02/25/2026
God is working in Abilene! -- Church of Christ at Re*****on Ridge seeds new church in Abilene
The Church of Christ at Re*****on Ridge has seeded a new church to locate in downtown Abilene. The new effort, called The Way – A Church of Christ, will offer its first service March 1 at the 201 Mesquite Event Center west of Front Porch Coffee Co. & Bakery at the corner of Mesquite and North 2nd streets. They will gather at 10 a.m.
“From the time we started worshipping together as Re*****on Ridge in 2017, part of our vision has been to plant more churches in the Abilene area to continue spreading the Word of God. We’re in our ninth year, and that’s happening,” said Ron McElyea, one of Re*****on Ridge’s founding elders.
Zane Dennis, also a Re*****on Ridge founding elder, explained that the Ridge body was intentional in growing a church to about 375 to 400 members, thinking that was a good size where most people could actively engage in ministry and know most of the members. When they built their permanent building, finished in 2021, they designed the auditorium to seat about 400 people.
“We didn’t want to be a mega-church,” Dennis said. “So when our numbers neared the 400 mark, conversations started about seeding another church. Matthew 28:19 says ‘go,’ and that’s what we’re doing. ”
As those conversations began, people came forward to start the new church. As the effort solidified, Dennis explained members willing to be part of the new church targeted a location, brainstormed on a name for the group, and put names forward for men to shepherd them as elders for the church.
Approximately 75 people will be founding members of The Way. Three men will serve as elders: Rische Beeson, Patrick Garcia and Mike Tackett, who will also serve as the preaching minister.
Garcia explained they were drawn to the downtown area because of its revitalization, growth and opportunities to minister to different demographics of people.
McElyea said, “The core of it all is we are here to spread the Word of God and bring people to Christ. That’s what we are doing at Re*****on Ridge, and that’s what these folks will be doing at The Way.”
