A Family Church on East 129th in Tulsa
Eastland Baptist Church sits on South 129th East Avenue in east Tulsa, Oklahoma, where it has grown into a close-knit Independent Baptist family. The church's motto is "Everyone needs a place to belong." Members are welcomed into services that are authentic, heartfelt, and genuinely happy, with the goal that no one merely attends but rather feels a strong sense of belonging.
Senior Pastor Troy Dorrell has led the church since 2003, having first joined the staff in 1998. Under his leadership Eastland has experienced significant growth, anchored by a Pastoral Leadership Team that includes long-time members who grew up in the church and returned to serve, as well as pastors brought in from other ministries.
Sunday and Wednesday Rhythm
Worship at Eastland follows a steady weekly rhythm. Sunday Bible Classes meet at 9:30 a.m. for every age group. The Sunday Morning Worship Service gathers at 10:30 a.m., and an Evening Service is held at 5:00 p.m. A Wednesday Evening Service takes place at 7:00 p.m.
Live services are broadcast each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. A sermon archive is also available for those who want to catch up. The church uses the King James Version of the Bible as its official and only translation for teaching and preaching.
Iglesia Bautista Eastland: Reaching Tulsa in Spanish
Eastland's Hispanic ministry, Iglesia Bautista Eastland, meets at 2001 S 129th East Avenue, just down the street from the main campus. Pastor Walter Echeverria leads the work, having joined the team in 2020 after five years as youth pastor at Iglesia Bautista Montecito in Southern California.
The Spanish-language schedule mirrors the English one: Clases de Crecimiento at 9:30 a.m., Servicio de Adoración at 10:30 a.m., Servicio por la tarde at 5:00 p.m. on Sundays, and a Culto de Oración on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. The Hispanic ministry runs its own children's classes, including nursery care (Recién Nacido a 23 meses), Rayitos de Luz for ages 3 to 6, and Niños en Victoria for ages 7 to 11, along with youth and missions activities for the Spanish-speaking community of Tulsa.
EBC Kids: Nursery through Sixth Grade
Children's ministry at Eastland is led by Joshua Clayton, who joined the team in 2025 and oversees kids and outreach. Mary McDonald directs the nurseries for newborns through 23 months. Andy and Sarah Justice lead the pre-school ministry for ages 2 to 5, where children sing Bible songs, hear stories, do crafts, and memorize simple verses. Fred and Sharon Starr direct the elementary ministry for grades 1 through 6.
On Sunday mornings, children are divided by grade and gender for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. During the 10:30 a.m. worship service, elementary children attend "Super Church," a dynamic program with skits, music, games, prizes, and visualized Bible lessons. Grades 1 through 4 meet in the Fellowship Hall; grades 5 and 6 meet in room 224 for a more mature experience called The Bridge Preteen Ministry.
Families with young children have several options: the nurseries, the Mother's Room in the Infant Nursery for nursing and other needs, or a Livestream Room upstairs behind the balcony in room 208 for parents who prefer to keep children with them during the service. Ushers are stationed around the campus to help guests find the right rooms.
AWANA: Scripture Memory for Kids
AWANA meets on Wednesday nights during the school year for children ages 2 through sixth grade. Kids work through handbooks, memorize Scripture, hear instructive Bible lessons, and play energetic games. The program is designed to help parents raise their children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." The year wraps up with AWANA Awards Night, when students are recognized for their progress.
Youth Ministry for Seventh through Twelfth Graders
Andrew Calabrese has led Eastland's youth ministry since 2014, equipping teens to live for Christ today. Junior High covers grades 7 and 8; High School covers grades 9 through 12. The youth calendar includes Oklahoma Baptist Youth Camp at Camp Walk on Water in Stuart, Oklahoma, an annual youth revival called YTH Nights, and summer missions trips such as the trip to Thailand where students serve alongside missionaries Jonathan and Alisa Ballou. Throughout the year, teens are encouraged to begin serving in children's ministries, outreach, giving, and music.
