On a stretch of Belt Line Road just east of Dallas, the brick and stone campus of Sunnyvale First Baptist Church sits at 3018 N. Belt Line Road, drawing worshipers from Sunnyvale, Mesquite, Garland, and the broader DFW area. Charter members first met under the name New Hope Baptist Church on July 3, 1904, and the congregation has been teaching, baptizing, and sending out disciples ever since. Today the church family continues to gather around the same calling it had on its first Sunday: to help people know God and make Him known publicly throughout the world.
From New Hope to Sunnyvale First
Thirteen charter members organized New Hope Baptist Church on July 3, 1904, under the direction of Dr. James B. Gambrell, then associated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the First Baptist Church of Dallas. The Rev. S.W. Kendrick served as the first pastor, and services were held once a month. In 1907 members dedicated their first sanctuary northwest of the current Belt Line Road location. As nearby communities joined together to incorporate the Town of Sunnyvale in 1953, the church continued to grow. On March 6, 1966, New Hope Baptist Church changed its name to First Baptist Church Sunnyvale, and in 1975 the congregation moved to its present home at 3018 N. Belt Line Road. Reaching the 110-year marker on July 3, 2014, the family marked the occasion with a celebration series still archived in the sermon library. More than a century after that first gathering, the congregation continues to send its members, music, and missionaries into the world.
What Sunnyvale First Baptist Believes
The church publishes a detailed statement of faith organized around seven headings. The Bible is held to be God-breathed, totally true and trustworthy, and the supreme standard for Christian belief and conduct. God is one living and true God who reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The statement affirms that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, that He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, that His substitutionary death on the cross made redemption possible, and that He was raised, ascended, and now sits at the right hand of God as the one Mediator between God and humanity. The Holy Spirit is described as fully divine, the One who inspired Scripture, illuminates truth, regenerates sinners, baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ, and seals believers until the day of final redemption.
Humanity, in the statement's words, is the special creation of God, made in His image as male and female. The fall brought sin into the human race, and every person stands in need of God's grace. Salvation is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and is described under four headings: regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. Election is the gracious purpose of God that works together with the free agency of men and women, and the statement affirms that all true believers endure to the end, kept by the power of God. A New Testament church is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant, observing the two ordinances of Christ, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and the Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience memorializing the death of the Redeemer.
Sunday Mornings in the Worship Center
Two Sunday services share the 10:30 AM hour at the church. The English service gathers in the Worship Center and runs about sixty minutes, opening with the Worship Ministry leading the congregation in music. Lyrics are projected on screens so worshipers can sing along or engage however they feel comfortable. After the music, Pastor Deron Biles comes out to share a message from the Word of God. The service is blended in style, mixing fresh new worship songs with great hymns of the faith. Sunnyvale en Español meets in the same hour at 10:30 AM in the Lighthouse and features worship and preaching entirely in Spanish under the leadership of Pastor David Galvan.
First-time guests are asked to park in the west lot along Belt Line Road and enter under the drive-through canopy, where the Parking Team directs them to the best available spot and greeters show them where to go. The dress is casual and the atmosphere relaxed: Sundays are described as exciting, casual, and relaxed, with the invitation to come as you are. Worship Care is provided during the service for children from birth through age 4.
For those who cannot attend in person, the English service is livestreamed each Sunday at sunnyvalefbc.online.church, and the Spanish service is broadcast at sunnyvalefbcespanol.online.church.
Sunday Bible Study at 9:00 AM
Before the late service, the church offers Sunday Bible Study at 9:00 AM in both English and Spanish. These classes are described as the front door of adult discipleship at Sunnyvale, with groups that study the scriptures together, accept various ministry opportunities, and help believers grow in faith toward a more disciplined walk with Christ. Brochures listing current classes are available at the Welcome Centers.
Wednesdays Around the Table
Wednesday nights follow a familiar rhythm for hundreds of families at Sunnyvale. The Midweek Family Meal gathers in the Lighthouse from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at a cost of $5 per person, with water, tea, coffee, and dessert included. Reservations are made through the church's Realm app or online portal and are due by 1:00 PM each Monday so that the kitchen can prepare the right amount of food.
At 6:30 PM the building comes alive. Pastor Deron Biles and other teachers lead the Midweek Bible Study in the Lighthouse, a study of God's Word that is also livestreamed at sunnyvalefbc.online.church. Across the campus, the Worship Choir rehearses from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Choir Suite behind the Worship Center, drawing students and adults of every age. The ValeKids wing welcomes children from babies through 5th grade for age-specific programming, and the FRIENDS class opens its doors in Building B, Room 105 for children, teens, and adults with special needs.
