Church of Champions sits on Cutten Road in Northwest Houston, a Spirit-filled, Bible-believing congregation that has called the same stretch of pavement home for nearly four decades. Since its founding in 1988 by Rev. Dr. Wendell Hutchins II, the church has grown from a handful of dreamers gathered in a living room into a multi-ethnic community of more than forty nationalities, with worship, teaching, and outreach that now reach across North America, Africa, and the Caribbean. The message at the heart of everything here is simple and repeated often: loving people back to the passion and purpose of Jesus Christ.
From a Living Room in 1988 to Forty Nations Today
The story of Church of Champions begins on August 28, 1988, when Pastor Wendell Hutchins II and four other dreamers met in his living room. That first gathering of six people has since grown into a global ministry, but the heartbeat has not changed. The church grew from living rooms to a storefront location and eventually settled into its current sanctuary on Cutten Road. The campus today serves as both a Sunday gathering place and the hub of an extended family of ministries that includes Heritage Preparatory School and Optimal Family Care.
The church has long described itself as a covering to covenant congregations located throughout North America, Africa, and the Caribbean. Over the years it has launched or supported ventures such as Helping Hands of Champions, Church Synergy Systems, Urban Outreach Initiative, Metro Evangelism Architecture, WordNet Media Group, Christian Freedom Foundation, Purpose Group, Save America's Churches, You Choose Your Ride, Positive Adult Living, and One Day Seminary. Among the faith communities the church has helped mother and support are the Cambodian New Life Church, the Chinese Pentecostal Church of Houston, and a number of Spanish-speaking congregations in the area.
The congregation reflects the diversity of its adopted city. Leadership often notes that Church of Champions has over forty nationalities represented, with worshipers uniting for the cause of Jesus Christ. As the leadership puts it, the church started with a heart for Houston, God gave it a heart for the world, and the Champion Community cannot wait to see what He does next.
Dr. Wendell Hutchins II: Pastor, Ambassador, Chancellor
The Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Wendell Hutchins II, has been the steady hand at the helm since the very beginning. A master communicator and profound teacher, Dr. Hutchins is renowned for his clear and insightful delivery of biblical truths, with a teaching style that resonates with authenticity and practicality. He is also the founder of a number of the church's auxiliary ministries, including Heritage Preparatory School and the Optimal Family Care Clinics.
Dr. Hutchins' influence extends well beyond Houston. He serves as Assistant General Overseer of the City Harvest Network in Columbus, Ohio, and fulfills the role of United Nations Peace Ambassador based in Vienna, Austria, where he acts as an Advocate General for Christians and the Christian faith on an international stage. He is also the Special Envoy of His Royal Majesty Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, King of Tooro Kingdom in Uganda. Closer to home, he is described as a devoted mentor to leaders and pastors worldwide, offering wisdom and guidance on issues impacting Christian communities locally and globally.
Dr. Hutchins is married to Ann Hutchins, the church's First Lady, whose own album of worship music, "Surrounded by His Love," is treasured by those who value classic gospel music. Together they are parents to Blair (married to Lacey), Morgan (married to Blake), and James (married to Leah), and proud grandparents of Olivia, Remington, and Archer.
Through his Courageous Faith podcast, billed as the number one Christian podcast in Houston, Dr. Hutchins poses provocative "what if" questions that force the mind to stretch and the soul to wrestle. Each Tuesday at 7:15 PM the podcast streams live on YouTube, with archived episodes available on demand.
Sunday Mornings at Cutten Road
Sunday is the heartbeat of the week at Church of Champions. The Sunday service begins at 10:00 AM and runs roughly ninety minutes. Services are held both in person on the Cutten Road campus and online; live audio and video feed viewers around the world. A typical Sunday includes uplifting worship music with a live band, a message from Pastor Wendell Hutchins, and an altar call for prayer and reflection. The atmosphere is intentionally welcoming, with the leadership describing it as a place where everyone can encounter Jesus and feel part of the community.
For newcomers, the experience is designed to be easy from the parking lot onward. The Parking Dreams Team assists guests on arrival, with designated parking areas for visitors, families with young children, and those with disabilities. Once inside, First Impressions hosts (greeters, ushers, parking lot hosts, coffee bar servers, and guest center hosts) make sure first-time guests feel at home. A Connect Card makes it simple to share contact information and request a follow-up conversation.
Dress is "come as you are." Children from newborn through age 12 are welcomed into ChampKids City during every service. Parents check children in at the front ChampKids Desk, and the nursery, preschool class, and elementary class all run concurrently with the adult worship service. Services are livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel, with an archive of recent sermons available any time.
