In the fall of 1990, a Bible study began in the home of Leonard and Jan Cotten in NW Midland County. This  Bible study was the beginning of what is known today as Calvary Chapel West Texas. After four years as a home Bible study, Calvary Chapel met in a local cafe for over four years, having more than quadrupled within the first year. In 1998 Calvary Chapel purchased land on the NW corner of Hwy. 191 and FM 1788, halfway between Midland & Odessa, north of the airport. In 1999 construction began, and services were first held in the new building in September of that year.

The foremost characteristic of Calvary Chapel is the conservative, systematic manner in which the entire Bible is taught verse-by verse, passage by passage, in a casual atmosphere.

Leonard Cotten, pastor of Calvary Chapel West Texas, a native of West Texas, grew up on the C Ranch, north of Midland. Leonard completed his biblical studies at Calvary Chapel Bible School and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has pastored churches in Texas and Nebraska. He also taught at Calvary Chapel Bible College, in Twin Peaks, California, before returning to West Texas. Leonard is married to Jan and they have two married sons, Justin and Tell, and five grandchildren.