Barabbas Road Church

I recently moved here from Texas and was in the process of checking out churches. Many decent ones here, but Barabbas Road really stood out. Yes, it’s in a middle school auditorium, and is nothing fancy. That aside, the church is wonderful in its truthfulness of the scripture and the way truth is sought after verses one pastors interpretations or gut feelings. So many churches now day seem to be the spin doctors of the Bible, leaving to a diluted, weak, or just an unsatisfying representation of the truth.
A great Sunday service is coupled with weekly study groups, apologetics meetings and a theology class to really dive into the scripture, question it, and seek God’s word. What more could you want? Ok, maybe cushioned seats instead of wooden chairs; someday maybe.

Expositional preaching, sound doctrine, great for families, discipleship is being done here.
Good home bible study groups. Acts 2:42
Great Kids ministry.
The study groups are great too.
Pastor’s corner — learn Theology from the Senior Pastor.
Skeptics corner — Open forum to discuss every theological topic you can think of… also moderated by Pastor Matt.

I’ve been visiting several churches in search of one that I feel drawn to. One star for the simple casual worship and the fact that they have so far been the only church to follow up on the first time visitor form.
As a lifelong church goer I have to say I was appalled by the message I heard at the service I attended. I agree with Matthew H that the doctrine is way off. The pastor seems to have a misguided sense of his call to service. The message on the day that I attended was regarding predestination. If we are predestined to bare good fruit or bad fruit then what is our purpose in seeking out God and witnessing to others.
Lastly this is one of the least friendly churches I have attended. Even the greeter wouldn’t break from her conversation long enough to hand me a program and say hi.
I really hope the best for the good people at this church but for me it was highly disappointing.

This has been my church for the past 5 years. Amazing teaching by a wonderful pastor. Biblically sound and have grown so much.
Pator Matt married my husband and I 2 years ago and came to see our baby as soon as we were home from the hospital.
It is so nice to be a part of a church where the pastoral staff knows my name and truly cares for me.
I am so blessed to be part of this congregation and can’t wait to raise my family in this church.
Oh! And the podcasts are amazing. If I am working in the nursery or out of town, I can catch the sermon anytime which I love…

I have been attending this church for about 3 years… It was recommended by a friend. The sermons come straight from the bible, we go thru the bible verse by verse and Pastor Matt teaches expositionally (verses topically). This type of teaching has made such a difference in my understanding and application of scripture in my life. Great, great church and community! Highly recommended.

When I first heard about Barabbas Road from a coworker, I was skeptical to say the least. How many churches with funny names have I gone to where the teaching was weak, ineffective or worse? Let me answer that:
Too many.
Nevertheless, I checked out their website and doctrinal statement and everything checked out, but I was still skeptical. My wife and I dropped in one day, and we were blown away. I don’t think that I had ever been to a sermon that was that meaty. Each point that is made is supported by many verses. If you don’t know where things are in the Bible, you will find that you get a lot of practice finding them, because we go all over the place, every single week, and I love it.
The sermons are extremely applicable, as each sermon is designed in answer to a problem.
If you are looking for a church home in San Diego, please, please please do not pass up a chance to at least check out Barabbas Road Church.
Also, as an aside, there is so much going on throughout the week, that helps us all build fellowship with one another as well 2:42 Groups, Skeptics Corner, CORE group post-​church soccer, softball and more. There is so much opportunity to develop relationships with genuine people who love God. I love it.

We visited here during our vacation and there was a visiting speaker from Uganda, so I can’t comment on a typical message. The Gospel message itself was intertwined in the message and semi-​given just before communion. It could, and should, have been given explicitly at least once. The music was great, parking was plentiful, the children’s program looked good (but our shy children didn’t partake), they do communion each Sunday (which is good). They didn’t do a «welcome» where everyone takes minute to say hi and, while sometimes at most churches those are pretty lame, it can really be a blessing if done right. While we didn’t partake in the after church soccer match, I think that’s a great idea. If we lived in SD, we would definitely come back to check it out further. Lots of younger people there, 25 to 35.

Growing up here in San Diego my first thought was «not another church plant, in San Diego»! Reluctantly I gave it a «go» and was very impressed. The church really relys and is transparent on studing the bible contextually! When I attended one of their small groups it was evident that the passion the pastor has for reading and studying the word was very contagious among the small group goers. The people are super genuine as far as wanting to grow spirtually and serve the community with no hidden agendas/​motives. I highley recommend everyone in the PB area to check out this church. More importantly I recommend checking out their membership 101 class which will give you more insight on their churches beliefs and doctorinal stance on biblical truths. You will be impressed and you get a free T shirt!

