When it came to planting a new church in the Central Valley, the three men behind Highview Bible Church did their homework. Which isn’t surprising, since each has a background in education. After much research and jotting down points on their best Christian planner, they came up with a model that took them back to where they had spent their careers: school.
That Highview Bible was founded by a group of educators is evident on the church’s website — “Our church is a community of learners,” is the opening line of a detailed, three-tiered vision statement — and in their strict adherence to a textbook, the Bible. The church, quite literally, is run by the book.
Vitaliy Kuchkovskiy, who helped plant the church alongside his mentors, pastors Dave Parker and Paul Micu, says from the start, members were adamant about the word Bible appearing in the name because it is so central in the church’s teachings. As for Highview, where did that come from? Kuchkovskiy says misinterpretations of the name are a running joke, but that Highview is a reference to the church members’ regard for God…not themselves.
A congregation of around 250, Kuchkovskiy says Highview Bible is outgrowing it’s current home at Clovis North. But at only about 10 months old, there are no immediate plans to expand the young church or add a second service. Worship is currently held Sundays at 10 a.m. in a lecture hall on the high school campus (2770 E International Ave., Fresno). But when expansion does happen, you can be sure careful thought and research will be done.
Here, Kuchkovskiy talks about the process of starting Highview Bible Church, what Sunday services are like, and how, by being a part of starting a new church, he is following in his father’s footsteps.
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Thanks for this!