When I was a 9 year old little girl, we moved from Tennessee to Texas. We joined First Baptist Rockwall. Not long after that, our family joined with 6 other families to start a mission church. We found a spot to meet (which happened to be a bait house), cleaned it like crazy, and got ready to have worship. It was call West Rockwall Baptist Church. We took fliers all over the neighborhood by our new location to invite people to come. We were a small group of ordinary people, who believed in and prayed to an extraordinary God. He answered our prayers. People actually came to our little church. I think the first family to join were the Ballard's. Rick Ballard became our Sunday school teacher.
I met my husband that first summer. He and his brother walked to our church to help fold bulletins. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I laughed like crazy at them. Folding bulletins had never been so fun.
Some of my fondest memories are of our eating together. We had Sunday nights at different houses. Lucy Thomas made homemade croutons. I still make them to my children's delight. We had Wednesday night supper at the church. Camille Bateman made chalupas for that. We had picnics at Uncle Pulleys, and Carolyn Bryan brought rolling pie. I know there were so many other wonderful dishes, but these are the ones that stand out in my mind.
We hired a pastor that next year. His name was Steve Stroope. He wore famolare shoes and drove a stick shift car. He had a beautiful wife named Marsha and two precious little girls, Rachael and Lydia. They were 4 and 2 and were into strawberry shortcake. They bought a house down the street from us. They too were ordinary people who believed in and prayed to an extraordinary God. And God once again answered our prayers. People came to know Him through our little church.
Brother Steve(what we called him then) was a ball. I had never been around a grown up who was so silly. I remember running through Six Flags with him, dropping my napkin to pray, and laughter. There was so much joy in our little group.
We changed our name and built some buildings. I don't remember all of that so well, because it wasn't that big of a deal to me. I do remember some biblical truths that are in my marrow that were taught by Rick Ballard, Dowell Loftis, Larry Caudle, and Steve and Marsha Stroope. Truths that are lifeblood to me.
I grew up in this body of believers. I was married by Rick Ballard to my husband that I met that summer. My husband and all 3 of my children were baptised at what is now Lakepointe Church. I've watched babies be born, friends and family pass away, and many joys and sorrows. I adore this body of believers and count it a privilege to be an ordinary person who believes in and prays to an extraordinary God with them. As we worshipped at the park last night, I could see the steeple of First Baptist Rockwall. What a wonderful ending to celebrate 30 years of Lakepointe to see the symbol of the beginning of our body. What a sweet spirit in that place. Sweet Holy Spirit, stay right here with us filling us with Your love! Greater things are still to come! I believe!
I met my husband that first summer. He and his brother walked to our church to help fold bulletins. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I laughed like crazy at them. Folding bulletins had never been so fun.
Some of my fondest memories are of our eating together. We had Sunday nights at different houses. Lucy Thomas made homemade croutons. I still make them to my children's delight. We had Wednesday night supper at the church. Camille Bateman made chalupas for that. We had picnics at Uncle Pulleys, and Carolyn Bryan brought rolling pie. I know there were so many other wonderful dishes, but these are the ones that stand out in my mind.
We hired a pastor that next year. His name was Steve Stroope. He wore famolare shoes and drove a stick shift car. He had a beautiful wife named Marsha and two precious little girls, Rachael and Lydia. They were 4 and 2 and were into strawberry shortcake. They bought a house down the street from us. They too were ordinary people who believed in and prayed to an extraordinary God. And God once again answered our prayers. People came to know Him through our little church.
Brother Steve(what we called him then) was a ball. I had never been around a grown up who was so silly. I remember running through Six Flags with him, dropping my napkin to pray, and laughter. There was so much joy in our little group.
We changed our name and built some buildings. I don't remember all of that so well, because it wasn't that big of a deal to me. I do remember some biblical truths that are in my marrow that were taught by Rick Ballard, Dowell Loftis, Larry Caudle, and Steve and Marsha Stroope. Truths that are lifeblood to me.
I grew up in this body of believers. I was married by Rick Ballard to my husband that I met that summer. My husband and all 3 of my children were baptised at what is now Lakepointe Church. I've watched babies be born, friends and family pass away, and many joys and sorrows. I adore this body of believers and count it a privilege to be an ordinary person who believes in and prays to an extraordinary God with them. As we worshipped at the park last night, I could see the steeple of First Baptist Rockwall. What a wonderful ending to celebrate 30 years of Lakepointe to see the symbol of the beginning of our body. What a sweet spirit in that place. Sweet Holy Spirit, stay right here with us filling us with Your love! Greater things are still to come! I believe!
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