General FAQ's

How to join HBC?
There are three ways to become a member:

1. BAPTISM: For persons who have been saved by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and desire to obey Christ by being scripturally baptized by immersion (Information on becoming saved)
2. LETTER FROM ANOTHER BAPTIST CHURCH:  For persons who are saved, have been baptized by immersion after salvation, and are members in good standing of another Baptist church which will transfer them by letter to HBC (We will handle transfer of the letter.)
3. STATEMENT OF FAITH: For persons who are saved and have been baptized by immersion after salvation but are not members of another Baptist church

Wednesday Night Meal?
Please call the church office by 12 noon on the Tuesday prior to the meal. Let the ministry assistant know how many adults and how many children will be eating. Also, if you would like to be placed on the permanent list, let us know at the time of making reservations.

What time does the Wednesday Night Meal begin? 
We begin serving at 4:45 pm and serve until 5:45 pm.

What is the cost of the Wednesday Night Meal?
Adults (13 yrs old/7th Grade and up) $4.50; Children (2 to 12) $2.75; Maximum per family $15.00 (College age, 18 and older, will be charge $4.50/meal. Max. does not apply.)

If I am on the permanent list for the Wednesday Night meal, do I have to cancel if I cannot come?
If possible, please call the church office by noon on Tuesday if you cannot attend. 

How do I have something put in the bulletin?
One can submit an advertisement for the bulletin in writing or by e-mail to the administrative ministry assistant , adminsec@hbce.org , by 3:00 pm on the Wednesday prior to the Sunday in which it needs to be advertised. Once it is received, it will have to be approved.

Can businesses advertise in our bulletin?
No

How do I have the newsletter mailed to someone?
Contact the admin ministin the church office or by e-mail at adminsec@hbce.org

Does Hillcrest give out addresses and phone numbers by phone?
Yes, if addresses and phone numbers are not marked as unlisted, we can give them out to church members.

Does the church have a directory?
Yes. If you are a church member, a directory is available in the church office.

Where can I get information about the different ministry teams (committees) in the church?
Contact the admin ministry assistant in the church office or by e-mail at adminsec@hbce.org

How do I get Church Offering Envelopes?
Envelopes will be assigned to you when you become a member of HBC. If you are not a member but give frequently, offering envelopes will be assigned to you.

Can I get a DVD or CD of the Worship Services?
Yes. Contact the worship ministry assistant in the church office to request the Services you would like.
Cost: DVD's - $5 --- CD's - $2

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Baptism FAQ's

When should you be baptized?
Immediately after salvation. Acts 8:36-37 - Philip baptizes the Ethiopian Eunuch
 
Why should you be baptized?

What does baptism mean?
The Greek "baptizo" mean to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet). Baptism is symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, and of your public profession of faith in Christ.

". . .died to my old way of life and am buried with Christ in baptism and raised to walk with him in newness of life." (Romans 6:4)

"Therefore whoever confesses me before men, him will I confess before my Father, which is in Heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)
 
Where can I be baptized?

• At Hillcrest Baptist Church
• A card or letter listing the Sundays we will be baptizing will be mailed to you.
• Please decide which Service (9:15 am or 10:45 am) will be most convenient for you. 
• Meet in the church office lobby area 30 minutes before that service begins.
• A church staff member will meet with you to provide details about the service.
• Wear clothes that do not become transparent when wet; shorts and t-shirts that are dark colors.
  Note: Jeans become too heavy when wet and make it difficult to walk out of the baptismal pool.
• The church provides towels, robes, and hair dryers. If you are being baptized in the 9 am Service (we baptize at the beginning of that service) please bring a change of clothes for the Worship Service afterwards.Volunteers should be willing to be trained, and should be committed to the team effort.Back to top

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 Children's Ministry FAQ's

What age children are kept in the nursery?
Birth - 2 years old

Are the nursery workers volunteers or paid staff?  
We use paid workers and volunteers in the nursery.

What is your teacher to pupil ratio in class?
The teacher to pupil ratio depends on the age of the children. However, there will never be fewer than two workers in a classroom.

What curriculum is used in Sunday School?
Lifeway

What annual events are offered for preschoolers/children?
Vacation Bible School, Baby Dedication, Two Musicals, Special Ed VBS, Acts Of Kindness (AOK’s),  Harvest Festival, Thanksgiving Mission Project, I Love My Teacher Banquet

What age children can participate in children’s ministry activities?
Present 1^stgrade – just completed 6^th grade

Why is my child in a class with children a year younger than him/her? 
Hillcrest Baptist Church Children’s Programs follow the same policy on promotion as the Enterprise City Schools. Children must be 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. on or before September 1st before they may advance to the next class.

Does my (or my family’s) enrollment in a church ministry organization (Sunday School, Discipleship, Missions, Choirs) automatically constitute church membership?
No. Please refer to the “Interested in becoming a member?” section under the “connect – to hillcrest” tab at the top of the page.

Do I have to be a church member to enroll my child in the “Little Blessings” mother’s day out program?
No. We welcome all children in the community! Our only limitation is available space.

If my child is sick can I bring him/her to “Little Blessings”?
If your child is exhibiting symptoms such as chronic coughing, matted eyes, diarrhea, etc. he/she must be kept home until these symptoms no longer exist. If your child is running a fever he/she will not be allowed to attend until he/she is fever free for 24 hours.

Can you administer medication to my child?
No medications will be given due to fevers or infectious illnesses. If your child requires medications due to allergies or other non-infectious illnesses, please come by the Little Blessings office and complete a medication dispensing form. The MDO Director will administer any/all medications. Teachers will not administer any medication.  Please do not place medication in a child’s bottle or sippy cup. The MDO office will keep all medication. Medication must be in the original container.

