West Heights United Methodist Church sits on Westlink Avenue in west Wichita, Kansas, where it has been rooted in the Westlink, Rolling Hills, and Country Acres neighborhoods since the mid-1950s. The congregation is known for its long commitment to fine arts music, a thirty-year partnership with a school and clinic in Haiti, and a 2020 decision to join the Reconciling Ministries Network. Its motto, "Accepting All. Offering Hope. Serving Faithfully." appears across its communications, alongside the United Methodist tagline of "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors."
A West Wichita Church Born from a 1950s Survey
West Heights was founded in response to a religious needs survey conducted across the Westlink, Rolling Hills, Country Acres, and surrounding neighborhoods in the mid-1950s. After the survey identified a clear need for a new church, preliminary meetings were held in July 1956 and worship services began at Peterson School just weeks later. By November 1956, Reverend Gene S. Seeley had become the church's first minister, and District Superintendent Dr. Otto F. Volkland led the official organizational meeting that received eighteen charter members. The church's first home was a residential property on Birch Lane that was soon repurposed as a parsonage.
Building the church was a phased project that unfolded over more than four decades. The ground-breaking service for the first unit was held in January 1958, with the cornerstone laid that August and the first services in the new South wing beginning in September 1958 for a congregation of about 250 members. A second wave of expansion in the mid-1990s nearly doubled the facility with new classrooms, staff offices, a multi-purpose activity center, and a modern kitchen. The 2012 Capital Campaign retired debt and modernized heating, air conditioning, the steeple, lighting, sound, and basement space. In January 2019, construction began on the Ellan Muyskens Fine Arts Center, named for the pastor whose mission partnership with Haiti has become one of the church's defining stories.
In the past decade the congregation has shifted its focus to become more neighborhood-oriented, launching new initiatives such as pickleball, Trunk or Treat, Party in the Park, and a Family Promise hosting rotation. The result is a wide-umbrella church that sees itself as both a local neighborhood body and a global partner.
Sunday Mornings and the Wednesday Mixr
Sunday worship takes place at 10:00 a.m. and is offered both in person and online through Facebook Live. A printable bulletin is available in advance and past bulletins are archived for those who want to follow along later. Services are recorded and posted to YouTube, and a separate Wednesday evening service called "The 5:43 Mixr" has grown steadily since it was introduced.
The worship space itself is shaped like a cross, with the choir loft and nave forming the shaft and the chapel and Gallery West forming the arms. A stone altar stands at the center and hosts both of the United Methodist sacraments, Baptism and Holy Communion. A bejeweled jubilee cross rises above the altar, inscribed with the Easter declaration "He has risen, Hallelujah." A signature sculpture called the Trilogy on the east wall depicts the Holy Trinity through three figures: an open-armed Christ, an open hand representing God's acceptance, and a descending dove representing the Holy Spirit. Stained glass windows throughout the space speak of the Eye of God, the Garden of Gethsemane, eternal light, humankind, and the works of humankind, weaving Scripture and symbol into the room.
Music as a Long-Standing Calling Card
Music has been part of West Heights' identity since its earliest years. The congregation's historical commitment to the fine arts continues to shape its worship services, and the Ellan Muyskens Fine Arts Center, completed in 2019, gave the music program a permanent home.
Three ensembles anchor the program. The Worship Choir rehearses on Wednesdays from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. The Handbell Choir rehearses on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. The Worship Band rehearses on Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. All three ensembles meet in the Fine Arts Center and welcome new members of any experience level. Music Ministry Director Ellan Muyskens leads the choir, the band, and overall worship planning, weaving together the music that anchors each service.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
West Heights lives by the United Methodist motto of having "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." The congregation welcomes everyone regardless of age, sex, race, ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity, and that welcome is restated on every page of the church's communications.
The congregation describes itself theologically as a United Methodist church with a "wide umbrella," where preaching is Bible-based but not limited to literal interpretation and members are encouraged to engage in open and respectful dialogue. The church is grounded in a Wesleyan understanding of Christianity that emphasizes both personal and social holiness.
