A Sunday Gathering on Parham Road
At 401 N. Parham Road in Richmond, Virginia, West End Assembly of God, often called WEAG, has organized its identity around six ideas: proclaim Jesus, love family, live empowered, serve others, give freely, and go boldly. The church is known for a 10:00 a.m. Sunday gathering that combines worship and teaching with a practical path into community, discipleship and service. Its ministry week reaches from Parham Road into children's classrooms, youth rooms, English classes, outreach teams, a thrift store, performing arts programs and a 73-acre camp in Amelia County.
What a First Sunday Looks Like
The Sunday worship gathering begins at 10:00 a.m. and is planned to last 75 minutes. Guests can arrive early for coffee, then follow signs toward the Main Entrance.
- Inside the Main Entrance, the welcome team meets visitors on the left and gives each guest a gift.
- Children from nursery through fifth grade can be checked into a safe, fun and educational experience suited to their age.
- Turning right leads toward the Worship Center, where people may choose any comfortable seat.
- Anyone wearing a church lanyard can help with directions, and an elevator is available near the Main Entrance.
The gathering moves from singing to prayer and then to an applicable sermon. The teaching is intended to show how Jesus changes and transforms lives, including stories of transformation within the church family. Once a month, an Engage gathering follows the service. People who are new to WEAG are encouraged to attend so they can learn how to become involved, build community and grow as leaders. Worship is also available through the church's livestream.
A planned visit can include a meeting at the door, early child check-in and help finding a comfortable place to sit. The engagement team is prepared to walk through the Sunday morning experience with first-time families.
Two Sunday Gatherings at Parham Road
A Latino service begins at 11:00 a.m. every Sunday in the same building. The 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. gatherings give the church two distinct Sunday rhythms, while Wednesday programs begin at 7:00 p.m. The Latino ministry also joins with the church's wider family and service life. An elevator and clear Main Entrance route make the building easier to navigate for people attending classes or worship.
WEAG Kids: Learning at Every Stage
WEAG Kids is built around the idea that children are never too young to be discipled. The Sunday morning groups divide into nursery for ages 0-2, preschool for ages 3-5 and elementary ministry for kindergarten through fifth grade. Each group combines biblical teaching, worship, prayer and time with community. The aim is to help parents establish a biblical foundation and teach children to apply Christian teachings in daily life.
Elementary students participate in Bible Blast Off!, a curriculum that takes them through the Bible, introduces the books of Scripture, explains how the Bible is organized and explores major stories and themes. Children also consider how those stories connect with God's plan for creation. Younger learners become familiar with biblical characters who are part of God's chosen family.
Wednesday programs extend the teaching from Sunday morning and run from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The goals include Scripture memorization, fellowship with peers and practical ways to live out biblical teachings. Rainbows serves ages 3-5, Mpact Girls serves kindergarten through fifth grade and Royal Rangers serves kindergarten through 12th grade. Nursery care for children ages 0-3 is provided for families attending or serving in the midweek programs. Weekly registration opens on Thursday for the following week and closes on Tuesday, and nursery spaces are limited.
A recurring first-Wednesday Dinner Day gathers the church family in the gym for a shared meal. NextGen ministries and adult groups sit together for the 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. meal, with proceeds supporting special events in NextGen ministries.
Middle and High School Students at MDWK
WEAG Youth exists for middle and high school students to know and be known. Its emphasis is connection, community and discovering their calling, while students are encouraged to participate in the wider life of the church through invitation, service and shared activities.
Wednesday evenings begin with pre-service games from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. in the gym. At 7:00 p.m., middle school students meet in the Youth Lounge and high school students meet in the Youth Worship Center for a message, small groups, games and announcements. At 8:00 p.m., both groups join for worship together and are dismissed no later than 8:30 p.m.
Special events throughout the year create opportunities for students to build community and invite friends. The WKND retreat happens twice a year with concentrated times for worship, a message, community and fun together.
College and Young Adults Finding Direction Together
College and young adults gather every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the Welcome Center for Bible study. The meetings are simple and intentional: participants open the Bible together, ask questions, discuss what they are learning and deepen their understanding of Scripture and their relationship with Jesus.
A monthly gathering for ages 18-29 includes food, worship, a message and small groups. It is designed for people who are in college, working or deciding what comes next, and childcare is available. Young adults with children also meet for a relaxed Sunday hangout every other week so parents and children can build friendships together.
Discipleship for Everyday Life
WEAG describes discipleship as following Jesus and becoming more like him. Its guiding expression is simple: Discipleship is 50% about you and 50% about who you are discipling. The church emphasizes that people do not need every answer before they can help someone walk toward becoming more like Jesus: more disciples like Jesus make more disciples like Jesus.
Sermon series are paired with Equipping Sessions that give people practical tools for applying what they hear on Sunday and a place to ask questions. Parent Equip is a bi-monthly gathering for parents who want practical tools, biblical wisdom and real-life support for everyday parenting. The Kingdom School offers classes focused on activating, equipping and releasing people for ministry in family and community.
The church presents baptism as an important next spiritual step for someone who has accepted Jesus. The ceremony makes that decision public and allows the church community to celebrate it. WEAG also teaches Holy Communion as a biblical ordinance that remembers Jesus' death and celebrates his presence.
