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1993 - Year of Beginnings

       Several members of White Rock Community Church who live in Tarrant County, sought the church's help to start a similar ministry in the Fort Worth area.  On January 10, 1993, White Rock Church West was born.  We called Jerry Cook, the pastor of White Rock to be our pastor, too.  He preached at both churches traveling between Dallas and Fort Worth.  The Deacons of the church were also chosen.  The church first met in a recreation room above a garage of a member's home in east Fort Worth.  It was fondly called the "upper room".  At first the services were held on Sunday at 2:00 PM, then Tuesday night during the summer and back to Sunday at 5:00 PM.

         God spoke through Jerry Cook.  His sermons were based on the Bible and were very inspiring.   Praising God through music has always been an important part of this church.   We borrowed people from White Rock to preach and sing and enjoyed talents from within the congregation.  A special offering was taken on Thanksgiving to purchase an electric piano.  God really blessed us in the first year.

1994 - Year of Change
        1994 was a year of change. The church quickly outgrew the "upper room" and in January, moved to First Jefferson Unitarian Church in east Fort Worth.  Music continued to be an important part of the church as we sang to the Lord.  We started committees in finance, hospitality, outreach, worship, and HIV+ care.  Dean Bishop, from White Rock, started a Wednesday Bible Study.  We were involved in the community through a bowling team, supporting Eastside Ministries, Gay Pride activities, Lights of Love, Imperial Court benefit and auction/rummage sale.  Jerry Cook decided that it was time for the new congregation to leave the nest and resigned as pastor in September, 1994.

        In October, the pastoral search committee recommended Bill Prickett, a successful Alabama Baptist preacher who was leading an organization for gay and lesbian Christians in the Los Angeles area at the time.  He was called by the congregation in November.  At that point, the church was on its own and ready to go.

1995 - Year of Organization

        1995 was a year of organization.  Bill Prickett soon became known for his series of sermons such as "Integrity", " and "The Twelve Steps".  He was helped us to define the identity of the church and on Easter Sunday we became known as Celebration Community Church.  Sunday worship services were moved to 6:30 PM.  Bill started Life Studies on Wednesday nights and taught various topics over the years such as The Bible and Homosexuality, Know What You Believe and Why, S-E-X, How to Pray for Your Church, and Discovering the Real Me.  He was instrumental in dividing the duties of the leadership of the church into Deacons, Church Board and Church Council.  Also, couples and singles group were started.

        We participated in many community events.  There was a big fund raiser on Valentine's Day for our AIDS ministry. The church choir was started in April and grew to 25 members.  The choir helped build the famous award winning float that included a baby grand piano which Roger Copeland played.  Honors Sunday started which gave recognition to the Fort Worth Men's Chorus, P-FLAG, Imperial Court, Future Fort Worth Arlington and the Teen Project.   The choir went on a choir retreat in September, sang at the TGRA rodeo in November, participated in Lights of Love and Christmas concert in December.  It was a busy but good year.

1996 - Year of Structure
        1996 was a year of structure as the Church Board, Deacons and Council completing their first full year.   We had another Valentine's fund raiser for our AIDS ministry.  Bill Prickett continues preaching series with topics such as "God's Promises", "Cities of Refuge", "Perspectives of Jesus" and "Essentials of Christian Living" and continued with Life Studies.  He held a relationship workshop in April.  In June, we got together with three other community churches and hosted the first Rainbow Religious Rally that recognized our oneness in Jesus Christ.  The women of the church held a unique Father's Day service.  The first church-wide yard sale was in July.  Breakfast With Friends was started for fellowship and to eat on Sunday mornings.  The White Rock Community Church choir came back to sing their "Top Ten" concert.  It was another wonderful year with God.

        Did I mention eating?   The history of the church cannot be complete without food.  Christians love to eat.  We have fellowship after the evening service with finger sandwiches, snacks and desserts.  We have a covered dish dinner the last Sunday of each month with homemade main dishes, fruits, vegetables, breads and desserts.  On special occasions, such as anniversaries, Honor's Sundays, banquets and fund raisers, there is another reason to eat.   Sometimes angels show up at the garage sale with breakfast burritos and tostados.   And let us not forget the fellowship times when we go out to eat.  God doesn't let His children go hungry.

