What we believe, how we gather, and what to expect.
These are the questions we actually hear from first-time visitors and folks researching us online — grouped so you can find your answer fast. If your question isn't here, email office@newwine.io.
Beliefs & Theology
Common questions about what we believe — the Holy Spirit, the Bible, the gifts, baptism, salvation.
Is New Wine Church a Spirit-filled church?
Yes. New Wine Church is a Spirit-filled, non-denominational church in Lynchburg, Virginia. We believe the Holy Spirit is an active Person who fills, empowers, and gifts believers today — for teaching, prayer, worship, healing, and everyday life. Our Sunday services and Thursday Altar prayer nights both make deliberate space for the Spirit to move.
Do you believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Yes. We believe the gifts described in 1 Corinthians 12 — prophecy, healing, tongues, words of wisdom and knowledge, discernment of spirits, faith — are active in the church today. This is called a "continuationist" position (as opposed to "cessationist," which holds these gifts largely ceased with the apostles). We teach the gifts responsibly, biblically, and in order, with the edification of the whole body as the goal.
Do you speak in tongues at your services?
Personal prayer in tongues is normal in our tradition. In corporate settings, if a public message in tongues is given, we expect it to be interpreted (per 1 Corinthians 14) so the whole body is built up. If you're new to this, we won't put you on the spot — come, watch, ask questions. There's no expectation for anyone to speak in tongues to belong at NWC.
Do you believe in the gift of prophecy today?
Yes. We believe God still speaks — through Scripture as our foundation, and through prophetic ministry as a real, testable gift of the Holy Spirit for the encouragement, exhortation, and comfort of believers (1 Corinthians 14:3). We test every prophetic word against the Word of God. Prophecy at NWC is not fortune-telling and never overrides Scripture.
Do you practice laying on of hands?
Yes. Laying on of hands is a biblical practice we see throughout the New Testament — for prayer, healing, blessing, and commissioning of leaders. At New Wine Church, we lay hands on people who request prayer after service, at baptisms, and when we commission ministry teams and leaders.
Do you believe in divine healing?
Yes. We believe God still heals. We pray for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing regularly — with laying on of hands, anointing with oil (James 5:14-15), and community intercession. We don't guarantee outcomes; we trust the character and sovereignty of God, and we celebrate every testimony of healing that comes.
What do you believe about the Bible?
We believe the Bible — Old and New Testaments — is the inspired, authoritative, and sufficient Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Scripture is our final authority for what we believe and how we live. We teach verse-by-verse and topically, with the goal of forming Christ in believers.
Do you believe in the Trinity?
Yes. We hold to the historic Christian doctrine of the Trinity — one God eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. New Wine Church is not Apostolic Oneness (UPCI); despite the shared word "apostolic" in our identity, we are Trinitarian, not modalist.
What do you believe about water baptism?
We practice water baptism by full immersion for believers who have professed faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is a public witness of an inward reality — being buried with Christ and raised with Him to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). We hold baptisms multiple times a year. You can request yours here.
What do you believe about salvation?
We believe salvation is by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Christ's death, burial, and resurrection are the sole grounds of our right standing with God — not works, not denomination, not ritual. If you're exploring what this means for your life, we've built a resource for exploring faith in Jesus specifically for this question.
What do you believe about marriage?
We hold the historic Christian view of marriage — a covenant between one man and one woman, established by God in Genesis and reaffirmed by Jesus in the Gospels. Our full pastoral position is in our marriage policy statement.
What do you believe about the end times?
We believe in the visible, bodily return of Jesus Christ. On the specific timing of the rapture, tribulation, and millennium, faithful believers throughout church history have held varied views — we teach the biblical themes (hope, watchfulness, faithfulness, readiness) more than end-times timelines. The main question isn't when Jesus returns; it's whether we're ready.
Church Life & Ministries
How the church works day-to-day — small groups, kids ministry, prayer, serving, pastoral care.
Do you have small groups?
Yes. Connection Groups meet throughout the Lynchburg area during the week for Bible study, prayer, and life-on-life community. This is where most real church-family formation happens at NWC. See our Connection Groups page to find a group near you or start one in your neighborhood.
Do you have a kids ministry?
Yes. NWC Kids runs during the 10:30 AM Sunday service, from nursery through 5th grade. Background-checked volunteers, safety protocols, and age-appropriate biblical curriculum. Learn more about NWC Kids. There's also a nursery available for infants and toddlers.
Do you have a youth ministry?
Yes. Youth ministry serves middle and high school students with weekly gatherings, teaching, mentorship, and events. See our youth ministry page for details.
Do you have a women's ministry?
Yes. Women's ministry at New Wine Church includes Bible studies, prayer gatherings, and regional events for women in every season. Learn more about our women's ministry.
