WELCOME TO FELLOWSHIP HI-CREST
At Fellowship Hi-Crest, we believe church is more than just a Sunday gathering—it’s a movement of people committed to following Jesus, loving one another, and serving our community. Whether you’re new to faith, searching for a church home, or just curious about who we are, we want you to feel at home here.
Below, you’ll find more about our mission, vision, values, and beliefs. These statements guide everything we do, from how we worship to how we serve and engage with our neighbors. We invite you to explore and learn more about what it means to be part of the Fellowship Hi-Crest family.
MISSION
Walking with others in community through the power of Jesus Christ.
VISION
Engaging, establishing, equipping, and empowering disciples of Jesus to reflect Christ in the way they do life and in the reproducing of His image amongst all peoples, classes, ages, and genders.
Doing life together in an authentic yet transforming way that holds one another accountable while encouraging each believer to become more like Christ in every way.
Studying and teaching the scriptures in a way that allows them to be practically lived out.
Showing unity on the essentials and liberty on the non-essentials of our faith.
Being an active part of the body of Christ both inside and outside the walls of the church
OUR HISTORY
Fellowship Hi-Crest’s story is one of growth, resilience, and unwavering faith. What started as a campus of Fellowship Bible Church in 2018 has grown into an independent, thriving church, deeply rooted in the SE Topeka community. From the very beginning, our mission has been clear: to walk with others in community through the power of Jesus Christ. Along the way, we’ve seen God’s hand at work through powerful moments of worship, meaningful partnerships, and life-changing outreach events. Here’s a look at the incredible journey God has taken us on:
- Launch as part of Fellowship Bible Church – Fellowship Hi-Crest officially opened its doors as a campus of Fellowship Bible Church.
- First Block Party – Our first opportunity to gather the neighborhood and build relationships. (The last block party was held in 2023.)
- First Baptism – The first of many public declarations of faith.
- Averaging 200+ Attendees – We quickly grew to over 200 attendees. Though COVID-19 reduced attendance, we have never dropped below a 200 average.
- Partnered with Mirror Inc. – Work for Success – Established an important relationship with Mirror Inc. to provide work training and life skills.
First Summer Fireworks Extravaganza – Kicked off an annual tradition that continues to be one of our biggest community events welcoming over 2000 people!
- Jill Rice Hired as the Director of Ministries – Provided direction and organizational support for our Ministries and teams.
- Annual Affordable Christmas Initiative Begins – Started a program to help families provide Christmas gifts while preserving dignity and empowerment.
- Pivot to Online During Global Pandemic – Navigated the challenges of COVID-19 by transitioning to online services and then carefully reopening for in-person worship in 2021.
- Launched as an Independent Church – Became an independent church under the leadership of Servant Pastor Johnathan Sublet.
- First Hi-Crest Serve Day – Mobilized the church to serve the neighborhood.
- Ripple and Current Launched – Started our youth and children’s ministries.
- First Current Summer Camp – Launched a summer experience for our youth.
- Teacher Resource Fair – Began supporting teachers with needed classroom supplies.
- Obtained Ownership of Brookwood Church – Gained a permanent space to support our growing ministry.
- First SE Topeka Easter Egg Extravaganza – Created a fun Easter tradition for the community (held through 2023).
- Brail Watson Hired full-time as Worship Pastor – Strengthened our worship leadership.
- Gifted a Book Vending Machine to Ross Elementary – Promoted reading and education in the local school.
- Partnered with CarePortal – Started meeting urgent needs for families in crisis through the CarePortal platform.
- Deborah Dawkins Hired – Expanded leadership and Children’s ministry capacity.
- Community Party Room Created – Provided a free space for local families to gather and celebrate.
- South by East Podcast Launched – Created a platform to engage the community through meaningful conversations.
- Studio 104 Opened – Opened a creative space for music and podcast production.
- First Annual Halloween Costume Collection & Giveaway – Partnered with SENT Inc. to provide costumes for local kids.
