History of First Christian Church - Abilene TX

 From its organization in 1885  

THE EARLY YEARS

For a year or two prior to the organization of First Christian Church, individuals had been meeting from house to house, and in that way keeping together. In 1884 Major Penn, a Baptist evangelist, held a meeting in Abilene, Texas at which time several families were stirred into action. This resulted in J.A. Lord of Missouri, calling a meeting to organize the new church. In 1885, when Abilene was still a frontier town, Mr. Lord held a revival meeting in the courthouse, and First Christian Church of Abilene was organized.

CHARTER MEMBERS

Mrs. Thos. Porter Mrs. T.J. Edins, Sr.

Miss May Darnell (nee Ella Porter)

Mr. Z.T. Peck Mrs. A.L. Harle   

For about a year after its organization the church was kept going largely through the efforts of Mrs. E. Evans, President; Miss May Darnell, Secretary and Treasurer; and Mrs. T.J. Edins, Sr., as President of the young Ladies Aid Society.

Between the times of the organization, 1885 to 1886, the Church met for services in the schoolhouse located on the corner of North Third and Cedar Streets. Sometime in 1886, Brother A.J. Bush held a meeting for the church in a small building at the corner of North Third and Hickory Streets, borrowed from the Presbyterians. Following this meeting, the church bought that property with about $1,000.00 down payment, which was made by the Ladies Aid Society.

The congregation worshipped in this small building of about 30’ X 60’ until about 1902, at which time a large and commodious auditorium was erected as an addition to the old structure. The congregation occupied this building until it was destroyed by fire in 1921 along with all church records. Members recalled that the church was being prepared for a service of baptism. A gas stove was lighted to warm the building when the stove exploded, setting the fire. Thereafter the congregation met at the Mission Theatre, downtown, until the new building was completed.

Fortunately, the congregation had already started building a new modern sanctuary, on the old Cresswell corner at North Third and Orange Streets in 1921. That property was purchased February 17,1921. The cornerstone of the church building was laid December 18, 1921, and now is in place at the Northeast corner of the Fellowship Building.

TOTAL MEMBERS IN 1914

241 active, 44 non-residents 

1921

In December of 1921, when the cornerstone of the new church was laid, a “century box” was placed in the cornerstone, to be opened in 100 years, in the year 2021. Curiosity must have overcome the congregation, as the cornerstone was opened twenty-five years later in 1946. All contents were removed; copies made, and records brought up to date. Then all contents were replaced and returned to the cornerstone location to again be opened in 2021. The old church was torn down in 1970, the box removed, church history was updated, and the century box was placed in the southwest corner of the present sanctuary.

First Christian Church at

Corner of 3rd & Orange Streets

This sanctuary served the people of Abilene from 1921 until 1970 and became a prominent landmark of the downtown area.

1946

In 1946 the Second Christian Church began with the purchase of the Chapel that had been used at Camp Barkley during World War II. This Chapel was moved to 1665 South 15th Street in Abilene, and other facilities were provided. On April 27, 1947, forty-two members of First Christian joined in organizing Second Christian Church of Abilene. Total cost of this expansion effort was about $15,000.00.

1951

In 1951 the church made plans to build a new educational building. Ground was broken in September of 1951, and the building was opened for use on Palm Sunday 1952. Total cost was about $124,500.00. The building was constructed by Albert A. McAlister, a member of First Christian Church. The building is now referred to as the “Children’s Building.”

In 2001 the physical structure of the children’s area was improved to reflect a biblical background for the new method of teaching. This area was dedicated in memory of Royce Farnsworth, who taught this group for 32 years.

  1958

In 1958 the Second Christian Church property was sold, and through the efforts of the joint committee of members of First Christian and Second Christian Churches, plans were approved to establish the  

Brook Hollow Christian Church at 2310 South Willis Street. This church was completed in 1959. A commissioning service was held at First Christian 

Church, transferring 30 families to the new Brook Hollow Christian Church, allowing them the high honor and responsibility they had accepted as co-leaders of the new church. Brook Hollow Christian Church is an ongoing example of furthering God’s work in the city of Abilene.

