Churches Represented at WFX

WFX 2007 presenters represent dozens of churches across the country. Whether they are currently or formerly on staff, are active volunteers, or serve churches undergoing tremendous growth, the WFX conference faculty can help your team successfully move your church forward.

New Hope Family Church, Sioux Falls, SD

New Hope Family Church is affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene and is using sports and other children/family ministries to reach our community. A highly creative for a church its size, New Hope uses multimedia, puppetry, stage design, and much more to communicate the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Chip Garrison serves as Pastor.

St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church, Indianapolis, IN

One of the largest Catholic Churches in the Indianapolis Archdiocese with over 5000 families, St. Simon the Apostle is active with the homeless in the city, St. Vincent DePaul Society, CRHP, and Cursillo. Pam Dechert is a parishioner, teaching Sunday school, co-chairing the St. Simon Capital Campaign and serving a role in Christ Renews His Parish.

Monroe Community Church, Grand Rapids, MI

Monroe Community Church is a 3-year old church plant of the Christian Reformed Church. It is located in a renovated warehouse (most recently having housed horse-drawn carriages) in a historic area of downtown Grand Rapids that is changing rapidly from under-utilized industrial buildings to loft apartments/condos, boutiques, pubs, and art galleries. Monroe is active in several urban ministries and offers the downtown business association a monthly breakfast meeting called “Faith @ Work”. Steve Fridsma serves as a musician, graphic artist, small group leader, and environmental advocate.

Gateway Church, Southlake, TX

Gateway Church is just over 7 years old and currently has about 7,000 attendees per weekend. A new campus and satellite campuses are in development to accommodate growth. Anthony Coppedge currently attends and volunteers, serving in the tech arts ministry as well as being involved with small life groups.

Athens Vineyard Christian Fellowship, Athens, GA

Even with its small size of about 90 weekly worshipers, AVCF draws a good pool of musicians to fill various roles, in part because the Staff values volunteer musicians, and provides honest support to fulfill what every church musician needs: an environment to grow, experiment, and enjoy worshipping. Sunday mornings are not a battle of power; they're just honest here's-what-we've-got-to-offer-today experiences. Chris Blanton and his wife have attended since moving to Athens in 2004.

Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Lafayette, IN

Covenant has gone from a very traditional church with average attendance of 500 to a blended service (emphasis on contemporary) with over 1,200 attending every Sunday. Kurt Williams is a 20 year member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in West Lafayette, IN.

Roswell Street Baptist Church, Marietta, GA

Roswell Street Baptist Church has recently completed a multi-purpose building project, including audio, video and room acoustics designed by Thrasher Design Group, Inc. Bill Thrasher is a life-long member of the church, currently serving as both a volunteer sound operator, mixing Sunday services, and providing design work through his firm.

Crossway Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia

Crossway Baptist Church is a large contemporary church situated in the suburbs of Melbourne Australia. It is one of the largest churches in Australia and the largest Baptist church in Australia, featuring an 1,100 seat main auditorium (and a new 2,500 seat auditorium is in the planning stage), a 500 seat youth and children’s centre, a 250 seat chapel and runs over 15 services per week ranging from children’s, youth, youth adults, 4 non-English, 3 satellites and 3 main services, with a weekly attendance of 4,000 people. Peter MacLean has served as Media Pastor for the past seven years.

Normandy United Methodist Church, Dayton, OH

Normandy Church has a membership of approximately 800 and an active audio-visual ministry whose primary responsibility is the recording and production of Normandy’s services for weekly broadcast. The church is currently transitioning from a traditional style of worship to a more contemporary setting, keeping certain traditional elements while incorporating electronic media into the service. Shannon Sellars is an involved member of the congregation.

New Hope Community Church, Boardman, OH

New Hope Community Church has a combined attendance of 225 over two Sunday morning services and a Saturday night gathering called Journey. The church, which currently meets in a warehouse, is part of the Church of the Nazarene denomination. Jim Couchenour and his family helped plant the church about 11 years ago and remain actively involved.

The Crossing UMC, Washington Crossing, PA

Currently averaging about 800 people in two services, The Crossing UMC has transitioned from a blended service to high-energy contemporary, and moved from the ‘sanctuary’ into a larger gym, converting it into a multi-purpose worship center. Todd Phillippi has been a member for the past 16 years and has served the church in various capacities over time, not just with theatrical and building design, but also as a trustee, men’s ministry leader, children and youth worker and adult Sunday School teacher.

Woodmen Valley Chapel, Colorado Springs, CO

One church with multiple locations, Woodmen Valley Chapel was founded in 1980 as a nondenominational, evangelical fellowship of believers. Each weekend, the church serves nearly 6,000 worshipers who attend one of three services. Brad Oaster is a proud weekly worshiper.

Dallas Central Church of the Nazarene, Dallas, TX

Dr. Tim White serves as Senior Pastor at Dallas Central Church of the Nazarene. The church's beautiful, but aging facility has undergone a renaissance in the past four years as pastor and people have committed themselves to "rebuild the walls" (on a financial shoestring) to effectively reach the city with the Gospel. Replacement of operating and appearance systems such as climate control systems, walls and flooring, redecoration of high visibility areas, redesign and redeployment of usable space, and creative development of enhanced security systems have all contributed to the anticipation of a great future for the church.

Central Wesleyan Church, Holland, MI

Offering both blended and contemporary services, Central Wesleyan Church attracts 3000-3500 in weekly attendance. Jay Hostetler serves as a Life-Stage Pastor, responsible for all aspects of the programs for infants--high school and for community outreach projects.

First Baptist Church, Huntersville, NC

Located on a 19 acre campus, First Baptist has a 415 seat auditorium, a 3 story educational building, and a family life center that houses the preschool education classes and gym. This fall, they will move into a new facility that will include a student auditorium, classrooms, and an administrative wing. The student auditorium will be equipped with a new lighting system, video package, and top-notch audio). Bob Adams leads the Student Tech Team with his wife and takes part in the music ministry’s handbell and brass choirs. He served on the church’s staff for 9 years as Associate Pastor/Facilities Administrator.

Shiloh Church, Dayton, OH

Shiloh Church, located in Dayton, Ohio, was founded in 1853 and is affiliated with The United Church of Christ. Almost since its inception, Shiloh has demonstrated a love for the performing arts that continues today through a booming music and drama ministry. The church is also known for its early use of technology in worship through projection, lighting, and most recently, television broadcasting. Jim Eller is a member.