Can my child bring a toy to “Little Blessings”?
No, please do not bring toys to class unless it is for ‘Show and Tell’.

Can my child bring a friend to “Little Blessings”?
No

What curriculum is used at “Little Blessings”?
Lifeway.

What ages may participate in Vacation Bible School?
VBS is for 4 year olds (must be entering Kindergarten in the fall) through children just completing 6th grade. Your child will be placed in the grade he/she has just completed in school.

How do I volunteer to work with preschoolers/children?
Call the church office at 347-2516 and ask for the children's director or ministry assistant.

What requirements do you have for volunteers?

• Volunteers must be members of Hillcrest Baptist Church.
• Volunteers must be willing to submit to a criminal background check.
• Volunteers should be committed to the visions, mission, and ministries of Hillcrest Baptist Church.

 Worship Ministry FAQ's

I’d like more information about the Worship Choir, Praise Band, Worship Orchestra, Lyrical Worship Team, and/or Alpha Omega Praise Student Choir.
For further information, please call the church office 334-347-2516 or email the Worship Ministry Assistant, musicsec@hbce.org.

I’d like to sing a solo.  How do I audition?  
Speak to our Minister of Worship or call the Worship Ministry office to set up a time to audition. Soloists are required to be committed members of the Worship Choir or instrumental ensemble. Most auditions are scheduled after Wednesday night rehearsals. Come prepared with an accompaniment track or call the Worship Ministry office several weeks ahead if you will need a pianist to play for you.

I’d like to talk with the Minister of Worship about planning music for a wedding, etc.  How do I go about doing that?
To set up an appointment call the church office at 334-347-2516 and ask to speak with the Worship Ministry Assistant or email musicsec@hbce.org. 

I am interested in music lessons for my child.  Does Hillcrest offer anything like that? 
At this time the church does not offer music lessons in an official capacity. Please ask your child's school music teacher.

How can I obtain tickets to the Living Christmas Tree production? 
Call the church office at 334-347-2516 to place your order, or pick up a ticket form at the church. Limit 10 tickets per family, please. Tickets can be picked up 8-5, Monday-Friday, or at the door (will call) the night you wish to attend the production.

There is no cost for tickets; they are provided free to the community. Call as early as possible, especially if you would like to bring a group from your church.

If you would like to order a video or audio copy of the LCT, keep in mind that they will not be available until after the second weekend of performances. 

Does the Worship Ministry keep a library of Christian CD's and accompaniment tracks?
No.  If you are looking for something specific, we recommend that you visit a Christian bookstore.  There are websites on the Internet where you can download music and even accompaniment tracks as mp3 files.

How can I order a recording of a Hillcrest Baptist Church worship service? 
DVD (video) and CD (audio) copies may be ordered through the Worship Ministry office at 334-347-2516, or by emailing the Worship Ministry Assistant at musicsec@hbce.org.  Please specify the date of the service when ordering.  DVD's cost $5 each, and CD's $2.

The Worship Ministry Assistant will notify you when your order is ready (usually 1-2 days).  DVD's and CD's can be picked up in the church office Mon-Fri, 8-5.

If you have a family member who is deployed overseas, we will be happy to mail him/her DVD's of our services on an ongoing basis. Call the church office for details.

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Small Group FAQ's

What is a small group?
A small group is a gathering of approximately 10–12 people who meet together regularly for fellowship, Bible study and prayer. Small Groups were created in order to connect people to one another and to the life of Hillcrest while helping them to apply basic biblical principles to their everyday life. We like to refer to this process as experiencing life together. 
 
What do you mean “experience life together”?
The monthly or weekly small group gatherings are only one part of what it means to be a part of a small group. To experience life together requires that individuals make their relationship with other group members a priority. This consists of a willingness to care for one another and to enjoy fellowship outside of group meeting times.
 
Why should I join a small group?
Here are four very important reasons. First, you’ll begin to feel like you are part of the Hillcrest family and not just a face in the crowd. Second, you will immediately be surrounded by people who will provide a caring network of love and support. Third, you’ll begin to understand the Bible better as you study God’s Word with others. Finally, you’ll discover the joy of experiencing life with genuine friends who accept you for who you are and for who you are becoming.
 
Do I have to be a member of Hillcrest to join a small group?
Small groups are open to both attendees and members alike.  (Membership is required to lead a group.)
 
How often do small groups meet?
Our primary time for small groups is on the first Sunday evening of each month, from 5:30 ‘til 7:00 pm.   We have Men’s groups, Ladies' Bible Study groups, and several different support groups that meet at other times throughout the week.  
 
Where do small groups meet?
Most of our groups meet in homes located throughout the Enterprise & Fort Rucker area.   Some groups meet on our campus while others meet in restaurants and other public places. 
 
What happens at a small group meeting?
Every group is different but there are some common denominators. Most groups have a time for fellowship. The central growth component is a study of something very relevant to the members of the group. Our groups are designed to encourage discussion and engage each person in the process. Groups also have the opportunity to pray for one another. 
 
What do groups study?
The Minister of Assimilation, with guidance from the Senior Pastor, works with the Group Leaders to determine study topics. Many groups use a discussion guide based on the Sunday morning sermon while others use an approved small group study curriculum.  

Can I start my own group?
We love it when people express an interest in leading or hosting a group of their own.  If you would like more information about leading or hosting, please contact the church office, 347-2516.

How do I get into a group?
You are invited by a group leader, member or friend.
You complete an information card at our Welcome Center or the online registration form located here.
 

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