Men, Women and Community 50+
WEAG Men welcomes men of all ages to build lifelong friendships and find ways to serve the city. Its ongoing groups give men space for relationship, practical opportunities and involvement beyond the church building.
WEAG Women welcomes and celebrates women from every generation. The ministry seeks to help women understand that they are seen, known and loved through intercession prayer, intentional worship, biblical teaching, mission trips and shared meals. Groups create places for friendship, purpose and support in everyday life.
Community 50+ is centered on the changing perspective and opportunities that accompany life after 50. Its members share experiences, learn from one another and remain connected through the changing seasons of life.
Serving Across Richmond and Beyond
The Kingdom Outreach Team gathers people around evangelism and missions from the neighborhoods of Richmond to the nations. Members plan and carry out new ways to reach people for Jesus. Outreach opportunities range from serving people experiencing homelessness to creating handmade items for the missions field.
Faith Promise is the church's financial and prayer support for local and global missionaries. Contributions can be made online, by check in person or by mail. Planned-giving options include stewardship wills, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, stewardship trusts and outright gifts of assets.
West End Thrift Store at 7219 W. Broad Street in Richmond is both a mission outlet and a volunteer opportunity. It repurposes gently used and quality donated goods, sells seasonal clothing at discounted prices and directs proceeds toward WEAG's global mission work. Volunteers stock and sort merchandise, receive and evaluate donations, test electronics, assist customers, pick up or deliver donations and help with marketing.
WEAG works with partner ministries that address a wide range of needs. Caritas works to provide shelter, and New Life for Youth offers hope and restoration to people dealing with addiction. Northside Outreach Center serves Highland Park residents through education and mentoring, while STEP works in the Carver community and welcomes tutors, mentors, school supplies and other resources. Young Lives reaches pregnant teens and teen mothers, CrossOver provides compassionate healthcare, Elijah House Ministries provides Christian education in Richmond's inner city and Youth Life Foundation operates learning centers for children in at-risk communities. Other partners address counseling, leadership development, missions support, pregnancy care and the needs of incarcerated people. WEAG families also join Rebuilding Together Richmond to repair homes and community spaces.
Worship Arts, ENCOR Academy and Camp WEAG
The Worship Ministry leads people into authentic worship that glorifies God and seeks to equip people to live heaven on earth. WEAG understands worship as more than music: it is a lifestyle that reflects God's heart and helps people encounter his presence, truth and transforming love. The worship team develops spiritually grounded leaders and cultivates unity through service in the band, worship choir and technical teams for audio, media and lighting.
ENCOR Academy is the church's performing arts ministry, offering private and group instruction in music, musical theater and dance for all ages. Its work includes productions that combine creative disciplines for people across the community. At the Resource Warehouse, teams construct and store sets for Christmas productions, academy classes, Vacation Bible School and other presentations.
Camp WEAG covers 73 acres in Amelia County, about 30 minutes from Richmond. The property includes the Campana Lodge, an amphitheater that seats 225, open-air pavilions, a lake for boating and fishing, trails and bonfire circles. It accommodates retreats, weddings, family reunions, camping, group visits and overnight stays.
The five-bedroom Campana Lodge has three full baths, a renovated kitchen and meeting, dining and recreation space. Camp WEAG also offers an amphitheater and open-air pavilion as ceremony settings, with the lodge available for wedding parties and rehearsal dinners. The combination of indoor and outdoor spaces allows the church to host groups for worship, retreats, recreation and family events.
The Faith WEAG Proclaims
WEAG's statement of faith begins with Scripture as inspired by God and authoritative and infallible in everything it intends to teach. It affirms one true God revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as well as the full deity and full humanity of Jesus Christ.
The church teaches that every person is separated from God by sin, while repentance and receiving Christ's offer of forgiveness, provided through his substitutionary death on the cross, can restore fellowship with God. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit, beginning at salvation and continuing throughout a believer's life through the Fruit of the Spirit. WEAG also believes in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which empowers a believer for mission, and in prayer as a necessary part of the faithful life. Its faith includes God's supernatural provision of physical and mental healing.
Two biblical ordinances are practiced: water baptism by immersion following conversion and Holy Communion as remembrance of Jesus' death and celebration of his presence. The church is understood as the Body of Christ, consisting of those redeemed by God and commissioned to proclaim the good news of salvation through word and deed. WEAG also affirms that Christ will return to judge all people.
The People Behind the Ministry
Pastor Travis Jones serves as Lead Pastor. Dr. Dave DeMasters oversees day-to-day church operations, teaches, counsels, supports ministries and leads special projects while also serving as Family Life Pastor for marriage, parenting, congregational care and counseling. Tony Robinson leads care and worship arts, John Kelly oversees engagement and the welcome process, and David Adams leads the NextGen ministries.
Kathryn Straw directs engagement and experience, Jessica Garcia leads children's ministry, Mac Dunn directs youth and Nikki Kelly directs worship. Mike Dalton leads media and resource services, Amy Mahan directs Community 50+, Nicole Pearson directs ENCOR Academy and Dawn Levesque coordinates ESL. James Smith directs facilities and sports, J.J. Culyer directs Camp WEAG and Jessi Culyer manages West End Thrift Store. Across worship, classrooms, neighborhood service, the thrift counter, arts spaces and Camp WEAG, West End Assembly of God keeps its focus on proclaiming Jesus, loving family, serving others and forming people who walk with Jesus.