Celebrating 20 Years of Building on Faith

Main Photo
by Dallas
McNeal Photography

In the heart
of Rockwall, Texas, the story of Rockwall Friendship Baptist Church unfolds
as a testament to faith, dedication, and a commitment to building a community
centered on love and growth. The journey began two decades ago
through a mission effort initiated by Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church in
collaboration with the Southern Baptist Convention of Texas and the Dallas
Baptist Association.

In 2003, Senior Pastor Terry M. Turner of
Mesquite Friendship, alongside Associate Minister Rev. Shanon Thomas, felt the
call to plant a church in the Rockwall community. Prayerful and full of
determination, they embarked on a journey, seeking assistance from the
Southern Baptist Convention of Texas. The convention’s support for the first
three years paved the way for the birth of Rockwall Friendship Baptist Church
in January 2004.

The inaugural services were held at Dorothy
Pullen Elementary School in Heath, Texas, on February 29, 2004, marking the
beginning of a profound spiritual journey. From those humble beginnings,
eight charter members joined the ministry, laying the foundation for what
would become a vibrant and impactful community.

Fast forward to now, and the church’s 20th
anniversary is on the horizon. With the recent completion of their new
building, Rockwall continues to embody its true spirit. “We have a friendly,
welcoming atmosphere here,” said now Senior Pastor Shanon Thomas. “We meet
people where they are and support them as they build a relationship with God
and grow in their faith. God calls us to live in community and empowers us to
do so. At Rockwall Friendship, we want to honor God’s design for
community.”

It’s what
they’ve done for 20 years. Worship at Rockwall Friendship is authentic, and
teaching is relevant. Pastor Thomas and the rest of the church family will
welcome you with open arms and then walk alongside you as you navigate the
real world with sermons such as “Difficult People: When People are Hard to
Love,” “Forgiveness: Healing Our Hearts,” and “What God Wants the Church to
Be.” Find out what God’s word says about these and other real-world
struggles.

“We’re transparent here,” Pastor Thomas said.
“None of us are perfect, but we serve a Perfect Savior. We all struggle, and
we want to dig into what God’s word tells us about topics such as breaking strongholds,
dealing with anxiety, handling temptation, and confronting conflict. And we
want to worship the Lord together in a way that’s
meaningful.”

Kids are important at Rockwall Friendship. In
fact, they have their own building and their own worship service. Each Sunday
morning, kids and students are equipped to live in the world and dig deeper
in their relationship with the Lord and each other. “We’re diligent about
safety for our kids,” Pastor Thomas said. “We want to spiritually nurture and
develop the next generation, and we have wonderful teachers and volunteers
who pour into them. We want to partner with parents to raise children up in
the way they should go, while making sure we keep them safe while they’re
with us.”

Fellowship is important too. There’s a small
group for everyone at Rockwall Friendship, for every stage and category of
life. Whether you’re single, married, empty nester, or senior adult; whether
you’ve recently lost a loved one or are struggling with addiction or debt;
whether you’re male, female, adult, youth, or child, there’s a group for you
where you can connect and grow closer to God alongside others just like
you.

Rockwall Friendship takes seriously their
commission to love others. They do this through outreach to Rockwall and
surrounding communities and through global ministry efforts. Here locally,
their Care and Comfort Ministry meets the material needs of families and
individuals requiring assistance. “We provide transportation to doctor
appointments and hospital visits, visit the sick and home-bound, deliver
meals to those who need them, run errands, and provide gift cards to people
who need a little help,” Pastor Thomas said. “We stay in touch with those in
assisted living facilities to let them know they haven’t been forgotten. And
we can pay utility and other bills for those experiencing a financial crisis
with the goal of helping them become financially
independent.”

In Matthew 28, Jesus issued His “great commission”
for His followers to go into all the world making disciples. Rockwall
Friendship accepts this commission with mission trips to The Republic of
Congo, Mexico, India, Haiti, Canada, and elsewhere meeting the physical needs
of the people while spreading the transformative message of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ. “Many people don’t realize that Canada is one of the most
unchurched industrialized places in North America,” Pastor Thomas said.
“Jesus told His followers, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are
few.’ We accept His marching orders to take the good news of Jesus to our
brothers and sisters around the world.”

But they haven’t forgotten the call to love
and serve the people of Rockwall and North Texas. As Rockwall Friendship
celebrates its 20-year journey of building on faith, the story is one of
growth, transformation, and a deep commitment to impacting lives. The vision
for the future is bold, the community is vibrant, and the faith is
unwavering. Come and be a part of Rockwall Friendship Baptist Church, where
worship is real, relevant, and where the journey of building on faith
continues to unfold.

Join Rockwall Friendship’s Spring Sunday Book Study
this April, as they study “Sacred Self-Care” together. This seven-week
journey will help you discover what the Bible says about self-care and shift
your behaviors and habits to care for your whole self — mind, body, and soul.