Reno is known for being in the “wild west,” but that is no longer the case. As it has grown, God has brought families and individuals who know Christ and living it out here. Many churches in Reno have started, and others have grown and flourished. There are many churches in Reno that proclaim the gospel, while serving as a fellowship for believers. This includes churches for international students and immigrants. If you are new to the Reno area, you’ll find options for large and small churches, and some with small groups, and opportunities to serve and volunteer.
Searching for a church in Reno, NV?
As you are searching for a church in Reno, NV, you’ll find a unique concern. Many churches here omit the name of the denomination that they are a part of. In the west, especially Nevada, and the Pacific Northwest, this is common. In an “unchurched” area of the USA, many people that moved to Reno a long time ago were trying to get away from traditional establishments like overbearing governments, organized religion, and family customs and traditions. This led to a suspicion of anything that looks overly organized for someone else gain. Many churches who belong to EVE Free, Presbyterian, Methodist, Southern Baptist, often have names that downplay the larger denomination or organization they are aligned with. If you are searching for a church in Reno, NV, and you care about denominational affiliation, you may have to do some research on your own by contacting them or in-depth web research.
Several large churches in Reno are “non-denominational” which simply means that they are not officially or formally aligned with a larger denominational organization. Their leadership have their own accountability structure with members and fellow churches in the Reno area.
Start by looking for churches in Reno that are care about what God has led you in. For example, if global missions and sharing the Gospel with unreached is important with you, does the church train in evangelism, discipleship and missions awareness?
If relationships are important as well, do they have small groups for community and accountability? Don’t just look at how flashy or fancy their website is. What is their DNA and culture?
Finding a church home?
Going beyond sunday morning attendance and getting deeper with members is key to finding a church home. Finding a church home is less about the service style and more about doing life together in the context of the Gospel. How are social relationships formed? Do they work together with other groups and churches, or are they more focused on their tribe and brand? You will need to go beyond the attendance mentality, and truly seek to form relationships. These relationships, in the context of a Christ-centered, Bible-believing church that puts the gospel first, is the key to finding a church home. Going deeper is the key to finding churches in Reno. The other members will become your friends during your time here.
What about multiple churches in Reno?
We’ve said it before, there is only one Church, and it is present in many specific churches. These churches are essentially groups. Wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in His name, He is present. Groups centered on the worship of Christ are churches. They can be small groups in a home. A fellowship of believers at work. And a traditional worship gathering on a sunday morning. They can meet fridays. Lunchtime. Late night. See Acts 2, and you’ll get a simple and pure idea of what a church is. Some people new to Reno find a better fit being a part of a small group from one church brand/name, and attending sermons from a different church.
They may serve as a volunteer in a city ministry with one church, but part of a bible study from another church that their friend from work attends. All of this is good. And while it is good to seek out a primary church leadership to be accountable under, we are actually accountable, and should be, to all other believers and Godly leaders in our life. We encourage multi-church fellowship. For, it is by our love for one another that we are known as followers of Jesus. And one way towards that goal, is the willingness to associate and fellowship with believers from other congregations and churches.
Finding churches near me
So how do you go about finding churches? Perhaps it starts with a simple internet search “finding churches near me”. Or using specific words like mission or gospel. If you are new to the Reno area, and are an international student on OPT, or moving here for work as an immigrant, search for churches that actively help immigrants and international students. While many churches may announce that they care about these issues in today’s hostile culture towards immigration, few churches actively seek to welcome and minister to Christian immigrants, while being centered on the Gospel and having a Biblical world view. Just because a church is “nice” towards immigrants does not mean that they take the Bible seriously. When you think of finding churches near me, go deeper and look at their teaching, doctrine and focus.
How to choose a Christian church Reno has
One way to know how to choose a christian church Reno has to offer is to ask other people you know are walking with Christ. If you don’t know anyone yet, this is where prayer can be a big help. Have you ever thought to ask the Holy Spirit to help you find a church home? What seems difficult and impossible for us, is so possible with Him! God calls us to not forsake the gathering of believers (Hebrews 10:25), and to actually be in community and fellowship with other believers (1 Corinthians 12). So he has the power and all the resources to connect you, and lead you to a local church where you can thrive.
In that prayer, make your prayer “active prayer”, by searching, seeking and asking. The internet is a help. Research. Visit. Ask. Sometimes trying different ministries, or multiple visits to a church can be helpful before judging it from the first time you attend. In summary, the right way how to choose a Christian church Reno has is to start with prayer, and to be active in the process. This is one way to find the right churches in Reno.
Get Started with a church fellowship Churches in Reno
So, you’ve prayed. You have done a lot of searching and visiting several churches in Reno. At what point should you get started with a church fellowship? Go beyond their typical large group gathering. Typically this is on sunday mornings. But some churches have these gatherings on other times as alternatives. With the large number of people in logistics / shipping, as well as tourism and gaming industries in our region, many churches have learned to offer multiple service times.
Explain your situation and seek out a small group. This is where you can get to know a few people well.
For example, Yesu House, which is a network of small groups for international students, new arrivals to Reno, immigrants and Christian refugees, can be a helpful fellowship along with attending a larger church on sunday. We have groups on weekends and weekdays, small enough to be comfortable, and you can meet one of us first, to get a sense of what we are like before even visiting.