The Church at West End in downtown Columbia, Tennessee faced a crossroads as its congregation aged and struggled to retain young families, reflecting a wider issue where many churches may vanish without new direction. In this transformation story, the church revitalized its community presence by becoming a campus of Brentwood Baptist through a two-thirds majority decision.

Brandon Abbott and Rick Elsey reflect on the journey as they approach the one-year anniversary of the merge, highlighting the infusion of life and renewed mission to not only be a place of worship but also a center for discipleship and community impact. As they celebrate their growth and the vibrant life buzzing within the church grounds, they emphasize a message of being ‘the light’ outside the church walls, with a focus on showing Jesus’s love through action and unity with the local community.