Central Church is a non-denominational Christian church with a global footprint. Founded as a single congregation in Henderson, Nevada, it now gathers across multiple campuses in the Las Vegas Valley and stretches to Kingman, Arizona; Gulf Breeze on the Florida Gulf Coast; Morelia in central Mexico; and Warners Bay, a suburb of Newcastle on Australia's east coast. Weekend services are livestreamed into homes in every U.S. state, more than 120 countries, and 12 different prisons through a partnership with the ministry behind bars.
The church's motto, "A Place Where It's Okay to Not Be Okay," sums up its welcome to newcomers. Members describe a casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere where no one is expected to have life figured out before walking through the door.
One Senior Pastor, a Movement of Grace
Jud Wilhite has served as Central Church's senior pastor since 2003. Under his leadership the congregation has grown from a single Henderson location into the multi-campus movement it is today. He is a graduate of Dallas Christian College and holds a master's degree from Lincoln Seminary. He has authored several books, including Uncaged, The God of Yes, Pursued, and The Uncensored Truth Study Bible, and his sermons are heard nationally on KLOVE radio. He and his wife, Lori, live in the Las Vegas area and have two adult children, Emma and Ethan. Lori Wilhite is the founder of Leading and Loving It, a ministry that equips and encourages women in church leadership through an annual conference, cohorts, coaching groups, workshops, and resource development. She is the author of Ephesians: Head Held High, Rise Up!, and My Name is Victorious.
The church's mission is short and direct: "We exist to introduce people to Jesus and help them follow Him." Its vision describes facilitating a movement of God's grace through Central locations where the Good News of Jesus is shared, life change is experienced, and God's light shines brightly around the world.
Ten Campuses, One Family
The original and broadcast campus, Central Henderson, meets at 1001 New Beginnings Drive in Henderson, Nevada. It is also the home of Central Español, the Spanish-language congregation that shares the same building. Brandon Coffing serves as the Church Location Pastor of Central Henderson. He first came to Central while on vacation during college, moved to Las Vegas in 2005, and has since served in operations, audio and video production, and pastoral ministry across three Central locations. He holds a Master's Degree in Ministerial Leadership from Southeastern University.
In the western Las Vegas suburb of Summerlin, Central Summerlin meets at 2015 South Hualapai Way. Robert Poliszuk is the Church Location Pastor. Born in the San Francisco area, he moved to Las Vegas in 2005 to join Central's team and has traveled to 55 countries, including six years as Church Location Pastor of Central Newcastle in Australia. He holds a Master's Degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Central Sunrise Mountain meets at 1460 Tree Line Drive in east Las Vegas and offers services in both English and Spanish. Bryce Masek, who grew up in Las Vegas and spent time in Puebla, Mexico, finishing his degree at UNLV, served on the Central Youth team for six years and completed Central Academy's Advanced Certificate of Ministry.
Central Aliante gathers at 4470 West Rome Boulevard in North Las Vegas.
In northwestern Arizona, Central Kingman meets at 112 North 4th Street in the historic downtown of Kingman. Its pastor, Michael Kitchen, served as a police officer with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for nearly twenty years before entering ministry. He started attending Central in 2015, was baptized that same year, and has completed Central Academy's accredited program. He and his wife, Candice, have five children.
On Florida's Gulf Coast, Central Pensacola Beach meets at 800 Quietwater Beach Road in Gulf Breeze. Jack Kale has served on Central's pastoral team since 2013 and holds a Master's Degree in Divinity from Emory University. He and his wife Sandra, his middle-school sweetheart, have three children.
Central Morelia meets at Niños Héroes 297 in the Colonia Chapultepec Sur neighborhood of Morelia, in the Mexican state of Michoacán. Abraham Plata leads this location, which hosts three weekly services, including a Thursday evening gathering in addition to two Sunday services, all in Spanish.
Central Newcastle meets at 290 Hillsborough Road in Warners Bay, New South Wales, serving the greater Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region of Australia. The Australian campus shares Central's mission and welcome but maintains its own local flavor.
Online is itself a tenth campus. Anyone, anywhere can experience the weekend service through the livestream and the Central Church app, with on-demand access to previous services any time of the week.
Weekend Experiences
Central's signature gathering is the weekend experience, which lasts about an hour and includes live worship and Bible-based teaching. Saturday and Sunday gatherings are held across all locations, with most campuses offering multiple services to accommodate families and different schedules.
The Central Henderson campus hosts services at 5:00 PM on Saturdays and at 9:45 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 5:00 PM on Sundays. Central Español, which meets in the Henderson building, gathers at 5:00 PM on Sundays in Spanish. Central Summerlin meets at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM on Sundays. Central Sunrise Mountain meets at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM in English and at 12:00 PM in both English and Spanish. Central Aliante meets at 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM on Sundays. Central Kingman meets at 10:00 AM Mountain time on Sundays. Central Pensacola Beach meets at 9:00 AM Central time on Sundays. Central Morelia meets at 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM Central time on Sundays, plus a 6:30 PM Central time service on Thursdays. Central Newcastle meets at 10:00 AM on Sundays.
