Westmont Christian Church stands on Utica Avenue on Lubbock's west end, inside the loop near 50th Street, in an iconic building that rises above the Whataburger at 50th and Utica. Founded in 1958, the congregation is known for a family-centered Sunday rhythm: age-appropriate Sunday School and nursery open at 9:30 a.m., followed by family worship at 10:40 a.m. in the sanctuary and by live stream. Its story runs from a first meeting in 1959 to a church that still seeks to spread the Gospel and love of God throughout Lubbock and beyond.
A Church Born for Fast-Growing Southwest Lubbock
In the fall of 1958, the Lubbock Joint Board of Christian Churches saw a need for a Christian church to serve fast-growing Southwest Lubbock. Five acres at the congregation's present location were donated through the generosity of the G.P. (George Paul) Kuykendall family. Ground was broken on July 19, 1959, for a structure that would house the new congregation. The first service was held Sunday, September 20, 1959, at the Slide Road Community House on 50th and Slide, with Kenneth E. Jones as minister. The congregation entered its new building on December 27, 1959.
Growth through the years led to the 1988 sanctuary, a larger landmark building at the same location. The structure on 50th and Utica is iconic because it towers over the Whataburger on the corner. The congregation became the fastest-growing church in Lubbock during that period of expansion. Westmont has experienced the highs and lows many churches encounter while remaining firmly rooted in the Word of God. Its continuing aim is growth so the Gospel and love of God can reach people in Lubbock and beyond.
Sunday School at 9:30, Family Worship at 10:40
Each Sunday begins at 9:30 a.m. with age-appropriate Sunday School classes for all ages and the opening of the nursery. These classes create an intimate setting for discussing and interpreting the Word, asking questions, speaking freely, and fellowshiping with the congregation. Families are encouraged to come early and bring the entire household. An inviting nursery and children's volunteers help children have fun, grow, and discover how much God loves them.
Family worship begins at 10:40 a.m. with praise in song. The congregation then receives a message from Senior Minister Jarid McCool or another member of the ministry team. The service takes place in the sanctuary and is livestreamed. A sermon archive also lets people revisit a message or share it with someone else. For people who cannot attend in person, the worship stream begins at the same Sunday time.
Westmont's address is 4808 Utica Avenue, Lubbock, Texas 79414. The church is within 15 to 20 minutes of just about anything in Lubbock and sits inside the loop toward the west end of 50th Street. Get directions to the church. Its dress range runs from suits to T-shirts and shorts, with the simple guidance to wear what feels comfortable. The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Five Solas at the Center of Westmont's Mission
Westmont's mission is to be the body of Christ, led by Christ and empowered through the Holy Spirit, all to the glory of God. God's Word is authoritative and guiding for the church, individuals, and life together. Love of God and love of neighbor are expressed through worship and missional calling so that the Gospel is proclaimed and God is loved, honored, and glorified. Its affirmation centers on Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, and personal Lord and Savior.
Westmont reads Jesus's words in John 14:15, that those who love him keep his commandments, as the basis for loving God and loving neighbors through worship and mission. The congregation identifies as Protestant and traces its theological direction to the Reformation. Five solas, Latin for alones, summarize that direction:
- Scripture Alone: The Bible is the only inerrant, sufficient, and final authority for Christians and the church.
- Christ Alone: Jesus Christ alone is the basis on which the ungodly are justified in God's sight.
- Faith Alone: Salvation is God's free gift, received through the redemption Christ accomplished and received only through faith.
- Grace Alone: Grace alone accounts for the entirety of salvation, from its beginning to its end.
- To the Glory of God Alone: God alone receives the glory for salvation.
Westmont believes the Bible is the Word of God, written and preserved through the ages by the work of the Holy Spirit. It is the only source of authority for faith and practice, sufficient and the only infallible rule for Christian living. This conviction supports the teaching that the church is an assembly of people, not a building.
Confessions of God, Christ, and Salvation
God is one eternal, uncreated Being, revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christ is eternal God the Son, the Word made flesh, born of Mary, sinless in life, and obedient to the point of death on a cross for the forgiveness of sins. Westmont believes Jesus fulfilled the role of the suffering servant in his first coming and will fulfill the role of Israel's deliverer and King in his second coming.
