In December 2011, God put it on Pastor Wes’ heart to plant a church with a simple goal—to help people find God and find life through a relationship with Jesus Christ. With the help of the Launch Team, 20 people committed to seeing this dream become a reality as Bay Chapel held its first service on January 27, 2013. That Sunday, more than 150 people attended the first service at Bartels Middle School in Tampa, Florida. In our first year, the church grew to over 100 people in weekly attendance, and 45 people committed their lives to Christ. In August 2018, Bay Chapel grew to its current location, Wharton High School, after 5 wonderful years in its first facility.
From the beginning, Bay Chapel has focused on reaching those who do not know God personally and building relationships through serve teams and connect groups. The life-giving message of the Gospel, the passion and fun of Sunday services, and the realness of our families has brought growth to Bay Chapel at a steady, healthy rate. Today, hundreds of people from the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel community attend Bay Chapel. We invite you to see for yourself how exciting church can be when the focus is simple and people are free to seek God with passion.
Bay Chapel exists to help people find God & find Life, through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Bay Chapel exists to help people find God & find Life, through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.”
– 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
“We also thank God continually because, when you received the Word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it, not as the word of men, but actually as it is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe.”
– 1 Thessalonians 2:13
God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority and we accept the Bible as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is, “What does the Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading and Bible study. The Bible is the basis for all we believe.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
– John 14:6
“For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them.”
– Acts 4:11-12 NLT
Jesus Christ, second Person of the Trinity, lived a sinless life on earth and voluntarily paid for our sin by dying on the cross as our substitute. This accomplished salvation for all who receive grace by trusting in Him alone. He rose from the dead and is the only mediator between God and us. He baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit and will return to earth to consummate history.
“When anyone becomes a Christian he becomes a new person inside. The old passes away, a new life has begun.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:17 LB
Jesus: “If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.”
– Matthew 16:25 NLT
God created humans to have fellowship with Him, but they defied God by sinfully going their own way. As a result, we need God’s saving grace to end our alienation from Him. Salvation comes only through God’s grace – not human effort – and must be received personally by repentance and faith. At the end, everyone will experience bodily resurrection and the judgment. Only believers will enjoy eternal fellowship with God.
“…you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”
– Acts 1:8
“…be filled with the Holy Spirit”
– Ephesians 5:18
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
– Luke 11:13
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us. Every believer can be filled with the Holy Spirit by simply asking. We seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is right.
813.618.3872
Wharton High School 20084 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33647
Give online or By Mail 1936 Bruce B Downs Blvd #86 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544