- The Bridge Builder’s Investment Camp Launched – Began teaching students financial literacy and business skills.
- First Annual Pictures with Santa – Partnered with SENT Inc. to provide a festive event for local families.
- Opened 4th & 5th Grade Classroom – Expanded children’s ministry to serve more students.
- Krissy Kearney Hired as Connections Coordinator – Strengthened church operations and engagement.
- Reopened Nursery Classroom – Made space for the youngest members of our community.
- Ripple Choir’s First Performance on Father’s Day – Celebrated the next generation of worship leaders.
- Partnered with Mirror Inc. Residential Treatment – Began transporting program participants to church.
- Jill Rice Promoted to Executive Pastor – Strengthened the leadership team.
- 52 Baptisms in 2024 – A record-breaking year of spiritual growth and public declarations of faith.
- 50 Baptisms in 2025 – Marked a powerful year of spiritual transformation and public declarations of new life in Christ.
- Launched Campus Connections – Expanded Fellowship Hi-Crest’s presence into local schools through consistent, relational support for students, teachers, and families.
- Launched Club345 – Created a dedicated discipleship environment for 3rd–5th graders, honoring developmental stages and deepening faith formation.
- 6th Annual Summer Fireworks Extravaganza – Welcomed more than 2,000 neighbors for a night of celebration, accessibility, and community connection.
- Teacher Resource Fair Strengthened Local Schools – Supported educators from 14 district schools by equipping classrooms and investing in those who serve students daily.
- Expanded Community Groups – Continued turning strangers into family through shared Scripture, prayer, service, and life together.
- Deepened Partnership with MIRROR, Inc. – Provided consistent transportation and relational presence, leading to baptisms, service involvement, and growing trust.
- Over 5,700 Volunteer Hours Served – Reflected a church shaped by faithful presence, shared responsibility, and servant-hearted leadership.
- Fellowship Hi-Crest achieved Platinum Certification through Candid, the highest level of recognition for transparency and accountability, strengthening trust with partners and demonstrating measurable community impact.
As we celebrate all that God has done, we remain focused on the future. God is still moving in SE Topeka, and Fellowship Hi-Crest is ready to step into the next chapter with faith, boldness, and gratitude. We know that the best is yet to come!
WHAT WE BELIEVE
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally inspired word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed. We believe the Bible is living and active and to be learned and lived.
(II TIM 3:16, 17; II PETER 1:20,21; MATT 5:18;
JOHN 16:12,13; JOHN 17:17, HEBREWS 4:12, 2 TIMOTHY 2:15)
We believe in one God eternally existing in three equal persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each has the same nature and attributes, but is distinct in office and activity.
(MATTHEW 28:19)
The first Person of the Trinity orders and directs all things according to His own purpose, pleasure and grace. He has decreed all things that come to pass for His own glory. He graciously involves Himself in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
(MATTHEW 6:9, JOHN 5:19-24, EPHESIANS 1:3-6)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God became man without ceasing to be God, having been conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, in order that He might reveal God and redeem sinful man (John 1:1,2,14; Luke 1:35). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished our redemption through His death on the cross as a representative, vicarious, substitutionary sacrifice; and that our justification is made sure by His literal, physical resurrection from the dead (Rom 3:24; I Peter 2:24; Eph. 1:7; I Peter 1:3-5). We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God, where, as our High Priest, He fulfills the ministry of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate.
(ACTS 1:9, 10; HEB 7:25, HEB 9:24; ROM 8:34; I JOHN 2:1-2)
We believe the Holy Spirit executes the will of God in the world of men. He is the Supernatural agent in regeneration, baptizing all believers into the body of Christ, indwelling and sealing them unto the day of redemption. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers the church to live a lifestyle pleasing to God, endowing it with special gifts, which equip believers to accomplish distinct ministries, planned beforehand by God the Father.