Tuesdays in the Word and Wednesdays at Midweek Lift
The rhythm of the week extends beyond Sundays. On Tuesday evenings at 7:00 PM, an online Bible study streams on YouTube, allowing members and friends near and far to join the teaching ministry. Immediately following, at 7:15 PM, the Courageous Faith Podcast goes live on the same channel, turning the conversation toward the questions shaping contemporary Christian life.
Wednesday brings the Midweek Lift at 7:30 PM on campus. Billed as a powerful Discipleship Class led by Pastor Wendell Hutchins, Midweek Lift invites members to recharge their spirit midweek through deeper engagement with Scripture. Together, the Sunday service, Tuesday online Bible study, and Wednesday Midweek Lift give members three touch points each week for worship, teaching, and prayer.
ChampKids: Discipleship from the Nursery Up
Children's ministry is one of the cornerstones of Church of Champions. ChampKids City exists to help kids know and honor God, train disciples for the Kingdom, and encourage them to share His love everywhere with everyone. The ministry anchors itself in Proverbs 22:6: "Start children off in the way they should go and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Each Sunday morning during the 10:00 AM service, children are divided by age:
- Nursery - infants up to 24 months
- Preschool Class - PreK through 1st grade
- Elementary Class - grades 2 through 5
Older students transition into the Youth Ministry track.
ChampKids also runs the Pearl Program, a 10-week Bible memorization challenge designed for children ages 4 through 12. Across ten weeks, kids work through foundational lessons including the Lord's Prayer, the Shema, the 12 Apostles, the Plan of Salvation, the Fruits of the Spirit, Psalm 23, the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the Great Commission, and the books of the Bible. Each week features a memory verse, a video devotional, and a Memory Verse Challenge, with parents helping their child record a short video to post online using the church's hashtags. Children earn weekly Achievement Badges, a Disciple Badge for helping a friend memorize a verse, and an Evangelist Badge for inviting a friend to church. The summer wraps up with an Award Ceremony held during a regular Sunday service.
Women of Courageous Faith
The women's ministry at Church of Champions, known as Women of Courageous Faith (WOCF), describes itself as a community for women to grow spiritually, mentally, and physically. WOCF meets twice a month on Fridays:
- First Friday of the month - Fellowship and Community Gathering, held off-campus at 7 PM
- Third Friday of the month - Consecration Night with prayer, fasting, and worship, held on-campus at 7 PM
The ministry emphasizes spiritual growth through Scripture-based devotionals and teaching, encouragement and prayer that fosters support and care, and resilience-building that empowers women to walk boldly in faith. WOCF publishes a Gratitude Journal each year to help women walk through twelve days of thankfulness around the Thanksgiving season. Text reminders for all WOCF gatherings, prayers, and encouragement are available by texting WOCF to 833-379-4117.
Connect Groups, Growth Track, and the Emmaus and Beyond Weekend
Discipleship at Church of Champions is structured around three pathways.
Connect Groups are small groups designed to help members build genuine relationships and experience life-changing moments together. Groups meet on various days throughout the week and are open to newcomers. The Connect Groups page lists both seasonal Connect Groups and ongoing Life Groups with their meeting times, and visitors can sign up online or speak with a small group coordinator at the information desk on Sundays. Dedicated groups are also available for men and women.
Growth Track is a three-step pathway for anyone who wants to find their place at the church. Step One, "Learn About Champions," introduces newcomers to the mission, values, and history of the church. Step Two, "Discover Your Design," helps individuals identify their spiritual gifts and God-given calling. Step Three, "Join a Team," walks participants into a specific Dream Team where they can put those gifts to work.
Emmaus and Beyond is the church's signature intensive discipleship program, a unique weekend experience designed for people who want a stronger foundation for a new life in Christ. The program runs from 6 PM Thursday through 7 PM Saturday, followed by a Sunday service, with all day Friday and all day Saturday included. The curriculum addresses faith, forgiveness, identity, family, salvation, and financial freedom. Applications open several times a year.
The Dream Team: Serving Together
Service is at the core of the church's identity. The Dream Team is the umbrella name for the church's volunteer family, drawn from the truth that following Jesus means following His example of servanthood. There are nine distinct Dream Teams:
- Connect Group Team - builds relationships and walks members through the small-group journey
- Emmaus Team - serves at Emmaus weekends and ongoing alumni gatherings
- First Impressions Team - greeters, ushers, parking lot hosts, coffee bar servers, and guest center hosts
- Facilities Team - set-up, tear-down, cleaning, electrical, and maintenance
- ChampKids City Team - teachers, assistants, kiosk hosts, and special-event staff for children's ministry
- Online Campus Team - connects with online guests through prayer and conversation
- Media Production Team - camera operators, sound technicians, lighting directors, and visual media
- Worship Team - vocalists, instrumentalists, and audio engineers who lead Sunday worship
- Prayer Team - provides prayer covering for services, teams, and ministries, and prays over prayer requests submitted to the church
Anyone interested in volunteering can complete the volunteer application. The application is intentionally thorough to help create a safe environment for children and all participants, particularly for those who will serve in children's ministry.
