A Bible-Believing Church on County Road 611
Eastgate Church sits along County Road 611 on the edge of Dayton, Texas, in Liberty County. The church began in 1975 when Pastors Gerald and Jeri Hilley, who had been close friends of Pastor John Osteen at Lakewood Church, were called by the Lord to pastor a small church in Dayton. For nearly forty years Pastor Gerald's focused teaching on love, faith, healing, grace, and salvation shaped the congregation. The Hilleys retired in August 2016, and the church is now pastored by Campus Pastor Rick Doran and Senior Pastors Jeff and Eileen Hackleman, who serve the wider Family Faith Church network that also includes locations in Huntsville, Willis, and Coldspring.
Eastgate describes itself as a multi-generational and multi-cultural church where everyone, from every walk of life, is welcome. Common threads people name about the church are that they feel loved and welcomed, that the teaching of God's Word is in-depth and stirs hunger for more, and that the presence and power of the Holy Spirit can be felt during worship.
Sundays at 10:30 AM and Wednesday Nights
The main Sunday service begins at 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary. Worship typically runs about ninety minutes and starts with twenty-five to thirty-five minutes of music followed by a message from Pastor Rick. Before service, anyone who wants to ease into the morning can stop by the Welcome Center for a free cup of coffee at 9:45 AM during Rally Time. A nursery is available for every service, and Children's Church runs at the same time as the adult service in the KidZone.
Wednesday nights bring the church back together at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary for a second worship service, with Kid's Zone open at the same time in the Fellowship Hall. Services are livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel for those who want to worship from home.
Worship That Mixes Modern, Gospel, and Hymns
The music at Eastgate is energetic and heartfelt. Sunday worship draws on a range of styles (modern worship songs, gospel, and the occasional hymn), and no two services sound exactly alike. Some people lift their hands, some sing quietly, and some simply listen. There is no pressure to worship in any particular way; newcomers and long-time members engage in whatever way feels right.
Eastgate Kids and Eastgate Youth
Children are a visible part of every Sunday. Eastgate Kids serves three age-appropriate rooms (Nursery for ages zero to two, Preschool for ages three to five, and Elementary for kindergarten through fifth grade), each with background-checked leaders, secure check-in and pickup, and Bible lessons taught in a way kids can understand. Throughout the year the kids ministry hosts Kids Camp, Vacation Bible School, Gym Jam, and Easter celebrations.
Eastgate Youth serves students in sixth through twelfth grade and meets twice each week. Saturday nights from 7:00 to 10:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall are the main gathering, where students play games, hang out, worship together, and hear teaching that speaks to real life. Sunday mornings at 10:00 AM are reserved for a Bible study in a relaxed, discussion-based setting. Leaders aim to make the room a place where students do not need to have it all figured out to show up and feel known.
Fellowship for Women, Men, and 55+ Adults
Three ongoing groups give the wider congregation regular times to connect outside Sunday worship. The Women's Group meets every other month on the second Saturday, gathering over food and fellowship. The Men's Fellowship meets on the first Friday of each month at 6:30 PM for a shared meal and conversation. The 55+ Active Adults group meets on the third Thursday of every month at 11:30 AM. Each group keeps members updated through the church's text line; for example, women can text "Ladies" and men can text "Men's" to 936-278-0508 to join the rotation of announcements.
What Eastgate Believes
The church holds that the entire Bible is inspired by God, without error, and is the authority for faith, conduct, and doctrine. It teaches one God who exists in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and believes Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came as Savior of the world. Salvation is found by placing faith in what Jesus did on the cross, and the church teaches that Jesus rose from the dead and is coming again.
Water baptism is taught as a symbol of the cleansing power of Christ's blood and a testimony of faith. The church also teaches that believers should seek a Baptism in the Holy Spirit as a separate, empowering experience beyond salvation. Communion is observed regularly as an act of remembering what Jesus did on the cross. Through its four locations in Coldspring, Huntsville, Willis, and Dayton, Eastgate encourages every believer to grow in a relationship with Jesus by obeying God's Word, yielding to the Holy Spirit, and being conformed to the image of Christ.
First-Time Visitors Made Welcome
Newcomers are met at the door by a friendly welcome team who can answer questions, point out the children's check-in, and help with anything else. The church offers a free gift to anyone visiting for the first time and recommends arriving ten to fifteen minutes early to grab a cup of coffee, check in kids, and find a seat. Dress runs the full range, from jeans and sneakers to dresses and suits; people wear whatever makes them comfortable. Giving is available online through Realm, and a Plan Your Visit form lets newcomers let the church know they are coming. A prayer request form is also available for anyone who would like the prayer team to stand with them.