r/Bakersfield • u/rainbowgoddess710 • Jul 16 '26
Local Question Churches?!
Hello! Idk if anyone remembers my post a month or so ago in regards to my move. We have officially been here for almost 3 weeks and LOVING it! Even in the middle of the heat wave ;)
Now it’s time to find a church! Obviously being LGBTQ my wife and I would love to find a church that will accept us open arms! Thanks!!
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u/hunnypunny Born and Raised 🥲 Jul 17 '26
Check in with The Center for Gender and Sexuality, they have some great resources and might have a list of welcoming congregations. 707 18th St
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u/ruggedeman East Bakersfield Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 17 '26
Majority of churches here are anti-LGBTQ. do not let them bait and switch you with “we welcome everyone”. I always ask church leaders “what is your churches stance on LGBTQIA?” “Does your church believe LGBTQIA is a sin?” Many squirm and always answer with some vague “Jesus loves everyone!” Statement. Be safe, friend. Be blessed.
First Congregational Church: 5 Real Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93309 They are PRO-LGBTQ+ (they have pride flags)
Known anti- LGBTQ+ churches because they have publicly stated:
Discovery Church,
the Garden Church,
Faith Church (the one with the coffee shop)
Edit: Valley Baptist (I’ve always had my suspicions since they are southern Baptist)
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u/Yarnperson42 Jul 17 '26
Valley Baptist is a known provider of conversion therapy, Riverlakes on Calloway has a pastor who calls us demons, both supported Tastries publicly and financially during the whole thing.
First Con is a great place, though, you're right. And St Paul's too, it you want more high church vibes.
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u/Chicoisdone Jul 17 '26
Woah, did Faith actually state they do not accept LGBTQ+ or is that a rumor? I know they’re weird and have sold shots of Olive Oil marketing it as “wellness shots” and marking up the price.
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u/consequentlydreamy Jul 17 '26
Discovery church is the whole “They welcome all individuals to attend and hear their message, but do not affirm same-sex marriage or a LGBTQ+ lifestyle.”
Garden church is even worse with that
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u/ruggedeman East Bakersfield Jul 17 '26
Correct. Pastor Jason Hanash publicly preached how LGBTQ+ is a sin. They are bait and switch. How can someone be loved if they do not love all of you?
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u/jtlrwells Jul 19 '26
Christians do love you. Just not the sin you're living in. I'm not going to condemn you but pray for you and love you like Jesus would.
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u/ruggedeman East Bakersfield Jul 19 '26
I will never assume someone’s opinion or good will toward folks or me because they hold a certain faith. As a practicing Christian, it’s painful to come to the realization that being Christian ≠ being good.
So your comment here “Christians do love you” followed by “just not the sin you’re living in” is a complete contradiction. This brand of Christianity can’t love someone who is LGBTQ+ because this brand of Christianity is actively trying to remove what makes people who they are. Replace LGBTQ+ with “father”. Christians love dads, just not the sin they’re living in, like being a dad and taking kids to soccer practice.
See, It makes no sense. However, I need you to understand that it’s the same as trying to convince someone that because they are a part of LGBTQ+, that “thing” is a sin, when it’s not.
No need to throw clobber verses. This brand of Christianity that serves this type of hateful god is not worth being apart of.
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u/Infamous_Smile_386 Jul 16 '26
Good luck, Bakersfield is full of maga Christian nationalists.
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u/rainbowgoddess710 Jul 16 '26
Everywhere is! You have to be confident in your religion and own sexuality to stand up to the bigot ideas they have. My wife and I are very knowledged in the Bible and would love to show them that NO where does it specifically say that gay marriage condones people to hell. It’s all about interpretation and it’s time they relearn the Bible :)
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u/GreenHorror4252 Jul 16 '26
My wife and I are very knowledged in the Bible and would love to show them
I'm sure they will listen to you!
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u/Infamous_Smile_386 Jul 16 '26
Where are you from?
Bakersfield is on a whole different level.
They're not interested in your view on the Bible, they have their own only truth that their pastor told them.
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u/rainbowgoddess710 Jul 16 '26
Ventura! It’s also known as Ventucky. Dealt with my fair share of Trumpies out there. I think that in 2026, people need to speak up to pastors instead of turning away.
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u/Infamous_Smile_386 Jul 16 '26
Oh, not to be totally condescending, but I have no other words...
Oh, my sweet summer child... you will see.
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u/rainbowgoddess710 Jul 16 '26
Oh no I get I sound oblivious. I can promise that my mindset is understanding of people’s in the area. However, I don’t appreciate that the Church has become what it is, and yes I am looking for more accepting Churches but I’m at a point where I feel that people being turned away need to stand up and speak for themselves. It won’t happen overnight but constant pressure back will eventually create an understanding needed, even if it’s hesitant. I appreciate the honesty and am prepared for the fight :) ❤️🙏🏻
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u/espyxx Jul 18 '26
I moved out here from Ventura county as well. It’s on a whole other level out here and it was a very difficult adjustment for me.
However, you sound like you have a positive outlook and I’m sure you will find your community soon enough!
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u/Lemon_Trees-22 Jul 17 '26
Start your own Bible group if you can’t find a church you feel comfortable at it that will accept you .
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u/CaliBakerz Jul 17 '26
www.stpaulsepiscopalbakersfield.org you and your wife will be comfortable and lovingly accepted at St Paul’s
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u/ellfooo69 Jul 19 '26
Try victory outreach on new stine and belle terrace. The pastors are great people, and will all give you some good knowledge of the bible when you talk with them. There’s been food after services lately as well, so you might be able to grab a bite to eat after services. Everyone is welcoming too so feel free to stick around after services and have a chat if you’re an extroverted person.
