FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. WAS THE CHURCH ALWAYS BI-LINGUAL AND MULTI-CULTURAL?
Yes. Presently, the church membership consists of some Caucasians, Hispanics from mixed countries (Puerto Rico, South America, etc.), Black Americans, from Trinidad, Jewish, and Chinese.

2. WHAT LANGUAGE IS SPOKEN DURING THE SERVICES AND WHAT IS DONE FOR THE PERSON(S) THAT DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE LANGUAGE?
English is the language spoken during the bi-lingual service. For the benefit of the non-English speaking persons, transmitters are provided to them and there is a person in a back room translating every word that is spoken from the beginning to the end of the service. This is an efficient system that does not interrupt with the flow of the services.

3. ANY CHANCE OF AN ALL SPANISH SERVICE?
Yes. Beginning Sunday, February 24, 2002, for Sundays only, new services will be held in Spanish. And, if a non-Spanish speaking person attends, they too will be offered a transmitter and translation will also be available. (For detail please visit the Calendar page)

4. IS THE DEVOTIONAL WORSHIP DONE IN BI-LINGUAL TOO?
Yes. In fact, some of the worship team sing in Spanish but do not speak the language. And vice versa. Many songs have been translated from Spanish to English or English to Spanish. Since not all translations are possible, the congregation follows the words from the transparencies on the overhead projector. Everybody is learning to sing in another language this way. Praise God!

5. WHAT KINDS OF SONGS ARE SANG DURING THE DEVOTIONALS? WILL I GET BORED?
No way. Every kind of music and style is used that is PLEASING to the Lord. Fast, slow, hip hop, gospel, oldies, etc. At the Shepherd's House, the devotionals are very interactive. People are invited to jump, dance, clap and sing along with the devotional team. We are a fun church, but orderly at the same time. We celebrate Christ but we make sure we don't cross the line to the flesh.

6. WHAT WORDS WOULD BEST DESCRIBE THE SHEPHERD'S HOUSE?
Friendly, Caring, Praying, Happy, Healing, God Fearing, Spirit Filled and Gifted. But...the list goes on!

7. I AM A SHY PERSON AND DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WHEN I VISIT A CHURCH FOR THE FIRST TIME. DO YOU HAVE A SYSTEM OF 'GREETERS' AT THE DOOR OR DO I JUST WALK IN AND FIND MY WAY IN?
A friendly usher will welcome you at the door, give you a visitors card to fill out and sit you down. Occasionally, you can expect leaders of the church and ordinary church members to come and greet you as well. Then later on during the service, prepare yourself to be welcomed by the congregation when your name is called out. Then sit back and enjoy the service. That's it. It's easy to visit us.

8. ARE THERE PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN?
Yes. The Shepherd's House is blessed with multiple programs including Sunday school, children's devotional service, where all the children run the service from beginning to the end. Yes, the children even preach the Word. Small children, ages 1-8 are watched in another room, by the leaders and helpers during the preaching so that the parents can focus on the word. During this time, the children are given Bible lessons and activities such watching Christian videos and work on arts and crafts, rehearsal for holiday plays, etc. During the summer there is V.B.S. (Vacation Bible School). See the Children Ministries page for further information. There's also a dance ministry for the young ladies (See the Music Ministries page for this one). There is something for all ages.

9. DO YOU HAVE ANY PROGRAMS FOR THE YOUTH?
Do we?!? The youth is a very important 'core' group of the church. They also have a devotional service where they are completely in charge. There's youth nights, outings to other churches, vigils, and they have a pantomime dance group which is terrific. The youth worship team participates plenty in the church devotionals and all the youths are used in one area or another in the church. Each year the youth go to Ohio for their Youth Convention called "Blizzard". This conference is an awesome experience, where all the youths from the Open Bible Churches in the eastern region come together. There's always a Spirit filled guest speaker, musicians and singers and it's concert time and lots of ministering. Later, after the services, they go to activities such as bowling, ice-skating, laser tagging/arcade, and mini-gulf. Looking for church that invests in their youth? Try the Shepherd's House. (See our Youth Ministries page for more details)

10. WHAT'S IN IT FOR 'ME'?
The Shepherd's House invites you to a closer relationship with Jesus. Are you a hurting Christian? The Shepherd's House wants to help you heal. Are you a backslider? We will pray with you and point the way. Are you an unbeliever? Come, you may not believe it - just how good it is to serve God! Are you unhappy? Come, you just may find what you were looking for. Our motto: JESUS NEVER FAILS.

11. WHAT KIND OF CHURCH IS SHEPHERD'S HOUSE?
See the Church Description under the History page.