We like to have fun here at Heart of the Bay...

We like to have fun here at Heart of the Bay...

"Who says you can’t have fun in Church? Yep..that’s me playing a little 'Air Guitar' 🤣" - Pastor Brenda Thomas

Arrows of Prayer Rally

By: Pastor Mark Thomas
September 20, 2018


Dear Church Family and Friends,


We want to encourage you to attend our upcoming Prayer Rally this Sunday evening, September 23rd at 6:30pm.


I believe God has stirred my heart that we as a church family need to ignite the Spirit of Prayer in our midst. We all know it is easy to let the things of the Spirit slip. That is why Paul exhorted Timothy in II Timothy 1:6 (AMP), “That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire]...”


We have been targeting several areas of prayer this month and have many other areas we want to address at our Prayer Rally Sunday night. Your faith and supply in prayer will contribute to a corporate anointing which makes tremendous power available.


Thank you for making every effort to be here!


-Pastor Mark

Arrows of Prayer

By: Pastor Mark Thomas
August 30, 2018

Dear Family and Friends,

Brenda and I are praying for you and are trusting the Father’s perfect will is being done in your life!

Brenda is getting stronger and stronger each day. She is walking and making great strides – literally! Her first service was last Sunday evening where she enjoyed the presence of God and being back in the Lord’s house with you, our church family.

In the last few months the Lord has stirred my heart regarding prayer and has led me to designate prayer assignments for our church family to pray over each month. The phrase “Arrows of Prayer” dropped in my spirit. With these prayer assignments, we will aim our arrows of prayer at specific targets each month. Our first monthly “Arrows of Prayer” assignment will begin in September with the following two areas:

1. Safety Over All Students and Schools
2. Church Growth and Finances

Click here to download your copy of our Praying & Saying the Same Thing prayer guide that will assist you as you pray over September’s prayer assignments.

Someone once said “prayer paves the way for the impossible to become possible.” As a church we know the importance and the power of prayer. In fact, one of the essential values of our church is prayer. I’m asking that you, as a part of our church family, pray over these two areas individually and plan to join us for our All Church Prayer Rally on Sunday evening, September 23rd at 6:30pm. We will also be praying over one or both of these specific areas in each of our services.

Additionally, I invite you to join us for a special Impartation Service on Sunday evening, September 9th at 6:30pm, where I will be teaching a message called, “Always Pray.” We will also be laying hands on everyone that night for the spirit of prayer to be ignited within them. I’m really looking forward to the passion for prayer to increase in each our lives and in the life of our church.

As always, our prayer is that God’s richest and best be yours!

-Pastor Mark

What's Love got to do with it?

by Pastor Brenda Thomas

October 13th, 2017


I’m sure many of you recognize that title from a famous song released in early 1980’s. The song says that, “Love is a second hand emotion.” No slam intended on the author who wrote it, but for the born again believer, love is not just a feeling or an emotion.

What’s love got to do with being a Christian?! EVERYTHING! We love because we were first loved by our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus. The Bible says, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. And of course most of us can quote:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

The God kind of love, Agape Love, is not a natural human love. It is not fickle, based on people’s actions, or on circumstances that present themselves. The Bible also tells us that the God kind of Love “never fails!”

Guess what, that same Agape Love resides in you, if you are a Christian!


“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5

The love of God is not in our heads, it is in our hearts! People around us don’t need our opinions or criticism, and certainly not our judgment. The world is full of hurting people who do not have a clue as to what is going on. We are bombarded constantly with bad news: hurricanes, floods, fires, and shootings. It could cause one to say, “What is going on?”

You and I may not have all the answers for the tragedies happening around us, but we should not be ashamed to offer people the hope we have in our Lord Jesus. It is our joy, responsibility and privilege to reach out with the Love of God; and to give an answer as to why we have hope! God is Love and God is Good! That is the Gospel, which we preach! Love should motivate us to witness, serve and certainly pray.

I encourage you to listen to this entire message in the Media section of our website. Look for Lord Teach Us to Pray, Part 3: What’s Love Got To Do With It? on Sunday PM, September 17, 2017.

Identity

by Pastor Brenda Thomas

March 23rd, 2017


What is the first question you are asked when you check in for a flight, or want to make a large purchase? “May I see your identification?” In our society, you have to have the proper I.D. to get where you want to go or to buy what you want to buy. Isn’t it interesting that the thing we all need to function is also one of the most vulnerable to thieves?


