1980

First Baptist Church (FBC) began studying the feasibility of starting a new church in west Midland.  However, the oil and gas industry, which sustains the Midland economy, was suffering a historic depression. As a result, it was determined that it would not be practical to undertake a new church plant in the face of these economic conditions.

1990

Ten years later, the oil industry had adjusted to low commodity prices and the Midland economy had stabilized. Dr. Gary Dyer, senior pastor of FBC, proposed that the plant of a west Midland church be revisited.

A committee was formed that began to interview potential candidates. Eventually, they decided upon a young man who was soon to graduate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky named Patrick Payton. During this time, a group of families who felt led to be a part of the new church plant had begun meeting together to plan and pray on Sunday nights.

This was also when the name Stonegate was submitted. The name was taken from two New Testament passages.

1 Peter 2:6 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

“For it stands in Scripture: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and honored cornerstone, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.’”

and

John 10:7-9 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

“Jesus said again, ‘Truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.  I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.’”

This name, being anchored in scripture, will serve as a reminder that the proclamation of Jesus Christ is the sole foundation of our teaching and doctrine.

1999

The new church officially began. Midland Independent School District graciously allowed the new church to meet at Abell Junior High School.  On that first Sunday, approximately 250 people arrived in the cafeteria where services were held. Volunteers had arrived early to set up musical instruments and speakers for the worship team and chairs for the congregation in addition to the children’s ministry set up. Little did we know that Abell would be Stonegate’s home for 3 and ½ years.

2002

The West Wadley location we have today was originally under contract.

Members of our congregation had been praying for this location with the thought that it was the land that God had given us. Shortly after, the original contract fell through and allowed us to make an offer. The offer was accepted and we began planning for our new building. Prayer days were held where church members would gather at the new site to dedicate the property for the Lord’s purposes.

2003

Our new building was complete.  On our last Sunday at Abell, the congregation walked the quarter mile along Wadley to our new home.

2004

One year later in 2004, the new building on West Wadley was paid off, and the church began to work on plans for a building that would be just for our Kids Ministry.

2008

Stonegate has always been committed to telling “the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord” (Ps. 78:4). In 2008, we took a major step toward solidifying our commitment to being a church devoted to ministry for kids. Our SGKids building opened its doors and has been serving Permian Basin families for nearly a decade.

2012

In 2012, Stonegate sensed a call to move beyond 6000 W. Wadley Avenue. A multisite strategy team formed and began researching ways to expand Stonegate across the Permian Basin.

2014

Stonegate Odessa launched in 2014, following in the footsteps of Stonegate Midland—meeting in a middle school auditorium. Bonham Junior High has played host to Stonegate Odessa since its launch.

2016

In 2016, Stonegate purchased an old nightclub on the east side of Odessa and began demolition and construction. Teams are drawing plans, filing building permits and moving toward a 2017 opening of the Odessa campus’s new home.