
2. Another believer to baptize you.
3. A phone/camera to record or live stream your step of faith!

There’s no specific script you have to follow, but here’s a simple guide to how we normally do it at Ridge Church:

“Have you given your life to Jesus?” (Response)
“Because of that, I now baptize you my [brother/sister] in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
While submerging: “Buried with Christ in baptism…”
While raising: “Raised to walk in the newness of life!”

Be Sure to Share It With Us!

If you get baptized from home, please let us know! Email us HERE and send us any video or photos you took along with the story. We’d love to celebrate with you, and share the big news with the rest of the Ridge Church family.