A Bible-Centered Church on El Paso's Westside
Westside Church of Christ meets at 100 Crestmont Drive on the west side of El Paso, Texas. The congregation is non-denominational and Bible-centered, made up of people from a variety of backgrounds and stages of spiritual maturity. The church says, "We don't know everything, but we are committed to learning the Way of Jesus. We don't do everything right, but we are intent on becoming more like Jesus. We have not arrived at spiritual perfection, but we are on a spiritual journey together."
Its mission is to "seek and serve the will of God with Jesus as our example." Its vision is "a Christ-like environment in which each person can utilize their God-given gifts and talents to serve for the glory of God," with a common goal of worshipping God "in spirit and in truth."
Sunday Mornings: Bible Classes and Worship
Sunday is the heart of the week at Westside. Bible classes for adults, teens, and children begin at 9:30 AM, followed by the worship service at 10:30 AM. An attended nursery is available during both the Bible classes and the worship service, and children are also dismissed partway through the service for children's church. First-time visitors are welcome to sign in with their name and contact information so the church can follow up, though no sign-in is required to attend.
Services are livestreamed for those who want to worship from home. The church office is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM and closed on weekends.
What a Worship Service Looks Like
Each Sunday follows a familiar shape that members have come to treasure.
Songs of Praise and Scripture Reading. The congregation sings hymns in a cappella style, without instruments, and turns attention to a selected passage of Scripture.
The Lord's Supper. Communion is observed every Sunday, following the example of the earliest Christians who broke bread on the first day of the week. Sealed communion cups are provided, and all are welcome to participate. The bread is a reminder of the body of Jesus, and the cup a reminder of His blood.
Prayer. Prayer happens at several points during the service, including prayers for specific needs and personal requests.
Preaching. The minister preaches without any special title, and the church makes no distinctions in name or dress, believing all Christians are equal in the family of God. The church teaches that "the living God speaks through the words of Scripture, addressing His people in the present time," and so the sermon is a time to reflect on the Bible together. Whoever happens to preach on a given Sunday matters less than the message itself.
An Invitation. At the close of the sermon, an invitation is extended for worshippers to come forward. Some come to be baptized, others to share joys or hardships, and all are welcome at the front.
An Offering. An offering bag is passed during the service to support the church and its ministries, and giving is also available online. Guests are never expected to give.
Carson Holt, Preaching Minister
Carson Holt serves as the preaching minister. He grew up in Stamford, Texas, a small town of about three thousand people, where he first preached as a sixteen-year-old when his youth group was given opportunities to participate in the worship services of a small church. He went on to study at Lubbock Christian University, graduating in May 2023 with a degree in Biblical Text and Preaching, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Friends University.
Before arriving at Westside, Carson served as a youth intern at two different churches over three summers and worked as a part-time college intern while at LCU. The summer before his senior year, he did his senior practicum at Open Door, a homeless ministry in Lubbock, an experience that taught him that "Christianity is a missional faith" and that God's people are called outside the church walls to be "agents of hope and healing in a broken world." Carson and his wife Ayse moved to El Paso in April 2024 so he could begin preaching at Westside and so Ayse could begin dental school at the Woody L. Hunt School of Dental Medicine. They are the parents of a young daughter and the owners of two dogs named Scruggs and Goose.
Jacob Whitt and the Youth Ministry
Jacob Whitt serves as the youth minister. He has been part of the Westside family since the age of 14 and has served the congregation in a variety of roles since turning 21. He holds an Associate of Arts in Teaching from El Paso Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion from The University of Texas at El Paso, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Biblical Studies through the Sunset International Bible Institute.
Before entering ministry full-time, Jacob was a professional freestyle skateboarder who competed in contests and performed in shows across the United States and internationally. He still enjoys fitness, skateboarding, and video games, and has shared his story through motivational speaking at schools and community events. He is passionate about teaching Scripture "in a way that is easy to understand, relevant to everyday life, and challenges people to examine their hearts as they grow closer to God."
Elders and Deacons
The spiritual leadership of the congregation rests with three elders: Jim Cardwell, Alton Setliff, and Garry Holt. Jim Leeah serves as the deacon of finance. The elders can be reached at elders@westsidecoc.com. The office secretary, Yoli Brown, can be reached at yoli@westsidecoc.com or at 915-584-9475.
Wednesday Mornings: Ladies Bible Class
During the school year, the women of the church gather every Wednesday at 10:00 AM for a Bible study, with snacks, refreshments, and a chance to fellowship together. Visitors are welcome to stop by.
Holiday Ministries
Each Christmas season, the church turns its attention outward. Members partner with the El Paso Community Foundation on the Spirit of Giving campaign and work with Food King to assemble food bags for families' Christmas meals. The El Paso Police Department and the Center Against Family and Sexual Violence collect those bags and distribute them to families in the area.
Getting Connected
Beyond Sunday morning, Westside keeps in touch with members and visitors through a Facebook page and a Flocknote account. Giving is available online as well as in person during the offering. Visitors can sign in online to leave contact information, and office hours are 10 AM to 2 PM, Monday through Friday.