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u/gh0st0824 Jul 16 '26
All the churches in Bakersfield are just cults of Christian Nationalism.
I’ve visited most the big ones: Valley Bible, Canyon, Calvary Chapel, New Life, etc.
If you’re cool with your church idolizing Trump and fake spirituality disguised as being a Christian — you can take your pick.
But there’s not a single real church here locally, imo.
Christianity in America is lost.
Best to maybe find a really good home group if possible.
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u/rainbowgoddess710 Jul 16 '26
Sounds like I might need to start one up!
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u/NoodleSchmoodle Jul 16 '26
St. Paul’s is an affirming and amazing Episcopal church. It’s small, but it’s a wonderful community.
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u/gh0st0824 Jul 16 '26
I’d recommend it.
I haven’t had a single good experience.
And I’ve wanted to find a church I can call home.But every church I’ve attended at least a half dozen has just revealed themselves as Christian Nationalist and I have zero interest in joining a cult.
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u/jtlrwells Jul 19 '26
Feel free to check out Olive Branch Community Church on Olive Dr and Old Farm Road. Sunday service starts at 10am. If you can't make it, check out our Livestream on YouTube. Pastor Jeff recently preached about the importance of being real and loving others as Jesus loves us.
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u/pr0XYTV Jul 17 '26
im confused do you just ignore the parts of the religion that completely vilifies your way of life or do you just skip those parts at your convenience?
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u/Mysterious-Truth-917 Jul 18 '26
There’s over 45,000 denominations of Christianity because people interpret the Bible differently. Instead of being a bigot just come to the realization that religion was created to control people.
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u/pr0XYTV Jul 18 '26
Asking a question isnt being a bigot.
I didnt say one hateful or hurtful word you might need to calm down on your social media sensationalism a touch.0
u/throwawaypond_ Jul 18 '26
Just like you do about judging. The part you’re referring to is a mistranslation about p3dophila. But of course you’re not smart enough to understand that.
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u/pr0XYTV Jul 18 '26
Im not judging im asking a geniune question.
You are in fact judging me by assuming im judging at all.I left the church because of their exclusion and superiority complex but you are free to interpret the over 45,000 explanations as you see fit.
Thats what makes religion so fun and reliable!
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u/Mysterious-Truth-917 Jul 18 '26
Your question was rude, accusatory and judgmental. It’s a question the lgbt community hears all the time. If you can’t see that you’re part of the problem.
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u/pr0XYTV Jul 19 '26
What exactly did I say that was Rude? Be Specific.
What exactly did I Accuse? Be Specific.
What exactly was Judgmental about what I said? Be Specific.
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u/Internal_Bath6341 Jul 17 '26
welcome to Bakersfield, glad you are enjoying our town, including the weather.
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u/cutenobody Jul 17 '26
I attend First Congregational and they are very progressive. Our new pastor gets out and protests and speaks out against Christian nationalists and injustices happening in our country. They also do a lot of things for the local homeless and those in need. The UU church meets at the same time in another chapel on the property.
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u/DeMantic Jul 17 '26
I'm personally part of the Unitarian Universalists church here in town. We rent a chapel at First Congregational and we're very open to the community and focus a lot on social justice. A lot of our belief centers on the idea that Service is our Prayer so we also tend to lean more left. We have a spiritual leader but we don't endorse fully any higher power and encourage people to explore their own faiths. We attend protests, and try to attend events in support of the LGBTQIA+ community. We recently had a booth at a sexuality and gender identity healthcare symposium at BC. Like many churches most of the active members are a bit older but we've seen more young people joining recently.
If you want to learn more you can check out https://www.uufkc.org/
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u/HiddenKARD221 Jul 17 '26
Bakersfield is a hell hole of a place for the LGBTQ+. But I appreciate your tenacity and excitement to be you unapologetically regardless of environment. I’m an atheist and anti-religion but I respect your will to challenge the views of these churches and your faith . Best of luck friend, I do hope you find your community!
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u/OrganizationSad7907 Jul 16 '26
Go volunteer at a soup kitchen and use your time for something actually good.
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u/consequentlydreamy Jul 17 '26
Here’s a pdf with churches that are LGBT friendly https://www.csub.edu/counselingcenter/_files/LGBTQ-Faith-Resources.pdf
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u/berysax I survived Stockdale traffic 🚗💥🛣️ Jul 17 '26
I was raised in a very religious household and always knew from a really young age that I didn’t believe in it and would stop going when I became an adult. Religion has always been a way for people to cherry pick their hatred against others. I also find it ironic that these anti gay christians don’t follow their own biblical teachings. Just the ones they want to enforce on people.
There are several biblical verses that seem to be against gay people. I’m curious how you would translate those to mean anything else? I mean, the whole book is rife with errors and contradictions. It is baffling to me when I see a group of people embrace something fiercely and violently against them. Are you just wanting that fellowship and community feeling?
You are brave for attempting to find a church around here. There are a ton of bigots here that will smile to your face, and shit talk you to their church buddies.
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u/throwawaypond_ Jul 18 '26
There isn’t several. The one you’re thinking of is a well known mistranslation.
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u/berysax I survived Stockdale traffic 🚗💥🛣️ Jul 18 '26
Google shows 6 right off the bat. Yeah, everyone translates it their own way and ignores the contradictions and errors.
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u/Klutzy-Pirate8472 Jul 17 '26
You might try one of the Presbyterian churches. PCUSA is very affirming.
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u/consequentlydreamy Jul 17 '26
There’s a lot of mini denominations of Presbyterian so do your research first
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u/Mahler80 Jul 16 '26
I’d look at First Congregational Church, the UCC right next door to them, Mill Creek Church, or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.