What to Expect: Your First Visit Guide
So you're thinking about visiting Hills Global Church for the first time. Maybe a friend mentioned it. Maybe you stumbled across our website at midnight wondering if a church like this actually exists. Maybe you've been burned by church before and you're cautiously, quietly giving it one more try.
Whatever brought you here — we're genuinely glad you're reading this.
We know that walking into any new space for the first time can feel intimidating. Walking into a church for the first time — or for the first time in a long time — can feel even more so. So we want to answer every question you might be holding before you text us back, before you show up, before you decide.
Think of this as a friend giving you the full picture before your first visit to a house church in Tampa Bay. No surprises. No pressure. Just the truth about what to expect when you pull up a chair at our table.
There's always room for one more. And we mean that.
First — What Even Is Hills Global Church?
Hills Global Church is a table-centered, home-based faith community in Tampa, FL led by co-pastors Javier and Danielle Mendoza. We don't have a building. We don't have a stage. We gather in homes across the Tampa Bay area — Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, Lutz, South Tampa — around shared meals, open conversation, and a genuine desire to explore following Jesus together.
If you've been searching for a non-intimidating church in Tampa or trying to find a house church in Tampa that feels less like a production and more like a family dinner — you've probably landed in the right place.
We are intentionally small. Intimacy is the point, not a limitation we're trying to grow out of.
Your Questions, Answered Honestly
Here are the questions we hear most often from people visiting a church for the first time in Tampa — or returning after a long time away. We're answering them straight.
🧥 What do I wear?
Come as you are — seriously. Jeans, a t-shirt, whatever you wore to run errands. There is no dress code at Hills and no one will give your outfit a second thought. We've had people show up in sundresses and people show up in hoodies and everyone felt equally at home.
The only thing we'd say is: don't let what you're wearing be the reason you don't come. We genuinely don't care. Wear what makes you feel like yourself.
🙋 Will I be called on or put on the spot?
No. We will never ask you to stand up, introduce yourself to the whole room, or share something you're not ready to share.
That said — we will make sure you're introduced. Part of what makes Hills feel different is that when you walk through the door, someone will genuinely welcome you, learn your name, and make sure you don't spend the evening on the edges wondering if anyone noticed you came. We noticed. We're glad you're there. We intentionally have smaller, more intimate gatherings.
The difference is: you're welcomed without being spotlighted. There's a big difference, and we think you'll feel it.
📖 Do I have to bring a Bible?
Nope. We'll read from the Bible together as part of our gathering — but bringing your own is completely optional.
At Hills, Scripture is a shared exploration, not a test. We open it together, read it together, and talk about what it might mean for how we actually live. If you haven't read the Bible in years, or ever, you'll find that our conversations are accessible and honest — not lecture-y or assumption-heavy.
If you do want to follow along on your phone, that works too. We're not picky.
💬 Will anyone actually talk to me?
Yes — and we mean real conversation, not a handshake line.
One of the things people tell us after their first gathering is that they didn't expect to actually connect with people the way they did. Because we gather in homes, in small groups, around food — the conversations are real. You won't be swallowed by a crowd.
Our hope is always that you leave a Hills gathering feeling like you sat across from people who were genuinely glad you were there. That's not a program. That's just what happens when you build a community around a table.
🤔 What if I don't believe — or I'm not sure what I believe?
You are so welcome here. This might be the thing we most want you to hear.
Hills Global Church was built with you in mind. Whether you're exploring faith for the first time, somewhere in the middle of deconstructing faith and figuring out what you actually believe, quietly rebuilding after a religious experience that hurt you, or simply spiritually curious and not ready to commit to anything — there is a seat at this table for you.
We don't ask you to check a beliefs box at the door. We don't expect you to have it figured out. Belonging comes before belief at Hills — and that's not just a line on our website. It's how we actually operate.
Some of our most meaningful conversations happen with people who are mid-deconstruction, carrying hard questions, or sitting with deep uncertainty. Those questions are welcome here. They make our table richer, not uncomfortable.
“If you’re longing for community and conversation with Christ at the center — welcome home.”
So What Does a Hills Gathering Actually Look Like?
Here's a typical evening at Hills, so you know what you're walking into:
Arrival — usually to someone's home. It smells like food and people will be buzzing around.
We eat — we share a meal together at most gatherings. It might be something the host cooked, something everyone brought, or a mix of both. The table matters to us. Breaking bread together is part of who we are.
We talk — after the meal, we open a verse of Scripture together. Not a lecture. More like a guided conversation. The host will share some context, ask some questions, and invite reflection. Anyone can contribute as much or as little as feels right.
We pray — we close in prayer together, which is always open and never pressured. You can participate, observe, or just sit quietly. All of it is welcome.
We Linger — honestly, the conversations after are often the best part. People stay, talk, laugh, and connect. You're never rushed out the door.
The whole evening usually runs about 90 minutes to two hours. It's unhurried, warm, and — we hear this a lot — it feels less like "going to church" and more like going to a good dinner with people who are becoming friends.
Practical Things to Know
Where we meet
We gather in homes across Tampa Bay — including Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, and Lutz. Location details are shared when you connect with us. Text "Connect" to (813) 328-7488 or visit our Plan Your Visit page and we'll match you with the nearest gathering.
When we meet
Gathering days and times vary. We'll get you the current schedule when you reach out. The best way to stay updated is to join our newsletter or follow us on Instagram.
Can I bring my kids?
Yes — reach out to us beforehand so we can make sure the gathering you're attending is a good fit for your family. We most often simply include our kids in our main gathering, if a host has special accommodations or teaching prepared for kids we will let you know when we chat!
Is there a cost to attend?
No. There is no admission, no offering plate passed during gatherings, and zero pressure around giving. If you ever want to support Hills, that option is available on our website — but it will never be asked of you as a guest.
What if I have more questions?
Text us at (813) 328-7488 or email pastor@hillsglobalchurch.com. We're real people and we actually respond.
One Last Thing
If you've been looking for a church in Tampa that doesn't feel like a performance, a political rally, or a place where you have to pretend to be further along than you are — we are buildng Hills for you.
If you're visiting a church for the first time in Tampa and you're nervous — that's okay. We've all been the new person at the table. We know what it feels like to not know anyone, to not know the songs, to not know the rules. Hills doesn't really have rules other than an expectation of mutual respect for one another. Just a table, some food, and a genuine hope that you'll find something real here.
And if you're somewhere in the middle of questioning, rebuilding, or starting over spiritually — you are not too far gone, too full of doubt, or too complicated for this community. If anything, you're exactly who we're hoping will pull up a chair.
The table is set. There's always room for one more.
We hope to see you soon.
— Javier & Danielle Mendoza, Co-Pastors, Hills Global Church
