History of Fort Worth Presbyterian Church 

The church began in 1991 when four families petitioned the Presbyterian Church in America for approval to plant a church in Fort Worth with a vision for church growth by church planting. With approval granted, they set out to locate a church planter. Michael C. Sharrett, graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and Associate Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian in Charlottesville, Virginia, answered the call to become its founding pastor. He arrived on the field in August 1992. The first Sunday morning worship was held in the beautiful Lena Pope Chapel on November 1, 1992. That facility served as the home of FWPC for three years, until increasing attendance precipitated the need for more space. The church particularized on July 8, 1996, with four ruling elders. Land was purchased that same year on the southwest side of Fort Worth. In August 1997 a building committee was formed. In August 2002, we moved into our present facility. In the summer of 2004, Darwin Jordan became our pastor.

General Profile of the Church Body  

The church has a large group of very serious, biblically literate believers. Many of our newer attendees are younger Christians. The congregation is diverse in age and economics. The body is warm and friendly. Our commitment as a body is to reach our community, city and the world through ministry of the Word and Deed. Our vision statement is “nurturing a joy for loving God and loving people.” As an example of the commitment to serve the Lord, nursery workers and Sunday school teachers are not difficult to recruit. All members are encouraged by the leadership to use their gifts in the Church. We have a ladies’ ministry, Women in the Church (WIC), and a men’s ministry, Men in Covenant (MIC). Among other activities, WIC has a strong daytime Bible study, provides meals for those in need in the Church, and sponsors the annual ladies’ retreat. MIC has occasional men’s breakfasts and loosely organizes help efforts for widows in the Church and for families that are moving. We have a Missions Committee, and we are committed to tithing 10% of general giving to missions. Each summer we have a mission trip with 20 - 30 participants, and we have sent individuals onto the mission field to serve up to two-year terms. Various members support local para-church ministries financially and/or as volunteers. Our newly formed mercy committee is developing ways for the church to serve our members and community in word and deed. We sponsor Kids Hope (a one on one mentoring program) and Good News Club (an after school bible club) at Oakmont Elementary school during the fall and spring semesters. One week of the summer we provide VBS for children. All of our Members are encouraged to join a Small Group, either meeting in homes or at the church. Childcare during Sunday night Small Groups is provided at the church. The small groups meet twice a month for prayer, bible study and fellowship. Any interested visitors are encouraged to attend. We have monthly Pastor receptions for visitors following worship.

Sunday Morning Worship  

Our Sunday morning worship begins at 10:00 AM with the call to worship, where the congregation is reminded that this is the most important activity they will engage in all week, worship of the living God. Following the prelude is the congregational singing, a combination of traditional hymns from the Trinity Hymnal and praise choruses that are typically accompanied by guitars and vocalists. A pastoral or congregational prayer is offered between the singing of the hymns and choruses. During this time, the congregation is often asked to participate vocally in corporate prayer, which they do joyfully. Following the time of singing and prayer is a responsive reading selection from the back of the Trinity Hymnal and a reading of our confession of faith, taken from well-known confessions and creeds. Next is the taking of tithes and offerings to the Lord, then the prayers of God’s people. The children are dismissed to Children’s Church at this time as well as Junior Church except on communion Sundays. God then addresses us through the reading of Scripture and the sermon. At the close of the sermon, we sing a hymn of response. Before the benediction and postlude, the pastor exhorts the congregation to "go forth to serve the world as those who love our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." Announcements follow after worship. The Lord’s Supper is served on the first Sunday of each month. The congregation comes forward to receive the elements from the elders.

Summary  

The Lord has brought us a long way, starting with four couples possessing a vision to establish a Reformed church that would teach sound Biblical doctrine and instill a deep desire to worship the one true God. We are warm and friendly, diverse, and well-grounded in the Gospel of Grace. Come join us as we seek to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever”