08/31/2026
To Our New West Side Baptist Church Family
Dear West Side Baptist Church Family,
Sandra and I want to take a moment to tell you how thankful, humbled, and excited we are to begin this new journey with you.
As I step into the role of Pastor of West Side Baptist Church, I do so with a heart full of anticipation—not because I believe I have all the answers, but because I know the One who does. We truly believe that God has brought us together for a purpose, for this time, and for this season.
Sandra and I have spent much time praying about what God has ahead for us. Leaving one season of ministry and stepping into another brings many emotions, but above all else, we have peace knowing that when God leads, we simply need to be faithful enough to follow.
And now, God has led us to West Side Baptist Church.
I want you to know from the very beginning that I don’t look at West Side as simply a church where I have been called to preach. I look at West Side as a church family that Sandra and I have been called to love, serve, grow with, pray with, laugh with, worship with, and walk alongside.
I am looking forward to getting to know each of you—not just your names, but your stories, your families, your burdens, your hopes, and your dreams for this church.
I believe with all my heart that God is not finished with West Side Baptist Church.
In fact, I believe some of our greatest days may still be ahead of us.
There will be things for us to learn together. There will be challenges we will face together. There will be victories we will celebrate together. There will be times when we will have to pray a little harder, trust a little deeper, and hold onto one another a little tighter.
But through it all, I want us to remember one thing:
This is God’s church.
It doesn’t belong to the pastor. It doesn’t belong to one family, one committee, or one generation. It belongs to Jesus Christ, and our responsibility is to faithfully follow wherever He leads us.
My prayer is that West Side will continue to be a place where the Bible is preached, Jesus Christ is lifted high, the lost are welcomed, the hurting find hope, families grow stronger, believers grow deeper in their faith, and people come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
I want us to reach beyond the walls of our church. I want our community to know that West Side Baptist Church is here and, more importantly, that Jesus loves them and there is hope in Him.
I don’t know everything God has planned for us—and I’m glad I don’t.
Because if we already knew everything He was going to do, we wouldn’t need faith.
So instead of trying to see the entire road ahead, Sandra and I are simply saying, “Lord, we’re ready. Lead us.”
And I pray that you will join us in saying the same thing.
Let’s dream together.
Let’s pray together.
Let’s worship together.
Let’s serve together.
Let’s reach people together.
Let’s build upon the foundation that has already been laid and trust God to lead West Side Baptist Church into the future He has prepared for us.
Sandra and I are honored to begin this journey with you. We are looking forward to becoming part of the West Side family, building relationships with you, and seeing firsthand what God is going to do in the days, months, and years ahead.
Church, I’m excited.
I’m excited about what God is going to do in our church.
I’m excited about the people He is going to reach.
I’m excited about the lives He is going to change.
I’m excited about the families He is going to strengthen.
And I’m excited that God has allowed Sandra and me to be a part of it with you.
As we begin this new chapter together, I ask for one thing above everything else:
Pray.
Pray for Sandra and me.
Pray for our church leadership.
Pray for one another.
Pray for our community.
Pray for those who don’t yet know Christ.
And pray that everything we do at West Side Baptist Church will bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ.
We love you already, and we cannot wait to see what God has in store.
The journey begins, and we’re trusting God every step of the way.
With love, gratitude, and great anticipation,
Pastor Jeff & Sandra
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:7