Information Highway
Bumper Sticker

Read the disclosure on
Information Highway
Bumper Stickers.

In the spring of 1986, Park Cities Baptist Church called Dr. Paul Basden to pastor a mission in the growing communities of Valley Ranch and Coppell. On March 19, 1986, twenty-six people met in a local home and began Valley Ranch Baptist Mission. This core group, as well as those who have followed, committed themselves to the Lord and one another in fulfilling the purpose of the New Testament church - to reach unchurched persons with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to nurture believers in the Word of God, and to extend the Kingdom of God worldwide.

The mission's first worship service was held in Valley Ranch's LaPetite Daycare Academy in May 1986. Within a year, membership had grown to 146 and the mission had become self-supporting. On June 7, 1987, Valley Ranch Baptist Mission officially became Valley Ranch Baptist Church and, during the next two years, membership grew to more than 300. The church continued to meet in several Coppell schools as well as in members' homes. In 1989, Valley Ranch Baptist Church settled into more permanent facilities in the Westwood III business complex in Farmers Branch.

In August 1990, the church's founding pastor, Dr. Basden, accepted a call to serve as Minister to the University at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. During the next ten months, Valley Ranch Baptist Church pursued its mission under the capable leadership of its associate pastor, Bruce Prindle, and interim pastor, Tom Ruane. In June 1991, the church unanimously called Dr. Jerry Carlisle to serve as pastor. Scott Lane began his tenure as the church's first minister to youth the same month. A revitalized fall program bolstered membership to over 400 and average worship service attendance past 240 by early 1992. On October 4, 1992, Valley Ranch Baptist Church initiated a schedule of dual worship services and Bible study classes to meet the growing demand and better facilitate the church's mission of reaching, nurturing, and extending.

Earlier that spring the church purchased seven and one-half acres of raw land on Belt Line Road east of MacArthur Boulevard (adjacent to Valley Ranch Centre) in Coppell. The property was master-planned and ground was broken in December 1993 to construct 18,000 square feet of new facilities. On October 2, 1994, Valley Ranch Baptist Church held its first worship service in its new $1.6 million brick and masonry building. By that date, membership approached 600 and the congregation supported an annual budget of $475,000.

1995 has brought about a number of exciting changes at Valley Ranch Baptist. As membership nears 700, the church has set the groundwork for a weekday preschool program to begin in the fall, day and evening Vacation Bible Schools were held for the first time with record attendance, the single adult division launched its weeknight worship and praise service, and the congregation approved the largest Ministry Investments Plan ($645,000) in the church's history. Further, preparation for construction of Phase 2 of the Facilities Master Plan was well underway as the church began four Bible Study and Worship hours in September 1995.

Members of Valley Ranch Baptist Church reside primarily in the communities of Coppell, Valley Ranch, Carrollton, Lewisville, Irving, Farmers Branch, Flower Mound, North Dallas and the Mid-Cities. The approximate median age of the membership is thirty-one. The congregation is served by Dr. Jerry Carlisle (Pastor), Jeffrey Julian (Associate Pastor of Eductation and Administration), Scott Lane (Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Student Ministry), Carolyn Majors (Minister to Children), and Deirdre LaNoue (Minister of Music).

God planted Valley Ranch Baptist Church in this community in order to accomplish His purposes. Our congregation eagerly invites you to join us wholeheartedly in the unique adventure of serving Christ as members of Valley Ranch Baptist Church.