Our Story

90 years ago a group of people were led by God to launch a new mission outpost in an undeveloped area of Dallas known as Highland Park. Our ultimate goal is not to be a beautiful church, or a big church, or a church that is growing so we can feel good about ourselves. Our mission is to be a Jesus church, where people of every generation are finding the joy, hope and transformation of life in Christ.

Our Vision

Read more about our Living Vision and our Living Vision Goals.

Our Denomination

We are affiliated with the Presbyterian denomination called ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians.

Our Beliefs

• God – The one true living God is a God of love; God is sovereign, the Creator and Ruler of all
• Scripture – Scripture is the Word of God, the first and final authority for faith and life
• The Trinity – God is three-in-one: God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
• The Fall – Because of human sin, all creation has fallen from its original state of perfection; as a result, human beings are subject to death, the consequences of rebellion, and the holy judgment of God
• Jesus Christ – Jesus Christ is Lord, fully God and fully human, and the only way to eternal life
• The Cross – Jesus Christ, the innocent Son of God, died in the place of fallen, rebellious humanity to satisfy the holy judgment of God and was raised bodily from the dead in the power of the Spirit
• Reconciliation with God – By grace through faith in Christ alone, which comes as an unmerited gift from God, a person is reconciled with God, guided and comforted by the Holy Spirit, and assured of eternal life
• The Return of Christ – When Jesus returns to earth, He will consummate His Kingdom and establish the new creation

ECO Essential Tenets - Our beliefs are grounded in the Essential Tenets of ECO. 

Living Vision

Jesus did not call the church to run a bunch of programs. He told us to go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything he commanded. That’s not just a commission, that’s a goal. As a church we believe that setting goals can spur us toward greater passion, collaboration, and transformation as we trust that God can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.

These are the ten “living vision” goals that our elders see as critical to where God is leading us as a church:

1. Establish a Clear Growth and Transformation Path for Kids and Students
2. Create a Strategic Church Planting Plan
3. Launch a Center for Leader Formation (Including Residency/Fellows Program)
4. Expand our Culture of Generosity (Increase Giving and Ease of Giving)
5. Build a High Trust, High Functioning Staff Culture
6. Grow Participation in Mission Trip and City-Serving Opportunities by 25%
7. Increase Weekend Attendance (Including Kids and Students, All Nations, Mandarin) by 20%
8. Create a Master Architecture Plan
9. Pursue Greater Vision Clarity as a Session
10. Increase Church-wide Group and Sunday Class Engagement by 25%

The following “living vision” goals have either been completed or are well into the implementation phase:

• Complete - Establish a Clear Growth and Transformation Path for Adults
• Complete - Improve Guest Experience and Assimiliation of New Members
• Complete - Improve Parking for Guests and Adults 60 Plus
• Complete - Re-allocate Staff Resources for Small Group Ministry
• Complete - Improve Audio and Visual in Worship Venues
• Complete - Tell More Transformational Stories
• Complete - Reach Chinese Church Plant worship Attendance Goal
• Complete - Ordain Several Existing Staff Members
• Complete - Implement a Rhythm of Mutual Communication between Session and Congregation
• Complete - Unify Preaching Topics Across Worship Venues
• Complete - ECO Mission Affinity Group Participation
• Complete - Host ECO Conferences and Seminars
• Complete - Participation in ECO Presbytery and Synod Governance
• Complete - Develop and Complete Plan for Utilization of Repair & Replacement Reserve Funds
• Complete - Discern our Relationship with PC(USA)