1959

Through the generous gift from one of the families of the church, the Memorial Christian Church and Center was established at 2034 Graham Street. Litt S. Perry was the motivating force in opening and maintaining this center. This new mission church’s purpose was to help serve the low-income families of the Graham Street area. The program was conducted through volunteer workers from First Christian Church and later joined by volunteer workers from Brook Hollow Christian Church. Litt Perry passed away in 1964 and Reverend Fred Vasquez was hired. When Reverend Vasquez retired, Oscar and Zaida Ramming presided until closure in 1971.

 1962

The Bonnie Belle Handbell Choir was established in memory of Bonnie Belle Graham, deceased daughter of DeAlva and Paul Graham. The parents of DeAlva Graham donated the funds for the purchase of the bells. Ed Mann, Minister of Music, organized the choir, during the mid-1960’s.

The Bonnie Belle Handbell Choir was originally composed of Chi-Rho and CYF youth. By the 1970’s, under the leadership of Bobby and Sue Siltman, the group became the heart of the church youth program. The choir began to play not only for worship services, but also community functions. By the latter part of the 1970’s, the choir began to travel to area and national handbell conventions (Oklahoma, Arizona, Utah and throughout Texas).

As the Bonnie Belles became the thing to do at First Christian Church, additional groups were formed. By the 1980’s there were three bell groups totaling approximately 35 ringers.

As time passed, less and less young people were attending First Christian Church, and the choir dwindled down to one small group of ringers. Then the group disbanded from lack of personnel and interest.

In the early 1990’s adults began to become involved in bell ringing. By the year 2000 the Adult Bonnie Belle ringers had become well established, and an intricate part of the music of the church.

1967

In 1967 First Christian Church purchased the old Medical Arts building at the corner of North Third and Beech Streets to initiate further building plans. No doubt this bothered some of the teenagers, who would often “sneak out” of the old balcony during church services to go down to the Medical Arts Drug Store for cokes and sodas. This acquisition gave the church ownership of the entire block, bound by Orange and Beech Streets (running north and south) and 3rd and 4th Streets (running east and west). This purchase led to a multiple phase building program. A new sanctuary was completed in September 1969, and a new organ installed in 1970. The Medical Arts Building was remodeled for use as a Fellowship Hall on the ground floor, adult classrooms on the second floor and youth activity rooms on the third floor. Contractor for this work was Rufus Sivley, a member of First Christian Church.

1971

In 1971 new church offices and a new library were built connecting the new Sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall.

1981

A donation by the estate of Lewis and Sybil Ackers and others led to the construction of the Ackers Chapel in 1981-82, which connects to the foyer of the present church. A brick wall was also built along Orange Street to form a courtyard in the area north of the Chapel.

1996

May 15, 1996, our Church opened its outreach doors to a wonderful ministry named, Breakfast on Beech Street (BOBS). The idea was taken from a similar ministry in Edmond, OK. Mr. Jack Henderson was visiting his brother there and brought the idea back to First Christian, Abilene. BOBS’s Ministry opens its doors five days a week at 6:30 a.m. and serves whoever comes in. A good hot, all you can eat breakfast is served with a sack lunch to go. This successful ministry now has united with four other local churches with each serving one day a week with a different menu. Thousands of low income, distressed, and homeless people have been nourished in a Christian setting with no signs of ever closing its doors. In 2009 BOBS served 14,092 guests through the services of over 130-180 volunteers from the five churches and local colleges.

In 1996 a building and renovation program was instigated which included the following: 

(1) Complete renovation of the Children’s Building. (2) Complete renovation of the Fellowship Hall building, including installation of a new elevator. (3) Construction of a new Activity Center, which serves as a gymnasium and is used as a banquet hall for large events. The Activity Center was dedicated to the late Marvin Grimes and in honor of Dr. Chris Diebel. All the above projects were completed in 1997. The construction work was done by Dale Edwards, a member of First Christian Church.

2000

In October of 2000, First Christian Church and Brook Hollow Christian Church served as host to the Regional Assembly of Disciples of Christ of the Southwest, which was well attended and presented a positive atmosphere to all attendees.

2001

During 2001 the youth (kindergarten through fifth grade) changed its teaching format to a Rotation Model, which includes arts and crafts, music, Bible stories, computers, and lessons. This new teaching structure has been well received by the youth.

