1999: Humble Beginnings
In August of 1999, Stonegate Fellowship held its first worship service at Abell Junior High School with about 200 people in attendance. That moment marked the beginning of a vision that had taken shape over the previous decade—a desire born out of First Baptist Church of Midland to plant a mission church to serve the growing northwest side of Midland. Under the leadership of founding pastor Patrick Payton, Stonegate began to establish its unique identity as a church committed to authentic worship, biblical teaching, and intentional discipleship.
Early 2000s: A Permanent Home
After three years of meeting in a school auditorium, the church moved into its first permanent facility at 6000 W. Wadley Ave. What began with a single worship space quickly expanded, with seating capacity increasing to accommodate a growing congregation. Over time, the physical campus evolved to include multiple venues, flexible gathering spaces, and state-of-the-art environments for kids and students.
2008: Investing in the Next Generation
In 2008, Stonegate completed a brand-new children’s building, reflecting our deep commitment to raising up the next generation of Jesus followers. The $12 million project was paid off in just under a year—demonstrating the generosity and shared vision of our church family to remain debt-free and forward-thinking.
2016: Expanding to Odessa
As God continued to grow our influence, Stonegate launched a second campus in Odessa. What was once a local nightclub was transformed into a life-giving space for worship, discipleship, and ministry. The Odessa campus opened in December of 2016 and faithfully served the Permian Basin community for seven years.
2018: A Healthy Transition
In 2018, founding pastor Patrick Payton retired from his role, leaving behind a strong and healthy foundation. Rather than calling a single successor, Stonegate embraced a teaching team model—a collaborative approach to preaching and leadership guided by the eldership of the church. This shift reinforced our commitment to shared leadership, accountability, and long-term health as a church family.
2023: Stonegate Odessa Church
In 2023, our Odessa campus officially became its own autonomous church—Stonegate Odessa Church. This step marked a natural and exciting transition, allowing the local leadership to more directly serve and respond to the unique needs of their community. While continuing in shared mission and relationship, Stonegate Odessa now functions independently, reaching the city of Odessa with the hope of Jesus.
Present Day: Building for the Future
Today, Stonegate Fellowship remains a vibrant and growing church community, with multiple Sunday gatherings and thousands of people calling it home. We continue to equip people to experience life in Christ, serve others, and share the gospel—locally and globally.
In 2024, we launched Stonegate Build—an ongoing initiative to prepare our church for what’s next. Build is centered around three core goals:
- Gather – Expanding worship spaces to create more room for people to come together and experience the gospel.
- Find – Establishing a space where people can connect, grow in faith, and engage with our community throughout the week.
- Train – Developing a discipleship training center to equip believers, leaders, and future generations to live out their faith boldly.
