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Established in 2002

We love God, the church, the city, and the nations.

Who We Are

One Church, Six Locations

The Austin Stone is a New Testament church with six locations that exists for the supremacy of the name and purpose of Jesus. We believe Christ’s life, death, and resurrection are essential to God’s plan to heal and redeem our fallen world, and we're dedicated to being a part of what He’s doing in our city and throughout the nations.

What we Believe

Our Foundational Beliefs

Our Convictions

  • Ruled by God’s Word
  • Christ-Centered in Focus
  • Empowered by the Holy Spirit
  • Reliant on Prayer
  • Committed to Covenant Community
  • Gospel-Saturated in Discipleship
  • Devoted to Equipping the Saints
  • Relentless in Mission

Affirmation of Faith

  • The Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired and without error in the original manuscripts.
  • There is one true, good, and living God who eternally exists in three persons—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • God created men and women in His image and created all things for His glory.
  • All have sinned and rebelled against God.
  • Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, and died an atoning death—conquering sin, Satan, and death by His resurrection.
  • God alone is the Author of Salvation.
  • The Holy Spirit gives gifts to those who are in Christ.
  • The church consists of all who have trusted Jesus for their eternal salvation.
  • Heaven and hell are real places.
  • Jesus Christ will one day return to establish His kingdom.
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Our Story

The Story of The Austin Stone

How It Started

The Austin Stone began in Matt and Jen Carter's small south Austin apartment in 2002. At the first meeting, 10 people squeezed into the Carters' living room and spent time praying for the future of The Austin Stone—longing to be a church rooted in the gospel, one that married the richness of theological truth with deep compassion for the city. During their time together, they prayed Ephesians 3:20 back to God, asking Him to do far more abundantly than they could ever ask or imagine. And He did.

How We've Grown

The Austin Stone quickly grew out of that small apartment to a middle school cafeteria on South Congress, and again to Austin High School in just a few years. Today, we’re still at Austin High, but we also meet at five other locations across the city. While our church has expanded, our passion has remained the same. Every ministry and congregation of The Austin Stone is an expression of our original vision—to be a people rooted in biblical truth, propelled by love for those around them.

Where We're Going

Over the years, we've sent hundreds to proclaim the gospel throughout the nations, trained thousands to live out their faith in their workplace and at home, equipped parents to care for and lead their children, supported church planters, and partnered with nonprofits to address the needs of those in Austin. And we're not done yet. The prayer that founded our church is still the one that fuels all we do—for God to do far more than we could ask or imagine for His name to be exalted.

Our Name

Our City Is Built on Austin Stone

If you spend enough time in Austin, you're bound to see historic courthouses, churches, and homes built of impossibly white, expertly carved Texas limestone. Around here, that rock is known by another name—Austin stone. All those buildings are an unmistakable part of the landscape, and if you dig deep enough, the stones that form their foundations can be found underneath the city itself. Quite literally, our city is built on Austin stone. 

There's a beautiful parallel between that reality and the picture Peter paints in Scripture of believers being like stones laid on top of one another to build a living temple. Peter details how Jesus is the Cornerstone of His people—the place where God's presence dwells. Peter emphasizes that a church that isn't built on the living and dynamic love of Jesus will never truly flourish.

Established in Jesus, our Cornerstone, and located within a city built on Austin stone, our name unites the calling God has placed on our people and the location He's called us to serve. Our hope is for God to work in amazing ways and transform the lives of people in the city of Austin and beyond.

Our Team

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Babatunde Abon

Groups Associate
Groups
Congregations
Associate
Downtown

Annie Abuhamad

Institute Resident
Austin Stone Institute
Second Year Resident
Ministry Strategies

Shanda Anderson

Clinical Care Director
Austin Stone Counseling
Leadership
Ministry Strategies
Director

Jeremy Andrew

Creative Director
Austin Stone Creative
Leadership
Creative Ministries
Director

Barbara Andrews

Kids Ministry Associate
Kids
Congregations
Associate
Northwest

Damon Andrews

Facilities Development Director
Elder
Leadership
Ministry Operations
Director

Brad Ashby

Long-Term Mobilization Manager
For the Nations
Leadership
Ministry Strategies
Manager

Cheryl Barrett

For the Nations Director
For the Nations
Leadership
Ministry Strategies
Director

Dave Barrett

Executive Pastor of Ministry Operations
Executive Pastor
Elder
Leadership
Ministry Operations
Senior Leadership

Brittany Beltran

Counseling Center Office Manager
Austin Stone Counseling
Leadership
Ministry Strategies
Manager

Brian Benkendorfer

Congregation Executive Pastor
Marriage
Executive Pastor
Elder
Leadership
Congregations
North

Lisa Benkendorfer

Executive Assistant
Central Ministries

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