To accomplish this change, the physical structure of the children’s area was improved to reflect a biblical background for the new method of teaching. 

2002

WYLIE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

For many years First Christian Church has presented two Sunday worship services, an early Contemporary service (8:30 am) and a later Traditional Service (10:45 am). In 2002, part of the Contemporary group formed the Wylie Christian Church which serves a part of South Abilene and the Wylie area (a growing community south of Abilene). Doug Roysden, a licensed lay minister, was instrumental in forming this new church. The church serves about 100 persons in attendance each week and has been very successful to date.

2004

REBUILDING

In 2004, a committee was formed for Rebuilding Now for Future Generations (RNFG).

This group recommended remodeling the first floor of our Sunday School Building to make it more attractive and also give it more room and storage space for our breakfast on Beech Street (B.O.B.S.) program that serves the needy. The effort was completed in late 2004 and is dedicated to Emma Perry as the Perry Center for Outreach.

2016

Journey of Faith – and Relocation

Beginning in 2016, First Christian began to seek God’s guidance in regard to its existing ministries and location. The church went through a process of self-evaluation and came to the realization that God was calling them to a new beginning. At the current levels of membership, attendance and financial resources, the current facilities were not being utilized to their full potential and were increasing in maintenance cost. In 2018 the church put its downtown property up for sale. It was eventually sold to First Baptist Church which planned on using the facilities for ministry. During 2019 and 2020 the church meets in a transitional location in the enterprise building. It was during this time that the church searched for a new location to build. It was also during this time that the covid-19 threat cause the churches in the Abilene area to suspend service. First Christian Church moved to presenting its service via Facebook. When in person services resumed streaming of services was continued. During this time property was located and purchased on Buffalo Gap Road in anticipation of building a new church site. Shortly after that an existing church building (formerly a Nazarene Church) became available on Antilley Road. The Antilley Road property was purchased and remodeled. 

2021

A New Beginning

After the completion of the remodel of the Antilley Road property, First Christian Church officially moved into its new home. A new pastor (Rev. Gregory S. Morris) was called and began on March 1, 2021, and the First Services in the 5125 Antilley Road property were held on Sunday March 7, 2021. God has blessed this move, and the church is steadily growing. In August of 2021 the church completed the remodel of the former parsonage and renamed it the “Wee Care House”. It will be the location of the continuing Mother’s Day Out ministry which is called Children Come First. 

“A New Hope”

The story and the history of First Christian Church of Abilene Texas is truly one of frontier faith. FCC has a legacy of starting new ministries, building community, and serving in love. All are welcome at FCC, and we are looking forward to the next stage of our development and growth. The Hope of FCC has always been firmly centered around God and His people. It is with a New Hope, and a New Location that we as the family of God know as First Christian Church face our new future. 

We face this new future with a faithful legacy which has made us who we are today. 

We face this new future with a commitment rooted in our present context. 

We face this new future with the continued guidance and support of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – who offers salvation to ALL.

Come Join us as we build God’s Kingdom here at First Christian Church

Pastor Greg Morris. 

THE PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED THE CHURCH IN ORDER WERE:

1. The first was Brother George Bush who served the      church a few months during a school vacation, following the meeting held by his father.
2. Brother Nichols, who also held a short pastorate.
3. Brother Charles, and another young man served a very short time.
4. Brother Holsapple served in about 1888.
5. Brother Farris about 1889-1890
6. Brother Carens
7. Brother A.J. Bush served about two years.
8. Brother Golightly served about 1898 to 1901.
9. Brother Sweeney
10. Brother L.A. Dale during whose time a new addition to the old church was built.
11. Brother Granville Snell served about four years.
12. Brother George H. Morrison also served about four years.
13. Brother Popplewell served about one year.
14. Brother Challener served about two years.
15. Brother W.O. Dallas served 1915 to 1923, longer than any of his predecessors and during World War I
16. Reverend Ed D. Salkeld served 1923 to 1932.
17. Reverend F.M. Warren served 1932 to 1944 during      World War II
18. Reverend Marshall Masters 1944 to 1945
19. Reverend Harlie W. Woolard 1945 to 1956 averaged      114 new members per year. Budget went from $18,000 to $105,000.
20. Reverend Norman Conner served 1957 to 1964 during   formation of Brook Hollow Christian Church
21. Reverend Chris Diebel served 1965 to 1986, during construction of sanctuary, chapel, office and library downtown. 
22. Reverend Douglas V. Moore served 1986 to 1993.
23. Reverend Jim Zug served 1993 to 1999 during construction of Activity Center and remodeling of Children’s Building and Fellowship Hall downtown.
24. Reverend Tom Lyda serving from 1999 to 2007.
25. Reverend David Mindel serving as Interim Minister 2007 - 2008
26. Reverend Don Wilson serving from 2008 to November 2017
27. Reverend Susan Payne serving as Interim Minister from Feb. 2018 – May 2019
28. Reverend Thomas Reeder serving as Transitional Minister from June 2019 – May 2020
29. Reverend Gregory S. Morris serving from March 1st, 2021, to present.