Online services stream at 5:00 PM Pacific on Saturdays and at 6:00 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:45 AM, 11:30 AM, and 1:00 PM Pacific on Sundays. The 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM Sunday services are available online only.
The dress code is casual. Visitors are encouraged to come as they are.
Central Kids: From Six Weeks to Fifth Grade
Central Kids provides a structured experience for children from six weeks old through fifth grade at every physical campus. Each environment is age-specific and includes biblical teaching, worship, interactive games, a monthly memory verse, prayer time, and small group time. The teaching follows a discipleship-focused curriculum called Grow, with all children across the ministry learning the same stories and verses each weekend. Each month a printed overview is handed to families so parents know what their children are learning.
Central Kids Preschool cares for children from six weeks through kindergarten, with separate nurseries, toddler rooms, and kindergarten environments. The Elementary program serves first through fifth graders and focuses on three core truths: kids can trust God, make wise choices, and treat others the way they want to be treated.
All Central Kids leaders over 18 undergo certified background checks, safety training, and are up to date with Central Kids policies. Each environment has a fully certified CPR and first-aid leader. Parents are given a security code sticker at check-in that matches their child, and only the adult carrying the matching sticker can pick up the child. The ministry complies with current CDC guidelines.
At the Henderson location, Kids Cove provides a full-service program for children ages six weeks through grade 12 with special needs. The room is designed as a safe space, and leaders connect with each child at their individual level through worship, interactive activities, and teaching.
Central Kids also recommends an extensive library of parenting books, including titles by Mark Batterson, Stephen James, David Thomas, Tim Kimmel, Kevin Leman, Sissy Goff, Gary Chapman, and Lee Strobel, along with several parenting podcasts.
Central Youth: Middle School and High School
Central Youth is the student ministry of Central Church, gathering middle school and high school students across all campuses during the regular service times. The environment is fun, relevant, and engaging, designed around the real issues students face. Each weekend is filled with community, connections, and biblical teaching.
The elementary-style Apex space hosts Central Youth during weekend services at the Henderson, Summerlin, Aliante, and Sunrise Mountain campuses. At Henderson, the youth environment is open during every weekend experience, including the Saturday 5:00 PM service and all Sunday services. At Central Español, CY meets at 7:00 PM on Saturdays. At Central Pensacola Beach, the youth ministry meets at the offices at 913 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Unit 37, on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 PM.
The youth ministry's rhythm includes CY Hangs every weekend, CY Nights once a month, and Ignite, a once-a-year event.
Every youth leader is background checked, and each small group leader goes through a series of trainings before leading. Every staff member is CPR and First Aid certified.
Parents stay informed through a monthly Parent Newsletter and the youth ministry's Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Linktree channels.
Central Academy and theWAY of Discipleship
Central Academy exists to develop servant leaders who can effectively introduce people to Jesus and help them follow Him. Students gain a strong biblical foundation, effective leadership skills, and hands-on experience that equip them for life in ministry.
The academy offers two pathways. The Certificate Program is for those ready to dive deeper into God's Word and spiritual disciplines. Students can earn an Advanced Certificate of Ministry in two years, combining biblical studies with a ministry residency, a Certificate of Biblical Leadership in one year, or a Certificate of Biblical Studies in one year. Certificate courses cost $300 per credit or $100 to audit per quarter.
The SEU Degree Pathway partners with Southeastern University to offer accredited degrees: an Associate of General Education (two years), an Associate of Ministerial Leadership (two years), a Bachelor of Ministerial Leadership (four years), a Bachelor of Digital Media and Design (four years), and a Bachelor of Business and Professional Leadership (four years). Tuition for the bachelor's programs is approximately $9,986 per year, including site and technology fees. Internship opportunities are also available.
For those newer to faith, First Step: Discover theWAY is a four-week journey covering how to follow Jesus, how to read the Bible and pray, how to live out faith in daily life, and how to follow Jesus together in community. Rooted, a ten-week small-group experience, follows First Step and helps members develop deeper rhythms of prayer, serving, generosity, and fellowship. Both are central to the discipleship pathway that runs alongside the weekend experience.
Celebrate Recovery: Healing for Hurts, Habits, and Hang-ups
Central Church hosts one of the largest Celebrate Recovery ministries in Las Vegas. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered program that helps people find hope, healing, and freedom from hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Although many assume the program is only for drug or alcohol issues, about two-thirds of participants come for something else, including anxiety, anger, shame, grief, codependency, unhealthy relationships, family dysfunction, pornography, abuse, depression, financial stress, or simply feeling stuck.
A typical meeting includes a large group time, an open share small group, and Newcomers 101 for first-time attendees. After participating for a while, attendees join a step study that meets on another night of the week.
