DALLAS CAMPUS — THE BEST IS YET

Our Dallas Campus began last Sunday with more than 2,300 in attendance. We dreamed, prayed, worked, invited, and God blessed. The joy of unleashing this new beginning is off the charts!

Once again we say: Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. —Ephesians 3:20-21

The best is yet ...

PRESTONWOOD DALLAS CAMPUS LAUNCHES ON SUNDAY

(A cross resembling the one on our pulpit graces the Worship Center entrance.)


This Sunday we’ll celebrate the Inaugural Service of the Prestonwood Dallas Campus!

This marks yet another milestone in the history of our church. Prestonwood has always existed to share the Gospel with those in our neighborhoods, in our country and in the outermost parts of the world. Just this summer, more than 1,000 of our church members ministered in places ranging from San Antonio and Boston to Sudan and Brazil.

But on Sunday at the Dallas Campus, our focus will be on the North Dallas community—where one million people live within a 10-mile radius. What an incredible opportunity we have been given to share the love of Christ in the community where our church was birthed 34 years ago.

Our members have a heart for Dallas, and in returning to our roots, we want to provide for those who are unchurched or disengaged, a church they can call “home.”

Our journey to this point truly has been God-directed. We had prayed about one day returning to this community, and He provided. With a lot of hard work and prayer, we are going to do great things, expecting and knowing that God will do more than we could ask or think. At the Dallas Campus, we are going to make a difference to the glory of God.

A VISIT TO THE BILLY GRAHAM LIBRARY

Deb and I visited the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C. last week. What an incredible experience! I was so taken by the quality of the facilities and the moving presentation of Billy’s life. Tears popped up immediately as we watched the early years of Billy’s conversion and call. Then came the Los Angeles Crusade of 1949 and soon after the world would hear the Gospel through this farm boy who grew up on a dairy farm. From those moments, we walked through the journey of the man who has preached to more people than anyone in the history of the Christian faith.

The library is not a museum but a mission to share Christ and the Good News. Walking through the library I thought about the first time I heard Billy. I was an 8-year-old boy living in a small town in Arkansas. My parents and I went to Little Rock to the 1959 Crusade. My parents went forward that day during the invitation to rededicate their lives and marriage to Christ. It was a powerful moment for me and I can still hear the refrain of Just As I Am reverberating through War Memorial Stadium.

I have always loved Billy Graham. We are not related except in Christ, but he has always been a part of my life. I love him as a brother in Christ and a model of the faith.

One day Billy will be buried beside his beloved wife, Ruth, in a beautiful spot shaded by the trees at the library property. As Deb and I stood there, we held hands and I thanked God for Billy and Ruth and their influence on millions—upon us. I left the library different than when I walked in. Humbled. Grateful. Energized to proclaim Christ.

Do yourself a huge favor and visit the Billy Graham Library as soon as you can. You will be forever glad you did.

"HARD FIGHTING SOLDIER" -- A TRIBUTE TO COACH MCLAIN

We celebrated the life of Coach Wade McLain yesterday. He lived life as a witness to the Lord, and in death, his life spoke volumes about the passion he had for his family, students, athletes, and most importantly, his God. Coach McLain was indeed a "Hard Fighting Soldier" for the Lord. The PCA Lions have sung this song after every game for nearly as long as we've had a football team. Yesterday, about 150 current team members and former players, led by Coach Chris Cunningham, honored Coach McLain's legacy with it.