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What to Expect

Thinking about visiting Coquitlam Alliance Church? This is a great place to start! To learn more about what we believe, please visit our Welcome section.

I'm sure you have a lot of questions, especially if this is your first time visiting a church. To ease your mind a bit, below are some frequently asked questions to help you with little questions you may have like what you should wear, and what to expect during a service. We hope to see you soon!

Please feel free to browse our site to find out about the ministries and classes that we offer.


 


Bookings

  • Can I book events at the church?
    Memorials and Weddings are the most common events we host at Coquitlam Alliance Church. If your event is of another nature, it will have to be approved by our staff. Please contact 604-464-6744 or maegan@cachurch.ca if you have a booking inquiry.

Children's Ministry

General

  • How can I get involved with the church?
    You can contact the main office and ask for the ministry leader of the ministry you are interested in. Or, ask for our Connections Ministry Coordinator and we'll be happy to contact you to discuss areas of interest.
  • Are all the services the same?
    All the services at the Mariner campus (excluding Ethos) are the same, this includes the Saturday night service and both Sunday morning services.

    The Port has a completely different service from those at the Mariner campus. The service has the basic same format but will be a different message than the Mariner campus (often the message from the previous week at Mariner).

    Ethos is our Young Adults service held on Sunday evenings, and is completely separate from the regular services with a different speaker, band and topic.

Life Groups

  • What is a Life Group?
    Life Groups consist of 6-12 people with different life experiences and at different stages of their faith journey who meet regularly together in people's homes. They're a place to come together in a smaller group to meet people, to grow in our relationship with Christ, to serve others, and to support one another through life's challenges.
  • When and where do they meet?
    Life Groups meet on virtually every night of the week in homes all throughout the Tri-Cities and beyond. Click here to search for a Life Group.
  • Which one should I join?
    Most people choose a Life Group initially based on what night they're available and which location works best for them. Each Life Group is made up of different people, studies different things, and has a slightly different focus or emphasis. No two Life Groups are the same so it's okay to try out different ones before deciding if it's the right group for you or not. (Just keep in mind that just like there are no perfect people there are no "perfect" Life Groups either!) We do recommend that you try out a group 3-4 times before deciding to stick with it or try a different group so you have a chance to get to know the people and what the group is really like (and so they have a chance to get to know you too!).
  • How do I join a Life Group?
    Take a look at our list of the many different Life Groups that are currenty meeting and decide which one you would like to try. Then contact either the group's leader directly or contact Michael Hart, Director of Life Groups, to talk to the leader and find out more about the specific group you're interested in. You may want to arrange to meet the Life Group Leader before or after one of our weekend services so you feel more comfortable when you first arrive at the group. Everyone is welcome to join any group at any time!

Middle School

  • What do you offer for my middle school age child during the week/services?

    Impact is our Middle School Youth ministry that happens on Thursday nights from 6:30-8:30pm. During our weekend services (Mariner campus only), we have MSY Sunday School (Amplify), and they are dismissed after worship, before the sermon except on special occassions and during the summer months (July & August).

The Port Kidz FAQ

  • Who can attend Kidz Church at the Port?
    Kidz Church is for children K-Grade 5, and Kidz Church Junior is for Nursery to Pre-K children.
  • Where do kids get signed in?
    Children are signed in to the program at the Kidz Church Registration table. The table is located at the top of the ramp, by the main entrance to The Port (gym). Look for the Kidz Church standing banner!
  • When are the kids dismissed to Kidz Church?
    Parents are invited to take their kids with them into the adult service for family worship time. At the conclusion of worship, kids are dismissed to Kidz Church. Parents are invited to take their kids back to the Kidz Church area, where volunteers will be there to receive them.
  • What happens if my child needs me while I'm in the adult service?
    A paging system is located on the stage, and your child's number will display there if you are needed. Keep your number in a safe place for easy viewing, and to have it available to hand to the Kidz Church teacher when you go to collect your child.
  • What happens when the adult service is over?
    At the conclusion of the adult service parents are strongly encouraged to immediately collect their kids from the Kidz Church program. Have your parent number card in hand to show the teacher, for easy identification, for releasing your children into your care.

What to Expect

  • Can my kids stay in the service with me?
    We would encourage children to participate in Kidz Church, but it is entirely up to you. If your small child is restless, you are welcome to listen to the service from the foyer. The prayer room (off the foyer) is open to nursing mothers with sound from the service.
  • How do I connect with people at the church?
    Visit Connection Street room in the foyer after any service and fill out a Keeping in Touch card; we will contact you to discuss what will work best for you.
  • I am a first time visitor, what should I wear?

    People who attend CAC wear everything from jeans to business casual attire. Wear what you're comfortable with!

  • Is there a lot of parking?
    We have plenty of parking, four spots designated for handicap parking, and several visitor parking spots near the main entrance.
  • What does a typical service look like?
    A typical service runs for about 1.25 hours. It will often begin with music and singing together with words up on the presentation for you to follow along, then a few announcements followed by the sermon, and ends with a couple more songs. Be sure to pick up a bulletin and sermon notes from the stand in the foyer when you first come in.
  • What happens with the Keeping in Touch card I filled out?
    Our Connections Ministry Coordinator will either contact you directly, or will pass it on to the leader of the ministry that you expressed an interest in. We will call you to follow up with you and help you connect with the programs and ministries at CAC.