Went here recently.
First, to negative reviewer Mateo:
It’s obvious you come from a pentecostal or charismatic background. I’ve met people of your persuasion in the past who believe that if people are not jumping up and down and running back and forth down the aisles, if people aren’t barking like wild animals during the «worship» service, and if the pastor isn’t holding faith healing services, and people babbling in tongues at all times, that the Holy Spirit is being «quenched.»
It’s blatantly obvious that anything less than a full charismatic church will leave you dissatisfied. So, I and others will disregard the negative review, and hopefully, see you on the other side. =)
In rating this church on a number scale on worship, friendliness, message, sunday school, and external opportunities (ministry/fellowship)…here are my ratings.
Worship 6
Friendliness 8.5
Message 9
Sunday School 8+
Ministry/​Fellowship 8.5
Not enough can be said for the SOLID Bible teaching in this church. Lots of churches will run topical series on relationships, finances, etc. This church teaches God’s word. A refreshing rarity in today’s modern church. Bring your Bible and be prepared to open it and take notes.
If anyone has any questions or anything, feel free to mesg me on Unilocal and I’d be happy to give you more details arbout BRC. We’ve only just tried it recently, but would be happy to share further insights/​opinions =)

This church has been used by God to change my life. I have never been so challenged and inspired to seek after God’s will as I have the 2 years that I’ve attended this church. The vision and mission statements sum it up best:
Vision
Boldly challenging the false faith of the unbelieving world with the truth that Jesus is the only Way Truth and Life!
Mission
Our mission is to make «disciple making» disciples through the personal investment of our lives.

This church is amazing! The pastor is super friendly and truly invests his time in the bible and in the members of the church.
It feels like I’ve been going to this church for forever, the other members have truly become my family, and I have grown so much in Christ!
Pastor Matt is very committed to staying true to scripture, and it is evident in every sermon!
Don’t forget your bible!

Barabbas Road Church is one of the very few churches I have attended that actually abides in the Word of God. The teaching from this place is right on! The pastor does not take Scripture out of context. His exegesis of the text is amazing; truly brings forth the meaning and brings it to life for the congregation to understand. He doesn’t conclude his own thoughts or spiritualize the text. Pastor Matt and Pastor Paul deliver God’s word true to its original context, and then presents the object of obedience in light of discovery for the flock to abide. If anyone finds their church complacent, this is a place to grow in Christian Maturity!
The small groups are also amazing — people literally investing in other people. Even though the small groups meet once a week (one can be found almost every night of the week), the interaction between group members is nearly daily. What a community founded in Jesus Christ! Not just a community shared in their profession of faith once a week, but a community sharing in the lives of one another. Of all the churches I have ever attended, I have never seen or experienced anything like this.
This is a super active church that lives the Word of God out lighting the neighborhoods of San Diego!

great church, great doctrine and a perfect location. I will be going here again.

I HIGHLY recommend Barabbas Road Church! I was attending my old church for many years and I never grew there. It was like being fed fluff, everything was sugar coated. And then I found Barabbas! Our pastor Matt isn’t afraid to really dig deep into the word and share the Truth with everyone. Its like being fed the meat and potatoes of the Bible. I have grown a great deal at Barabbas and continue to grow in my walk with God everyday. I like EVERYTHING about Barabbas, the sermons, the small groups, our pastor, all of the activities outside of church, and my family there. Barabbas has become my family and I have great comfort in knowing that I will spend eternity with them.
So to sum it up, if you are looking for an AMAZING church family, a place to grow in your walk with Christ, to be fed the Truth, and to become a disciple making disciples then Barabbas Road Church is for you!

I was going to another giant church in San Diego before I started going to Barabbas. While I liked my old church a lot, I noticed that it was the hip place to be and that no body was really on fire for Jesus or disciples ready to spread the Gospel (and if there were, I couldn’t find them).
I have to admit I did like the length of my old church’s sermon compared to my new church (Barabbas). The pastor at Barabbas really gets into the Word. Verse after verse after verse. It’s all Bible here. Not a bunch of talk and maybe a verse.
They’re smaller and more friendly. A good mix of people and they have fun after church activities like Insanity and pick up soccer.
Guys skeptical about the Bible or want to hear things to make them feel better about there lifestyles might get offended here. I recommend Barabbas’ sermons if you are trying to be a stronger Christian.

My wife and I looked at several churches in the San Diego area. We found some good ones but not one that was exactly what we were looking for until we found Barabbas Rd. Our friends recommended the church to us. We attended our first service and were blown away by the church. I’m a fairly recent Christian (2004) and was looking for a church that dives deep into scripture and one that i won’t get lost in and feel a part of the community. This church had both. We met several people at the church who have become very good friends of ours almost immediately. What’s even more compelling is that we filled out a contact card and that night the pastor himself called us to say hi ask us what we thought of the church. We have recommended the church to many of our friends who have also come and visited the church and now are regular attenders. You should definately visit and you won’t be disappointed. You will receive a very spiritual message and a attend with a church community like no other!

