Our Story

The concept of Eastwood Presbyterian Church grew from a 1976 Men´s Bible Study through a book called Body Life written by Ray Stedman about the purpose and nature of such a church.

In the spring of 1977, a small group from that Bible study felt led to see a new church that embraced the body life concept. They agreed to pray for one month to see if God was leading in that direction. By June of 1977, some twelve couples and their children were meeting in homes on Sunday nights. There were so many children they soon outgrew homes and were looking for a new place to meet.

Trinity Presbyterian School´s multi-purpose room became the site of Sunday evening worship for this small group in July 1977. Their goal was to start a Sunday morning worship service once they reached 17 committed families. That goal was attained by November 1977, and the first morning worship was held during a weekend retreat at Camp Hargis Christian Retreat a month later.

God answered the prayers of these committed Christians as He continued to raise up new members. Eastwood was instated as a Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) mission church by Evangel Presbytery in October 1978. A pulpit committee was elected and began the search for a pastor. Most of the church families were young, so the pulpit committee set criteria for a mature pastor who was married and had already raised a family. The Lord had different criteria. Eastwood welcomed 28-year old bachelor Aaron Fleming as pastor in November 1979. He was exactly who God knew we needed.

At this point, church offices were in a nearby office complex, while Sunday services and Bible study continued at Trinity School. Our membership increased and we could no longer meet at the school. The church body began praying for a building in 1982, and 7.5 acres of property were purchased across from Trinity School. The building and land were financed by personal contributions and the sale of bonds. Our first service at that building, in what is now our fellowship hall, took place on May 5, 1985.

The congregation continued to increase in number, and in 1993 a building campaign was initiated to raise funds for the construction of a permanent sanctuary and additional classroom and office space. The new sanctuary was completed and dedicated on Sunday, June 7, 1998.

Our goal has always been that God would raise up people committed to exercise their God-given spiritual gifts and to minister to one another by fulfilling the reciprocal commands of Scripture.