Hillside was passing out these watter bottles at Canyon High.
Hillside Christian Church launched its Canyon campus on Sunday, August 30 in the Canyon High School auditorium.
“Hillside’s mission is to love God as we lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ,” Cameron Reeves, Hillside’s Canyon campus pastor, said.
“We have four key values — worship, grow, serve and share. Our purpose is to provide opportunities and an environment for people here in Canyon, from all shapes and sizes, to put these values into action.”
To get the word out for the church’s local launch, the staff not only hung up fliers all over WTAMU’s campus, but also set up a booth on the pedestrian mall for the CORE’s organizational fair. As students walked to and from buildings, the staff passed out water bottles to them with the launch date and website on the labels.
“The welcoming atmosphere is what attracted me the most,” Dale Davis, assistant marketing director for WT Athletics and youth coordinator for Hillside’s Canyon campus, said.
“I made Hillside Christian my church home because though it’s a big church, I’ve felt God’s love through every friendship I’ve made there.”
With no permanent building of their own, the church’s structure is revolved around the already established mentality of weekly small groups. This concept is based on Ecclesiastes 4:12 — “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him — a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
These small groups concentrate on digging into the Bible together, praying for and encouraging one another, and keeping each other accountable throughout the week. The groups are broken up by location and by age groups.
“I encourage students to come check out Hillside at Canyon because it’s a fresh experience; it’s something new,” Davis said.
“I guarantee that when you walk in the door, you’re going to be encouraged until you leave.”
The Canyon campus has a two-year agreement to gather in Canyon High School’s auditorium for Sunday services, and the staff is utilizing office space on the square.
Within a year or so, the church body will begin strategizing to find a building of their own.
“As I pray for Canyon, I’m reminded of the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15,” Reeves said.
Canyon Jr. High, where Hillside launched its Canyon campus. Photo by Wikimedia.com.
“It’s a story of two sons and it captures two wrong ways to get to God. The younger son represents a non-religious person trying to live life the way he pleases, no father needed. The older son represents a religious person trying to earn the favor of the father on his own by obeying all the rules. In the end, both sons’ lifestyles separate them from the father. Both types of people live here in Canyon; I’ve even been both types myself. We want people to know, though, that there is a loving God, and He sent His Son who followed all the rules for us. Our gospel is one of freedom and of love.”
Hillside Christian Church of Canyon congregates for Sunday services at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. For more information, visit the church’s website at www.hillsidewired.com.