Austin Church Search: Westover Hills Church of Christ
While Westover Hills may be the most traditional of the churches I have visited so far, it is also one of the most vibrant. They met in a bustling suburban neighborhood about a 20 minute drive from downtown Austin. You’ll see most people dressed in their Sunday’s best, I didn’t feel out of place in my jeans and t-shirt. It seemed to me that Westover leaned towards families, young marrieds with children and parents with teenagers.
The church has been known for years for its thriving youth ministry. However, in recent years that focus seems to be shifting. Westover has made it their goal to bless on their immediate community, by serving their neighbors in practical ways. They also have adopted a church and housing complex in Northeast side of Austin, known for violence, desperate poverty, and a gathering place for international refugees.
Worship music at Westover is beautiful Church of Chris-style a cappella. An on stage is a multigenerational worship team leads classic hymns and modern worship in four part harmony.
The message on that Sunday was taken from the story of Matthew and Jesus. The preacher exhorted Westover to get out of their Christian bubble, and find non-Christians to eat with. Westover is a healthy traditional Church, with a caring leadership, striving to grow more missional.
Westover’s goal is to reach Austin in bold, creative and caring ways. With their open heart to the poor, and willingness to to try new things, I believe God could use them to do just that.
