About Us

OUR MISSION

We exist for the purpose of helping people come to know God personally and develop into mature followers of Jesus Christ.

OUR VISION

By God's grace the West Side Brethren in Christ Church will be a dynamic, growing fellowship of believers who worship and serve God passionately. We will provide quality Biblical teaching and discipleship opportunities, and promote fellowship and Biblical relationships within the community of faith. We will intentionally reach out to out local community for Christ and present a world vision of evangelism. We will strive to be relevant in style and provide a growth orientation through new and changing ministries, flexible structures, and visionary leadership, while maintaining spiritual integrity. Our source of wisdom and confidence will be the working of the Holy Spirit among us accessed by fervent prayer and active faith.

Jesus Christ is the foundation of our values and beliefs.

A diverse family, we believe it's important to wrestle with the Bible together. Like all families, we interpret the world through a particular lens. For us, that lens is the person, teaching, and work of Jesus Christ.

Centered on Christ's example and grounded in our history, our values and beliefs prompt us to extend the Kingdom of God in our Communities and world.

To learn more about the Brethren in Christ Core Values, Articles of Faith and Doctrine, and Positions, click learn more below.

The West Side Brethren in Christ Church began as a church plant of the Allegheny Conference in 1987 with Rev. Ed RIckman as founding Pastor. Soon an initial building was erected at the current location, 2665 Lincoln Way West, Chambersurg.

Pastor Rickman left in 1988 and was succeeded by Rev. Charles Lehman, who led the congragation for 13 years. The church experienced some growth during this time. Pastor Lehman retired in 2001 and was succeeded by Rev. James Sollenberger, who retired in 2019. The current Pastor, W David Kent was installed in September 2020.

The West Side congregation is affiliated with the Brethren in Christ Church, which grew out of a revival movement in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in 1780. The church has its roots in the Anabaptist, Pietist, and Wesleyan streams of theological thought. It is actively involved in church planting and missions, with many members overseas.