Who We Are

CORE VALUES

The Practice of Prayer

The Process of Personal Development/Growth

The Pursuit of Excellence/Attention to Detail

The Principle of Sacrifice

The Priority of People

The Power of Shared Leadership

MISSION

We exist to creatively express the love of Jesus to our community by:

Entreating God on their behalf
Encouraging them to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
Embracing them in genuine friendships
Educating them in God’s Word
Equipping them for ministry
Exalting the name of the Lord

OUR VISION

We envision a church whose members are committed to prayer – both private, daily times of prayer and the corporate practice of prayer – both to deepen personal relationships with Christ and be used of Him through intercession.
We envision a church whose members are committed to worship – celebrating Jesus Christ with joyful singing and upraised hands in the power of the Holy Spirit.
We envision a church whose members are committed to loving people of all races, cultures, and nationalities, without regard for their past or their position in life, serving as examples of the love of Jesus Christ before the Metroplex.
We envision a church whose members are committed to the pursuit of people, who are not content to simply wait for people to come to them, but willing to seek and to save that which is lost.
We envision a church whose members are committed to sacrificing their cultural preferences to assimilate people of different cultures and languages into the church family and the kingdom of God.
We envision a church whose members are committed to serving in ministry, creating a culture of involvement where people recognize and exercise their spiritual gifts and callings.
We envision a church whose ministries are creative, who are willing to employ unique methods to express the love of Jesus to our community.
We envision a church whose ministries are practical: providing for the whole man – spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, educationally, domestically, and financially.
We envision a church whose members are committed to God’s Word, to being disciples and making disciples who follow the Lord wholeheartedly in obedience.
We envision a church whose members are committed to giving to serve the purposes of God while on earth – for the ministries of the church, including the assistance of those in need – the widows, orphans, and hurting people of our city; and for ministries beyond our four walls.
We envision a church whose members are committed to Kingdom influence – realizing that we are part of a greater community and being willing to partner with other churches for the glory of Christ.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY

We envision a church family that includes people of many races, nationalities, and cultures. Because of this we intentionally design our worship services to minister to a multi-cultural congregation. While English is the dominant language used during worship services, Spanish is occasionally incorporated in both the worship and preaching. We also attempt to reflect our cultural diversity in the styles of music that are used in worship and ministry. We believe that “red, yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.” More than words to a song, we desire to see our church model the unconditional love of Jesus before the Metroplex.

DECLARATION OF FAITH

We Believe

In the verbal inspiration of the Bible.
In one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor.
That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins.
That justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.
In sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost.
Holiness to be God’s standard of living for His people.
In the baptism with the Holy Ghost, subsequent to a clean heart.
In speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
In water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Divine healing is provided for all in the atonement.
In the Lord’s Supper and washing of the saints’ feet.
In the pre-millennial Second Coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth a thousand years.
In the bodily resurrection; eternal life for the righteous, and eternal punishment for the wicked.

OUR HISTORY

Turning Point Church is rich in history. Founded in November of 1934, Turning Point began as the Dallas Church of God under the pastoral leadership of G.B. Burnes. Oral history states that there were 12 charter members when it was officially organized. Its meeting place was located on Commerce Street. Brother Burnes pastored the church from 1934-36. During those early years the church moved several times: from Commerce Street to Morgan St. and then to S. Hampton and then to Lamar Street in 1936.

In 1936, Pastor J.C. Thompson came to serve the church. He remained pastor until 1944. During his tenure the church moved from Lamar Street to a piece of rental property on Beaumont. To date this is the earliest facility of which we have a photo. After a short stay at this location, the church purchased its first property – a house located on Beaumont and Browder – and converted it into a sanctuary. Under the leadership of J.C. Thompson this property was purchased and paid for. It was during this time that the name of the church was changed to Oak Cliff Church of God (1939).

In 1944, there was a pastoral change and J.H. Walker became the pastor. He moved the congregation from the converted property on Beaumont and Browder to a church building on Llewellyn and Centre. But Brother Walker didn’t remain as the pastor for a long time and it started a series of short-term pastorates that included the following: A.J. Phillips (1946-47); George King (1947-49); and then J.L. Summers (1949-50). Although Brother Summers wasn’t here for a long time, the church flourished under his leadership, reportedly reaching its peak in Sunday School attendance at around 400. Brother Summers also hosted a radio program that featured some good gospel singing. It was also during Brother Summers tenure that the church moved again from Llewellyn and Centre to Tyler and Centre – where the church would remain for 13 years. Following Brother Summers, the short-term pastorates continued: Wilma H. Henry (1950-52); O.M. Hume (1952-56); and Calvin R. Thomison (1956-60).

In 1960, G.M. Gilbert became the pastor of the Oak Cliff Church of God. Under his leadership the church built a new facility for the first time. The church moved from Tyler and Centre to West Illinois in November 1963. Pastor Gilbert remains the longest tenured pastor in the history of the church, leading it for 14 years.

Following Brother Gilbert were the following pastors: Othoe Stegall (1974-83); W.T. Ainsworth (1983-84) – during Brother Ainsworth’s tenure discussions were started about relocating the church once again; Travis Porter (1984-89) – under Pastor Porter’s leadership the church celebrated its 50th anniversary and built its present facilities at which time the name of the church was changed to Mountain View Church of God; Carl Vaughn (1989-94); Dusty Wilson (1994-2000); Doug Anderson (2000-02); Randy Jones (2002-06); and interim pastor Terry Cross (October 2006-April 2007). In May of 2007, Russell and Alicia Dotson accepted the call of God to serve as the pastor of Mountain View.

In 2012 the church voted to sell its property and seek to relocate to a location with more traffic and visibility. On February 10, 2013, the church voted to change its name to Turning Point Church. After several locations fell through for a variety of reasons, we found and purchased the property in DeSoto on East Pleasant Run Road. On the first Sunday of November in 2015, Turning Point conducted its first service in DeSoto.