ValeKids: From Babies Through 5th Grade
The ValeKids Ministry exists to support parents as they teach their children to know, love, and follow Christ with all their hearts. On Sunday mornings, ValeKids offers Sunday School for Preschool through 5th grade from 9:00 to 10:15 AM, and Kindergarten through 5th graders join their families in the Worship Center for Family Worship at 10:30 AM. Worship Care is provided during the service for children from birth through age 4. Wednesday night programming runs from 6:30 to 7:20 PM and is open to babies through 5th grade.
Children with special needs are welcomed at ValeKids. Those with mild needs are mainstreamed into their appropriate class, and children with greater needs visit the FRIENDS Ministry, staffed by special needs professionals. The ValeKids team provides a number of family resources, including sermon notes for kids and a Communion for Kids reference guide, and parents are encouraged to follow the ministry's Facebook and Instagram accounts for ongoing updates.
Kingdom Kids Preschool and Kindergarten
Established in 2005 as an outreach ministry of Sunnyvale FBC, Kingdom Kids Preschool and Kindergarten serves children from 12 months through Kindergarten on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:15 AM to 2:15 PM. The program uses Learning Centers and a hands-on curriculum drawn from Frog Street Press, Teacher's Friend, WEE Learn, and Tara West, supplemented by music, outdoor play, and excellent teacher-to-child ratios. Teachers are CPR and First Aid certified, trained in recognizing child abuse and neglect, and required to complete 24 hours of continuing education each year; Kindergarten teachers and some PreK teachers are state certified. Tuition schedules vary by days attended, ranging from $130 per month for one Wednesday a week (ages 12 months through 2 years) up to $425 per month for four-day Kindergarten. The program is led by Edwina Sullivan, Preschool and Kingdom Kids Director. More information and registration packets are available at KingdomKidsPreschool.org.
Vale Students: 6th Through 12th Grade
Vale Students is the ministry for students in grades 6 through 12, with a core philosophy of Gather, Grow, and Go. Students gather on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 PM for games, relevant worship, and teaching, and they gather again on Sunday mornings from 9:00 to 10:00 AM for games and a Bible study lesson. They grow through Vale Groups, small groups divided by age and gender that meet on Sunday evenings. They go by serving the community around them, including local and national mission opportunities and being encouraged to share the gospel with friends and family. The ministry is led by Youth Minister Jonathan Petty.
Young Adults and College
The Young Adult Ministry exists to provide a sense of belonging for college students and young adults. On Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM, the College and Young Adults class meets in Room D101 with Patrick Kwong as teacher, and the Young Marrieds class meets in Room D102 with Aaron Allen. On the last Sunday of each month, the ministry hosts Breaking Bread, a fellowship and meal open to all. On the second Saturday of each month, a Home Group meets for connection and growth.
College students and single young adults also meet every Thursday at 7:00 PM in Room D101 for the College and Singles Midweek Bible Study, where they dive into God's Word, share meaningful conversations, and grow together. Patrick Kwong leads this study and coordinates the broader Young Adult ministry alongside Aaron Allen, who serves as Young Adult and Family Minister.
Senior Adult Ministry
Grounded in Proverbs 16:31 ("Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the ways of righteousness"), the Senior Adult Ministry is one of the most active corners of the campus. Senior adults meet for Sunday School at 9:00 AM, worship together at 10:30 AM in the Worship Center, gather for a Tuesday Bible Study at 10:00 AM in Room C101, participate in Wednesday Night Activities from 6:30 to 7:20 PM in the Lighthouse, and pray together on Saturday mornings at 6:00 AM in Room C101.
On the third Thursday of every month at 10:30 AM, the TLC Fellowship Luncheon gathers in the Lighthouse for inspirational programs followed by lunch. The main entrée is provided, and guests bring their favorite side dish, salad, or dessert to share. Throughout the year the ministry adds trips, training seminars, and volunteer opportunities to its calendar. The ministry is led by Jason Brooks, Senior Adult Pastor.
Music + Worship
Music + Worship at Sunnyvale is built around the conviction that worship is not limited to a song or a series of songs on a Sunday morning, but is reflected in every moment of the Christian life. As Matthew 22:37 frames it, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." The Worship Ministry leads the church in music every Sunday and is supported by several ensembles:
- Worship Choir rehearses each Wednesday at 6:30 PM in the Choir Room on the second floor of the Worship Center. The choir is multi-generational, singing a range of choral selections and solos from traditional to contemporary, and no audition is required to join.
- Orchestra plays each Sunday during worship and is always looking for new instrumentalists.
- Frontline Vocal Team leads worship during the services. It consists of auditioned members of the Worship Choir who serve on a rotation.
- Kids Choir meets on Wednesdays at 5:30 PM and is open to all kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade. They sing throughout the year in morning worship and for special events.
The ministry is led by Brian James, Minister of Music, with Chad Kirchoff serving as Technology and Streaming Director.