Identity theft is a major problem in our world. According to an Identity Fraud Study released by Javelin Strategy & Research, $16 billion was stolen from 15.4 million U.S. citizens in 2016. That is a staggering amount of money! I am not sharing that information to promote fear, but to encourage vigilance and wisdom when it comes to protecting and keeping our personal information safe and secure. If we have to do that with our natural I.D., shouldn’t we be as vigilant to protect our identity in Christ?


The truth is, thieves try to steal our identities because they want what belongs to us. Sound familiar? The Bible tells us that satan is a thief that comes to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). He constantly tries to keep Believers from discovering their true identity, which is who they are and what they possess in Christ. Satan also loves to hold people bound by their past failures and mistakes.


Our value and worth should not be based on what we do or do not have, or what we have done or what has been done to us. Those things can and do change! Don’t live in your past live in His! As we approach the celebration of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, Galatians 2:20 is a good reminder that not only was Christ crucified, but so was our old sin nature.


"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (NIV)


Our “old man” was crucified with Jesus. He made us a brand new creation with a completely new identification.


I love this quote by T. L . Osborn, “When I got born again, little I moved out and big Christ moved in!” Wouldn’t you agree it is time to let Christ live big in and through us?


Please take the time to listen to my series titled “Identity." As you do, I believe you will begin to see a clearer picture of your true identity. You are AWESOME, AMAZING and WONDERFUL in Him!

Keeping the Ha-Ha HALLELUJAHS IN THE HOLIDAYS

by Pastor Brenda Thomas

December 19, 2016


I love this time of year! Yeah, we are celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, but sometimes the busyness of the season can cause us to lose sight of why and Who we are celebrating! Amidst all the preparation, shopping, cooking and perhaps planning to leave on a trip, our peace and joy gauge can register on “E.”


Recently, the Lord spoke this phrase to my heart, “How to keep the ha-ha hallelujahs in your holidays!” I preached an entire message on this subject at our Church. Hallelujah is a universal word recognized around the world in every language. Of course it means, “Praise the Lord,” but I want to emphasize the first two letters “H-A.” Ha-Ha is a way we express joy or laughter.


Here is a quick list of some ways to keep the Ha-Ha Hallelujahs in your Holidays:

  • Take time to feed your spirit man.
  • Don’t have unrealistic expectations.
  • Fill your home with lots of laughter. (Turn seeming disasters into funny memories.)
  • Pray in the Spirit.
  • Look for ways to be a blessing to others.

This message was full of funny stories and great memories from my childhood such as the time our Christmas tree fell-under-the-power! I also quizzed the congregation on their knowledge of one of my favorite Christmas movies, “Elf.” Do you know this one? According to Buddy, elves eat from these 4 food groups_______? Guess you better listen to this message or watch the movie to find out the answer!


Seriously, I encourage you to take time to listen to this message. I believe it will bring a smile to your face, joy to your heart and help you keep the “Ha-Ha Hallelujahs” in your holidays.


Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Angels - Assistance from Heaven

By: Pastor Brenda Thomas

August 17th, 2016


Have you noticed the increasing interest in supernatural phenomena? It seems like the devil is trying to draw attention to himself. TV shows and movies highlight paranormal activity; seriously, a “Ghostbuster” movie again! People “ooh” and “awe” over a little demon moving furniture, rattling a window or shutting a door. That is low level devil stuff.


The angels of the Lord shake nations, shut the mouths of lions, open prison doors, destroy enemy armies and win battles! That is just a short list of their credentials!


There is a war raging in the spirit realm. The Kingdom of Darkness and the Kingdom of Light are clashing, but I’ll let you in on a secret. God’s Kingdom, the Kingdom of Light, wins! More are they that are with us!


More what? More angels – heavenly assistance! I recently discovered there are 273 references to angels in the Bible. That is worth paying attention to! Because of misinformation, or flaky teaching, many Christians have tended to shy away from anything to do with angels. I believe it is time for the Church to understand the role and function of angels and put them to work!


As we gain a Biblical understanding of angelic activity, I think you will readily agree that we are living in a time when we can expect an increase of their supernatural help.


“Are not the angels all ministering spirits (servants) sent out in the service [of God for the assistance] of those who are to inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)


  • Angels are God’s assistants.
    •    He sent them to minister FOR US.
    •    One of their purposes is to heed God’s Word spoken through the Believer.

  • Do you want to learn how to activate the angels of the Lord on your behalf? I encourage you to take the time to listen to this message “Angels: Assistance From Heaven, Part 1 – More Are They That Are With Us.”


    Please join me as I continue this series on Angels on Sunday Evenings at 6:30 pm from August 21st – September 4th at 24800 Hesperian Blvd, Hayward, CA 94545.