(JOHN 16:8-11; II CORINTHIANS 3:6; ROM 8:9; EPH 5:18; I CORINTHIANS 12;
EPHESIANS 2:10; JOHN 3:1-8; EPHESIANS 1:13-14; JOHN 15:16; GALATIANS 5:16-25)
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam’s sin all men fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. Man is totally depraved, and of himself, utterly unable to remedy his lost condition.
(GEN 1:26,27; GENESIS 3; ROMANS 3:22, 23, 5:12; EPH 2:1-3, 12)
We believe salvation is a gift of God and is received by man through personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin. We believe man is justified by grace through faith apart from works (Acts 13:38-39; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 1:4-5 & 2:8-10). We believe all true believers elect of God, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever.
(ROMANS 8:1, 29-30, 38-39; JOHN 10:27-30; JOHN 14:6, TITUS 3:4-7, ACTS 4:12, JOHN 1:12, ROMANS 3:21-26,
I CORINTHIANS 15:1-4, HEBREWS 10:10-12, I JOHN 5:11-13, GALATIANS 3:26, JOHN 1:12, 3:16, 5:24)
We believe sanctification, which is a setting apart unto God, is positional, progressive and ultimate. Positionally, it is already complete since the believer is in Christ and is set apart unto God. Since the Christian continues to struggle with sin, however, there is need for progressive sanctification whereby he grows in grace by the power of the Spirit. Ultimately, the child of God will be set apart from sin in his practice when he is taken to be with Christ and shall be like Him.
(JOHN 17:17; 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18; EPHESIANS 5:25-27; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:23; HEBREWS 10:10, 14)
We believe that all who profess Jesus Christ and have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit belong to the one true church and are directed by the Scriptures to associate themselves in local, visible churches. The local church is the visible representation of Christ’s invisible church and consists only of regenerated believers.
(HEBREWS 10:24-25, ACTS 2:41-47, 4:1-16, I CORINTHIANS 12-14, MATTHEW 16:13-28, 28:18-20, EPHESIANS 2:19-22, 24,
MATTHEW 24:36, I THESSALONIANS 4:15-17, JOHN 14:1-3, MATTHEW 24-25, ACTS 2:9-11)
We believe baptism is a picture that portrays a variety of scriptural truths: It proclaims Christ’s death and resurrection (I Corinthians 15:1-4). It serves public notice to the world of one’s new life in Christ (Matthew 10:32). It pictures a believer’s death to sin and his resurrection to a spiritual life and lifestyle through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:3-7, 10-11). Although baptism does not save, every believer, serious in his or her own faith, will also be serious about baptism. The command of Scripture is “be baptized.” By it, we both please the Lord and declare His reality in our lives and to the world.
We believe the Lord’s Supper is a picture and celebration of Christ’s death, the elements being symbols of His body and blood. We believe every believer has a right to partake of the elements of the Lord’s Supper but that participation must always be preceded by solemn self-examination.
(I CORINTHIANS 11:23-26)
We believe that the next great event of human history will be the personal return of Jesus Christ. This is the BLESSED HOPE, for which all those who love Jesus Christ yearn. Though the time of Christ’s return is a mystery known only to the Father Himself, we believe that it is as sure as Jesus’ first coming was fact. We believe in the resurrection of the dead and life everlasting in the presence of God for those who believe.
(MATTHEW 24:36, I THESSALONIANS 4:15-17, JOHN 14:1-3, MATTHEW 24-25, ACTS 2:9-11)
Engaging in Our Community & Beyond
As followers of Christ, we believe that faith isn’t just personal—it’s also public. Our Civic Engagement Guide provides a framework for engaging in political and social issues in a Christlike manner. It encourages thoughtful, prayerful, and compassionate participation in civic life, emphasizing unity, justice, and love in all we do.
We invite you to explore what it means to be part of the Fellowship Hi-Crest family. Whether in worship, community, or public engagement, we strive to reflect the love and truth of Jesus in every aspect of our lives.