As the new pastor of High View Baptist Church in Woodland Park, Austin Dovin delivered his first sermon Jan. 4.  Dovin replaces former pastor, Steve Allen, who retired after serving the church for 12 years.  

In ministry for 15 years, Dovin served as family pastor for a Baptist church in Colorado Springs, before seeking and obtaining the role of pastor at High View in November,

“We love the community; there are so many benefits in terms of the church whose people are so loving, welcoming and warm,” he said.  “They’ve loved us so well, it’s been awesome.”

The church and the congregation fit the new pastor’s needs.

“I’m passionate about the bible and the Lord but also the community,” he said. “I believe the church should have a positive impact on the community.”

Rather than a chore, for Dovin, preaching is his go-to gig.

“Preaching energizes me and I love expositional preaching, such as how an original bible text applies to today,” he said.   “We’re doing Colossians right now which will take us through Easter.”

As the father of a two-year-old son, Dovin intends to focus on youth and attracting yuung people to the kids’ ministry.

“We do some cool things here and we do have a nursery,” he said, adding that Brent Stone Jr. is the youth minister who meets with youth at 3:30 p.m. on Thursdays. “We have a rock wall in our gym.”

With 100 or more congregants, High View is a healthy church with a healthy structure, Dovin said. 

“Steve did a great job of building the church,” he said. “We have several bible studies from nursery age to adults.”

Sunday worship service is a 10:30 a.m. preceded by bible study and coffee hour from 9 to 10:15 a.m. at High View Baptist Church at 1151 Rampart Range Rd.