TIMOTHYS AND PRISCILLAS

First Christian Church has influenced a number of individuals to dedicate their lives to the work of the church. Some have made the decision in later years of their life, while others have gone from high school into the work of the Lord. Here is a brief sketch of their accomplishments.

LITT S. PERRY

Litt S. Perry and wife Emma came to First Christian Church by transfer of membership from Chestnut Avenue Christian Church in Fort Worth, Texas in 1926. Litt soon became a Sunday School teacher for the church. He finally became so dedicated to church work that he closed his dental laboratory to become a lay preacher. He was largely responsible for the opening of the Memorial Christian Church and Center on Graham Street, which served the low-income Latin American families of the area. Mr. Perry died unfortunately in 1964. The Litt S. Perry Sunday School class continues in service at present. Emma Perry has long been a leader of our church and was our second lady elder to be appointed by the board. During the year 2000, she was the oldest living member of the church at 99 years of age.

E.A. SHERWOOD

E.A. Sherwood and wife Reba came to First Christian Church from the Christian Church in Cisco, Texas. He was a Sunday School teacher, directing most of his efforts to the high school age group. He was a positive influence on the youth of the church, and several young people were inspired to go into church work because of Mr. Sherwood. He was president of the Southwest Region Men’s Fellowship during his time in Abilene. One of his greatest achievements concerned the churches in DeLeon and Cisco. These smaller churches would have probably been abandoned were it not for Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood’s tireless efforts to rebuild the congregations. Mr. Sherwood was a licensed lay minister. Mrs. Sherwood is now deceased.

ARTHUR HANNA

Art Hanna came to First Christian Church by his confession of faith in 1949. He became an ordained minister in 1968. He attended schools in Abilene before entering Texas Christian University, graduating in 1959, and from Brite Divinity School in 1968. He was ordained in 1968. While in seminary he worked with “A Christian Ministry” in five of our National Parks. In 1969 he began a four-year ministry with First Christian Church, Alpine, Texas. In 1973 he began work at the Pension Fund of Christian Church's in Indianapolis, Indiana where he was elected President in 1996 and retired in 2003.

Art and wife Susan have one son and one daughter, and live in Indianapolis, Indiana. He serves as a regional elder for Christian Church in Indiana.

DAN OWEN

Dan Owen joined First Christian Church by confession of faith in 1949 and was ordained in 1964. He served in missionary work in Africa for many years. His son, David, and wife, Roxie, are missionaries in Lesotho, Africa at this time. Dan and wife Sandy now live in Austin, Texas where he serves as a counselor and does interim ministry for Christian Churches.

TOM SMITH

Tom Smith was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene when he began attending First Christian Church. He joined the church by confession of faith in 1960. After he was released from the Air Force, he became a licensed lay minister in Missouri. He received a General Studies Degree in 1975 from the Missouri School of Religion. Tom served five different Christian Churches in Missouri through the years, retiring in 2003, but maintains his license with the Disciples of Christ.