1997 - Year of Vision
       1997 was a year of vision.   The congregation of Celebration Community Church approved a strategic planning process called Target 2000 on January 15, 1997.   The process was used to determine the future of the congregation into and beyond the year 2000.  In August, Breakfast With Friends was moved to Care-a-Lot Inn and a devotional was held after breakfast.   Bill Prickett and other members of the church gave Bible messages that were on their hearts.  This group built the foundation for the future as they were knit together in love for God, the church and one another.  It was also an outreach for residents at the Care-a-Lot Inn.

        Of course the year wouldn't be complete without great preaching and music to worship and glorify God.   Pastor Bill preached on "The Vision for the Church" and "Committed Relationships".  At Life Studies, he taught on topics such as "How to Choose and Study the Bible" and an overview of the Old Testament. There was a fund raiser with Pat Crenshaw, Roger Copeland and Friends.  There was Christmas caroling at Care-a-Lot Inn for the residents and Roger Copeland gave us the gift of song as he played the piano and sang for us at Christmas.

1998 - Year of Miracles

       1998 was a year of miracles.  It began with our five-year anniversary service in January with Jerry Cook and White Rock choir.  Pastor Bill chose to leave but we were determined to trust in God, be united in love for one another, continue the work that was started and implement Target 2000 for our future.  Little did we know how much the Holy Sprit would lead the church forward and show His power.  Target 2000 was approved by the congregation in February.  We were united, attendance increased offerings increased, enthusiasm grew and many guest pastors from White Rock and the local community encouraged us to go forward.  We prayed for our church and our new pastor that God would provide, started the hospitality committee and picked chairs for the other committees.

        Then the impossible happened - God gave us a building!  On April 8, the congregation voted on a building that was in the heart of Fort Worth.  God just opened the door and pushed us through.  On Monday, May 11th, 1998, we took possession of the land that God gave us as members and friends moved our belongings into the new building.  May 13th was the first Wednesday Bible study.  Workers came back on the 16th to prepare for the first Sunday services.  On Sunday, May 17, 1998, we had the first morning service with Tom Mullen and first evening service with Dwayne Martin.   On June 14th, the Fort Worth Men's Chorus sang and Jerry Cook, our founding pastor, gave the dedicatory address.

        Then it was time to call a pastor.  That miracle happened on August 23rd.   The congregation called Rev. Carol West from Arlington to be our pastor.  The installation service was held on November 22.  The church office was filled with a staff of dedicated people and we expanded our ministries.  Throughout the year, our attendance grew and we added 125% more people then the previous year and exceeded the budget.  What could have been a disaster, the Holy Sprit created in our church a wonderful "Year of Miracles".  To God be the Glory.  Great things He has done!

1999 - Year of Expansion
        1999 promises to be a even better year.  With the firm foundation that was built in 1998, we have a great opportunity for growth of our people, expansion of our ministries and outreach into our community that we never had before.  Our primary mission is to "Feed the sheep and not count the sheep" as our pastor, Carol West said.  We moved to the center of the community to be the center of the community and that vision is becoming a reality.  Since Rev. Carol West was called to be our pastor, the following ministries have started:

        Clothing Donations
        Food Item Donations
        The Men's Hour
        Sex & Love Addiction Support Group
        The Bookclub
        Handbell Choir
 
        With God nothing shall be impossible.  With a dedicated pastor, leadership, staff and congregation, we are only limited by what God can do through us.  The sky is the limit. 

        This history covers up to February, 1999. What other opportunity for ministries are waiting ahead?  Jesus is coming again but until then we are confident that God will finish what He started at our church.

Philippians 1:6
        Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Click on picture to see our building

908 Pennsylvania Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
817.335.3222

Sunday Morning Services
9:00 AM & 11:00 AM

Wednesday Night Live
7:00 PM

Thursday Choir Practice
7:00 PM