2025

Made for More!

This year, Made for More has become more than just a song we sing. It’s grown into an anthem — a bold declaration of who and whose we are. Through every high and low, God has been reminding us that we’re his. Our stories, our worth, our identities – they’re all found in Jesus. Believing this frees us up to live with confidence, courage, and joy, no matter what life may bring. And so, as we look back on the year with gratitude and anticipate all that lies ahead, we proclaim this truth: We’ve been made for more. In the pages that follow we’re celebrating the many ways, both big and small, in which God is bringing more purpose, more joy, and more of himself to us all. Thanks for being a part of his work through West Side in 2025.

A Note from Eddie

I love our church’s year-end booklet and webpage because they offer a recap of the moments and people that have made the year so meaningful. As the words, photos and videos ahead help us glance back on 2025, may gratitude be our dominant response. Speaking of gratitude, I’ll go first: I am grateful for God’s goodness, for your partnership, and for the honor of participating in Jesus’ good work through West Side.

Trust me, you will be inspired by the stories of renewal, faith, and transformation you’re about to read. Every week, I see God writing similar stories in the faces of people who are moving toward Jesus, and those who are already following him wholeheartedly.

Friend, thank you for resisting the urge to be a spectator. Thank you for making the most of every opportunity. Thank you for responding well to West Side’s leaders. Thank you for modeling so many forms of selflessness. Each time you serve, invite or give financially to our church, you demonstrate that you get it. As we move into 2026, let’s do so with determination and a spirit of expectation!

Much love,
Eddie

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Made New!

Baptism is one of the clearest pictures of what it means to be made for more. It’s a bold, beautiful declaration that life with Jesus is the life we were created for – a leaving behind of the old and a rising into the new. This year at West Side, we’ve seen God move in ways that remind us just how powerful that truth is. More people have claimed new life in Christ this year than any year before – 362 BAPTISMS and counting!

On Sunday, August 24, during Baptism Day, we celebrated as 163 PEOPLE stepped into the waters in a single day to say yes to Jesus and all he offers. And the baptisms that came before and since? We’re still celebrating those, too!

Each story is a glimpse of God’s transforming grace – proof that in him, we are chosen, forgiven, and free. What a joy to witness the new life only he can give!

The Duffy Family

Ken and Tristin Duffy both grew up in faith-based families, but, like many, drifted from church during their college years. It wasn’t until after their daughters were born that they felt a tug to find a church home and lead their family in faith.

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As they prepared for a job change and subsequent move to Springfield, Ken drove down Veterans Parkway and noticed West Side. He pulled out his phone, took a quick video and sent it to Tristin, saying, “We should check this place out once we get settled.” And that’s exactly what they did.

The Duffys moved in May 2019 and began attending West Side just a month later, jumping right into the churchwide Fearless generosity campaign. Even through the pandemic shutdowns, church didn’t stop for them – their small group met online, and their faith kept growing. Since then, the Duffys have become deeply rooted at West Side. Ken now volunteers regularly with our Junior High Ministry, leading a group of boys. What began as a way to support his nervous sixth grader has become a passion to guide junior high students to become more godly. Their daughter now attends confidently and even started a Bible study at her school.

Tristin, a special education teacher, serves in the Buddies Ministry and at events like A Night of Stars. This year, she and their daughter, Tinley, were even baptized together – beautiful milestones in a family choosing to follow Jesus together.

Since becoming a part of West Side, God has helped our family just grow and become more comfortable with our spiritual journey.
- Ken

Young Adult Ministry

In a world where face-to-face connection feels increasingly rare and online friendships have become the norm, West Side’s Young Adult Community is working hard to change the game. Many churches struggle to maintain thriving young adult ministries because young adults are often transient, their life seasons change quickly, and their experiences span a wide range: single, married, career-focused, or newly navigating adulthood. Yet the hunger for real connection runs deep – especially in the wake of COVID, when so many were forced into isolation.

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That’s why today, the Young Adult Community at West Side creates intentional spaces for twentysomethings to gather, grow, and serve together. They volunteer with local ministry partners, worship side by side, and sometimes simply have fun.

The truth is, the young adult years can be vulnerable and full of transition – from school to careers to family life – so having a place to seek Jesus and build genuine community is key. That’s exactly what West Side’s Young Adult Community is all about.

