A Non-Denominational Church on South Rock Road
Countryside Christian Church sits on the east side of Wichita at 1919 S Rock Road, just south of East Harry. From its location in the 67207 ZIP code, the church serves families and individuals across southeast Wichita and the neighboring community of Derby. The motto on its front door is short and direct: "It's all about Jesus." The team describes itself plainly: "Countryside is a non-denominational Christian Church. We are passionate about being and making disciples of Jesus. Everyone is welcome."
The building houses a main worship center, a kids' facility, a Youth Center, a Coffee Shop, a Family Room, and an Adult Hallway lined with classrooms. Two large parking lots sit on the north and south sides of campus, and the main building and kids' facility are easy to reach from either lot. Green "Guest Parking" signs reserve front-row spots for first-time visitors.
Mission: Being and Making Disciples
Countryside frames its mission around Matthew 28:19-20 and 1 John 2:6. The goal is "to be and make disciples who are... abiding in Jesus, being formed in Jesus, joining Jesus in his work." Discipleship happens best in community, so the church organizes its calendar, classes, and groups around that three-fold rhythm. Life Groups, Rooted cohorts, Bible studies, and ministry teams are all built to keep disciples abiding, being formed, and joining in the work.
The church's stated beliefs cover God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, human beings, salvation, baptism, eternity, and Satan. Salvation is described as a process of confessing sin, repenting, turning to Jesus in faith, being buried with Christ in baptism, and living a Christ-ruled life, secured by grace rather than self-effort. Baptism by immersion is practiced as an outward expression of trust in Jesus, identifying with him in death, burial, and resurrection, and is described as the pattern in every New Testament conversion. The Bible is held as God's Word, inspired by the Holy Spirit and true without error. Heaven and Hell are taught as real places of eternal existence for the saved and unsaved.
Sundays at 10:00 a.m.
A single Sunday worship gathering fills the main auditorium at 10:00 a.m. The service runs a little over an hour and includes worship through song, teaching from Scripture, prayer, and time together. Visitors are not asked to stand or be identified. Greeters meet people at the door, and welcome tables in the lobby hold a small gift for first-time guests. Dress is casual or formal - both styles are common. The church has no expectation of visitors beyond showing up. "You are welcome to observe or participate as little or as much as you like."
Before the service, adults can join Sunday AM Bible Studies at 9:00 a.m. Classes meet in the A-hallway on the south end of the education wing in the main building and are open to anyone 18 and older. No registration is required.
The building is laid out for families. A Family Room sits in the lobby so parents can step out with little ones and still watch the service. On fifth Sundays of the month, the church pauses its standard children's programming for Family Sundays, when kids in Pre-K (age 4) through fifth grade join their parents in the main service. Nursery and preschool classes remain available for ages 0 to 3.
Kids Ministry
"Safe. Fun. All about Jesus." That is the Kids Ministry tagline. Sunday programming begins at 10:00 a.m. with check-in opening at 9:45. Backyard Kids serves nursery through kindergarten, while KidZone is built for first through fifth grade. Both run on age-appropriate environments with screened and trained volunteers and a secure check-in and check-out process.
Beyond Sunday mornings, kids have their own calendar of events. NBTween is the 4th and 5th grade ministry that meets twice a month during the school year from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Youth Center. Preteens eat lunch together, play games, and study the Bible. NBTween is meant to be a place "where a preteen can be the no-longer-a-kid-yet-not-quite-a-teen that they are." Kids Baptism Class (called "Start Here") introduces 1st through 5th graders and their parents to conversations about following Jesus and baptism. Baby Dedication celebrations are also offered for families with children under age 2.
Each summer the church runs Rainforest Falls Vacation Bible School, a free week-long program for kids entering kindergarten through fifth grade. Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing Parties and Shoebox Decorating Parties add seasonal service projects for kids. Melissa Cook and Tanisha Riddle co-direct the Kids Ministry, and a parent newsletter keeps families connected.
Student Ministry: The Way
Middle school and high school students meet through a ministry called The Way. "Finding Identity and Purpose in Jesus" is the stated goal. High schoolers gather on Sundays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Middle schoolers meet Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Both groups meet in the Youth Center.
The Way centers on what the staff calls "authentic communication with God" and walks through the Psalms of David during the school year. Summer brings The Way Worship Workshops for student musicians and singers, equipping them to lead worship at The Way and at the main Sunday gathering. Ryan McDonald serves as Youth Pastor.
Special events shape the student calendar. Recent and recurring offerings include Middle School Get Away at Ozark Christian College, the annual CIY MOVE trip for high schoolers, summer splash pool parties, Friday Night Live game nights, Color Wars, Lake Day at El Dorado State Park, the Family Night at the Ballpark with the Wichita Wind Surge, and Family Sundays where students stay in the main service. The student ministry keeps its own parent newsletter and a private Facebook group for parents.
