About Westside Christian Academy
“Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands” - Psalm 119:66 (NIV)
Founded in 1994, by Pastor Daryl Ounanian and Mrs. Paula Ounanian, Westside Christian Academy is located on the western edge of Detroit, Michigan. Westside is currently led by Dr. Henry Wells, III, and Dr. Sarah Patterson along with a board of directors that is dedicated to excellence. Graduates of Westside can be found in colleges and universities, the military, and careers like business, education, ministry, and law enforcement.
Our Mission
To spiritually, academically, physically, and socially cultivate the God-given talents of our students while modeling the love of Jesus Christ.
Our Vision
To become a replicable model for providing affordable, high-quality, urban Christian education in a loving and Christ-centered environment.
Statement of Faith
- At Westside Christian Academy, we believe the Bible was verbally inspired of God and is without error, the only infallible and authoritative rule for faith and practice.
- We believe man was created by the direct act of God and in the image of God.
- We believe yielding to the temptation of Satan, man fell. Thus all men are born to sin.
- We believe in one true God revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons but without division of nature of being.
- We believe in the incarnation, the virgin birth, the deity of Christ and the blood atonement.
- We believe in the resurrection of Christ, in the body, from the tomb, his ascension into heaven where He is our advocate and intercessor.
- We believe He is coming again and this coming is always imminent and is our blessed hope.
- We believe in the necessity of the new birth through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit. We believe the Holy Spirit indwells every believer, sealing, teaching, guiding and empowering them.
- We believe salvation is by grace through faith, the result of the atoning blood of Jesus Christ.
- We also believe in the priesthood of all believers, the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and the importance of the local church.
- We believe men will know we belong to Christ as they see us love one another.
- We believe every believer should turn from the works of the flesh and demonstrate the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Dr. Henry Wells, III
Dr. Henry Wells, III serves as the Executive Director. His educational development includes a B.A. in Urban Studies from William Tyndale College, an M.A. in Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary, and post-graduate studies in Sociology at Wayne State University with concentrations in the Sociology of Religion and Family. He completed his Doctor of Ministry focusing on the succession of leadership in Ministry. His professional experience expands over 30+ years of working in non-profit, faith-based organizations with the last seven years as an educational leader in K-12 Urban Christian education. Henry has been married to his wife Deborah Wells for over 30 years. Henry and Deborah are the proud parents of two children, Robert James Wells and Melanie Elizabeth Wells.
Dr. Sarah E. Patterson
Dr. Sarah E. Patterson serves as the Westside Christian Academy Campus Principal. She is a proud graduate of Kettering University where she received her B.S. in Applied Mathematics. After working as an actuarial technician for over 5 years, she shifted to education. She received her M. A. in Teaching Secondary Mathematics from Wayne State University. She is a state-certified educator and national Woodrow Wilson Fellow. Most recently, Sarah completed her Doctor of Education in Leadership. Her dissertation focuses on servant leadership and multigenerational teams. Sarah has been married to her college sweetheart, Lee, for over 15 years. They are proud parents of Lee, III, Jonathan, and Joshua. She is an ordained prophet and also serves alongside her husband as Youth Pastors at Living Bread Ministries.
Dr. Patterson (aka Dr. P/Principal P) may be reached at [email protected] or 313-202-9735.