SHINE: Brighter. Further. Together.

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Brighter · Further · Together

What will God do in us—and through us?

As West Side celebrates 125 years of God’s faithfulness, we’re looking ahead with expectation. Shine is a discipleship journey inviting every one of us to deepen our devotion to Jesus and grow in generosity.

Together, we’re asking God to open our hearts, reshape our priorities, and prepare us for what comes next. Our prayer is that every person at West Side will take a step of faith as we follow Jesus into this next chapter.

We want to shine brighter through our ongoing ministries, shine further as we reach our neighbors and serve the vulnerable, and shine together in love and unity.

Our next steps, together

The Shine Journey

Celebrate God’s faithfulness, grow alongside others, and prayerfully consider your next step.

  1. Anniversary Celebrations

    Celebrate 125 years of God’s faithfulness.

  2. Sign up for a Shine Group

    Join group and take this journey together.

  3. Attend the teaching series

    Explore what it means to grow in devotion and generosity.

  4. Advance Commitment Night

    Gather for a shared step of faith and commitment.

Find Your Shine Group

Our primary goal

100% Engagement

What will God do in us?

We desire for every person at West Side to take a step in their devotion to Jesus and grow in generosity. Our prayer is that God will open our hearts, reshape our priorities, and free us up to go all in for Jesus and his mission.

More than anything, this is a season of spiritual renewal, as we welcome God to do a deep work in us.

Our secondary goal

$21M Brighter. Further. Together.

December 2026–December 2027

Shine Brighter

$11.5 million
Strengthening our ongoing ministries through our 2027 general operating budget so even more people can experience the life-changing love of Jesus.

Shine Further

$9.5 million
We believe God is leading us to improve our campus so we can better serve and reach our community. We also want to care for people who are often overlooked or vulnerable, both in our region and around the world. These projects and initiatives are above and beyond our general operating budget.

Shine Further

Preparing for what comes next

Prepare our campus for future generations. Extend our reach to the underserved and overlooked. Raise up leaders, plant churches, and strengthen our mission partners near and far.

Remodeled Infant & Toddler Space

We will remodel and update our spaces for infants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds. We want church to feel warm and inviting to every person who walks through our doors—especially our littlest Westsiders.

New Roof

After 30 years, the roof on the original building of our campus must be replaced. This investment will help protect our campus for future generations.

Auditorium Technology Upgrades

As our Worship Center reaches capacity during our busiest services, we’ll upgrade aging technology in the Auditorium so this space can host overflow worship services.

These improvements will also support our growing classes, group gatherings, and Bible studies throughout the week.

Debt Retirement

By retiring the oldest portion of our debt, we’ll free up nearly $1 million a year to invest in life-changing ministry.

Church Planting

We’ll strategically partner with church planters to launch two new churches over the next two years in under-churched regions.

College Campus Ministry

We want to strengthen and expand ministry on college campuses in our region, giving students every opportunity to know and follow Jesus during this pivotal season of life.

Disabilities Ministry

Every person is fearfully and wonderfully made. We want everyone—regardless of ability—to feel fully known, deeply valued, and included in God’s family.

Our hope is to expand our programming so people with disabilities and their caregivers can experience belonging and the love of Jesus every week.

New School in Kenya

Years ago, Morokani—our adopted community in rural Kenya—welcomed Missions of Hope International to establish a Christian school within their Muslim community. That school has now reached capacity, leaving hundreds of children unable to attend for lack of space.

We hope to build an additional facility so hundreds more students and their families can encounter help and hope through Jesus.

Local Compassion Projects

In 2027, we'll help lead a neighborhood makeover designed to serve our neighbors experiencing homelessness in Springfield.

Expanded Internship & Residency Programs

Our passion is to train and send out leaders for Kingdom service—at West Side, throughout our region, and around the world.

Through Bible and Theology courses offered in partnership with Lincoln Christian Institute, hands-on ministry training, and leadership development from our staff, we’re expanding our internship and residency programs to equip more future leaders.