MARGO SMITH WOODWORTH

Margo Smith moved to Abilene, TX in 1957 and came to First Christian Church by transfer of membership from Highland Heights Christian Church of Wichita Falls, TX. She graduated from Abilene High School in 1959 and is a 1963 graduate of Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX with a BA in Religion and Psychology/ Margo now lives in Lubbock, TX and after 30 years of service wit the National Evangelistic Association of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Net Results, Inc. has recently retired as the Executive Director of both organizations. She has been married for 45 years to Dr. James W. Woodworth (Jim–recently deceased), a minister of the Christian Church and a pastoral counselor who has served for the past 31 years with the First Christian Church in Lubbock as well as executive director of Crossroads Samaritan Counseling Center. The Woodworths have served churches in Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. They have two grown daughters and three grandchildren.

LARRY SPRADLEY

In 1959 Larry Spradley joined First Christian Church by transfer of membership from Southwest Church of Christ in Houston. He became an ordained minister in 1968. He has pastored churches in Texas, Arkansas, Michigan and Missouri. He has been Leader of Journey Through Scriptures at FCC of Wichita Falls, Texas since 1998, and enjoys a part-time ministry preaching in North Texas Cluster of Churches of Central Texas. He is employed by Wichita Falls Independent School District as a Special Education Teacher and presently as an Educational Diagnostician for WFISD.

Larry and wife, Treva have six children, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. 

BRETT COE

Brett Coe began singing in the First Christian Church choir in 1994 and joined the church in 1996. In 1999 he became Music Director. He has a bachelor's degree in music from Hardin Simmons University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Logsdon Seminary. He became a licensed minister in April of 2000, and was ordained in 2005. 

KENT EATON

Kent Eaton grew up at First Christian Church and joined by confession of faith in 1968. Kent attended Texas Christian University where he received his bachelor's degree in biblical studies. He received a master's degree in Old Testament from Dallas Theological Seminary. He traveled overseas to attend the University of Wales for his Doctorate Degree. Kent spent ten years in Spain teaching at a Bible College. He also taught Bible in San Diego, California at the Bethel Seminary. Kent became Director of Curriculum at Fresno Pacific University, California in 2008. In August of 2009 he took the position as Vice President of Academic Affairs at McPherson University, Kansas, where he and his wife Vickie now reside.

GAIL DAVIDSON

Gail Davidson grew up attending First Christian Church and joined by confession of faith in 1973. Gail is a Texan who graduated from the University of Central Florida and the Vanderbilt Divinity School. She has served churches in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Kentucky and Florida and completed a year of residency in Clinical Pastoral Education at the Veterans’ Hospital in Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Having preached at the United Parish of Celebration [affiliated with the Disciples, the CBF and the American Baptists] for six years, she works full-time as a chaplain at Winnie Palmer hospital for Women and Babies in Orlando.

Gail writes, “I only knew one minister growing up: Dr. Chris Diebel was the pastor who dedicated me as a baby and was still there when I graduated from high school. Following his retirement, he was the interim minister at First Christian in Lubbock while I was at Texas Tech. I am a fourth generation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and my grandmother, Lacy Ayres, is now a member of First Christian in Abilene. Perhaps my favorite ministry experience, though was as an intern under fellow Timothy Rev. Lanny Lawler, who (we joke) was probably at my baptism, but I didn’t get to know him until much later. And without the picture of Dr. Ginger Brittain-Jarman on the wall, I would never have known that women could be ministers, too!

How grateful I am for a church family like First Christian Church in Abilene!”

PAUL TANNER

As a young boy, Paul Tanner joined First Christian Church by confession of faith in 1962. He is not associated with the Christian Church but is a non-denominational minister having been ordained by Richland Bible Fellowship Church in Richardson, Texas. Paul received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering (1972) from Texas Tech. While at Texas Tech he received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He served 3 years in the army, during which time he met and married his wife, Linda. They have two grown children. After Texas Tech, Paul studied five years at Dallas Theological Seminary, earning the THM degree. Paul and Linda joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ and served as mission/theological educator for three years, as well as Campus Crusade’s School of Theology in California

In 1986 Paul moved to Austin, Texas where he received a PhD in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Texas. He then moved to Singapore where he taught for eight years at two different theological seminaries. In 2000 he joined the Biblical Education by Extension (BEE WORLD) and moved to Amon, Jordan to serve as Academic Dean of Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary for five years. In 2005 he returned to Texas to serve as Middle East Director for BEE. Paul has traveled to 35 countries, taught at five theological seminaries, written numerous articles for professional Christian journals, and one book published in Arabic.

