First Wesleyan Church

What First Wesleyan Church does

First Wesleyan Church is a Wesleyan-holiness nonprofit religious organization headquartered at 200 Laurel Heights Drive in Bridgeton, New Jersey, operating continuously since its organization as Pilgrim Holiness Church on May 15, 1942. Originally founded through tent meetings led by Mrs. Joseph Gehring in cooperation with the Penn Jersey District, the church relocated to its current Upper Deerfield campus in April 1980 and renamed itself First Wesleyan Church following the 1968 denominational merger between Pilgrim Holiness Church and the Wesleyan Methodist Church. The church has been pastored by Rev. Douglas Heckman since April 2010, marking a 16-year tenure of leadership continuity.

The organization delivers a comprehensive ministry portfolio centered on weekly Sunday Morning Worship at 10:30 AM (offered in-person in the sanctuary, via parking lot FM broadcast on 107.5, and through Facebook Live and YouTube livestream) alongside Sunday School for all ages at 9:30 AM. Age-segmented programming includes Kidz Club (ages 3 through 5th grade) and IMPACT Youth Ministry (grades 6-12), both meeting Wednesday evenings with Right Now Media curriculum. Support ministries include Grief Share, Divorce Care, Women Unlimited, Men's Bible Study, and distributed Small Life Groups operating in host homes across Cumberland and Salem Counties with a stated goal of reaching every local zip code. Prayer ministry includes a daily text-messaging Prayer Chain and monthly healing services.

Revenue is generated entirely through voluntary tithes, offerings, and donations collected via Sunday morning giving and the Zeffy online donation platform accepting Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, and Discover. The church operates a global missions program channeling support to partners including World Hope International, The University of Haiti, Wycliffe Bible Translators, Samaritan's Purse (Operation Christmas Child), Faith Comes By Hearing, Cumberland Christian School, and individual Wesleyan missionaries via Global Partners in Swaziland, Thailand, and other countries. A Spanish-language ministry, Iglesia Hispana Wesleyana Familia, launched on the Bridgeton campus in 2004 and spawned a second Hispanic congregation in Millville in 2025, which has since moved into its own facility under Rev. Edgar Chalarca.

Name

First Wesleyan Church

Legal name

First Wesleyan Church

Website

https://firstwesleyanchurch.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1942

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

First Wesleyan Church is a Wesleyan-holiness nonprofit in Bridgeton, NJ, founded in 1942, offering Sunday worship, youth programs, support ministries, and global missions supported by voluntary tithes and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious Organizations (81311), Religious Organizations (813110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Congregations & Worship Communities (Churches, Mosques, Temples, Synagogues) (BPAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE), Faith-Based Education & Formation (Seminaries, Religious Schools, Catechesis) (BPAGAJAD), Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

Keywords

• Religious services
• Worship services
• Youth ministry
• Biblical education
• Community outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Bridgeton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tithes and Offerings: Traditional church giving through Sunday morning offerings and secure online giving portal via Zeffy
2. Donations and Contributions: Voluntary contributions from congregation members and community supporters

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

First Wesleyan Church provides free weekly Sunday worship services (in-person, parking lot via 107.5 FM, and online via Facebook Live/YouTube) and Sunday School for all ages, supplemented by age-specific youth ministries (Kidz Club for ages 3-5th grade, IMPACT for grades 6-12), midweek small life group Bible studies, support ministries such as Grief Share and Divorce Care, women's and men's ministry programs, prayer ministries, and global/local mission partnerships. All services are provided free of charge, with the ministry funded by voluntary tithes, offerings, and donations collected via Sunday services and an online Zeffy giving portal.

