Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers!)

Here are some of our most-asked questions and our best answers.
Category:

Activities

Q. How often does Horizon offer activities or events?
A. Horizon offers family oreinted, church wide events about 4 to 6 times per year.  Men's and women;s activities are schedeuled quarterly and are sponsored by different community groups.  Leadership training happens monthly.  Spiritual growth classes are offered every quarterl  Many other events are hosted by various community groups during each community group semester.   You can pretty much enjoy an activity or special event 2-3 times every month.  Try one out this month and make some new friends!

Beliefs

Q. What transaltion of the Bible does Horizon use?
A. We believe in the authority and dependability of the Bible fully.  We stick to a single translation for all of our teaching and classes so it is easier for people to follow along in their own Bibles.  We use the New Living Translation Second Edition (NLTse) from Tyndale.  It is a faithful translation with great readability.  Pick up a free copy this Sunday from our resource table in the foyer! 

Horizon Background

Q. What denomination is Horizon Church?
A. Horizon Church does not belong to any denomination.  Horizon is independent, self supporting, and self governing.  Our statement of faith is like that of a Baptist church, but we do not "belong" to any specifc Baptist group or denomination.  Pastor Mat fellowships voluntarily with several groups of pastors from different backgrounds.

Horizon Histrory

Q. How old is the church?
A. Horizon church was planted by Pastor Mat and his family in March of 2001.

Kids

Q. Can my child(ren)  stay with me in the main service?
A. Horizon is kid friendly!  Yes, your child(ren) may stay with you in the main service.

Land and Building

Q. Does Horizon own land?
A. Do you have some for sale?  Horizon does not own land yet.  We are saving money, praying frequently, and searching constantly.  We have a stash in a separate land fund and we are ready to make a down payment, but we have just not settled on the right parcel as of yet.  We are also looking carefully at purchasing a commercial building space as an intermediate step toward a life development campus.  We are here to stay and we are confident that the campus will come when the time is right.

New to Horizon

Q. What is available for newcomers to Horizon?
A. 1.  Great services for the whole family every Sunday.  2.  A personal meeting from a staff Pastor if you request one (we don't come uninvited).  3.  A laid back time to meet the Pastors on the 1st Sunday of the month at our Pastor's Chat.  4.  You can tie into a weekly Community Group at any time.  5.  Horizon offers church wide family activities and Christian life seminars about every other month.

Q. Why should I attend Horizon?
A.

It'll give you a lift for the week ahead.  The music will inspire you, the message will motivate you, the kid's skit will humor you, and the whole experience will encouarge you!  There are many good churches in the Surprise area.  We'd encourage you to try Horizon for some happening worship from a truly good band, or for a straight up message that really applies to life and is grounded in the Bible.   Even more than that, we encourage you to try Horizon and experience our great children's ministry and family focused atmosphere.   We don't just talk family and kid's ministry, we do it and it shows.  Most importantly, we'd say join us for a Sunday and expereince the dynamic presence of God in our services--it'll move you and grow you! 

Q. Will someone come to my house if I fill out a card?
A. No.  We will not come to your home unvited or unannounced.  We'd be honored by your visit and we'd like to send you a little gift in the mail if you fill out a card, but we won't come knocking unexpectedly.  If you request a visit, we'll be happy to call you and set up a time where we can meet and get to know each other better.

Nursery

Q. Are your nursery workers screened or background checked?
A. Yes!  All nursery workers and volunteers at Horizon Church are background checked using a national criminal and sex offender database search and a minimum of 2 references are called and questioned regarding the safety and history or each volunteer.

Pastor

Q. How long has Pastor Mat been in ministry?
A. Pastor Mat began ministry in 1990 by cleaning bathrooms for the church he attended in Germany.  He then "graduated" to helping in children's ministry, where he served steadily for the next 10 years until beginning a yourng marrieds class at his church in Missouri.  Horizon is Mat's first full time pastorate.  He planted the church in March of 2001.

Q. How long has Pastor Mat been married?
A. Pastor Mat married his high school sweetheart, Abby, in 1989.  Pastor Mat and Abby have been married for 20 years.

Q. Where did Pastor Mat come from?
A. Pastor Mat was born in Colorado, raised in Utah, and served in the United States Air Force in Germany and Indiana.  He attended Bible college and came to Arizona from Springfield,  Missouri.  He spend most of his years in rural Utah near Yuba Lake.

Sundays

Q. What kind of clothes should I wear to Horizon?
A. Horizon dress is mostly just business casual.  You are welcome however you come.  No need to get all dressed up unless you really want to.  We recommend wearing something you would wear on a nice date.  We're definetly not hung up on dress codes!

Q. What kind of music does Horizon worship with?
A.

Horizon worships with an upbeat band and praise singers using mostly contemporary worship music like you'd hear on Christian radio.  The service is designed with both fast moving praise songs as well as some slower reflective worship muisc.

Q. What time do services start?
A. Sunday services currently start at 9:00 am and 10:30 am.  Hope to see you there!

Q. Does Horizon offer more than one service?
A. Yes, Horizon offers two identical services each Sunday morning.  The first at 9:00 am and the second at 10:30 am.  Kids classes and nursery are available for both and Youth ministry is available during the second service only.  Come grow with us!

Q. About how many people attend Horizon?
A. Average Sunday attendance at Horizon is just over 250 including all the kids.  Come help us grow to the next level!

World Missions

Q. How many missionaries does Horizon support?
A. As of November 2009, Horizon is partnered with 18 missionaries or mission organizations reaching people and improving lives around the world.  We are a church without walls and an impact well beyond our community.

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