About Hillcrest Baptist Church
Hillcrest Baptist Church is a Christ-centered fellowship in El Paso, Texas, committed to honoring the Lord through faithful preaching, heartfelt worship, and a strong sense of community. For over 65 years, we have sought to glorify God by helping people connect to Christ, grow in His Word, and serve others with love. Whether you are new to the area, stationed nearby, or a longtime El Paso resident, we invite you to discover how you and your family can be part of what God is doing at Hillcrest.
Our Mission
“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water…” — Psalm 1:3
The Mission of Hillcrest Baptist Church
The mission of Hillcrest Baptist Church is simple yet profound: to be a place where people are connecting to Christ and His church, growing in the Word, and serving through loving God and loving others. Everything we do—our preaching, our ministries, our worship, and our outreach—flows from this mission and points back to Christ.
Connect
Our primary desire is to see you connect to Christ and His church. Connection is not just about attending a service—it’s about belonging to a family of believers who encourage and strengthen one another. We believe that connecting with other Christians is vital to your growth and service, and one of the best ways to do this is through a small group Sunday School class that meets each week. These groups provide a place to build relationships, study God’s Word together, and grow in your walk with Christ. [Find a Class Here]
Grow
At Hillcrest, we place great emphasis on the Word of God and the life-changing power it has. Through personal Bible study and our weekly services—both preaching and teaching times—we believe God’s Word will deepen your faith and draw you closer to Him. Growth is not just about knowledge; it’s about transformation. Week by week, we have the opportunity to grow together as a body of believers rooted in truth and grace.
Serve
We strive to be faithful to the Bible’s two greatest commandments—to love God and to love others. We believe every member is called to serve God in prayer, giving, and praise. Beyond that, God has uniquely gifted each believer to serve in specific ministries within the church. Whether through teaching, hospitality, music, missions, or outreach, there is a place for you to make a difference. And as a church, we are committed to sharing the gospel faithfully, both here in El Paso and around the world.
Our Pastor
Pastor Joe Dickinson
Joe Dickinson was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and grew up in Ardmore, OK, where as a five-year-old boy he accepted Christ as his Savior. Shortly after, he sensed God’s call to ministry and began preparing for that calling.
Pastor Joe earned his bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from Heartland Baptist Bible College, followed by a Master of Arts in Religion (2011) and a Master of Divinity (2024) from Liberty University. His educational training reflects his passion for handling the Word of God with both conviction and clarity.
He and his wife Tisha have been married since 2003 and together have four children. A year into marriage, Joe joined Hillcrest’s staff as youth pastor. Over the years, he has served faithfully as associate pastor and music director before being called to serve as senior pastor in 2009.
Pastor Joe is committed to preaching God’s Word faithfully each week and equipping the church to fulfill the Great Commission. He believes Hillcrest has tremendous potential to impact El Paso and the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Staff
At Hillcrest, we are blessed with a dedicated team of leaders and servants who faithfully guide and support the ministries of the church:
Aaron King
Associate Pastor
& Music Director
Micah Taylor
Youth Pastor
Phil Spencer
Assistant Pastor
Erwin Mitchell
Missions Director
Greg Barnes
Spanish Pastor
Bill Lawson
Maintenance
Austin Bigler
Missions Intern
Sean Gillespie
Church Planting Intern
Our Story
In 1950, a young man named Bob Stewart was called to the ministry in a little Baptist church in Pampa, Texas. He thought the Lord had made a mistake by calling him into the ministry because of his shyness around people, but he soon realized that God was calling him. In January of 1951 the young man enrolled into the Baptist Bible Seminary and three years later graduated. Not knowing what the Lord had planned, he found his way to Amarillo, Texas and worked in Hamlet Baptist Church.
In January of 1956, he and his wife went on a two day scouting trip to El Paso, Texas. The Lord had laid it on his heart to start a church there, but he did not want to go. Again, he thought that the Lord had made a mistake by calling him there. He finally gave into the Lord’s will and decided to go.
He and his wife moved to El Paso on February 1, 1956 and the next day moved into their new home. On February 12, fourteen people attended the first service held in their small living room. The services continued in the house until August of that year. During this time Pastor Stewart would knock on doors and tell anyone who would listen about God and the church.
During the months in the house, the church was organized and established. On the night the church was organized, two were saved, and the church began to grow. It took the small congregation seven months to obtain a loan from the Chavez County Savings and Loan.
Brother Lee Green, a businessman in Roswell, helped the church in the loan process. The loan was for an acre of land in northeast El Paso, upon which was built a 30 foot by 60 foot building. This was done with the help of sixteen charter members. Pastor Bob Stewart had officially started what is now known as the Hillcrest Baptist Church.
Bro. Stewart went home to be with His Lord on Sunday, February 12, 2017.
Join Us This Sunday
We would love for you and your family to experience Hillcrest in person. Each service is centered on God’s Word and filled with opportunities to connect with others and grow in your faith. No matter your background or where you are in your spiritual journey, there’s a place for you here.