MARY CATHERINE GRIMES

Cathy Grimes is one of the latest of our members to dedicate her life to the church. She grew up in First Christian Church and joined by confession of faith in 1973. She attended Texas Christian University where she received her bachelor's degree, and then McMurry University where she received her teacher certification. Cathy worked with the youth of the church as a youth sponsor and later decided to attend Brite Divinity School. During this time, she became Youth Director of First Christian Church.  After completing her work at Brite she accepted the position of assistant minister of First Christian Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, where she resides and serves today.

LANNY LAWLER

Born in Abilene, Texas in 1952, Lanny C. Lawler grew up in Abilene attending First Christian Church and was baptized there on Palm Sunday, March 26, 1961. After graduating from Cooper High School, he attended Texas Christian University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School and his Doctor of Ministry degree from Vanderbilt University Divinity School. An ordained minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), he served congregations in Texas, Connecticut, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana. Active in various ecumenical agencies in the communities where he served, he has served in various capacities on the regional and general levels of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as well. In 1999 at the General Assembly in Cincinnati, he was elected to a two-year term as First Vice-Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. He assumed the position of senior minister of North Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Columbus on September 7, 2004.

He is married to Joy, an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, and they are parents of a 10-year-old son, Patrick. Gabriel and Hedwig, their cats, grant them residential privileges. 

TIM DIEBEL

Tim is the son of Merita and Chris Diebel. Chris was minister at First Christian Church from 1965 to 1986. Tim grew up at First Christian Church and was baptized by his father in 1966. Tim received his bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University, his master's degree from Brite Divinity College and his Doctorate from Austin Theological Seminary. He has served churches in Houston, Athens, and Lufkin, Texas, and is currently Senior Minister of First Christian Church in Des Moines, Iowa. Tim says that youth events at Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat were instrumental in his faith development and ultimately in his decision to enter the ministry. Tim’s wife, Lori, has been a long-time educator and principal of various schools in Des Moines, Iowa. Tim and Lori have two children. They are Certified Instructors for Couple Communications, having led workshops in Texas, Kentucky, and Iowa, in addition to authoring a related marriage enrichment resource called Bringing Heaven Down Here. Tim is Moderator of Christian Church in the Upper Midwest Region and a member of the Board of Trustees, Brite Divinity School in Ft. Worth, TX.

GINGER BRITTAIN JARMAN

Ginger first attended First Christian Church in a picnic basket at the age of four weeks. She grew up attending First Christian Church and was baptized on Easter Sunday 1957. After high school she attended Texas Christian University, receiving the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Speech in 1969, Master of Divinity from Brite Divinity School in 1972, and Doctor of Ministry from Brite in 1973. Ginger was ordained at First Christian Church, Abilene, April 18, 1971. While acquiring these degrees, Ginger served a number of churches in Texas as associate minister, youth minister, and student pastor/minister, and in Arkansas as a summer apprentice in ministry. Before and after graduation from Brite Divinity School, Ginger participated in Brite’s Pastoral Care and Training Center, as well as completing two years of clinical training in hospital chaplaincy at Harris Methodist Hospital, Fort Worth, Parkland Hospital, Dallas, and Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, Richmond. She was Campus Minister at the University of Texas from 1975-79. While attending TCU Ginger met David Jarman, who also was studying for the ministry. They were married in 1972. Ginger and David have served as co-pastors of First Christian Church in San Lorenzo, California; College Hills Christian Church, San Angelo; Richland Hills Christian Church, Fort Worth, and First Christian Church, Las Vegas, Nevada.  While in San Angelo, Ginger commuted to the West Texas Samaritan Pastoral Counseling Center in Midland, where she served on the staff part-time and received additional clinical training in pastoral counseling. Today Ginger holds an active license with the Texas board of Examiners of Licensed Professional Counselors and is a Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. The Jarmans have two daughters and two grandchildren.