Special Needs: FRIENDS and SONshine Center
The FRIENDS class, founded in 1999, is designed to meet the needs of children, teenagers, and adults who have special needs. FRIENDS Bible Fellowship Groups meet on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM, and the class also meets on Wednesday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in Building B, Room 105. The class is staffed by special needs professionals.
The SONshine Center, which opened in August 2015, is a weekday ministry of Sunnyvale FBC that provides a Christian-based day program for adults with special needs. Participants engage in adaptive activities that promote self-help, socialization, communication, and pre-vocational and vocational skills, along with sensory, music, art, and recreation opportunities. The day program runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Fees for HCS, TxHmL, or CLASS clients are set by contract with the relevant agency; private pay options are also available. Rosa Minx directs both the FRIENDS class and the SONshine Center.
Sunnyvale en Español
Pastor David Galvan leads the Spanish-language ministry of Sunnyvale FBC. Sunnyvale en Español meets at 10:30 AM on Sunday mornings in the Lighthouse and offers worship and preaching in Spanish. The ministry also produces online services at sunnyvalefbcespanol.online.church, and occasional Bilingual Services bring the two congregations together for combined worship. Sandra Rios serves as administrative assistant for the Español and Children's ministries.
Women's Ministry and Care Groups
The Women's Ministry is dedicated to bringing women of all ages together to worship, serve, and fellowship. Throughout the year, ladies Bible studies are offered on Tuesday nights and Thursday mornings, with nursery provided if reservations are made in advance. Women On Mission, the missions arm of the Women's Ministry, takes on a variety of projects from stuffing bags for children's ministry and making hygiene kits for the homeless to helping with mail outs and other volunteer tasks. The Women's Ministry gathers periodically for fellowship brunches and seasonal events in the Lighthouse.
Care Groups at Sunnyvale FBC seek to help and assist individuals and families who are going through hard situations. The Benevolence Ministry assists people in times of need as the hands and feet of Christ, ministering to physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Support Groups meet on Wednesday evenings on campus and offer Bible-based support and encouragement. Grief Support, led by Collette Petty, meets on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:45 PM in Room C101 and is an open group that anyone can join at any time.
Missions: From Sunnyvale to the Ends of the Earth
The Missions ministry at Sunnyvale FBC is built around the Great Commission passages of Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18 to 20. Locally, the church partners with established ministries and agencies to meet the spiritual and physical needs of its neighbors. Globally, the church supports missionaries and ministers in many areas around the world and organizes international mission trips, including to Israel and Ireland, alongside local, state, and USA trips. Short-term mission trip applicants are expected to be daily followers of Jesus, members of Sunnyvale FBC in good standing, able to share their personal testimony, prepared to raise funds and a personal prayer team, and able to clear a background check. Dr. Frank Harber, Teaching and Outreach Pastor, oversees the missions ministry.
Concerts and the Worship Center
Each year the Worship Center hosts a series of concerts featuring nationally known Christian artists, choral and orchestral evenings, and worship experiences for all ages. Some events are free and open to the community; others are ticketed to help cover artist and production costs. The New Life Symphony Orchestra, a group of Christian instrumentalists who volunteer their time and talents, returns to the Worship Center to present world-class concerts that encourage believers throughout the DFW community and around the world. Admission is free, with a love offering received to support the orchestra's ministry.
Connect, Realm, and Giving
New visitors and members are encouraged to connect through the church's online Guest Card and Decision Card, both of which feed directly into staff follow-up. Realm Connect is the church's online ministry tool, accessible on web and through a mobile app, where members can update personal information, register for events such as the Midweek Family Meal, manage recurring giving, and stay in touch with groups.
Giving is offered online through the Realm portal, by texting 123GIVE and a dollar amount to 73256, or in person by placing a contribution in the offering plate during each service. Offering envelopes are available in the pews, the main office, and the Welcome Centers; checks should be made payable to Sunnyvale First Baptist Church. Lisa McCoy, Business and Accounting Manager, oversees contributions and offering envelopes. For those interested in estate planning, the church partners with a service that allows members to create a legal will at no charge, with the option to designate a bequest to Sunnyvale FBC.
Real Prayer at the Center of It All
Saturday mornings at 6:00 AM in Room C101, a small group gathers to pray for the church, the country, and the local community of Sunnyvale. The church publishes prayer guides for the summer season that move through these three focus areas month by month. Anyone with a prayer need can submit a request through the prayer form.
Sunnyvale First Baptist Church remains, at its core, a church family that loves God constantly and serves to help people know God and make Him known publicly throughout the world. Whether a guest arrives on a Sunday morning for blended English worship, joins the Spanish congregation in the Lighthouse, drops a child at Kingdom Kids Preschool, or finds belonging in Vale Students, the Senior Adult Ministry, FRIENDS, or a Wednesday night Bible study, the door on Belt Line Road stays open.