History and Growth

The Core Group
On November 16, 1986, seventy-five people met for the first service of the newly formed West Bellevue Baptist-a mission church of First Baptist Church of Bellevue. The group rented Anderson Grove Elementary School, where they met for several years before moving into Bellevue University. The group went through some ups and downs-at one point almost closing when attendance dipped into the twenties. Yet, God had a destiny for the mission church.

The Church Constitutes
In March of 1993, West Bellevue constituted as a church with 86 charter members. Later that summer the church left Bellevue University and began renting the Golden Hills Seventh Day Adventist Church. In September of 1993 the current pastor, Steve Holdaway, began serving. The church expanded by adding rental space at La Petite Day Care and Two Springs Elementary School.

A Home at Last!
In November, 1997 West Bellevue Church opened the doors to its first permanent facility. Some 400 volunteers from Alabama, Missouri, Arkansas, and, of course, WBC built the 13,000 square-foot building.

Growing and Changing
Currently, WBC has completed phase two of a four-phase master plan for its 11-acre campus. There are now more than 1,000 people who call WBC home. Multiple ministries and staff members now add strength to the church. In spite of this, WBC views itself as a teenage church-changing, developing, maturing, and not knowing exactly what it will look like when it "grows up." However, as the church family continues to walk in God's ways and keep God's heart for the lost, it sees a great future ahead.