Jesus' death atones for the wrongs committed against God. He stands in place of those who deserve punishment for sin, making the payment on their behalf. His resurrection leaves an empty tomb and demonstrates that his victory over sin and death is effective. The Holy Spirit is the believer's helper and guarantee of salvation, assisting prayer, interceding, regenerating, renewing, bringing joy, fellowship, peace, and hope, leading sanctification, giving spiritual gifts, convicting of sin, and supplying wisdom.
God's sovereignty extends over all things and over the salvation of individuals, which rests on grace and Christ's work rather than human works. The church is the assembly and body of believers with Jesus as its head. The universal church includes everyone, everywhere, and in all times who declares Jesus Christ Lord and Savior; the local church provides fellowship and edification.
Westmont practices believer's baptism by immersion. It understands baptism as a public act that proclaims God's grace, a divine gift and a human response in faith. The Lord's Supper is observed weekly in remembrance of Jesus. Communion is open to everyone, while the church stresses biblical participation and self-examination before God.
Revelation is understood as the uncovering of what is hidden: God made known through nature, history, his actions, and supremely through his Son. Westmont teaches that the Holy Spirit's work makes Jesus known as Lord and Savior and assures salvation through faith, so no new revelation is needed.
Babies Through Fifth Grade Have a Place
Westmont's children's ministry spans babies through fifth grade. The nursery opens at 9:30, and children join age-appropriate Sunday School classes. Every child has a place within the ministry, supported by an inviting nursery and children's volunteers in a setting where kids can have fun, grow, and understand how deeply God loves them.
Rooted, Growing, and Glorifying God Together
WCC Youth serves sixth through twelfth graders under the theme rooted, growing, and glorifying God together, drawn from Colossians 2:6-7. Its four core values are to love God with all one's heart, love a neighbor as oneself, make disciples of all nations, and keep God's commandments. These values connect love with a community of grace, disciple-making, obedience, and witness in daily life.
Sunday mornings bring fresh, interactive engagement with God's Word through crafts, dramatic scenes, and games. Wednesday evenings include fun games, meaningful fellowship, a 30-minute biblical lesson, and small-group discussion that helps students connect and apply what they learned. The ministry treats students as vital parts of the church now, not merely its future. It emphasizes biblical roots, growth in grace, obedience in daily life, sharing the Gospel, and glorifying God in all they do.
Meals and Small Groups for Adults
Adult Ministry takes the form of Group Life for adults at all life stages. Westmont names single adults, married couples, parents, and seniors among those it hopes to welcome. During the school year, Wednesday evenings begin with a hearty shared meal at 5:25 p.m. Age-appropriate Bible study classes and small groups follow at 6:00 p.m. The pattern brings together Scripture discussion, fellowship, and a substantial meal. Westmont's Wednesday gatherings pause during summer.
Good News Club and D.R. Congo Missionaries
Local outreach includes Good News Club, which welcomes children from Stewart Elementary to sign up. Westmont's mission work also includes D.R. Congo missionaries. Their vision is to transform lives through the Gospel, heal wounded hearts, restore broken hearts, and bring hope, resulting in healthier communities and stronger churches. Their goal is to bring people to Christ through teaching the Word, encouragement, and practical assistance.
Giving as Part of Worship
Giving is part of Westmont's worship. Gifts can be placed in the Sunday offering tray or brought to the office during the week; text giving, PayPal, and secure online giving are also available. The church connects tithes with regular support for ministry and offerings above tithes with the reach of the Gospel. Its posture is willing and joyful rather than pressured or reluctant, following the principle that each person gives as decided in the heart.
Jarid McCool and Dean Roy Serve the Congregation
Rev. Jarid McCool is Senior Minister and has served at Westmont since June 2020. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry from Northwest Christian University and a Master of Divinity from George Fox Evangelical Seminary. He is committed to preaching the Word and the Gospel of Christ crucified. His family has been warmly welcomed into the church, and he extends that same welcome to others.
Rev. Dean P. Roy is Associate Minister of Administration and Music. He has many years of professional ministry and continued service at Westmont. Roy earned a master's degree in choral conducting from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His family found a home among the people of Westmont, and he invites those seeking a loving, welcoming group of Christians to find a church home there.
The church that began with five donated acres in 1958 gathers children, students, adults, and seniors around the Word, shares meals and small groups, welcomes children into local ministry, works with D.R. Congo missionaries, and remains rooted in Southwest Lubbock. Westmont Christian Church continues that story from 4808 Utica Avenue.