Product overview

First Wesleyan Church offers a comprehensive suite of religious and community services centered around weekly worship, Bible study, and support ministries. The core offering consists of Sunday Morning Worship (in-person, parking lot via 107.5 FM radio, and online via Facebook Live/YouTube) and Sunday School for all ages. The church operates age-specific youth programs including Kidz Club (ages 3 through 5th grade) and IMPACT Youth Ministry (grades 6-12), both meeting Wednesday evenings with curriculum from Right Now Media. Small Life Groups provide midweek Bible study across Cumberland and Salem Counties, with 2026 focused on the Book of Galatians. The church offers pastoral care through Grief Share, Divorce Care, Women Unlimited, and Men's Ministry. Digital offerings include a free Right Now Media subscription (25,000+ videos) and online giving via Zeffy. Prayer ministries include daily Prayer Chain, weekly bulletin, and monthly healing services. Missions programs support global partners and local faith organizations including Cornerstone Women's Resource Center and Cumberland Christian School.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunday Morning Worship Weekly worship service held Sundays at 10:30 AM, available in-person (sanctuary), parking lot (107.5 FM radio), and online via Facebook Live and YouTube. Includes congregational singing, prayer, and sermon message from Pastor Doug. Open to congregation members and community visitors at no cost.
• Sunday School Discipleship hour for all ages held Sundays at 9:30 AM. Age-appropriate Bible lessons taught by dedicated teachers in a safe environment. Includes New Believers class covering salvation assurance, biblical view of God, Bible reading, prayer, and dealing with temptations. Nursery and Junior Church (age 3 to 4th Grade) available.
• Kidz Club Children's ministry for ages 3 through 5th grade. Meets Wednesday evenings 6:30-7:30 PM (Sept-Apr) with music, crafts, Bible lessons, and games. Includes summer Kidz Camp programs at Pinebrook Conference Center.
• IMPACT Youth Ministry Youth ministry for grades 6-12. Meets Wednesday evenings 6:30-7:30 PM in the Ministry House (Sept-Apr). Includes games, snacks, and discipleship lessons using media-driven curriculum from leaders such as Francis Chan, Matt Chandler, and Eric Mason. Participates in district youth camp at Tuscarora Inn.
• Small Life Groups Midweek small group Bible studies meeting at various times. 2026 study focuses on 'The Book of Galatians' using Kyle Idleman's six-week curriculum. Goal to host groups in every zip code of Cumberland and Salem Counties. Past topics include 'The Purpose Driven Life', '40 Days of Prayer', and 'Soul Shift'.
• Grief Share Christian grief support group meeting Wednesdays at 1:30 PM, available in-person and online via GriefShare.org. Provides video seminars, support discussions, workbook materials, and access to daily grief care resources. Meets in Ministry House on campus.
• Divorce Care Support group for those experiencing separation or divorce. Meets weekly in Ministry House at 115 Old Deerfield Pike. Includes video presentations and group discussion opportunities. Registration required via phone (856) 451-2226.
• Women Unlimited Women's ministry with opportunities to serve in children's ministries, choir, IMPACT (grades 6-12), teaching, food pantry, prayer partners, women's conferences, and leading Good News Clubs in public schools. Includes women's Bible study and conference attendance.
• Men's Ministry Men's ministry including weekly Men's Bible Study on Tuesdays at 10:00 AM in Fellowship Hall. Men serve across ushers, choir, orchestra, drama, sound, lighting, media, teaching, security, and youth/children's staff.
• Online Giving Secure online tithes and offerings via Zeffy platform accepting Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, and Discover. Available 24/7 for voluntary donations.
• Prayer Partners Prayer ministry including daily Prayer Chain via text messaging, Wednesday prayer meetings at 10:30 AM, weekly prayer bulletin for those unable to attend, and monthly Prayer and Healing service on fourth Sunday at 4:00 PM.
• Missions Program Global and local missions including partnerships with Global Partners missionaries (Dorcas in Swaziland, Daniel & Pada in Thailand), World Hope International (wells, farmers, healthcare workers), The University of Haiti, Wycliffe Bible Translators, and local support for Cornerstone Women's Resource Center, Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child, Faith Comes By Hearing, Cumberland Christian School, and Mission Teens.

