I have always enjoyed interacting with those who are unchurched . For the past several months I have been encouraged to post a blog, as well as videos. If you don’t know about me or the church I lead, please let me introduce myself. I am Steve Hilby, pastor of the house church “AtHome Church.” and yes, we are really a house church, that meets in people’s homes, rather than a traditional church building.
My wife and I came to Tracy, CA back in 1998, from the SF Bay area to start a church here. But we wanted to do it with a difference. Instead of having a church for those who are searching for a church, or those who like going to church, we would start one that reached out with the message of God’s love to atheists, agnostics, those who hate God, or those who were turned off and maybe mad at “CHURCH.” In other words, people who want nothing to do with church.
Eventually, after some trial and error, we decided that the house church was the best place for our endeavors. Here in the house church people can ask all the questions they desire, debate one another, search together whether there really is a meaning to life, and for those who need it, a place for healing. It would be a place where no one is judgmental, where people are taken as they are, where one is able to “kick the tires” before they are asked to commit. It was to be a place of love and learning. I think we have largely succeeded.
A brief note about myself: My father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great great grandfather Hilby were all atheists. When I announced I was becoming a preacher, some members of the family declared me dead. (I can assure you I am not) Meantime, my mother claimed to be a christian, while professing a hatred for what she called “those CHURCH christians!” In a later blog I would like to share some of my journey into believing there is a God, and why I have maintained my faith.
I will try to use this blog to talk to those of you who want nothing to do with God or His Church. Hopefully you will find something useful. If you already love God and His Church, then I encourage you to read-maybe you will find something useful as well.
Tracy AtHome Church 