Vision
Creating a culture of Christ-centered catalysts
Director of Leadership Development
(817) 927-1911 x 222
(817) 269-0842 (cell)
Because our authority comes through influence, not position.
Demonstrated by developing leaders who connect with Christ, multiply disciples, engage their domains, and reach the world
Because meaningful change is fueled by intentional investment.
Demonstrated by Kingdom-directed connections resulting in missional advancement
Because being connected to the Source frees us to fearlessly invest every available resource.
Demonstrated by investing in church starters and their teams, collaborating in ministry at all levels of faith relationships, and providing financial education for individuals and entities
(Jas. 5:16; Phil. 4:6, 7) as demonstrated by supportive intercession, concerned coaching, and heartfelt communication.
through Leadership Development
through Gospel Saturation
by Killing Giants
Creating a culture of Christ-centered catalysts
Fort Worth was the Wild West. Hell’s Half Acre was full of saloons and their denizens. Alcohol and other drugs saturated the community. Butch and Sundance hid out for a while and posed for their most famous photograph. The local native Americans named a tent city on the west side of town White Settlement. The Indian fighting fort of heavily armed dragoons gave way to the lightly-armed and speedier horsemen of the Texas Rangers. Lonesome Dove Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, and Broadway Baptist Church worked together with their Disciples of Christ and Methodist friends to bring civilization and a sober populace to build a city on a hill.
Soon enough Baptist churches filled the area that one, and then two, different associations were formed to start more churches, address more community needs, and develop the leaders necessary to take the Gospel far, wide, and deep.
The two associations became one in 1886. More churches started. A seminary moved from Waco into Fort Worth on Seminary Hill. Fort Worth became the launching place of explorers and adventurers and circuit-riding preachers. Because of that, Comancheria was finally tamed and the land toward the sunset became livable and lovable. Futures were as wide and high and wonderful as the land itself.
Because of that, Southwestern Seminary became the crown jewel of Southern Baptist institutions formed to deliver the gospel to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth including Mexico, California, Colorado, and the Great Plains.
Because of that, Manifest Destiny took on a distinctly Christian character. When the pioneers pushed the boundaries ever farther, the gospel penetrated the land with salt, light, and salvation.
Finally, Texas was the Buckle of the Bible Belt, and Fort Worth was where the belts, boots, and ball gloves were made. Churchmen, theologians, and statesmen worked together with businessmen, railroaders, and cowboys to turn Cowtown into a big city with the heart of a small town.
Fort Worth still has that heart even as it grows well beyond a million citizens and suburbs become cities of great size alongside it. Even so, Hell’s Half Acre longs to return. Evil is on the move. Systems are deteriorating and broken. Churches and an association once again are bringing the gospel to bear on problems like recidivism, substance abuse, human trafficking, hunger, and infant mortality.
There will be no return to the Good Ol’ Days. Better and Best lie ahead as men, women, students, and community organizations stand together to make Fort Worth and Tarrant County a little more heaven on earth. Tarrant Association is connecting catalysts who are pursuing pathways for community transformation.