Our History

Atwater Community Bible Church
ACBC 1965

Historically many churches began similar to the early New Testament churches as a group of believers in someone’s home. Atwater Community Bible Church (ACBC) started in a similar way by meeting in someone’s home led by Pastor La Verne Gomez determined to follow God’s Word. Then on July 29, 1964, fourteen members of this body of Christ set a Charter of the Atwater Community Bible Church on 5890 North Winton Way in Atwater. The building was erected with plans to expand as the attendance grew. Pastor Wes Hamilton took over the responsibilities of leadership as God called the former minister to other areas of service. Then in 1971, Pastor Merton Haskell began his service in Atwater leading the body of Christ to follow the Word of God. During this time the church leadership made the decision to start the Atwater Christian School and to accommodate the school two more buildings were added to the church property.

Faith Community Bible Church
FCBC 2017

In 1986, God called Pastor Haskell to further service to Northern California. Associate Pastor Dwight Thompson took over the pulpit responsibilities and became the full time minister to these dedicated believers. Pastor Thompson served the Lord for over thirty years as the minister of the Atwater Community Bible Church. In December 2016, God’s perfect plan to expand His work in Atwater and Winton area by transitioning from two former churches, Faith Bible Church of Merced , and Atwater Community Bible Church of Atwater, to form the new fellowship of Faith Community Bible Church (FCBC). Pastor Tyson Tolbert along with the church elders dedicates themselves to follow the Word of God to be a light in the community.

In May 2024, Pastor Tyson was called to further service to Kansas and some of the Elders and various guest speakers are filling in until we find a new pastor.