The Church of Christ at Remington Ridge has seeded a new church to locate in downtown Abilene. The new effort, called The Way – A Church of Christ, offered its first service March 1 at the 201 Mesquite Event Center at the corner of Mesquite and North 2^nd streets. Sunday services start at 10 a.m.

“From the time we started worshipping together as Remington Ridge in 2017, part of our vision has been to plant more churches in the Abilene area to continue spreading the Word of God,” said Ron McElyea, one of Remington Ridge’s founding elders. “We’re in our ninth year, and that’s happening.”

The Church of Christ at Remington Ridge

Zane Dennis, also a Remington Ridge founding elder, explained that the Ridge body was intentional in growing a church to about 375 to 400 members, thinking that was a good size for most people to actively engage in ministry and still know most of the members. When they built their permanent building, finished in 2021, they designed the auditorium to seat about 400 people.

“We didn’t want to be a megachurch,” Dennis said. “So when our numbers neared the 400 mark, conversations started about seeding another church. Matthew 28:19 says ‘go,’ and that’s what we’re doing. ”

As those conversations began, people came forward to start the new church. As the effort solidified, Dennis said, members willing to be part of the new church targeted a location, brainstormed on a name for the group, and put names forward for men to shepherd them as elders for the church.

Approximately 75 people will be founding members of The Way. Three men will serve as elders:  Rische Beeson, Patrick Garcia and Mike Tackett, who will also serve as the preaching minister.

Garcia explained that they were drawn to the downtown area because of its revitalization, growth and opportunities to minister to different demographics of people.

“The core of it all is we are here to spread the Word of God and bring people to Christ,” said Ron McElyea, a founding elder at Remington Ridge.” That’s what we are doing at Remington Ridge, and that’s what these folks will be doing at The Way.”

The Church of Christ at Remington Ridge timeline and background

February 2017 – Members of the Church of Christ at Remington Ridge start worshipping together as a church. The first worship service is in a home with 17 members engaged. Following that, the Ridge worship services are at Abilene’s Country Hearth Inn & Suites. The Church of Christ at Remington Ridge is also referred to as Remington Ridge Church of Christ, Remington Ridge or The Ridge.
Fall 2017 – The Oakridge Church of Christ in Abilene joins the Church of Christ at Remington Ridge, giving them their building at 3250 Beltway South.
January 2018 – The Church of Christ at Remington Ridge starts worshipping at 3250 Beltway South. The building is considered a temporary location as they work towards constructing a building at the corner of Highway 83/84 and Remington Road.
September 2021 – The Church of Christ at Remington Ridge worships together for the first time in their completed new facility at 138 Remington Road. Currently four elders shepherd the Remington Ridge congregation: Eddie Chrane, 325-668-6332; Zane Dennis, 325-668-1771; Joel Lee, 505-427-0495; and Ron McElyea, 325-669-5198.
The Remington Ridge elders emphasize that the church strives to be a congregation that preaches, teaches and practices obedience to the Scriptures and the commands of Jesus Christ. Reaching, Revealing and Restoring others to Jesus and His gospel are key elements to the Remington Ridge Vision.  www.remingtonridge.org. “It is with unity of purpose and a mutual desire that Remington Ridge is sending out faithful members who have the heart to accomplish Christ’s great commission to His church in the downtown area of Abilene.” – the Remington Ridge elders