Quantifiable outcome

• 140+ churches represented at district youth camp - demonstrates regional reach and influence
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• World Hope InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal mission partner using market-based, community-driven solutions. Impact includes 100 wells drilled in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Mozambique; 1,500 farmers with GRO greenhouses; 3,615 healthcare workers trained to reduce infant mortality. 92% of expenditures went to program services per annual report.
• The University of HaiticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWesleyan-holiness university developing Christ-like leaders for transformation of Haiti through undergraduate and graduate training, church planting, and leadership development.
• Wycliffe Bible TranslatorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBible translation organization working to start translation projects in every language still needing one by 2025. At least 2,000 languages still waiting. Church supports missionaries Rich & Rachel and Hasso & Hollie.
• Cornerstone Women's Resource CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal mission providing free pregnancy testing, first trimester ultrasounds, and crisis counseling support to women and families in the Bridgeton community.
• Samaritan's PursecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperation Christmas Child partnership - church provides hundreds of shoeboxes annually during November collections for worldwide delivery by Christmas Day.
• Faith Comes By HearingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAudio Bible ministry with goal to provide audio Bible in every language by 2033. Outreach to deployed soldiers and military families. Collections taken near Memorial Day.
• Cumberland Christian SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal Christian school (Kindergarten through 12th Grade) located in Vineland, NJ that the church supports financially and through prayer.
• Mission TeensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChrist-centered, residential Bible training center in Norma, NJ where individuals are discipled in Christ. Church provides ongoing support.
• Global Partners - DorcascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWesleyan missionary Dorcas serving in Swaziland (Eswatini) through Global Partners network.
• Global Partners - Daniel & PadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWesleyan missionaries Daniel & Pada serving as wellness coaches in Thailand through Global Partners network.
• Global Partners - Rod & NancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWesleyan missionaries Rod & Nancy serving as wellness coaches through Global Partners network.
• Right Now MediacoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital content platform providing access to 25,000+ Christian videos for curriculum, training, marriage enrichment, entertainment, small groups, financial advice, discipleship, and leadership development. Church provides free subscription to congregation and community via QR code.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Faith Comes By Hearing: Audio Bible ministry supported by FWC through Memorial Day collections, with the goal of providing audio Bible in every language by 2033, including outreach to deployed soldiers and military families. Faith-based nonprofit mission partner.
• Cornerstone Women's Resource Center: Local Bridgeton-area faith-based pregnancy resource center offering free testing, first-trimester ultrasounds, and crisis counseling; FWC provides financial and referral support. Comparable as a small local faith-based social services provider in the same community.
• World Hope International: Global missions NGO partnering with FWC; measurable impact includes 100 wells drilled (Sierra Leone/Liberia/Mozambique), 1,500 farmers with GRO greenhouses, 3,615 healthcare workers trained to reduce infant mortality, with 92% of expenditures to program services. Functions as a giving conduit for FWC's international mission footprint rather than a direct competitor.
• Samaritan's Purse: Major evangelical humanitarian organization partnered with FWC on Operation Christmas Child - FWC collects hundreds of shoeboxes annually for worldwide Christmas Day delivery. Faith-based nonprofit with global relief footprint.
• Cumberland Christian School: Local K-12 Christian school in Vineland, NJ supported by FWC through financial giving and prayer. Comparable as a small faith-based educational institution operating within the same regional ministry ecosystem.
• Wycliffe Bible Translators: Bible translation organization supported by FWC through prayer and donations; FWC supports specific missionaries (Rich & Rachel; Hasso & Hollie) through this network. Faith-based nonprofit operating in an adjacent missions space.

Broad incumbents

• The Wesleyan Church (Denomination): The governing denomination for FWC, providing ministerial ordination, training, global missions infrastructure (Global Partners), and district-level events such as the Northeast District Kids Camp that 140+ churches attended. FWC operates within and draws institutional support from this broader Wesleyan ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Trinity Wesleyan Church: The Wesleyan congregation where Pastor Doug Heckman served as pastor for 19 years (1991-2010) immediately before joining FWC. Comparable Wesleyan-holiness tradition, similar congregation size and ministry mix in the same regional Wesleyan district.
• Iglesia Hispana Wesleyana Familia: The Spanish-language Wesleyan congregation that was incubated on FWC's campus starting in 2004 (led by Rev. Jairo Chalarca from Colombia) and which itself spun off a Millville site under Rev. Edgar Chalarca in 2025. Most directly comparable peer: same Wesleyan-holiness denomination, same Bridgeton campus lineage, same ministry model, and demonstrates FWC's church-planting track record.
• Carney's Point Wesleyan Church: The Wesleyan congregation where Pastor Doug Heckman served for 10 years (1981-1991) early in his ministry. Same Wesleyan-holiness tradition and community-centered ministry model operating in southern New Jersey.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@firstwesleyanchurch
• Facebookfacebook.com/bridgetonfirstwesleyanchurch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/first-weslyan-church-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about First Wesleyan Church