Five building blocks guide the congregation's life together. Faith: trusting in Jesus as Lord of all creation. Acceptance: celebrating the diversity of humankind with unconditional love because all people are created in God's image. Care: fully supporting and advocating for the wellness of others in a safe and affirming environment. Service: supporting local and global communities through volunteering, generous giving, and the relief of suffering and injustice. Growth: strengthening the relationship with Jesus Christ through study, worship, prayer, discernment, and creative innovation.
Reconciling Ministries Since 2020
West Heights joined the Reconciling Ministries Network in 2020, making it one of only two congregations in the Wichita area with that designation. A year later, a Reconciling Ministries Committee made up of all age groups became part of the church's lay leadership structure. The committee promotes inclusion in the church and the wider community by participating in Wichita Pride events, supporting Camp Sunflower (a local camp for LGBTQ+ middle and high school youth), crafting a Statement of Support for transgender siblings, and hosting documentary screenings and book studies. The church also welcomes weddings from all loving and devoted couples regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, family dynamic, or socioeconomic status.
Children and Youth
The Children's Ministry is led by Children's Minister Dani Sigmon. The Children's Church program gathers children in the sanctuary with their families at the start of worship, then sends them as a group to the Children's Ministry Room after Children's Time. Parents pick kids up from Room 150 at the close of the service. The program is built around the theme "Ignite Passion. Discover Purpose. Shine Bright." and uses storytelling, activities, music, and meaningful moments to help children learn about faith and themselves. A separate nursery is staffed for the youngest children during worship.
The West Heights Youth (WHY) program serves students in grades 6 through 12 and centers on inclusivity, food, and fun. The youth group gathers for games, conversation, and shared meals in a space where every student is honored and respected. The program operates with three simple principles. Honor the Place: every space used in West Heights or elsewhere is a privilege and a safe space. Honor the Purpose: everything done has a purpose, and full participation is the expectation. Honor the People: respect is non-negotiable, and inclusive language is a must. The youth program maintains its own Instagram and TikTok presence, a parents' Facebook group, and a registration form for new families.
Adult Small Groups and Exercise
Adult small groups at West Heights are organized around age and stage of life, with classes meeting on Sunday mornings, weekday afternoons, and one Friday a month off-site. New Horizons meets in Room 152 at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays for seasonal studies during Lent and Advent with topical studies in between. Family and Faith meets in Room 163 at 9:00 a.m. on Sundays, exploring current events and faith-based material. Emmaus meets in Room 152 at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays, drawing on current material from authors such as Adam Hamilton and John Ortberg. New Journeys meets in Room 161 at 4:00 p.m. on alternate Wednesdays, engaging contemporary Christian concepts and progressive theology. Men In Faith meets in Room 152 on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m., sharing stories, digging into the gospels, and offering companionship between meetings. A Xennial Adult Small Group meets off-site on the third Friday of each month, with location shared by Pastor Jacob on request.
Exercise groups meet throughout the week as a way of caring for body, mind, and soul. Pickleball is offered on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. An Indoor Walking Group meets on Wednesdays from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Pilates is offered on Wednesdays at 8:00 a.m. and Fridays at 9:00 a.m. All groups are open to anyone in the neighborhood, regardless of church membership or fitness level.
United Women in Faith
West Heights' United Women in Faith chapter has seventy-seven members organized into five circles that meet on different days and times to fit a range of schedules. Ruth Circle gathers on the third Wednesday at noon or 1:00 p.m. Mary Martha Circle meets on the second Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Deborah Circle meets on the third Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Hannah Circle gathers on the second Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Phoebe Circle, the newest circle for younger women, meets on the fourth Monday at 6:00 p.m. The chapter runs a robust Reading Program with selections on topics ranging from climate change to leadership, and members submit reading reports to track their progress through the year.
