Westview Church History
September 29, 1957, a group of nineteen people who were
formerly members of Fair Park Christian Church met in the home
of Mr. & Mrs. Lee Kiper to discuss thoughts of organizing a
new Christian Church in Shreveport, Louisiana.
After favorable discussion, it was decided to organize a
church under the chairmanship of Mr. Mack O. Boykin. The
first church service was held in the Louisiana State Exhibit
Building on the Fair Grounds on October 6, 1957 with Brother
Bob Blazek of Dallas Christian College bringing the message.
On
October 27, 1957, a short business meeting was held during
which names were submitted for the new church. By a majority
of 49 out of the 73 votes cast, WESTVIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH came
into existence.
At a
meeting of a newly elected Church Board, the name of Herman
Cain was presented to serve as the new church's minister.
After Board approval, a congregational meeting was called for
January 12, 1958 during which the congregation voted to call
Brother Cain.
Westview's first building was purchased from the Primitive
Baptist Church at 2502 Darien Street in Shreveport on February
21, 1958 and the first services in that building were held on
February 23. On April 20, 1958 an additional building was
purchased at 2437 Darien Street which became the first
educational building.
By
the end of her anniversary year in 1960, the church enjoyed a
total membership of 278. The facilities were being added to
regularly through special gifts and purchases in the form of
a piano, an organ, communion trays and many other things
essential to the fulfillment of a great ministry for Christ.
Brother Brad Coffey was called as the minister and enjoyed his
first Sunday with this new work on January 27, 1968 and served
through November 16, 1969. The Church continued to experience
growth spiritually, numerically and in her ability to serve.
Brother Don Fream was next called to serve the Church,
beginning his Ministry in May of 1970 and concluded in July of
1973 when he was called to be a Christian college professor.
Westview Christian School was started in February of 1970 and
proved to be successful in giving Children from grades one
through twelve a secular education along with a solid
Christian background.
On
December 1, 1974, Brother George Fisher commenced a ministry
that continued into 1978.
The
next ministry change was when Westview called Brother Don
Raiford to serve as minister on March 11, 1979. Brother Don's
tenure lasted until December of 1983.
In
January of 1984, Brother Ervin Duncan was called on an interim
basis to serve until a new minister was located. By August
1st of that year, Brother "Erv" and Westview agreed that he
should be called as the full time minister.
A
relocation project was completed by August of 1985 which saw
Westview Christian Church take roots at the present location
of 7188 Greenwood Road in Shreveport. Dedication services for
the new building were held on October 6, 1985.
As
growth and faith in our efforts dictated, on August 27, 1995,
ground breaking services were held for our next project, a
Mult-Purpose building which would house our gymnasium, a
kitchen, lounge and classrooms. We are currently enjoying
this facility which has proved to be much needed as our church
family continues to grow.
A
major change in the church's ministry took place on June 7,
1998 when Brother Gary Boswell answered our call and preached
his first sermon as Westview's new Senior and Pulpit
Minister. The church is experiencing a significant growth
period under Brother Gary's leadership and administrative
skills.
Stan
Trala became the full time Youth Minister in 2000. Just out
of seminary, Brother Stan brought young ideas to the
children's work and helped build the program.
In late 2001, the Church expanded the parking lot and added a
children's playground to the grounds, and the fine work that
Brother Stan was doing garnered the attention of a large
church in Arizona. After much prayer, he decided to take
advantage of the opportunity and resigned. A search was on
for a new Youth Minister.
Jon Bailey answered the call to be the full time youth
minister of Westview in October of 2002 and it was decided
that he would join us beginning January 1, 2003.
As
of February, 2004 Westview was making plans to add on an additional
parking lot and complete the upper floor in the Gym building
for additional classroom space. The Children's Ministry has
been changed up and is growing. By year's end, the parking
lot was doubled in size and a new equipment storage area had
been constructed to accommodate the needs of our growing
church.
The
church had grown into a multi-ministry that included
Brother Gary as Senior Minister, Brother "Erv" as Associate
Minister and Brother Jon Bailey as Youth Minster. Secretarial work
from volunteers added greatly to our total ministry.
On
April 10, 2005 Westview Christian held an open house and
appreciation dinner in celebration of the expansion in the
gym. The upstairs area has been completed into additional
teaching areas for the youth an children and we were excited
to have the space.
December 2006, Brother Erv Duncan retired from the ministry.
He has remained active in our church as a member/volunteer.
January 2006 there is an additional expansion plan that
includes an enlargement of the nursery. The offices have been
moved to an administrative wing of the main building and a
welcome center desk built to provide a central point for
information to visitors and members.
2006
saw an expansive growth of the church as more youth got
involved in our church. We had many young children that
were growing into middle school and high school ages and we
enjoyed this growth, believing that youth are tomorrows
future.
June
2007, there was some modifications to the Gym with paneling
being added to the walls to cover the wire mesh insulation all
the way to the ceiling. We also added some sound absorbing
material to the lower walls. The results were a more attractive
meeting area.
In
July we invested in an improved multimedia system to enhance
our messages during our services and provide for an upgraded
announcement system.
We
celebrated our 50th year with a special service on OCTOBER 7,
2007 with 22 years in the same location. Joining us this day
were several former members and pastors and there were lots of
memories shared during our Fellowship dinner that followed.
We
had a great year in 2007 with expansions on our Men's and
Prayer Ministry, the renovation of our Gym, the projection
enhancements, extending Junior church to a full hour and an
average attendance of 179 for our Sunday services with 19
decisions made for the Lord.
Plans are underway for great things for 2008....
We're seeking to grow our Adult ministry and continue to
expand our Children's ministry
We'd like to expand our staff to include a Praise and
Worship Minister in the future
Improved and enhanced outreach in the form of mission trips.
And a return of our Church 101 is being planned....a lesson
on what the church stands for.
A Marriage Retreat is being planned as well.
We want to have at minimum 25 decisions for 2008 and an
average attendance of 200 or better.
Our
church sent a mission team in April 2008 to New Orleans to
assist in the work being done by the Louisiana Evangelizing
Association. Upon return to Shreveport, our Minister,
Gary Boswell, experienced an illness (un-related to his work
in New Orleans) that required his absence from day to day
operations and provided our youth minister, Jon Bailey with
the opportunity to preach for 6 weeks. Jon had never preached
6 sermons in a row and this provided him the opportunity to
grow as a leader and pastor.
By
Early May 2008, we modified our message format in our services
and added more multi-media to the messages. Plans are
underway to renovate the appearance of our welcome and
fellowship area in the main building to enhance our "First
Sunday Fellowships".
During the summer of 2008, we expanded our multi-media
capabilities by installing another projector on the back wall
for our Minister and the Worship team to use during worship,
as well as a new sound system installation that greatly
improved our worship experience.
In
mid July-2008 we sent a group of 10 teenagers and 3 sponsors
to the Gulf Coast area in Mississippi as part of our goal to
enhance our missions and outreach program at Westview.
These young people are participating in the rebuilding process
from the Hurricanes as well helping lead a community wide
Vacation Bible School.
The
announcement of newly discovered Natural Gas resources in the
Shreveport area, called the Haynesville Shale, has everyone
excited and talking about how our church will use any funding
that is derived from the lease of mineral rights toward an
expansion of our ministry.
We
feel that God is most certainly blessing our efforts as we
continue to seek His will and His blessing in all that we do!
History is being made with every Sunday. Come and be a part
of Westview!
Updated July 6, 2008
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