Ross Lester
Congregation Pastor
Welcome to the West Congregation of The Austin Stone!
We are grateful you are taking time to learn more about our church! God does amazing things when people gather together to pursue Him. Lives are transformed, hope is found, and chains are broken through the gospel of Jesus Christ!
We’d love for you to join us every Sunday morning at 9:15am for an outdoor gathering! We’ll worship, pray, and do a devotional together out on the lawn, so please be sure to bring your own chair or blanket! Kids and students are welcome, but no Kids or Students classes will be provided.
West Ministries
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Every week, children will hear a lesson about the gospel told in kid-friendly language in a fun, safe environment. On your first visit, follow the signs to the Kids check-in area. If you need any help, find a volunteer wearing an Austin Stone t-shirt. They’ll point you in the right direction! Because we value safety, parents will check in every child being dropped off at Kids Ministry.
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Make your way to the check-in area and one of our volunteers will help you check your child into Kids Ministry. Because we value safety, every child taking part in Kids Ministry on Sunday will need to be checked in and out using the check-in system. On your first visit, we’ll need some family information including full names of you and your children, birthdays, phone number, email, and any special instructions (allergies, etc.). After your child has been checked in, you will both receive corresponding stickers used to pick your child up after the worship service has ended.
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Yes. Each location has a designated room for mothers to view the service while nursing an infant or soothing an upset little one. Look for a volunteer on Sunday to help you locate one of these areas
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We desire to have a Kids Ministry that reflects the scriptural truth that there should be no distinction in the body of Christ. As such, each location at The Austin Stone strives to provide a gospel-centered, inclusive environment for children who face unique challenges related to physical, mental, behavioral, medical, or emotional needs. If you have a child with special needs and would like more information about our Kids Special Needs Ministry, please contact Lauren Nesselrode.
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Is there something that we didn’t cover that you’d like to know more about? Use the contact button above to send us any questions you have about our Kids Ministry.
During the ongoing pandemic, our Kids Ministry has moved to creating fun and engaging digital content. You can access this digital content by visiting austinstone.org/online. Jesus is the center of Kids Ministry at The Austin Stone! We believe that children need to hear and understand the good news of the gospel, so every week, your child will hear a lesson based on one of the 7 Basic Truths. These statements sum up the entire gospel message in kid-friendly language.
Actively teaching your children is the best way we can support you as parents. We hope that while children are with us in Kids Ministry, not only will they have an amazing time with other kids their age and our awesome volunteers, they’ll hear the gospel and learn what it means for their lives.
We recognize that God has entrusted us with the ministry and safety of children while they are in our care. We want every environment a child is in to be the safest it can be so that children have the opportunity to grow in their knowledge and love of the Lord. Each environment is supervised by multiple volunteers who have gone through an intensive onboarding process that includes an application, in-person interview, background check, policy training, and sexual abuse awareness training. Our locations also offer several opportunities to refresh this knowledge for volunteers throughout the year.
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When you arrive at West, you’ll see volunteers and directional signage to help you get where you need to go! If you arrive early, follow the signs to the Students room where you’ll be greeted by a member of our volunteer team who can help answer any questions you may have. Our middle school service goes from 11:15am to 12:45pm, while our high school service meets from 5 to 6:30pm every Sunday during the school year. We would love to get your student connected, so make sure to come meet us!
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Is there something that we didn’t cover that you’d like to know more about? Use the contact button above to send us any questions you have about our Students Ministry.
During the ongoing pandemic, our Students Ministry has moved to creating fun and engaging digital content. You can access this digital content by visiting austinstone.org/online.
Students Worship gatherings are where students come together to connect with God, our volunteer leaders, and one another. Students Ministry is working hard to provide creative digital content during this time.
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Women’s Ministry supports the flourishing, discipleship, and mobilization of women for God’s glory and the church’s good. Women are valuable to God and are crucial to the church. Through equipping women, cultivating their gifts, and catalyzing leaders, we want women to find their home and voice at The Austin Stone and to display the fullness of God’s glory in our church, our city, and around the world. We believe disciples are made in community, so we strive to love, encourage, and challenge one another personally. We offer Bible studies and an annual workshop and retreat for women to grow as disciples of Jesus and leaders in His church. To learn more about Women’s Ministry at West, email Alison Mezger.
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God designed marriage to be a relationship where you experience love, intimacy, and growth as a follower of Jesus. Whether you are recently engaged and are looking for guidance or have been married for years and are hoping to grow in your relationship, Marriage Ministry supports your relationship through Christian community that is rooted in the gospel. To learn more, visit our marriage page.
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Recovery is a weekly gathering where individuals grow in their understanding of the gospel and how to apply it to the various struggles in their lives. We hope that anyone struggling with their own sin, the sin of others, or the brokenness of creation would find healing and hope in Jesus Christ through the practice of confession, repentance, and celebration in the context of community. To learn more about Recovery Ministry at West, email Brad Peterson.
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Is there something that we didn’t cover that you’d like to know more about? Use the button above to send us any questions you have about our West ministries.
We believe that God uses Sunday worship in unique ways to grow and encourage His people. But God isn’t just active on Sundays! Throughout the week, we want you to grow in your relationship with God in a community with other believers. No matter your background, stage of life, or even the strength of your faith, there is a place for you at The Austin Stone. We call these groups missional communities.
To learn more about ways to get connected to community at The Austin Stone, email Chrissy Kennedy.