About Element Church
Discover the heartbeat behind everything we do.
Our Story Your Home.
Element Church began with a core group of about 29 people, led by Pastor Erik Lawson, on June 5, 2005, at the Dale Carnegie Training Center in St. Louis, Missouri. But our story isn't just about numbers and dates—it's about the deep, personal "why" that drives everything we do.
From the very beginning, we've been passionate about creating life-changing experiences so that everyone, everywhere, can know Christ, show Christ, and grow in Christ. This isn't just a mission; it's the heartbeat of who we are. Our earliest members believed in this vision so much that they moved from different parts of the country to be part of Element Church. They were drawn by a shared desire to reach people and make a difference in the world.
Just two months after our first service, we began meeting in an unused area at Destiny Church off Interstate 270. On January 27, 2006, with 259 people in attendance, we had our official Element Church launch at the Chesterfield YMCA. The church continued to grow, and by September 2008, we relocated to a temporary section of our current Mall Parkway facility in Wentzville. Our growth was a testament to the power of God working through people committed to His purpose. By February 2009, with more than 800 people attending weekly, we moved into the east auditorium at 100 Mall Parkway.
As more people came to faith in Christ, the Element family grew. On August 23, 2009, we opened a classroom wing to make room for the hundreds of children attending Element Church from nursery through fifth grade. Our space continued to expand, and in 2012, we moved into our current facility with a 960-seat auditorium, lobby, café, office space, and expanded storage.
Today, Element Church has three campuses in Wentzville, Warrenton and St. Charles as well as many logging in online each week. And yet, through all this growth, our vision has remained steadfast, creating experiences for life-change.
This is just the beginning. We believe God has incredible plans for you as you grow in your relationship with Him, find your place in our community, and fulfill your purpose. We can't wait to see how your story will intertwine with ours as we continue this journey together.
Our Pastors
Pastor Erik Lawson
Pastor Erik serves as the founding and Senior Pastor of Element Church. Following God’s calling, Erik founded Element Church in St. Louis in 2006 with just a handful of people. Today, Element Church is a multi-site congregation with 3 locations and a weekly attendance of over 5,000. Pastor Erik has over 33 years of ministry experience and currently leads Element by providing spiritual leadership and guidance to a diverse congregation. Erik has also authored and published two books, “God What’s Taking So Long” and “Overcoming Overwhelmed.”


Before launching Element, Erik was the lead youth pastor of Oneighty© at Church on the Move in Tulsa, where he oversaw the nation’s largest church youth program, with over 3,000 students attending each week. With an innovative communication style, a passion for empowering leaders, and practical Bible application, Erik aims to equip people to fulfill their God-given purpose and reach their full potential.
Sunny Wu Lawson
Sunny Wu Lawson, Pastor Erik’s wife, comes to us with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise, but more importantly, she has a passionate love for Jesus and His people. You can’t leave Sunny’s presence without feeling better about yourself. Her warmth and passion drive her to help others find their purpose and become all they were created to be.
Sunny holds a Master of Business Administration degree and has an extensive background in the corporate world with such major multi-national companies as Cummins, Thermo Fisher, and the ZF Group, where she served as head of Learning and Organizational Development. She oversaw their Asia Pacific region, encompassing ten countries with 50 locations and 20,000 employees. Sunny has 15 years of experience as a corporate HR executive, and six years as an executive and leadership coach.
As the Chief Talent Officer for Element Church, she uses her extensive knowledge, experience, and incredible skill set to equip the Element staff with the skills they need to make a greater impact in bringing the Gospel and making disciples in our community and around the world.
Our Leadership
The Executive Team is led by the Senior Pastor and works together to shape the vision and direction of Element Church while creating alignment among its ministries. (Eph 4:11-12)
Our Core Values
Our Mission
We create life-changing experiences for everyone
everywhere to know Christ, show Christ, and grow in Christ.
Our Beliefs
In non-essential beliefs – We believe there should be liberty. (Romans 14: 1, 4, 12)
In all our beliefs – We believe that there must be love toward each other.
(1 Corinthians 13:2)
The Bible
One God
Jesus Christ
Salvation
Eternity
The Church
Holy Spirit
Water Baptism
We believe that water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in the authority of Jesus’ name, should be followed by all believers as a public profession of their faith in Christ. (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38; 8:36-38)
Lord's Supper
We believe that the holy ordinance of Communion should be received by believers walking in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ as a remembrance and celebration of what Christ accomplished for them on the cross. (Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Water Baptism
Lord's Supper
Our Heart for You: to Know and Grow in Christ
We say “it’s not just the Bible you know it’s the Bible you do.” Growing in Christ isn’t just about reading the Bible, but doing what it says. (James 1:22-25)
