welcome to east dallas christian church 

what we believe

WE BELIEVE:
That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, our Lord and Savior.
The Bible, especially the New Testament, is our guide for faith and life.
That our commitment is to LIVE our faith, not just talk about it.
That all people are created equal in the eyes of God and no one can cast judgement on the worthiness of another to be loved by God.

WE PRACTICE:
Baptism by immersion, upon confession of faith. Acceptance of those baptized in other Christian communions.
Weekly Lord's Supper, open to all.
Open leadership that welcomes men and women equally in Christ's service.
We set no barriers between God and God's creation in terms of worship, leadership, marriage, or activity within our church. We are a member congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

OUR BEGINNINGS 

Our Church traces its beginnings back to 1903, when a group of interested Disciples of Christ met to consider the establishment of a new church in East Dallas. On November 15, 1903, under the leadership of John A. Stevens, East Dallas Christian Church was organized and a new frame church was dedicated on site at Victor and Peak Streets. Four years later, the frame building was moved to Junius and Peak Streets where the Church stands today.

​Over the course of more than 100 years, the Church has occupied three buildings; the frame tabernacle, a brick building dedicated in 1912, and the present Sanctuary dedicated in 1925, along with our five-story educational building. The Sanctuary is characterized by beautiful dark woods, expertly carved in the tradition of fine craftsmanship rarely seen today. The stained glass windows are inspiring as light fills their panes during services. This architectural treasure is an extraordinary environment in which you can find peace, spirituality and a real sense of community as you worship. Please visit our Church and experience it for yourself.

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our ministers

Rev. deborah morgan stokes
​senior minister

Rev. Deborah Morgan Stokes is a native Dallasite who graduated from Bryan Adams High School. She attended TCU where she received her B.S. in Education, and spent three years teaching public school at L. G. Pinkston High School in West Dallas. During her time as a teacher, Deborah’s call to ministry intensified, and so, acknowledging Christ’s invitation, she made her way to Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, TN, where she completed her Masters of Divinity degree and was ordained in 1990 at her home congregation, Northway Christian Church. First Christian Church of Waynesboro, TN., was Deborah’s first call after seminary.

She came to East Dallas Christian Church in 2006 after 14 years of ministry serving Saguaro Christian Church in Tucson, Arizona. Deborah loves her work with this historic congregation-in-transformation, and gives thanks for God’s call that brought her home. Deborah lives in Dallas with her husband Don Stokes.

Email: deborah@edcc.org

 Rev. allison drake
​Senior associate minister

​​Pastor Allison is originally from Atlanta, Georgia. She attended college at Transylvania University, a Disciples of Christ-related college in Lexington, Kentucky. Originally intending to become a high school English teacher, Allison felt her Call at the end of her Sophomore year and shifted her studies to religion. Following college, Allison found her way to Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth Texas where she received her Masters of Divinity.

Allison served four and a half years as the Minister to Children, Youth, and Young Adults at First Christian Church in Garland, Texas before coming to East Dallas Christian Church. She started her Call with East Dallas on October 2nd, 2016. Her passion for introducing children and youth to Good News of Jesus Christ through relational ministry is a blessing for our congregation.

Allison currently lives in Garland with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs: Rufus and Sadie.

Email: allison@edcc.org

 keith critcher
​minister of music & worship

On October 3, 2003, Keith joined in ministry with East Dallas Christian Church.  Ordained into the ministry in 1989, he began his first church music director call in 1981.  For 40 years, he has served churches of various denominations in NC, TN, MD, and TX. Keith received his Masters of Music ‘86 from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth where he returned in ‘98 for Doctoral studies in Choral Conducting. He received his Bachelors of Music ‘83 from Appalachian State University, in his hometown Boone, North Carolina.
Since 2005, Keith has also held the position: Instructor of Music in Worship, Collaborative Pianist, and Vocal Studies Coordinator at Texas Wesleyan University, Fort Worth. Previously he taught piano in Texas Christian University’s Preparatory Piano Division. Other Music Ministry positions have included: Brite Divinity’s Chapel Choir Director; First United Methodist Fort Worth pianist and Bell Choir director; and a unique experience was organizing and directing the Harris Methodist Hospital Chorale that ministered to patients, families, and staff through song for 10 years. With Musicians on Mission, Keith volunteered throughout New England - guiding lay church musicians in their choirs, worship liturgy, ministry organization, and administration.
In 2006, Keith led our church to establish the EDCC CONCERT SERIES - now blessed with over 130 inspiring concerts and chamber/solo recitals with countless singers, instrumentalists, and attendees. A wonderful outreach of our Concert Series is the many collaborations with other church choirs; school choirs from children, high-school, and universities; professional choirs as The Dallas Symphony Chorus, members of the Fort Worth and Dallas Symphonies, and unique ensembles as the TCU Cello Ensemble and UNT HarpBeats Choir.  “When in our music God is glorified...Alleluia!”
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​Email: keithcritcher@gmail.com

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