It’s important for us to have a space where we can build each other up and cultivate relationships with other people going through similar life stages.
- Noah

Bert's Story

Roberta (Bert) Hendee grew up believing faith was meant to remain private – you shouldn’t wear it on your sleeve. And so, she didn’t. She quietly attended church with her husband and two daughters, but it wasn’t until she saw her daughters’ faith come alive that her own began to take root.

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After her husband passed away in 2016, Bert found herself lonely at the church she was attending and began visiting West Side with her daughter. Soon after, she joined GriefShare, a West Side Care Group for those walking through loss – and that’s when everything began to change. She realized God was inviting her into a new season of life, and so she obediently followed him there. Soon, her faith deepened and her desire to engage in our church community grew: Bert began absorbing and applying Sunday’s messages. She participated in Rooted, was baptized, began serving in the cafe, joined women’s Bible studies, facilitated Rooted, and took part in a leadership cohort. Looking back, it’s made all the difference.

Today, Bert is grateful for the new chapter Jesus continues to write in her story and she’s proud to wear his name on her sleeve wherever she goes.

When I was fortunate enough to find community here at West Side I was just overwhelmed with the knowledge that my life was going to be full again.
- Bert

Eddie's Story

There were always signs of God’s presence – it just took Eddie Bullock a while to see them, and even longer to let them change him.

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The year was 2020. After causing an accident that claimed his best friend’s life, Eddie was left with deep grief and heavy consequences. As he began fulfilling court-ordered community service, he isolated himself from others and wrestled with how to pick up the pieces of his life. One post-accident challenge that was especially challenging for Eddie was finding work. That’s when a friend told him about Jobs for Life, a West Side program designed to support and help those who are unemployed or underemployed. It became a turning point.

There, Eddie met Warren, a mentor who would quickly become one of his biggest champions. Warren not only walked alongside Eddie throughout the 10-week program, but he also offered encouragement and accountability in the weeks and months that followed. Still, Eddie’s troubles continued, and after one final setback, Eddie found himself at rock bottom. But this time, he was ready for lasting change. Through Warren’s encouragement and accountability, he began attending church consistently, started volunteering at Refuge Ranch, a beloved West Side ministry partner, and even found a home for him and his sons, thanks to a Westsider’s help. Then, last December, Eddie surprised Warren with an incredible request: to baptize him into Jesus. His slate was washed clean, and his new life began. And if that’s not already enough good news, after volunteering on West Side’s maintenance team for months as part of his community service fulfillment, Eddie finally landed a job he loves – right here at West Side. Today, he’s mentoring kids himself, passing along the lesson that changed everything for him:

Life is so much better when you’re not in control, but surrendered to Jesus.
- Eddie

Audra's Story

Audra Ferry had landed her dream job – a kindergarten teacher at a Springfield-area school, and she never planned to leave it. That is, until God turned her good plans upside down and made them great. Audra has long been deeply connected to Jesus and his mission. For many years, West Side has been a place where her faith was nurtured, her gifts were developed, and her heart for ministry took root. Through years of worship, serving, and community, she learned to trust God’s voice and saw what it means to live fully surrendered to him.

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So when her friends and former West Side staff, Michael and Amani Swearingen, moved to Sarasota, Florida, to plant Coastline Church, she cheered them on from afar – praying, encouraging, even baking and selling cookies to raise funds.

Then a visit to Sarasota changed everything. Seeing firsthand what God was doing through this not-yet-launched church stirred something deep in her heart. Shortly after she returned home, her phone lit up with a message from the Swearingens: “Audra, would you ever consider moving to Florida to be our kids ministry director?”

For someone who had turned down other opportunities to move, this one felt different. With prayer, faith, and a little fear, Audra said yes.

Today, she leads Coastline Kids, helping children and families in Sarasota discover the love of Jesus. What began as a small act of support became a bold step of obedience. And through it all, West Side has stood beside her – not just as her home church, but as her sending church – equipping and encouraging her to live out the gospel wherever God calls. Today, Audra continues to learn that God’s plans are always better than her own – and that he can be trusted to equip her for everything he calls her to do.

God’s plans are so much better than ours. I didn’t even know life could be this full and meaningful.
- Audra