How it all started...
Harvest Chapel
At SouthLife Church, we are deeply grateful for the legacy of faithful service, earnest prayer, and gospel proclamation that has marked this corner for many years. Long before SouthLife began, this property was home to Harvest Chapel, also known for a season as Wichita House of Prayer.
Harvest Chapel left a lasting imprint through its devotion to prayer and Scripture. That legacy is still present today in the verses written on the sanctuary floor beneath the carpet, a powerful and quiet reminder of their desire to stand firmly on the Word of God.
In 2018, the pastor of Wichita House of Prayer sensed a new call toward evangelistic ministry, and the church reached a point where it could no longer move forward on its own. In that transition, they were connected with Ridgepoint Church in Northeast Wichita.
At SouthLife Church, we are deeply grateful for the legacy of faithful service, earnest prayer, and gospel proclamation that has marked this corner for many years. Long before SouthLife began, this property was home to Harvest Chapel, also known for a season as Wichita House of Prayer.
Harvest Chapel left a lasting imprint through its devotion to prayer and Scripture. That legacy is still present today in the verses written on the sanctuary floor beneath the carpet, a powerful and quiet reminder of their desire to stand firmly on the Word of God.
In 2018, the pastor of Wichita House of Prayer sensed a new call toward evangelistic ministry, and the church reached a point where it could no longer move forward on its own. In that transition, they were connected with Ridgepoint Church in Northeast Wichita.
Expanding the vision...
Ridgepoint Church
During 2019 and 2020, the facility became a place of prayer and training, used by Ridgepoint Church along with other organizations. In that season, flags were raised in the sanctuary as a call to pray for the nations, a visible expression of God’s heart for the world that still shapes who we are today. Ridgepoint continued to prayerfully discern how the space might serve the surrounding community, with the hope of one day relaunching a church at 55th and Seneca.
Many came to pray during that time, including Kevin and Kendra Friedberg. Kevin grew up in South Wichita and knows firsthand both the beauty and the challenges of this community. For years, they had sensed God calling them back to plant a church, and in this season, that calling began to take clearer shape.
Then came the global pandemic of 2020, which paused many plans. At the same time, God was at work across the world in Thailand, stirring the hearts of Andy and Carmen Owen. After 20 years of missionary service as church planters and leaders, they began to sense a call to return to the United States and equip others to live on mission.
In January 2022, Andy joined the staff at Ridgepoint Church with the intention of planting a church in South Wichita. One of the first steps was simple but significant: gathering people to pray on this very site for the surrounding community. Kevin and Kendra were there from the beginning. In May 2022, Kevin stepped into a church planting residency with Ridgepoint, and by that August, a small group began meeting weekly as a missional community.
After a season of discernment and assessment, Kevin and Kendra were affirmed as church planters, and the vision for a new church began to take shape. Along the way, a name emerged, SouthLife Church.
During 2019 and 2020, the facility became a place of prayer and training, used by Ridgepoint Church along with other organizations. In that season, flags were raised in the sanctuary as a call to pray for the nations, a visible expression of God’s heart for the world that still shapes who we are today. Ridgepoint continued to prayerfully discern how the space might serve the surrounding community, with the hope of one day relaunching a church at 55th and Seneca.
Many came to pray during that time, including Kevin and Kendra Friedberg. Kevin grew up in South Wichita and knows firsthand both the beauty and the challenges of this community. For years, they had sensed God calling them back to plant a church, and in this season, that calling began to take clearer shape.
Then came the global pandemic of 2020, which paused many plans. At the same time, God was at work across the world in Thailand, stirring the hearts of Andy and Carmen Owen. After 20 years of missionary service as church planters and leaders, they began to sense a call to return to the United States and equip others to live on mission.
In January 2022, Andy joined the staff at Ridgepoint Church with the intention of planting a church in South Wichita. One of the first steps was simple but significant: gathering people to pray on this very site for the surrounding community. Kevin and Kendra were there from the beginning. In May 2022, Kevin stepped into a church planting residency with Ridgepoint, and by that August, a small group began meeting weekly as a missional community.
After a season of discernment and assessment, Kevin and Kendra were affirmed as church planters, and the vision for a new church began to take shape. Along the way, a name emerged, SouthLife Church.
Who we are...
SouthLife Church
The name reflects our heart to see true life take root here. It is also shaped by the promise of Isaiah 55:11, a connection made even more meaningful by our address at 1011 W. 55th Street, reminding us that God’s Word brings life and flourishing wherever it goes. Our logo highlights the corner of 55th and Seneca with a star symbolizing life radiating outward into the community and beyond.
After several months of gathering and building community, SouthLife celebrated its official launch on Sunday, April 9, 2023. Since that day, God has graciously brought seasons of growth and blessing beyond what we could have imagined. With that growth has come new challenges, and we are prayerfully preparing for the next chapter. In His faithfulness, He has continued to establish a house of prayer connected to Him in Word and Spirit, driven to establish His Kingdom in South Wichita and the world.
In 2024, Andy Owen stepped back from his role at SouthLife to serve full-time at Ridgepoint, where he now serves as Executive Pastor, while continuing to stay involved with SouthLife. Kevin remains our lead pastor and serves with a gifted team of ministers and leaders to equip SouthLife for faithful ministry. Today, our prayer is simple and bold. We want to be a church that glorifies Jesus by being for South Wichita and Sent to the World.
We believe God is doing something new here, building on a rich foundation of prayer and faithfulness. This is not just our story; it is His story, and each of us has a part to play. We are grateful for all who have come before us, and full of hope for what is ahead.
The name reflects our heart to see true life take root here. It is also shaped by the promise of Isaiah 55:11, a connection made even more meaningful by our address at 1011 W. 55th Street, reminding us that God’s Word brings life and flourishing wherever it goes. Our logo highlights the corner of 55th and Seneca with a star symbolizing life radiating outward into the community and beyond.
After several months of gathering and building community, SouthLife celebrated its official launch on Sunday, April 9, 2023. Since that day, God has graciously brought seasons of growth and blessing beyond what we could have imagined. With that growth has come new challenges, and we are prayerfully preparing for the next chapter. In His faithfulness, He has continued to establish a house of prayer connected to Him in Word and Spirit, driven to establish His Kingdom in South Wichita and the world.
In 2024, Andy Owen stepped back from his role at SouthLife to serve full-time at Ridgepoint, where he now serves as Executive Pastor, while continuing to stay involved with SouthLife. Kevin remains our lead pastor and serves with a gifted team of ministers and leaders to equip SouthLife for faithful ministry. Today, our prayer is simple and bold. We want to be a church that glorifies Jesus by being for South Wichita and Sent to the World.
We believe God is doing something new here, building on a rich foundation of prayer and faithfulness. This is not just our story; it is His story, and each of us has a part to play. We are grateful for all who have come before us, and full of hope for what is ahead.
