Our Purpose

Praise Christian Fellowship exists to make disciples who grow in Christ and make Him known.

Our Definition of a Disciple

The most important thing we do at Praise is to make disciples.  A disciple is one who receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior then obediently develops a healthy, loving, lifelong relationship with God and healthy, loving relationships with man according to God’s Word, the Holy Bible.  A disciple is a growing Christian who is becoming more like Christ by being established in disciplines including study & application of God’s Word, solitude, prayer, fasting, worship, fellowship and witnessing.

Our History

Our church began in 1986 when nine people began to meet weekly for a time of prayer and Bible study. Our worship services began at the West Hartland Library in 1986.  In 1988, Warren A. Geraghty, Jr., M.Div., was called to serve as our pastor.  We purchased 19 acres on Route 44 in Pleasant Valley in 1995 and completed construction of our current and first building in 1999.  During the years of subsequent growth, our pastoral staff has increased.  Currently, Ryan W. Nilsen, M.Div., called in 2007, serves as Lead Pastor and Pastor Geraghty serves as Outreach Pastor.

While the Praise family includes all ages, young people and couples with small children comprise the largest segment. Contemporary worship with a dash of the old hymns is the norm, and the church loves to sing.  Two adult Sunday school classes, a children’s Sunday school and many small home Bible studies as well as children/youth groups meet throughout the week.  We are a Stephen Ministry church, offering one-on-one Christian care to those going through difficult times.

Our Vision

We see a church where people truly love one another and lives are transformed from brokenness to wholeness through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Children, youth and adults are invited to seek God’s wisdom, to trust him to empower their lives and to commit to living in loving obedience to His Word.  Through intentional, integrated and supportive means all are encouraged to build a healthy, lifelong relationship with God and, as a result, healthy relationships with man as in unity we grow in Christ and make Him known.

Our Beliefs

1. We believe that the Bible is God's Word and is the only source and guide for faith, doctrine and life.

2. We accept the Lutheran Church's confession of faith as being in conformity with God's Word.

3. We believe that a congregation is an assembly of believing Christians where the Word of God is preached in truth and purity and where the sacraments are administered in accordance with the Lord's institution.

4. Recognizing the clear distinction made in the Scriptures between the children of God and the children of the world, we believe in a personal experience of salvation in Christ.

5. We conduct our services using a simple order of worship with a sermon, based on the Word of God, which occupies the most prominent place in the service.

6. We encourage the use of lay persons in spreading the Gospel and furthering the work of the Kingdom of God.

7. We seek through Sunday School, Confirmation Instruction, Bible Camp, Lutheran Brethren Youth Fellowship and Lutheran Brethren Youth Ministries to teach our youth to be followers of Christ.

8. We believe in a strong evangelistic emphasis and with other congregations, support mission work in Canada, the United States, Cameroon, Chad, Japan and Taiwan.

9. We are aware of the value of Christian education and with other congregations sponsor Lutheran Brethren Seminary, Lutheran Center for Christian Learning and Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, all in Fergus Falls, MN.

10. As a church and as individual members of Praise Christian Fellowship, we are actively seeking to give persons of all ages an opportunity to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Home    About Us    Ministries    Calendar    Announcements    Directions    Contact Us    Audio Downloads

Praise Christian Fellowship - 52 New Hartford Road (Route 44) - Barkhamsted, CT 06063
Office:(860)738-9953, (860)738-9039   Fax:(860)738-1225
Lead Pastor Ryan W. Nilsen - Outreach Pastor Warren A. Geraghty