About Access

Our Mission

We help people take the next step in their relationship with Jesus.

That’s how we’re going to make a difference, and it’s the motivation behind everything we do.

Your Next Step.

Wherever you are in life, you matter and you have a purpose. Your journey has a next step, and we’ll help you find it. We want to help you become the person God has created you to be. It could start with serving, finding God’s vision for your life, giving, or joining us regularly.

You don’t have to take the next step alone. With a strong community of friends, you can laugh, grow, and serve with people who genuinely care about you.

Our History

In 2007, a group of fifteen Lakelanders felt a need.

They wanted a great environment to meet with friends to explore questions about God without having to pretend they had it all together or wading through a bunch of religious lingo. They wanted to offer their friends an alternative that wouldn’t make assumptions about what they believed about God or knew about the Bible. They wanted to assure their friends that no one would single them out by asking, “Where are all the visitors?”

The next year, Access became a church. In the time since, the church has grown. The goal was never size; the goal always was, and continues to be, based upon the ideas of authentic community, honest conversation, and exploring the question “Where is God taking us next?”

Our Beliefs

Jesus is God’s Son.

We believe that Jesus Christ (the Son of God) became flesh to reveal God to man and rescue the world from evil. He, being fully God yet fully man, is the only person to live a sinless life. He was born of a virgin and took the weight of sin and evil in the world on the cross so mankind could be free from the penalty of sin and creation would be redeemed. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory.
Isaiah 9:6, John 1:1, 14; 3:16, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:15

The Bible is God’s Word.

We believe the entire Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God. It cannot be added to, subtracted from, or superseded in any regard. It, alone, is the final authority in determining all doctrinal truths.
Proverbs 30:5-6, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21

God is our Father.

We believe in one God who exists in three distinct equal persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the creator of the universe, never changing, eternal, all-powerful and unending in love.
Genesis 1:1, Matthew 3:16-17, 1 John 5:7-8

The Holy Spirit.

We believe that the Holy Spirit was given, after Jesus ascended into heaven, to edify and empower the individual believer and the Church. The Holy Spirit is alive and active today. Believers should live Spirit-led, Spirit-empowered lives.
Acts 1:5, 8, Ephesians 3:16

Man is fallen.

We believe that man and woman was created in the image of God to have fellowship with Him, but became alienated from that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, mankind is totally incapable of coming back into a right relationship with God by his own effort.
Genesis 1:26, Romans 3:23

Jesus saves.

We believe that the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sins. Salvation is a free gift and only occurs when a person repents and places their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as the sufficient payment for their sin.
Luke 24:46-47, John 1:29, Acts 3:19, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 John 1:7-9, Revelation 5:9

Living For God.

We believe that every Christian is to live for Jesus and not for themselves. By obedience to the Bible, participation in a community of faith, and daily yielding to the Spirit, every believer matures and becomes conformed to the image of Christ.
Matthew 16:24, John 14:23, Galatians 5:25, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Hebrews 10:23-25

The Local Church.

We believe that the church is the family of God on the earth. Those who have trusted, by faith, the finished work of Christ are adopted into the family. The church is to participate with God in bringing about His purposes of hope, redemption and grace in the world.
1 Corinthians 12:27, Ephesians 1:22-23

Jesus’ Return.

We believe in the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection of believers, the final judgment, and all things being made right in the new heaven and the new earth. Only the Father knows the time of Jesus’ return.
Matthew 24:30, 36, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, Revelation 1:7, Revelation 21:1-2

Common Questions

When are services?

Every Sunday at 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, and 12:00 PM. Services typically last one hour and include live music and a message from one of our pastors. 

Where are services?

Our address is 4303 S. Florida Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33813. We’re right by Staples on the south side of Lakeland.

Where do I park?

When you arrive at the front entrance, follow the parking signs. We recommend arriving 15 minutes before services begin. 

What should I wear?

Whatever you feel comfortable in. While a t-shirt and jeans is typical, some people like to dress it up a bit. 👍

What about my kids?

We believe that kids should have a blast at church every single week – and at Access Kids, we make this a priority. Their time includes games, fun music, stories, and small group time. 

Access Kids is offered at every Access Church service for kids newborn through fifth grade. You’ll want to leave yourself an extra ten minutes to get signed in for the Access Kids experience. (If you pre-registered your kids, we will have that information ready to go!)

Middle and high school students meet at Access Youth every Wednesday from 6:30–8:15 PM. At Access Youth, we have music, a message, and small group time where students can grow with their peers. 

Am I actually welcome?

Absolutely.