Young Adults
The Young Adults Ministry is built for college-aged men and women, ages 18 to 25. The group meets on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. and is led by Jeremy and April Audett. The goal is "connecting college-aged young adults to Christ and inspiring them to have a deeper relationship with Jesus in an environment where all young adults are welcome." The Jeremiah 29:11 verse anchors the ministry's vision: plans to prosper and not to harm, plans to give hope and a future.
Women's Ministry
Hayley Kaufman directs the Women's Ministry, which gathers women of all ages around Bible study, fellowship, and shared projects. A weekly Wednesday evening study meets at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Center - White Room and walks through a 12-week video study of the Book of Jeremiah by Dr. Nicole Martin, facilitated by Janice McAdam and Amanda Hildreth. Thursday mornings at 9:30 a.m. offer "The Joy of Seeking God First," a workbook study led by Ginny Cook and Vickey Brown. Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. are set aside for Precept Upon Precept, a verse-by-verse study of Hebrews 11-13.
Moms Together meets in two formats. The daytime version gathers Wichita-area moms of young children on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. in the Youth Center, with childcare provided and a $30 yearly cost. The evening edition meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Family Room, with no childcare and no cost. The ministry also hosts a Women's Book Club, Ladies Project Nights, Ladies Bunco Nights, and the monthly Voices Together acapella singing gathering.
Men's Ministry
Men's Ministry rotates around three weekly Bible studies and an annual conference. Men's Bible Studies meet on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. in the Conference Room, Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Room, and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. in the Coffee Shop. All men of the church are welcome. The Proverbs 27:17 verse - "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" - sits at the top of the ministry page.
Once a year the men's ministry teams up with other Wichita-area churches for StandFirm, a one-day men's conference. The 8th annual StandFirm conference gathers men at Immanuel Baptist Church for biblical teaching, worship, fellowship, and encouragement from four pastors across the Wichita area, with breakfast, snacks, and lunch included. A Men's Breakfast is also held regularly in the Youth Center.
Senior Adults: New Vision
Adults 55 and over belong to New Vision, the church's senior adult ministry. The signature gathering is the New Vision Luncheon, held one Thursday each month at 11:45 a.m. in the Youth Center. A devotional thought, a full meal, and a guest speaker fill the afternoon. Cost is $4 for the main dish, sides, and dessert. RSVP is requested.
Senior adults also have access to several Sunday School classes that meet in the Adult Hallway, home Bible studies in Wichita and Derby, and the Wednesday and Thursday men's and women's Bible studies. Voices Together, the monthly acapella hymn sing on the third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Center, draws participants across the men's, women's, and senior adult ministries.
Life Groups and Rooted
Life Groups are the primary vehicle for ongoing adult discipleship. They meet on and off campus throughout the week and combine fellowship, prayer, Bible study, and at least one service project each semester. Life Groups that meet on campus at 6:00 p.m. on Sundays can join the Sunday Night Kids programming, allowing parents to participate. Many groups pause for the summer, and Jonathan Carmichael, Discipleship and Outreach Pastor, coordinates sign-ups.
Rooted groups, including a Middle School Rooted track that launched for the fall semester, are ten-week intentional discipleship cohorts designed to deepen understanding of God and Scripture.
Pastoral Care and Counseling
Pastoral care is offered through the Care ministry under Andrew Schwarz. The pastors on staff provide spiritual direction, marriage counseling, premarital counseling, and prayer. The team welcomes contact by phone (316-686-7206) or email to set up a meeting. A prayer request line sits alongside the counseling options.
Worship, Music, and Media
Tim Zauche serves as Worship Minister. Sunday gatherings lean contemporary with blended elements, and a Hymns Worship Night is held periodically as an in-the-round hymn sing led by Elder Mike Doom. Students are equipped to lead worship through The Way Worship Workshops, with instruction from staff and youth leaders who serve on the Sunday worship team. Past messages are archived online, and the church's services are livestreamed on its online church platform.
Leadership
Lead Pastor Lito Solorio opens the I'm New page with a welcome to anyone new to town, new to Countryside, or new to church. The ministry team includes Executive Pastor Andrew Schwarz, Discipleship and Outreach Pastor Jonathan Carmichael, Youth Pastor Ryan McDonald, Worship Minister Tim Zauche, Women's Ministry Director Hayley Kaufman, Kids Ministry Directors Melissa Cook and Tanisha Riddle, and Guest Services Director Rosie Skaer. Elders are Bill Angstadt, Bill DeLong, Henry Donaldson, Mike Doom, Jamie Harris, Ed Lindeman, Mike McAdam, Bruce Meisch, Steve Philip, and Jim Vasey. The church is governed with a board of deacons as well.
For first-time guests, the best entry point is Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. at 1919 S Rock Road. Greeters will be waiting in the parking lot, the worship service runs a little over an hour, and kids' programming from nursery through fifth grade runs at the same time. Pre-check-in for the family is available online, and a green "Guest Parking" sign marks a reserved spot. From there, Life Groups, Rooted, and the many age-specific ministries open up the rest of what Countryside has to offer.