Haiti Hope Foundation
Perhaps the most distinctive mission story at West Heights is its thirty-year partnership with the community of Lambert, Haiti. The relationship began in 1993 under Pastor Sam Muyskens and has grown into the Haiti Hope Foundation, a separate volunteer-led nonprofit that supports a school of more than three hundred and fifty students, a medical clinic, a solar-powered water system, and a computer technology lab. The school was founded by Reverend Dantus Louis, who started the original church, school, and clinic in his hometown of Lambert more than thirty years ago.
West Heights sponsors students through the Haiti Hope Foundation for thirty dollars a month, a gift that covers tuition, a school uniform, one daily meal, and access to the medical clinic. The foundation also welcomes one-time donations, volunteer roles in development, marketing, donor engagement, finance, and sponsorship coordination, and short-term mission trips. The partnership was celebrated in 2025 with a reception honoring Reverend Sam Muyskens and his thirty-two years of service to the school and community of Lambert.
A Year-Round Mission Calendar
Beyond Haiti, West Heights partners with a wide network of Wichita and international organizations. Members serve lunches at the United Methodist Open Door's homeless resource center, donate food and clothing weekly to the Open Door food ministry, and stock a Blessing Box - a miniature food pantry built with Boy Scout Troop 703 in 2019 - that is replenished by rotating groups. The church is a permanent drop-off location for Simply Hygiene and gathers hygiene products such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, diapers, feminine products, and toothpaste for distribution through more than two hundred and fifty schools and one hundred and twenty nonprofit partners.
Other ongoing mission partnerships include Family Promise of Greater Wichita, a rotation program that hosts homeless families in the church building; Meals on Wheels, delivering hot meals to homebound seniors; Wichita Habitat for Humanity, helping build affordable housing; GraceMed, supporting healthcare for underserved residents through the annual Say Grace 5k; the Kansas Food Bank's Food 4 Kids program, assembling weekend food bags for food-insecure students; the International Rescue Committee, helping refugees and immigrants resettle in Wichita; Watoto Child Care Ministries, sponsoring vulnerable children and mothers in Uganda; and UMCOR, responding to disasters around the world. The church also walks annually in the Wichita CROP Hunger Walk at Sedgwick County Park, hosting both the one-mile and two- to three-mile courses, and serves as a year-round collection point for Klothes Kloset clothing donations.
The Errand Assistants and More (TEAM) ministry is a year-round, in-house effort that matches volunteers with neighbors who need rides to doctor's appointments, help with grocery shopping, library trips, or other errands. The Congregational Care Team, made up of trained Congregational Care Ministers, walks alongside members during life's challenges - surgeries, transitional seasons, worries, or bereavement - providing a confidential healing presence as part of the church's pastoral care.
Facilities, Weddings, and the Fine Arts Center
West Heights' facility in west Wichita includes a range of spaces from small classrooms to a full-sized gymnasium. Outside groups can rent rooms for events, and the church welcomes weddings from all loving and devoted couples. The Ellan Muyskens Fine Arts Center anchors the music program and also serves as a community gathering space. The church office is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and visitors can stop in for coffee, donuts, and a tour of the building.
Generosity and the Scholarship Foundation
West Heights accepts one-time and recurring gifts online through a secure e-transfer platform, and offers Text2Give for quick gifts from a mobile phone. Members are invited each year to make a pledge that supports the church's ministry budget, including worship, programs for children and students, small groups, pastoral care, mission trips, and community projects. Indirect giving is also possible through the Dillons Community Rewards program and the UMC Market, which route a portion of regular household purchases to the church at no extra cost to the shopper.
The West Heights UMC Educational Foundation, created in 2016 by a generous anonymous donor, awards scholarships each fall to graduating high school seniors and to those continuing their education in undergraduate, graduate, or vocational programs. Applications are accepted during a designated window each fall and are reviewed by a Scholarship Committee.
From a 1956 survey response to a Reconciling congregation with a three-hundred-and-fifty-student school in Haiti, from a choir loft to a pickleball court, West Heights United Methodist Church continues to live out its calling as a wide-umbrella neighborhood church with a global reach.