About Us

Our Mission

LIVE like Jesus.
LOVE people give hope.
GROW through the power of the Holy Spirit.

What We Believe

We believe in one Creator God, who reveals himself as Father, Son, and Spirit. We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ.

We believe that the Bible is the inspired and relevant Word of God.

We believe that all people have sinned and need God’s grace and forgiveness which is abundantly available through Jesus’ death on the Cross. We believe that as Christians we need to offer our whole lives to God that he might cleanse our hearts from the attitude of Sin (the Biblical word for this is sanctification).

We believe God draws us to himself but the decision to respond is ours.

We believe that an individual must repent and trust Christ to receive forgiveness and eternal life.

We believe that as Christians we need to offer our whole lives to God (the Biblical word for this is sanctification) . When we surrender ourselves to God completely. His Spirit can fully mold us into Christ likeness; His perfect Love is reflected in our attitudes and actions; and God empowers us to live more abundantly.

We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, carrying on His purposes in the world.

We believe that God can bring healing.

We believe that Jesus Christ is coming again.

We practice the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Services & Meeting Times

We gather every week at the following times:

Sunday Mornings:
Sunday Morning Life Groups: 9:45 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship: 10:45 a.m.
Children’s PowerHouse: 10:45 a.m.

Sunday Nights:
Sunday Night Camp Meeting: 4 p.m.
Teen Hang 10 in Gym: 6 p.m.

Wednesdays at 7 p.m.:
Sparks
Youth Alive
Bible Study

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of people go to this church?

People just like you. We’re businesspeople, union workers, seniors, children, families with children, empty nesters, teens, singles, babies and grandparents. Some of us are new to the community, and some of us have lived here all of our lives. We’re a diverse group of ages, races, educational levels, occupations and interests. But where it really matters, we all agree: God has offered us His unconditional, overwhelming love.

We’re not perfect. Only God is. The Church exists for broken people who need His love, grace and forgiveness.

What are your worship gatherings like?

In a word, relevant: every thing we do in our worship gatherings is done with real life in mind. We sing songs that are current, and timeless hymns with contemporary arrangements. Sermons speak to life in the marketplace, on the job, in the home and in the classroom. Words that describe our worship services are authentic, inspiring, edifying, and enlightening. Our Sunday morning gatherings last about 75 minutes.

More important is this question: “What does God get out of our worship services?” Worship really isn’t about us. It is all about telling a faithful and grace-giving God how much we love Him. We hope the face of God smiles when we gather to worship Him. This is our earnest desire.

We also offer “PowerHouse” worship service for children simultaneously during the adult worship service.

What do you offer the various members of my family?

How much time do you have? We have ministries for children, teens, adults and seniors. There are groups of people that meet to learn, to serve, to grow and just to be friends.

Be sure to visit the children’s ministry page and the teen ministry page to see more of our ministries.

What is the music like?

In all candor, that all depends on who you ask. We’re not quite edgy enough for some, and too raucous for others.

Having said that, we lean far more contemporary than traditional.

Will anyone bombard me with questions?

Our hope is that you will be greeted at the door by a friendly face and directed to the Worship Center and Children’s Worship areas. During the service, we ask that you sign the Guest Card in your seat with your name and address so we have record of your visit. You are also invited to stop by the Welcome Center at the end of the service.

Is someone going to try to get me to pray out loud?

Nope.

What do I wear?

Wear what you’d like. We believe God is more concerned about the inside of a person, rather than the outside. You’ll find a person in jeans sitting next to a person in a tie here. We’re focused on setting a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere that will allow anyone to experience God.

Ministry Team

Cecil Brown
Lead Pastor
cecil.brown@wnaz.org

Dacia Brown
Music Director
dacia.brown@wnaz.org

Ed Trusty
Associate Pastor

Nick Hale
Youth Pastor
nick.hale@wnaz.org

Bronda Boley
Associate Pastor
bronda.boley@wnaz.org

Jennifer Exline
Office Administrator
office@wnaz.org

History

“In the beginning…” God inspired His people at First Church of the Nazarene to better serve their community by mothering a new church on the west side of Wichita. In May of 1924, First Church purchased property at 1016 W Maple from the West Side Church of Christ, and the West Side Church of the Nazarene was born. Services began with Rev. A.C. Tunnell, District Superintendent, and 23 charter members on August 10, 1924, A humble, yet beautiful beginning for the life of West Side.

Only one year later West Side began moving forward when the building on Maple sold and land was purchased at St. Clair and Burton. In the spirit of worship and and devotion, a Tabernacle was erected to the one and only Living God. Through the graciousness of God, and the sacrifices of His people, the mortgage for both the land and building was “burned” in August, 1927. Shouts of Victory rose from the small congregation in answer to God’s blessing.

The journey of life continued with plans for a new building. The basement was completed and occupied on May 13, 1928. Maturity comes with a price, but this was a praying group and gradually the personality of a strong and stable church emerged.The pains of growth were relieved with the purchase of a brick building at University and Walnut. Doing business once more with the West Side Church of Christ, the sum of $1,500.00 was paid in June 1939, and the first service was held on September 3, 1939.

Early considerations for a new building were overruled by God’s plan. Using the opportunity of the Highway 54 expansion, God moved West Side to its present location at 2300 S Seneca. Property was purchased for $103,000.00. The parsonage, fellowship hall, sanctuary and Sunday school wing were dedicated to the Lord on January 13, 1957. The south wing and chapel were dedicated September 20, 1964.

At “sixty years young” West Side’s recent worship center was completed between two existing wings. The old sanctuary was converted to a gymnasium/family life center.

Over seventy-five years have passed now, and West Side has grown with the wisdom and maturity that only time can bring. And the growing process continues on. In honor of it’s diamond anniversary, West Side gave a gift to the world by sponsoring and completely supporting a Work and Witness trip to Panama. Proving once again the faithfulness and generosity of God’s people.

Three quarters of a century of proclaiming the Gospel message to the people of southwest Wichita, and around the world. The people of West Side now enjoy God’s blessing with Spirit-filled worship services and testimony times. The talented musicians, choirs, and praise team add to the beauty of the worship services and testimony times. There are opportunities for Bible study, connection with others, and serving in Life Groups. Compassionate services to the local community and the world are offered by Nazarene Missions. REAL Youth Ministries for teens, Caravans for children, and active Singles and Seniors departments. A loving nursery department nurtures the youngest members. And the formation and dedication of “Prayer Partners” places prayer at the foundation of every program at West Side.