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Where We Are
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History
The Westside Church of Christ of Round Rock, Texas, traces its roots back to the summer of 1990. A group of approximately 60 people met in downtown Round Rock to discuss creating a congregation that would serve the needs of a rapidly developing north and west side of the city.
After prayerful
consideration, it was determined that a new congregation would
be established, and the first service of the Westside Church of
Christ was held on September 16, 1990, in the vacant Brushy Creek
National Bank building on FM 620, with an audience of approximately
134 people. Brother Tex Williams led the first worship service. As
the congregation began to search for its first minister, several
outstanding ministers filled the pulpit position. The congregation
is indebted to men such as George Williams, Ed Wharton, Cline Paden,
Hardeman Nichols and John Reese who taught, encouraged, and
supported our young congregation.
God's blessings were evident from the very beginning, as Highland Joint Ventures, owners of the bank property, allowed the Westside Congregation to use the building free of rent and utilities for one and one-half years, which allowed money to be put aside for the purchase of land for a permanent building.
Our First Leadership
In November of 1990, Joe Bagby, who had been a missionary in Thailand with the Round Rock congregation, came to Westside as its first full-time pulpit minister. As the congregation continued to grow, elders and deacons were appointed in May of 1991. Our first elders were John Lucas, Jim Parks and Liniel Click. On July 7, 1991, the first deacons were installed. They were Frank Barksdale, Bill Bernard, Scott Click, Hayes Grubb, Tom Guentzel, Lawrence Hall, Philip Hall, Don Harlow, Philip Lopez, Jim Robinson and Tony Thornock.
We Continued to Grow
When the bank building was leased to
another business, the church relocated to an office park on
Great Oaks Drive. Westside's attendance grew to the point that the office
area allotted to us was constantly being renovated; walls
were torn down, a
portable
baptistery was installed in the foyer so that Brushy Creek would
not have to be used in the winter and the auditorium was
rearranged several times. During this time, John McCord came to
Westside as our first full-time youth minister.
When the congregation faced the question of paying higher rates at this facility, it was decided to use the nearby Cedar Valley Middle School.
The purchase of land was at times
discouraging as costs, caves,
future
highway construction and city regulations seemed to stop every
negotiation. But the Lord had a much better place waiting.
On June 19, 1994, approximately eleven acres of land located on
FM 1431 were purchased. Two very successful bond sales for
a permanent building were completed, and in February, 1995,
members began working together to clear the land for the
building. The first service of the Westside Church of
Christ at its permanent location was held on Sunday, April 27,
1997.
In early 2006 additional property became
available to expand our land-locked property. With the
opening of Mayfield Ranch directly behind us, other nearby
developments and the additional traffic on Highway 1431 a safer
entrance was created.
In 2006 Noel Whitlock, our long-time Pulpit
Minister, accepted a Pulpit position with the College Church of
Christ in
In late 2006 Geoff Dunn accepted the position
of Youth Minister, and is currently serving in that position.
In early 2007 Ferman Carpenter accepted the Pulpit Minister
position and has been providing spiritual food to the
congregation.
We currently have 6 elders: Joel Blasingame,
Liniel Click, Larry Crooks, Bill Goff, Floyd Odom, and Tony
Thornock.
The work at the Westside congregation
continues to grow in 2007. In October 2007 we will be
opening up additional buildings for classrooms and pre-school
use.
Our Outreach
Westside has
continued to grow not only in numbers but also in its areas of
involvement. The congregation has been and continues to be
involved in supporting outreach efforts and foreign missions;
we support full-time Udorn Inthong in Thailand, have over-seeing
support of the Casa Sonrisa Children's Home in Torreon, Mexico (www.casasonrisa.org),
support of Gary and Linda Bull’s work in Cochabamba Bolivia (www.cochabambaforchrist.com),
and financial support of Brother John Reese of World Bible
School. Our members have participated in the work of
Presently, Six
elders serve this congregation:
Joel Blasingame,
Liniel Click,
Larry Crooks,
Bill Goff,
Floyd Odom, and
Tony Thornock. Thirty
deacons carry on the work of serving
our family and community.
We look forward to the future as we are anticipating building a larger auditorium facility, but most importantly, to continue to glorify our Father, within whom lies the purpose for our existence.
If you are looking for a new church home, we want you to know that we care for you and want to assist you in your spiritual walk in any way possible.
If you have any questions about the Westside
congregation, please contact one of our ministers at the church
office - 512-388-9999 or by e-mail.
Youth Minister -
Geoff
Dunn
Our History in Pictures