Do you have prayer ministry?
Yes. Prayer is core to New Wine Church. Post-service prayer teams are available every Sunday. Thursday Altar (Thursdays 7:00–9:00 PM Eastern, online-only) is a dedicated prayer and intercession gathering for our regional family. We also accept prayer requests through our prayer request form — our team prays over each one.
How do I get baptized at New Wine Church?
Fill out the baptism request. A pastor will contact you within a few days to hear your story, talk through what baptism means, and schedule your baptism. We hold baptisms multiple times a year and celebrate them with the whole church.
How do I get involved in serving?
Fill out the Serve form. Someone from our team will follow up to talk about your gifts, availability, and where you might fit — worship, kids ministry, hospitality, production, prayer, youth ministry, and more. If you're a Liberty University student looking for CSER hours, we have a dedicated LU students page.
Does New Wine Church offer pastoral counseling or care?
Yes. Our pastors provide pastoral care and counseling by appointment. For urgent matters like hospitalization or a crisis, use the Hospital Visit form or call the church office at (434) 303-4040. For general counseling requests, email office@newwine.io.
Visiting & Practical
The everyday stuff — location, times, parking, what to wear, what to expect.
Where is New Wine Church located?
3135 Fort Ave, Lynchburg, VA 24502 — right across from Lynchburg City Stadium. Free on-site parking. See directions and a map on our Visit page.
What time are New Wine Church services?
Sunday worship service begins at 10:30 AM Eastern Time and runs until about 12:30 PM. Doors open at 10:00 for coffee. Thursday Altar — our online prayer and intercession gathering — is Thursdays from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Eastern.
What should I wear to church?
Whatever's clean and comfortable. Jeans, hoodies, dresses, suits — all fit. No dress code. We're serious about God; we're not serious about what you wear. Come in what you'd wear to a casual dinner and you'll fit right in.
Is there parking at New Wine Church?
Yes — free on-site parking at 3135 Fort Ave. The lot occasionally fills during major events (Convergence Summit, Christmas services); on those Sundays we recommend arriving by 10:15.
Can I attend New Wine Church online?
Yes. Sunday service livestreams every week; Thursday Altar is online-only. Watch both on NWC Online. If you're not in Lynchburg, we have dedicated online pages for the surrounding region — Roanoke, Charlottesville, Forest VA, and Bedford VA — each with local drive-time details and area-specific info.
What can I expect on my first visit to New Wine Church?
Warm welcome from a real person, roughly 30 minutes of worship, 40-50 minutes of Bible teaching, and space for prayer at the end. Sunday runs from 10:30 to about 12:30. Tell the welcome desk it's your first time and we'll make sure you meet a few people before you leave. See our full first-visit walkthrough.
Identity & Community
How NWC compares to other Lynchburg churches, our Liberty University connection, and how we engage the community.
Is New Wine Church non-denominational?
Yes. New Wine Church is a non-denominational, independent local church — not affiliated with any denominational structure. Theologically we sit in the Spirit-filled tradition (sometimes called continuationist, apostolic, or charismatic): biblically grounded teaching plus active belief in the ongoing work and gifts of the Holy Spirit today.
What's the difference between New Wine Church and most Baptist churches in Lynchburg?
Most Lynchburg-area Baptist churches (including Thomas Road Baptist Church and the churches in the Liberty University orbit) are cessationist — they hold that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit (prophecy, healing, tongues) largely ended with the apostles. New Wine Church is continuationist — we believe those gifts are still active for believers today. Same Jesus, same Scripture, different theological tradition on the ongoing work of the Spirit. We love and respect our Baptist brothers and sisters.
Are you Southern Baptist or affiliated with a specific denomination?
No. New Wine Church is not affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention or any other denomination. We're an independent, non-denominational local church. Our theological identity is Spirit-filled and continuationist — sometimes described as apostolic and prophetic — but we don't answer to any denominational body.
Is New Wine Church connected to Liberty University?
Yes. Both lead pastors of New Wine Church — Haniel and Carmen Singh — are Liberty University graduates. Haniel holds a Master's in Theology and Apologetics from LU; Carmen holds the same degree plus a Master of Arts in Human Services with a focus in Executive Leadership. New Wine Church is also an approved CSER (Christian Service) partner for Liberty University students. See our dedicated LU students page.
Does New Wine Church do community outreach?
Yes. We serve the Lynchburg community through our ministry teams and seasonal outreach (back-to-school events, holiday assistance, disaster response when needed) and by partnering with local organizations doing frontline work. If you're passionate about community outreach or want to plug into a serving role, reach out through our Serve form or contact us.
Still have a question?
We'd rather hear from you than have you guess. Email office@newwine.io, call (434) 303-4040, or come see us on a Sunday.