• Welcome to the Proximitist Church website. We are a Christian church based in Virginia Beach, VA. Our church centers around three primary beliefs:

    1. Jesus died on the cross to provide the forgiveness of sins for those who believe in him, which reconciles us to God.

    2. As followers of Jesus, we should commit ourselves to showing love and doing good to others in accordance with Jesus’ teachings.

    3. The Christian life is meant to be lived in community with other believers so that we can worship God in unity, encourage one another to good works, bear each others’ burdens, build friendships with one another, and organize to better help those in need.

    The title “Proximitist” was chosen to reflect three distinctives:

    1. The finding that the teachings of the early church reflect a central theme of the close involvement of God in salvation and in the life of the believer.

    2. The epistemological foundation of using historical methodology to best determine the most likely beliefs of the church, which prioritizes the earliest writings written by people who were closest to Jesus and his earliest disciples.

    3. The significance of the church community in the Christian life, and the encouraged participation of all members to influence important church decisions and doctrine.

    Church Service Information

    Time: The service begins at 9:30 am, and it will last about 30 minutes, until about 10:00 am.

    Location: We will meet where 34th Street connects to the Oceanfront boardwalk. I will be standing by the “34th Street” sign on the boardwalk. From there we may move slightly depending on space needs and to be mindful of others.

    Parking: There may be free parking available on 33rd Street. If no more spots are available, we recommend parking in the city-operated 31st Street parking garage, which costs $1/hr, and then $3/hr once 3 hrs is exceeded. There is also free parking at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, but this is about a 1.7 mile/35 min walk each way.

    Seating: In the attempt to replicate early church practice, the service will be standing for those who are able. For those who are not able to stand for the service, there will be benches available nearby. The service will be about 30 minutes.

    Weather: The service will be outside. In the case of rain, the service will still be held in the same spot. We recommend bringing an umbrella and/or raincoat if it rains. There is a small gazebo that can shelter a few people who may have forgotten an umbrella/raincoat or do not own one. We will change to a different location that is inside for the colder months.

    Dress: Please wear casual clothing because the service is outside on the boardwalk. We also encourage wearing beachwear as/underneath your clothing, as appropriate, and bringing beach towels, etc., to enjoy the beach after the service. It is not necessary to bring a Bible, as all readings will be read aloud, but participants are welcome to bring one.

    After the service: As part of our focus on community, we encourage those who attended the service to enjoy the beach/boardwalk afterward primarily as a group together.

    Church Liturgy

    Updated 4/2/2026 for the Easter Sunday service on April 5th. The service will proceed as follows:

    Invocation prayer

    Scripture reading – Isaiah 53

    Exhortation on Isaiah 53

    Participatory recitation of creed – 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

    Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures

    He was buried

    He was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures

    He appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve

    Prayer requests and corporate prayer for the needs of the church

    Hymn – Crown Him With Many Crowns

    Hymn lyrics: https://hymnary.org/text/crown_him_with_many_crowns

    Reading of Jesus’ teachings – Luke 6:20-36

    Exhortation on Luke 6:20-36

    Observance of the eucharist

    This is for believers in Christ who have been baptized into the Christian faith of any tradition. If you do not meet these qualifications, we would ask that you would please kindly step to the side and refrain from participating. If you are a believer who needs to make amends with another person in the church, please take them aside and reconcile, and then you may participate. Please also refrain if you are a believer but have recognized your need to repent for a major sin and have not yet done so or are not spiritually/mentally prepared to properly observe the eucharist.

    Bread and wine will be served. I will break a loaf of bread into two and allow each participant to pinch off a small piece with their fingers. Please hold the bread until I can pour wine, then each participant will dip their piece of bread into the wine. Once everyone who is participating has finished dipping their bread, we will eat it together.

    If you would like to drink a small amount of wine instead of dip your bread, please bring a cup for me to pour the wine into, and you can eat the bread then drink the cup of wine when others eat the dipped bread.

    Benediction prayer

    Please see me afterward if you are interested in baptism, would like to join the church, or have any questions.

    Hymn lyrics, Crown Him With Many Crowns: https://hymnary.org/text/crown_him_with_many_crowns