Meet Dr. John Avant, Pastor of First West

In 1993, John sensed Jesus calling him to missions with the local church which John calls the “hope of the world”. Before coming to First West, John was the North American Mission Board’s Vice President for Evangelization. In addition to having led growing churches in Texas and Georgia, John has led mission work across North America including the planting of a Japanese church, a Hispanic church, and a multi-cultural church in Manhattan. He has helped to plant churches in Belarus, Mexico, Lebanon, and Vietnam. John also trained pastors in many countries including China, Israel, Canada, and Uganda. A published author, he has written Authentic Power, The Passion Promise, and co-authored Revival among other works. John and Donna are proud parents to Christy, Amy, and Trey.

For information on the Current Message Series and to download podcasts of the current series and past series, please visit the Current Message and Podcast pages on this website. Dr. Avant welcomes you to e-mail him with any questions or comments. To set up an appointment with Dr. Avant, please contact his assistant, Beverly Shoemaker at 318.322.5104.

Get the Music

Contact the Music Office for information on how you can purchase original music the First West Praise Band. CDs are also available at First West's Touchpoint Bookstore and Grand Hallway on Sunday Morning.

 

Interested in becoming a part of the worship team?

One of the blessings of having so many talented people in one community is that we can give glory to God in so many ways. Below are just some of the ways you can get involved in the worship ministry of First West. But don't let this list limit you! If you have a gift for worship that is not on this list, please let us know!

Classic Services:
 Contact Quinn Stanfill for more information about these volunteer positions:
Choir (Traditional Service)
Orchestra (Traditional Service)

Contemporary Services:
 Contact Quinn Stanfill for more information about these volunteer positions:
Adoration Praise Choir
Praise Band Singers
Praise Band Instrumentals

Children's Worship Service:
Contact Children's Pastor Chris Burton for more information on volunteering for this 10:50 a.m. service.

Kid's Praise! To volunteer to assist Kid's Praise (grades 1-5) on Wednesday nights, contact Quinn Stanfill.

Destiny Services:
 Contact Quinn Stanfill for more information about these volunteer positions:
Praise Band Singers
Praise Band Instrumentals
Worship Screens Operator
Sound Board Operator Assistant

All Sunday Morning Services:
 Contact Libby Gifford for more information about these volunteer positions:
Television Camera Operators
Digital Photographer
Worship Screens Operator
Sound Board Operator Assistant
Film Editing for Podcasts, DVDs and CDs

Special Events:
 Contact Quinn Stanfill for more information about these volunteer positions:
Lighting Technician and Designer
Drama Team
Set Design & Construction
Costume Design & Wardrobe

Sunday Morning Contemporary Worship
8:00 & 10:50 in Worship Center

These services are led by our praise band consisting of pianos, guitars, brass and percussion. They are accompanied by a team of five to seven vocalists and our new praise choir, Adoration. The band uses material from a variety of worship sources and includes music from Hillsong of Australia, Lakewood Church, and Integrity Music, as well as original compositions. If you listened to some of the music on our home page, you experienced a little of what our Contemporary Worship is like!

 

Sunday Morning
Classic Worship
9:30 a.m. in the Worship Center

This service is characterized by the hymns we've come to appreciate as a part of our heritage and faith, as well as by classic choruses, and is accompanied by our dynamic Sanctuary Choir, a grand piano, organ, and orchestra.

Sunday Morning
Children's Worship
10:50 a.m. in Weber Activity Ctr.

Children in grades 1-5 will have the opportunity to worship with other kids and listen to a message from the Children's Minister that is relevant to what they are experiencing in life. Expect upbeat music, laughter and joy of the spirit as children learn how fun worshipping our God can be!

 

Sunday Evening
Portico Relaxed Worship
6:30 p.m. at the Axis building

The Portico, is a smaller community in the First West family that is designed to meet the longing for community that is present in young adults. At the Portico worship gathering you will experience worship with a strong rock influence and a more relaxed environment. Pastor Randy Impson leads a teaching time driven by a passion to prove the relevance of the Biblical text to our daily lives and regularly involves images, objects, and visual aids to make the scriptures come alive.

 

Wednesday Evening
Destiny Service
6:00 p.m. in the Worship Center

Connect with the heart of God through prayer, music and the teaching of God's Word. The Nursery is open and there are Children's activities during this time as well. Students (grades 6-12) have a separate worship service in the Axis building including music from a live band and messages brought by the Student Pastor.