Adult Bible Classes for Every Life Stage
Adult Bible Classes meet at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday and are organized by age and life stage, providing a small-group setting with coffee and snacks and a Bible lesson geared to each group's phase of life. The classes are taught by:
- Under 30: Frank and Susana Horton (Room 243)
- Ages 20 to 30: Benjamin and Ashley Siens (Room 240)
- Ages 30 to 40: Daniel and Elizabeth Fleet (Room 208)
- Ages 40 to 50: John and Rachelle Mardirosian (Room 206)
- Ages 50 to 60: Troy and Teri Dorrell (Room 241)
- Ages 60 to 70: Jerry and Phyllis Palmer (Room 143)
- Seniors: Jim and Linda Ramsey (Auditorium)
Benjamin Siens oversees the Adult Bible Class ministry, teaches the young marrieds class, and manages the church's online presence and office systems.
What Eastland Believes
Eastland's statement of faith is rooted in the Bible, which the church teaches as the inerrant, infallible Word of God. The church affirms belief in one God who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Members confess that Jesus Christ is the one and only Savior, virgin born, sinless, crucified as a substitutionary sacrifice, raised from the dead, ascended to Heaven, and coming again.
The church teaches that all people are born with a sin nature and are incapable of saving themselves, and that salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ alone. The church holds to believer's baptism by immersion and observes the Lord's Supper as a memorial. Eastland also teaches a pre-tribulational Rapture of the church, followed by a seven-year Tribulation, the pre-millennial return of Christ, and a literal thousand-year reign.
Churchwide Outreach and Community Witness
One Saturday a month, the church gathers in the fellowship hall on the north side of the building at 10:00 a.m. for donuts, coffee, and a short devotion. From there, the group heads out into the community to pass out invitations to church. First-timers are paired with staff members who are happy to give instruction.
Twice a year the church hosts Oklahoma Blood Institute blood drives. Other community-minded traditions include the annual Fall Festival with carnival food, a dessert contest, games, competitions, the "Fall Festival 500" race, and an outdoor tent service to close the day. The Thanksgiving-season Chili Supper brings the church family together for a family service, fellowship, and a shared meal.
Missions: Locally and Around the World
The month of August is Missions Month at Eastland, when the church emphasizes world evangelism, hears reports from missionaries at home and abroad, and culminates in Faith Promise Sunday. Adult Bible classes and teens partner with missionaries through trips to places like Greece (a journey following the footsteps of the Apostle Paul) and Thailand. Local and global missions giving is part of the church's year-round rhythm.
Baptisms, Dedications, and the Lord's Supper
Baptism services are held every other month on Sunday evenings. Baptism is an outward demonstration of internal faith, available to anyone who has trusted Christ and wants to follow the biblical command. Baby and Parent Dedication services recognize and pray for new babies and their parents, and Senior Recognition Night honors graduating high school seniors.
The Lord's Supper is observed as a memorial service during which members remember what Christ did on the cross. Marriage is also celebrated through the annual Marriage Enrichment Conference, a time of fun, fellowship, and coaching for couples.
Ways to Give
Eastland teaches tithing as a first step in Christian growth and encourages generosity beyond the tithe. Giving can be done online, by texting any dollar amount to 84321, in person in the foyer or auditorium during any service, or by mail to the church office at 1835 S 129th East Avenue. A podcast and sermon archive are also available for those who want to follow along throughout the week.
Getting Connected
Prospective members are invited to the New and Prospective Members Class, which meets periodically. Ministry Involvement Sunday walks the congregation through the many ways to serve, and a Ministry Involvement Application is available for anyone who wants to plug in. A Church Center app ties together giving, event registration, the member directory, and family check-in.
The church office can be reached at (918) 437-4707 or by email at eastland@eastlandbaptist.org. Eastland Baptist Church is located at 1835 S 129th East Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74108, and Iglesia Bautista Eastland is located at 2001 S 129th East Avenue.