The work to begin Southwest Hills was started in 1976. The Columbia Baptist Conference and Temple Baptist Church in Portland had a desire to see a church planted on the west side and teamed in the initial days to get Southwest Hills off the ground. Pastor Dan Peterson began Bible studies in the community that year, with worship services beginning in 1977. Initially, Hiteon Elementary School was used for those services, until the Activity Center was built at the current site.

On Easter of 1984, the first worship service was held in the current sanctuary. Pastor Peterson left that year, having accomplished his goal of establishing a church, and Pastor Rick Elzinga became the interim Pastor that fall. Pastor Elzinga was hired as the permanent pastor the next year.

The church has grown to over 800 now, with an average attendance figure of about 500 on any particular Sunday morning.

In July of 2000, ground was broken for a new office/classroom addition, which was occupied debt free in January of 2002. This nearly 10,000 square foot addition brought the total building space occupied by Southwest Hills to about 24,000 square feet.

Over the years, Southwest Hills has developed strong children's and youth ministries, ministered to many in home group settings, been blessed with many talented musicians leading worship, and supported numerous missionaries and mission trips to reach the lost around the world.