Omaha / Nebraska / United States
The Southwest Omaha congregation of the Churches of Christ met for the first time in February 11, 1962. Nine families were present that day at the First Federal Savings and Loan Building in Countryside Village. In early April, a house was rented in the Westgate area on "C" Street. Worship services were conducted in the basement and classes were held in the upstairs area. On April 3,1962, the congregation agreed to purchase 2.26 acres of land at 115th and Center, and planning for a new church building started. By April 1964, average attendance at the new building had reached 90. In June of 1964, Albert Gardner moved to Omaha as the congregations first located, full-time preacher. In May 1971, nine years after the Southwest church started meeting, the first elders were appointed. Other ministers have been Don Kinney, Bob Taylor, Dean Bryce, and Jim Tenery. In 1982, Tim Pate was hired as the first Outreach Director. In March of 1983, ground was broken for a additional buildings to house classrooms and a large fellowship hall. Those facilities were ready for use by September 1, 1983. At that time the average attendance had reached 250. Nebraska Christian Services, (NCS) a counseling and referral agency for crisis pregnancies, was begun in May 1983 as a fully-supported work of the Southwest church. In addition to duties as Outreach Director, Tim Pate served as the first Director of NCS. The agency was incorporated in December 1985. Support has increased from other congregations and individuals involved with NCS. In the fall of 1985, Greg Clark was hired as Southwests first youth minister on a part-time basis while completing his college work at U.N.O. In November of 1986, Alan Watson was hired as Outreach Director and Director of NCS. Then, in July 1987, NCS. was licensed by the state of Nebraska as a private adoption agency. Burrel Beck took over as interim director in 1992. In the latter part of 1997, attendance had far outgrown Southwests facilities. After many months of meetings and decisions, the congregation was prepared to break ground on a new auditorium and fellowship hall at that location. This would mean moving all worship services and church activities to the cramped fellowship hall area or to a temporary location while the work was being completed. Suddenly, God brought a miracle to Southwest. The congregation at Love and Grace Family Church contacted Southwest about the purchase of their facilities at 124th and Center. On February 27th, 1998, Southwest Church of Christ moved into the facilities at 2600 South 124th Street and the congregation of Love & Grace Family Church moved into Southwests old facilities on 115th and Center. Current areas of ministry at Southwest: Body Life Education Childrens Education Kids in Christ Marriage Ministry Operations Outreach Together Groups Worship Youth Ministry Contact us today to learn more. Church Office 2600 South 124th Street Omaha, Nebraska 68144 (402) 333-6536 (402) 697-1934 FAX E-mail Jim White - Pulpit Minister: [email protected] Franklin Wood - Youth Minister: [email protected] Patty Coffman - Administrative Assistant: [email protected]
