A Pentecostal House of Worship on Loop 820
Holy Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C. sits at 2800 East Loop 820 South on the southeast side of Fort Worth, Texas, in the 76119 ZIP code. As a local expression of the Church of God in Christ, the congregation gathers under a simple motto: "We Build People." That short phrase shapes everything from Sunday worship to the children's wing to the Wednesday prayer call, and it points to a church whose energy is aimed outward as much as inward. First-time guests are openly welcomed into that mission, and the pastoral team invites newcomers to begin a connection with the community ahead of a visit.
"Loving God, Loving Others, Serving the World"
The church's heart, in three short phrases: "Loving God, Loving Others and Serving the World." Its stated vision is to "produce a family of faith that has a burden for reaching those who are not affiliated with a church, or who are not in a relationship with Jesus Christ." In practical terms, that vision translates into a steady stream of weekly services, midweek Bible study, a prayer line that connects members across the city, and a set of age-specific ministries that meet children, students, and young adults where they are.
Holy Tabernacle also holds a clear, plain-spoken view of Scripture, summed up in one sentence: "We believe that the Bible is God's Word. It is accurate, authoritative and applicable to our everyday lives." That conviction undergirds the preaching, the teaching, and the Sunday School hour. Visitors who want to learn more can call the church office at 817-457-2223 or fill out the "New Here?" form online to begin a conversation with the staff.
Sunday at Holy Tabernacle
The Sunday rhythm at Holy Tabernacle begins with Sunday School at 9:30 AM, an hour of classes for every member of the family in the time leading up to the main service. At 10:30 AM, the Sunday Morning Worship gathering fills the Worship Center with praise, music, and preaching. Visitors are encouraged to arrive a little early, find a parking spot, and follow the greeters into the sanctuary, where ushers help direct newcomers to seats.
The Lord's Supper is observed on the first Sunday of each month. Communion is treated as a time to "commemorate and proclaim the death of Jesus for our sins until he comes again by the eating of bread and the drinking of cup." The church uses grape juice in the cup so that every believer, including those who abstain from wine, can participate at the same table.
Wednesday Bible Study and the Prayer Ministry
The midweek rhythm at Holy Tabernacle is built around prayer and the Word. Wednesday Evening Bible Study meets at 7:30 PM and is open to anyone who wants to dig deeper into Scripture together. Before that evening gathering, a prayer call convenes at 6:00 AM each Wednesday; the dial-in number is 774-267-4192. Members and friends join together by phone to lift up requests, give thanks, and seek God at the start of the day.
For ongoing prayer needs, the church accepts requests through an online prayer request form and at prayer@afmbc.org. The prayer ministry reaches out to members and their families with phone calls and visits during difficult seasons. The conviction at the heart of the work is plain and repeated often: "Prayer changes things. Prayer changes people."
KidsPoint: Newborn through Sixth Grade
Children's ministry at Holy Tabernacle is called KidsPoint, and it is built around a secure, family-friendly check-in system. Children from age 5 through 12 gather for a worship experience that is meant to help them "understand the love of Jesus in a fun yet enriching way." Younger children, from newborn through age 4, are cared for in the nursery during the same Sunday service. Together, the KidsPoint hour runs alongside the 10:30 AM worship gathering in the Worship Center.
Families checking in for the first time are greeted at a first-time check-in area, where volunteers gather allergy information, learn what each child likes to be called, and collect contact details. Parents and children receive matching stickers. If the staff needs to reach a parent during the gathering, a text message is sent to the parent's phone. The same sticker is used for pick-up at the end of the hour, giving KidsPoint a simple, secure way to keep children safe while parents worship.
KidsPoint also offers several places for children to serve. The KidsPoint Choir welcomes children ages 2 through 11 and rehearses during the Sunday service in the KidsPoint worship area, with no auditions required. KidsPoint Greeters, KidsPoint Ushers, and KidsPoint Dancers and Mimes round out the team, giving young worshippers a real place in the life of the church and a chance to minister through music, hospitality, and movement.
Youth Ministry: Seventh through Twelfth Grade
Students in junior high and high school find their own gathering place at Holy Tabernacle. The Youth Ministry serves youth ages 13 through 18 (grades 7 through 12) with a worship experience that is "full of energy with biblical teaching that caters to youth." The Sunday meeting place is The Chapel, an intentional space where students encounter teaching, music, and a community of their own peers.
Older students can audition for the Youth Ministry Choir, an ensemble experience for students aged 12 to 17 designed to help them "develop musically as individuals while contributing to the joy and creativity of singing with their peers." Youth Greeters, Youth Ushers, and Youth Dancers and Mimes give teens other ways to serve on Sunday mornings and to grow as worshippers and leaders.
Young Adults and the Renew Conversation
Young adults from their twenties through late thirties gather at Holy Tabernacle under a ministry that welcomes everyone: single adults, married couples, and parents. The invitation is simple: "Let's learn, worship, fellowship and grow together." The young adult community meets on Sunday mornings during the same hours as the wider church, with programming aimed at the questions, jobs, and family stages typical of that age range.
A recurring highlight of the young adult calendar is "R&B Mornings-Renew," held on the second Sunday of each month at 8:45 AM. The format pairs a continental breakfast with conversation about life application, and on Renew Sundays the focus shifts to adults 18 to 40. It is a relaxed space to engage the Bible alongside people in similar life stages before the main worship hour begins at 10:30 AM.
Pastor Elder Perry Williams
Holy Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C. is led by Elder Perry Williams, who serves as Pastor. Under his leadership, the congregation continues to communicate its mission of "Building People" through weekly worship, Bible teaching, prayer, and a network of ministries for every stage of life.
A Warm Welcome for First-Time Visitors
Holy Tabernacle works hard to make first-time visitors feel at home. The building offers special seating for those who need it and a soundmate system for assisted listening during worship services. Visitors are welcome to dress in whatever makes them comfortable: jeans and a t-shirt are as appropriate as a dress or suit. The church's posture is plainspoken: "We are more concerned with people's lives than we are with their preferences of clothes."
Parking is available in lots on multiple sides of the building, with reserved parking areas for visitors with disabilities or special needs. Parking lot attendants are on hand to direct drivers to open spaces. Visitors arriving early will find the closest spaces to the Worship Center; later arrivals are guided by attendants to wherever a spot is open.
For questions or to let the church know a first visit is coming, the office can be reached at 817-457-2223. A transportation ministry is also available for those who need a ride to worship.
Staying Connected and Giving
Members and friends who want to support the church's mission can give online through the church's giving page, and checks can be mailed to Holy Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C. at the church address. The church's giving statement: "Your generosity continues our mission to Build People." The congregation also shares content online through a YouTube channel, where visitors and members can engage with the church's ministry beyond Sunday morning.
Whether someone is a longtime member, a young adult exploring faith for the first time, a parent looking for a children's ministry, or simply a curious guest driving by on Loop 820, the church's posture is the same: come as you are, hear the Word, and find a family of faith ready to walk alongside. Holy Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C. continues to be a Pentecostal outpost in southeast Fort Worth where the gospel is taught, prayer is taken seriously, and people of every age have a place to belong.