Community

Serving the Community

“I think society changes by the little things that people do in their communities,” said Russ Ewell, as he was presented with a Jefferson Award for his work with E-Soccer in 2007. Making a difference in our community has become an important component of the Bay Area Christian Church. Members have created several renowned community service programs in the bay area, ranging from adoption support groups to toy drives and free sports programs for children with special needs.

“And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good.”

Acts 10:38

We simply believe that when we imitate Jesus’ heart to do good and care about our community, we also make God attractive to people around us.

Community Programs

Perhaps what is most remarkable is that many of the community service programs we support were born out of adversity. Russ Ewell, for example, is a parent who created E-Soccer so that his two children with special needs could build friendships and improve their physical development.

The program began on a small field across from his home with about 8 total coaches and players, and has since grown to serve more than 300 children each week with about 175 volunteer coaches. E-Soccer has also expanded to multiple bay area locations and overseas in India and Kenya. In 2007 Ewell also received a congressional citation from Congressman Tom Lantos for E-Soccer and its impact on the community.

The spirit of innovation and creativity behind E-Soccer has inspired many other service programs that meet needs in the community around us. Brendan Murray decided to use his black belt to help build E-Karate, a multi-dimensional program designed to teach typical children and children with special needs basic self-defense skills in a safe, inclusive setting. The program now meets in three locations throughout the Bay Area.

This same spirit inspired three tenacious cancer survivors to band together to help support a friend who had been recently diagnosed with cancer. Their group soon became Cancerchicks and extended across the Bay Area with the goal to support and encourage as many women as possible.

Likewise, Spiritual Resource Ministry (SRM) run by a group of determined parents who understand the challenges of raising children with special needs. SRM allows parents of children with special needs to attend church services while their child attends a unique class designed to meet their needs.

Regardless of faith or church affiliation, the goal of our community service programs is to simply do good and to enhance the communities in which we live.

Getting Involved

If you’re interested in getting involved, here are some resources and additional community services we are proud to support:

  • E-Soccer and E-Karate
  • BACC Holiday service and Toy Drive – An annual event at the Santa Clara Convention Center open to the community. Each year we collect thousands of toys for local foster care children.
  • BACC Glee – A performance group for high school and college students especially talented in performing arts
  • Adoption Support Groups and classes at our annual Expo for parents who have adopted
  • Hope Technology School – a charter school in Palo Alto that practices inclusive education for typical children and children with special needs
  • Parent support groups for parents of children with emotional or behavioral challenges
  • Basketball League – a league during the summer that is open to the community.