A Prayerful House: 21 Days, Prayer Warriors, and Warfare Prayers
If there is a spiritual discipline that defines Church of Champions, it is prayer. Each year the church enters a season of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting, often beginning in January, when members are encouraged to adopt the Daniel Fast and follow a structured prayer guide. Those who register for the 21 Days receive an exclusive Prayer and Fasting ebook by Dr. Wendell Hutchins.
The church's online Prayer Life Guide walks members through several biblical models of prayer, including the Lord's Prayer, the Tabernacle Prayer, Praying Scripture, the Prayer of Jabez, Warfare Prayers, and prayers for healing, marriage, and the lost. Each model includes Scripture readings, guided prayers, and practical prompts. The guide encourages a lifestyle of prayer rooted in the example of Jesus, who rose early, chose a certain place, and followed a certain plan for meeting with His Father.
A standing Prayer Team receives prayer requests via email daily and prays over them. Members of the congregation and visitors can submit prayer requests at any time. Worship, warfare, and intercession are woven into the fabric of the Champion Community, with the church regularly calling members to pray first before acting.
Beyond the Sanctuary: Heritage Preparatory School, Optimal Family Care, and the Champions Food Truck Park
Church of Champions is the hub of a wider network of ministries that touch the Northwest Houston community every day of the week.
Heritage Preparatory School is an award-winning Christian school where Dr. Wendell Hutchins serves as Chancellor. HPS serves students from childhood through their preparation for adulthood, with a faculty described as professionally accomplished and deeply passionate. The school's stated aim is to see each student maximize their potential in service to others to the glory of God, with students equipped as leaders, influencers, and warriors for Christ. The school shares the 12922 Cutten Road campus.
Optimal Family Care provides access to modern facilities along with experienced healthcare professionals, fulfilling Dr. Hutchins' vision for a healthcare ministry that meets people where they are. The clinic operates as part of the church's broader commitment to serve the whole person - body, soul, and spirit.
BC Fitness and the Champions Food Truck Park round out the campus footprint. The Food Truck Park serves as a community gathering space and hosts the church's annual Fall Festival with hayrides, bounce houses, go-karts, face painting, sack races, crafts, a farmers market, a fall photo booth, 360 video, food trucks, live music, and a pet-friendly area. Vendor booths and live music performances draw neighbors from across Northwest Houston to the campus throughout the year.
Belong, Believe, Give: The Three Anchors of Champions
Church of Champions sums up its ministry in three simple words: Belong, Believe, Give. Members are taught that life was not meant to be lived alone, and the Champion Community's purpose and existence is to Belong - loving people back to the passion and purpose of Jesus Christ. They Believe in that simple mission, and they Give of their time, talent, treasure, and testimonies to make the work possible.
The church's current season carries the banner "Together, We Climb: Raising The Standard," a clarion call to deepen commitment through intentional tithing, engaged participation in teaching, and renewed energy in connect groups. From Tithing to Teaching, from Connect Groups to Consecration, from Worship to Work, every area of ministry is invited to climb together.
Giving is offered in several ways. Members can give online, in person at any service, by texting "Give" to 281-305-0505, or by mailing a check to the church office at 12922 Cutten Road, Houston, TX 77066. Church of Champions is an IRS-certified 501(c)(3) organization, and gifts may be tax-deductible. A range of branded merchandise, including the Champion Blend coffee and apparel, is available through the church's online store, with proceeds supporting the ministry. Online giving is available at the giving page.
Reaching Beyond Houston: Global Mission and Covenant Congregations
In 2026, Epic Dreams World, a global division of Dreams Design Group based in Manhattan, named Church of Champions as its designated beneficiary organization for the year. The designation recognizes the church's long-standing work in local missions throughout Texas and its impact in communities and nations abroad. Dr. Hutchins described the honor as a deeply meaningful affirmation of a body of work poured out for the service of others, received with humility and a renewed commitment to continuing to serve people at the deepest points of human need.
Dr. Hutchins' role as United Nations Peace Ambassador and his Special Envoy work in Uganda give the church an unusually broad global footprint. Through covenant relationships with congregations across North America, Africa, and the Caribbean, the Champion Community continues to extend its reach far beyond Northwest Houston. But the church's heart, as it tells visitors, is still for Houston. Every Sunday, every Tuesday Bible study, every Wednesday Midweek Lift, every Connect Group meeting, and every ChampKids Sunday School class is aimed at the same simple mission - loving people back to the passion and purpose of Jesus Christ. New visitors can plan a visit at any time.