A Church on I-27 with a Shepherd's Heart
Family Worship Center sits along the I-27 frontage road on the south side of Amarillo, Texas, just minutes from the heart of the Texas Panhandle. The building is a familiar landmark for drivers heading in and out of the city, and the church has spent years turning that visibility into outreach. Pastors Danny and Angelina Rendon lead the congregation today, and the entire ministry is shaped by a single repeated phrase: Reach The One.
The Heart Behind the Name
The Rendons frame everything at Family Worship Center around the story Jesus told about a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one sheep that is lost. The church exists, they say, for the one who feels far from God, the one who was invited by a friend, the one who walked away but wants to return, the one who feels forgotten, and the one searching for hope. That conviction is woven into four clear steps that define the church's life together: Save, Grow, Disciple, and Equip.
The Rendons came to the lead role after six years as associate pastors at Family Worship Center, and together they bring more than thirty years of ministry experience. Before Amarillo, they built and pastored two churches from their home, one in Waco, Texas, and the other in Plainview, Texas. Their calling is to lead others into a deeper relationship with Jesus and to build a church family where everyone feels welcome, seen, and loved.
Sundays in Worship
Sunday morning service begins at 10:30 a.m. The gathering is described as uplifting, with contemporary worship led by Worship Pastor and Creative Arts Director Christian Theiss. Music, prayer, and teaching center on the truth of Scripture, and the focus is on encountering God together. Services are designed to be approachable for first-time visitors while staying rooted in biblical teaching for regular attenders.
Wednesdays Around the Word
Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m. turn the whole church building into a learning community. Adult Bible Study gathers in one room while four other groups meet at the same time across the campus:
- FWC Nursery for the youngest children
- FWC Kids for grade-school children
- FWC YTH for middle and high school students
- FWC Young Adults for adults in their twenties and thirties
The midweek rhythm gives every age group a place to belong, and families often attend together before splitting off into their own rooms.
Ministries for Every Stage of Life
Family Worship Center organizes ministry around the people it serves. Kid's Church runs under the direction of Tabitha Jalali and offers children an engaging mix of stories, songs, and activities in a safe, welcoming environment. The Nursery gives parents a chance to worship without worry while trained volunteers care for the smallest members of the family.
For students in sixth through twelfth grade, FWC YTH is led by Pastors Ramon and Denyale Salazar. The youth group gathers midweek and in monthly neighborhood settings, and is built around friendships, faith exploration, and spiritual growth. FWC Young Adults, pastored by Billy and MaKenzie Knisley, serves adults roughly eighteen to thirty-five with the same emphasis on real community and next steps in faith.
For older adults, a neighborhood church is set aside specifically for those ages fifty-five and up. Across the board, volunteers and ministry leaders are encouraged to step into roles that fit their gifts, whether that means welcoming at the door or leading a small group.
Neighborhood Churches: Smaller Rooms, Deeper Roots
The heart of discipleship at Family Worship Center happens in Neighborhood Churches, smaller gatherings hosted in homes, coffee shops, and other local spots across the Amarillo area. They meet on a rotating calendar throughout the month and are open to anyone who wants to connect:
- Danny and Angelina Rendon - third Friday of every month, open to anyone
- Hamid and Tabitha Jalali - last Friday at 7:00 p.m., open to anyone
- Rustie Vian - every other Saturday, open to anyone
- Billy and Makie Knisley - third Saturday at 6:30 p.m. for young adults ages eighteen to thirty-five, meeting at Yellow City Grind
- Ramon and Denyale Salazar - second Friday at 6:30 p.m. for youth in sixth through twelfth grade
- Gary and Linda Coleman - fourth Thursday of every month for ages fifty-five and up
These groups are designed to build the kind of personal relationships that are hard to form in a large gathering, with a focus on growing spiritually, sharing life, and supporting one another in faith.
Ways to Serve
Family Worship Center invites members and regular attenders to step into service through six ministry teams. The First Impressions team greets newcomers at the door, serves coffee, and helps first-time guests find their way around. Creative Arts includes the worship team, photographers, videographers, sound and A/V technicians, livestream operators, and graphic designers. Kid's Church and the Nursery provide care and Bible teaching for children. FWC YTH mentors middle and high school students. The A.P.P. (Altar - Prayer - Prophetic) team prays with people at the altar during services, connects them to follow-up care, and walks through the church's discipleship process with them.
The Take Action page on the church site lets people sign up online and choose the team that fits their gifts.
Giving and Global Mission
Giving is offered three ways at Family Worship Center: in person on Sundays, online, or by mail to a PO Box. Beyond the general budget, the church sets aside three additional funds. Heart for the House is an annual year-end offering supporting the church's future vision. The Missions Fund supports global partnerships that provide education, clean water, medical care, and church planting in countries around the world. The Expansion Fund invests in building projects, renovations, and improvements to the physical campus so it can keep up with a growing congregation.
Planning a First Visit
Anyone who is new to Family Worship Center can fill out a Plan Your Visit form online before arriving. The form asks for a name, contact information, how many children are coming, and which service the family plans to attend. The team uses that information to make a first visit feel easy and personal. Services are held in English, the atmosphere is casual and family-friendly, and the doors are open to anyone who wants to find a place to call home in Amarillo.