Love this church! The people are genuine, the pastor is passionate and he goes straight from the scripture. Its a young church and still trying to define itself, but one thing is for certain, Christ is working there in many ways! Its not a seeker-​sensitive church; it brings people in with the Gospel alone, and it retains them with the Gospel alone. This is a great place to be if you are looking for a church.

All I can say is WOW. a cessationalists and a 5-​point calvinist… WOW.
Unlike Rudy D. said, who is actually a friend of mine — their doctrine is WAAYY OFF!
So yet, pastor, your whole reason for being a cessationalists is because as you said yourself pastor «well I’ve just never seen them» (that is, the Gifts). WELL YOU NEVER SAW JESUS, RIGHT? I’m just shocked at how purportedly biased your views are with little to no substantiation. So sad :(what’s even stranger is how you verbally, publically acknowledged tongues from the pulpit but then say in the very same sentence you don’t believe in it… Huh? Come again?
Pastor you even said you prayed for a girl to be healed before — and she was, but you don’t believe in that gift… HUH?
And then you say that the TWO SEPARATE words in the Greek for tongues are actually synonyms and are to be used interchangeably, but yet only *really* mean the first meaning of it, i.e. the 1^st time we see it in Acts, which references Pentcost… While the 2^nd meaning referencing actual different languages in Corinthians doesn’t mean what the definition says it does, but rather the definition of what was used in substitution of the 1^st one… What? Huh??? Are you for real?
Mayb it’s just me, but I thought this was Greek — ONE OF THEE SINGLE MOST SPECIFIC LANGUAGES EVER. Also ‘Funny’ how the 2 most specific languages to ever have existed — Greek and Hebrew — were the 2 primary languages chosen — BY GOD MIND YOU (1tim 3:16−17) to be the script in which the bible was originally written. Hmmm. (of course I’m excluding Aramaic for obvious reasons) yeeeaa. Ok.
Soooooo, let me get this straight. God made a mistake? Or was it man writing Gods words? Cuz last time I checked, synonyms don’t actually, *accurately*, exist in the Greek — because it means what it means, NOT something else. (Hence the whole reason for using Greek.) Riiiggghhhttt…
Well suit your self in that one!
My first impression was even strange, which eventually made sense. i love how you greeted me in the hall before service with the most disingenuine ‘good to see you!’ I’ve ever had — but yet we never ever met each other! Lol. Nice one ;) And no, it wasn’t a general hello to be randomly nice and polite, nor is there the possibility you might have thought I was someone else you knew… you really wanted to act like you remembered me and give me that impression. Ok I totally give you credit for trying, BUT, we’ve never met (so it kinda backfired btw)
I guess let me ask you this. what would be more Christlike: trying to give as little as possible and pretend you know someone so the ‘appearance’ is there, and you thereby never actually have to invest any time in me or in the rare possibility «meet me for the 1^st time»,
OR actually taking, I don’t know, even 15 little seconds to be genuine and sincere and literally GREET someone, not sell off a fake ploy… Whatever. Your the pastor, and I’m def not in your flock! Lol.
I really would like to point out that i’m not being critical, just calling it as is it was. I was so disappointed by the lack of real, honest enthusiasm and sincerity — everywhere.
Then there was the ‘music’. Thats what I’m calling it. Ok ‘worship’. even the worship seemed like everyone was dead, im totally not makin this up! I’ve never actually been in awe (not in a good way) until now. The entire crowd was more loosely scattered then a crowd after tear-​gas is released… No unity. No bonding. No anything… And no one raised their hands nor could I barely see anyone singing. I actually thought in the begining the crowd was pulling a prank! And no you dont have to raise your hands during ‘worship’ — BUT SOMETHING MAN CMON NOW! SING! MOVE WIGGLE DANCE I DONT CARE HECK EVEN STAND!!! SOMETHING! lol. Like i said WOW.
And the artists, talented. But the worship music felt more like a flight-​attendant video on an over-​traveled plane. Humdrum, monotonous, dull, un-​lively. It was — wow…
So I’m only being this analytical because I honestly think youve missed it, and if you missed it then you may have missed Him… And we all (should) know He comes by Him who sent Him! I hope you find life and truth, & lead the people there to it as well, real Living Water. I mean one could say «why am i as someone Claiming to be a christian myself be judging so? And thats just it, im not. Its an admonishment, theres a difference, and mine is out of actual concern, not to point out wrongs for wrongs, but for what they may very well be: missing the Truth. and like i said, like *He* has said, miss The Truth and miss Him…
Y’all need to seriously re-​exam the Text, and I say that in all truthfulness and fear of your eternal soul.
please, pray and fast, Pray and Fast

If you like Churches that get their Doctrine straight from the scriptures, you will like this church. Pastor Matt gives detailed, historical, and rhetorically accurate sermons based on chapters on the bible, while giving the words practical applications to today. The church is small and growing and currently meets at a school in PB. This is a good church for those tired of the large mega church setting or who want a more intense sermon on exogesis and the interpretations of the bible.