Central Henderson hosts Celebrate Recovery every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Central Sunrise Mountain hosts an open-share-only meeting every Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Central Kingman hosts Celebrate Recovery every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. An online Celebrate Recovery group meets every Wednesday at 12:00 PM Pacific.
Childcare is provided free for children six weeks and older. The Landing is Celebrate Recovery's program for teens ages 12 to 18. Celebration Place is the children's curriculum for ages 5 to 11, with structured activities that mirror the adult lessons.
Hope for the City and 24 Hour Church
Hope for the City is Central's hunger-relief arm in the Greater Las Vegas area and beyond. The ministry partners with local food banks to host multiple pop-up food pantries each week across the Las Vegas Valley. Volunteers pack and distribute food, deliver to seniors in the community, and help connect people with additional resources. Each pantry runs until its daily supply is exhausted.
Central Church describes itself as a 24-hour church, available by phone, text, email, or chat any time of day or night. The 24-hour care line is staffed by volunteers who pray with callers, share encouragement, introduce them to Christ, and answer questions about faith. The U.S. and Canada care line is 888-805-2778. Online prayer requests are submitted through the Prayer and One-Friend Wall.
What We Believe
Central Church teaches a classic evangelical statement of faith. The church believes in one God who exists eternally in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who lived a sinless life, died on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for sin, rose again three days later, ascended to heaven, and will return again as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son, lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation, and provides power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The church seeks to live under His control daily.
The Bible is God's Word to all people, written by human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, and is the supreme source of truth for Christian belief and living.
Mankind is made in the spiritual image of God, with tremendous potential for good, but marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called sin. This attitude separates people from God.
Salvation is a gift from God received by grace through faith; no amount of self-improvement or good works can earn it. Christians demonstrate their faith publicly through baptism.
Heaven and hell are real places of eternal existence; those who trust in Christ will spend eternity in union with God, and those who do not will be eternally separated from Him.
The Church is the body of Christ on earth, called to communicate the good news of new life in Jesus Christ, to teach His followers to obey His teachings, and to equip His followers for ministry.
Weddings, Funerals, and Pastoral Care
Central Church supports couples as they prepare for a Christ-centered marriage and helps families plan meaningful memorial services. Couples interested in being married at Central can download the wedding information packet and email the church to begin booking. The funeral team provides support, comfort, and help in designing a memorial service; the funeral line is 702-860-5447. Hospital visitation team members are available to visit and pray with those recovering from illness. Prayer and guidance are available around the clock through the care line.
In addition to Celebrate Recovery, Central hosts GriefShare and GriefShare: Surviving the Holidays, weekly support groups for those grieving the death of a loved one. The church also hosts National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Connection and NAMI Family Support groups.
Generosity: Rescued to Be Rescuers
Central's giving ministry is built around the phrase "Rescued to Be Rescuers." Members are encouraged to give regularly as a response to God's generosity, trusting God more than money, recognizing that all they have is entrusted to them by God, and aiming toward the biblical principle of tithing 10 percent of their income.
Ways to give include online, in person (giving team members wear red aprons in the lobby; ushers hold buckets on the way out of the auditorium), by mail, by donating stocks, by giving cryptocurrency, and through wills, trusts, charitable gift annuities, retirement plans, IRAs, securities, life insurance, real estate, and savings bonds.
An annual backpack drive collects backpacks, school supplies, and other essentials, culminating in Kickstart, an event where students shop for and choose their own supplies.
Central Coffee Shop
At the Henderson campus, Central Coffee Shop is open to the community from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Saturday through Thursday. Anyone can stop in for a coffee before or after church, meet friends, study, or join a Bible study. Online ordering is available.
Watch Parties and Church Anywhere
Central's Watch Party ministry lets groups of friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors gather in person or virtually to watch the weekend experience together. A Watch Party host can be the start of a new Central community anywhere in the world, with a simple, organic way to invite friends and neighbors to church from the comfort of home.
Summer Camps and Yearly Rhythms
Kids Camp, for first through fifth graders, is a three-day adventure held at Central Henderson, including games, teaching, laughter, and the chance to make lasting friendships. Ignite Youth Camp is a five-day camp for middle and high school students held at Camp Forest Home in California. Young Adults Camp serves graduating seniors through age 28. Across all campuses, Fall Fest brings carnival games, food trucks, and free pumpkins for kids in their weekend environments.
A Welcome for the First-Time Visitor
Central Church welcomes newcomers at every campus and online. On a first weekend, guests are invited to stop by the New to Central area in the lobby, where the team can answer questions and offer a welcome gift. There is no dress code beyond comfort, no expectation of having life figured out, and no requirement to have walked with Jesus for any particular length of time before walking in. Weekend experiences last about an hour and include live worship and Bible-based teaching. Children from six weeks through fifth grade are cared for in age-specific Central Kids environments, and middle school and high school students have their own Central Youth spaces during service times. Services are livestreamed for those at home or on the road.