BOB LINDLEY

Bob and Sibe Lindley joined FCC in May 1971, transferring their membership from First Christian Church of Colorado City, Texas. He has always been involved in the work of the church, having taught our Sunday School Classes for 42 years. Bob received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M. He is a Registered Professional Engineer, Professional Licensed Land Surveyor, National Certified Flood Plain Manager and, in 2004, became a Licensed Disciple of Christ Minister. Bob served as a volunteer for the Taylor County Expo Center for 25 years and was president of the organization in 1985. He recently resigned as City Engineer for Abilene, Texas and now serves as the Pulpit Supply Minister for the Abilene Area Disciples of Christ.

DOUG ROYSDEN

The Roysden family joined First Christian Church in September 1984, by transfer of membership from First Baptist Church of Merkel, Texas. 

Rev. Doug Roysden is founding pastor of Wylie Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Abilene, Texas. As director of contemporary worship at First Christian Church, Abilene, Doug pioneered and led an alternative service. As a musician and worship leader he has served the local church and Emmaus community for many years. 

Doug is active at the general level of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) through participation in New Church Ministry and involvement with Vision Builders, a division of Homeland Ministries. Doug is a member of the New Church Ministry Team for the Central Area of the Christian Church (DOC) in the Southwest Region and the area Committee on the Ministry. He also sits on a task force for the Christian Church (DOC) in the Southwest Region to vision for structural change for the future. 

Doug is a member of the Abilene Association of Congregations, and he has also served as a member of the Big Country Emmaus board of directors. Doug is an “initiated male”, having completed the “Male Rites of Passage” presented by Fr. Richard Rohr, and he facilitates “men’s work” in his own church and community. He faithfully attends CAST (Central Area School of Theology) and leads two weekly Bible study classes and pastors the congregation at Wylie, Abilene. Doug has served in numerous capacities in summer youth camping programs. He attended McMurry University in the spring of 2009 and was enrolled in Seminary at Brite Divinity School. at one time 

Doug is also an accomplished guitarist, songwriter and producer. He is co-owner of Aardvark Bros. Music and chief engineer and operator of Aardvark Bros. Recording Studio.

GRAHAM WATSON  

 Graham Watson grew up at First Christian Church.  Having served as an Area Officer and Regional Officer during his teen years.  Graham began to sense God's calling in serving wand working through the church.  Graham was an active camper and youth member.  Graham attended Texas Christian University where he received a business degree.  Graham then attended the Divinity School at Vanderbilt University, residing in the Disciples House.  Graham completed the requirements for ordination and was the first person ordained at the 5125 Antilley Sanctuary -- FCC's new location.  He was ordained .in 2023.

TIMOTHYS AND PRISCILLAS

AN AFTER THOUGHT

First Christian Church has aided eighteen individuals to enter into full time church service. They have witnessed in many, many states of America, as well as England, Spain, Africa and Asia. Parents of these individuals should be congratulated for the leadership and foundation they have provided their children. First Christian Church can also take pride in being a positive influence in directing these lives to witness for Christ all over the world.

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN 

“And they have!”

DISCIPLE WOMEN

The influence of the work of women in First Christian Church is as old as the church itself. This is evidenced by the fact that the down payment on the first church property was made by the Ladies Aid Society. This group evolved into the Christian Women’s Fellowship. The name has recently been changed to Disciple Women.

The purpose of the fellowship is to develop all women in Christian living and Christian service as part of their daily lives.

A program of worship, study, service and fellowship is carried out in which all women may participate through group meetings. 

Disciple Women serve many projects of the church from time to time, whenever the need arises. Disciple Women also give monetary support to local needy projects, and the basic mission finance of the general church.

DISCIPLE MEN

The Christian Men’s Fellowship has recently changed its name to Disciple Men. The purpose and action remain the same, to encourage men in Christian living and work within the church. One of our deceased members, Lewis Ackers, helped organize the Christian Men’s Fellowship. He was a member of the “$ a year man” (about 15 men nationwide) whose purpose was to rally and inspire men to serve the Christian Church in dedicated service.

At the present time, Disciple Men meet each month for a steak dinner, where a guest speaker brings an inspirational message. The group has made a practice of sending a paper napkin, signed by all men present, to those who are sick or in the hospital, letting them know that they are being remembered in prayer.

A yearly event of Disciple Men is the Valentine Banquet, which honors wives and women of the church.

During the last 2 years, Disciple Men have visited and provided presents at Christmas time to the men at our nearby prison.