Know, Grow, Go on South Stemmons
Lakeland Baptist Church sits along South Stemmons Freeway in Lewisville, Texas, in the heart of the suburban communities north of Dallas. The church describes its mission with three short words: Know, Grow, Go. Members and visitors are invited to know Christ personally, grow in Him continually, and go with Him missionally. Everything from the children's wing to the senior adult game room is shaped around that aim.
Rooted in the Southern Baptist Convention and in agreement with the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message, Lakeland is also part of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. The church operates Lakeland Christian Academy, a fully accredited preschool through twelfth grade school, on the same campus, so a single visit to 397 S. Stemmons Fwy. brings together worship, education, and ministry under one roof.
Sundays at Lakeland
The weekly rhythm begins on Sunday morning with Sunday School at 9:00 AM. Classes are offered for every age and life stage, from infants through senior adults, and the Sunday School hour is described as a time to read, discuss, and apply the Bible alongside coffee and community. The Welcome Center, located in the middle of the first floor foyer near the library and the entrance to the Worship Center, is staffed by greeters who help newcomers find a class that fits.
At 10:30 AM the congregation gathers in the Worship Center for Sunday morning worship. The atmosphere is described as relaxed, with a note that "from sandals to suits, we have it all." Visitors are welcomed at the Welcome Center on the main floor, and the service is open to anyone interested in seeking the Lord.
Ample parking surrounds the facility, and the main entrance is on the west side of the campus. Services are livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.
Children's Ministry from Birth Through Fifth Grade
Lakeland's Preschool and Children's Ministry partners with parents to help children grow in wisdom, faith, and stature. The ministry is led by Morgan Goodrow and provides a safe, secure, and biblically focused environment for children of all ages.
On Sunday mornings, Sunday School classes meet at 9:00 AM for children from birth through fifth grade and currently work through the Bible chronologically. At 10:30 AM, Children's Worship is offered for children from birth through second grade, using a mix of large group and small group activities, Bible study, song, and play to teach young children how to worship.
On Wednesday evenings, Equipped gathers first through fifth graders around five components: partnership with parents, disciple groups, ministry training, ministry involvement, and missions. Family Dedication ceremonies give parents the chance to make a public declaration to raise their child in a Christ-centered home, and the @HOME Parent Forum meets once each semester during the Sunday School hour to talk about family discipleship in everyday situations.
Summer highlights include Vacation Bible School, typically held one week in June, a one-night Mini Camp for children who have completed first or second grade, and Preteen Camp, a five-day, four-night trip for third through fifth graders to Camp Copass, where kids worship, eat, study the Bible together, and choose their own treks.
Lakeland Student Ministry
The student ministry exists to equip students to imitate Jesus through community, discipleship, and gospel witness in North Texas. It is led by Sam Thompson, and the ministry maintains a presence on both Instagram and Facebook as Lakeland Students.
Weekly rhythms include SMY (Sunday Morning Youth) at 9:00 AM, which opens with breakfast, games, and a relevant biblical lesson, and WNY (Wednesday Night Youth) at 6:30 PM, where students share dinner, hang out, worship, and hear a message from one of the leaders. The same @HOME Parent Forum that supports parents of younger children also serves parents of students.
Special events include DNow, a weekend of competition, serving, teaching, and discipleship, with students staying overnight in church members' homes and serving in the community during the day. One Day condenses that experience into a single 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM event dedicated to worship, service, small group time, and games. Summer brings Summer Camp and Summer Nights, Wednesday night activities designed for fellowship, spiritual growth, and fun.
Women's, Men's, and Senior Adult Ministries
Women's Ministry, led by Jocelyn Babilon, seeks to empower women to grow in their faith, build genuine relationships, and serve with love and grace. Women's Discipleship Groups gather weekly under a mature mentor for a one-year commitment focused on knowing Christ more intimately, studying Scripture, and applying biblical principles. Women's Bible Studies offer another setting for women to encourage one another and deepen their understanding of God's word.
Men's Ministry, led by Juan Carlos Martinez, exists to glorify God by developing men who become faithful followers of Christ who know Him personally, grow in Him continually, and go with Him missionally. The ministry gathers men for events that align with that aim.
Senior Adult Ministry, also led by Juan Carlos Martinez, follows the same church-wide mission statement. Senior Adult Game Day meets weekly in Room 146 West on Thursdays from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, with games, fellowship, and sweet treats. Mission Homebound is a quarterly initiative to minister to members who are physically prevented from meeting in person.
Discipleship, Small Groups, and Core Courses
Small Groups are foundational to the church's Grow emphasis. Beyond Sunday School, Lakeland offers Discipleship Classes that provide weekly opportunities for Bible study and fellowship. The church also runs Core Courses, short-term classes that give members clear pathways to grow in faith and serve in ministry. Small groups and classes are open to newcomers, and Ross Bagwell helps people find a group that fits.
What Lakeland Believes
Lakeland Baptist Church holds to the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. The church teaches that the Holy Bible is God's revelation, written by men divinely inspired, totally true and trustworthy, and the supreme standard for Christian life and doctrine. There is one true and living God, infinite in holiness and all other perfections, who reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Salvation is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification are all works of God's grace, and salvation is by personal faith in Christ alone. The church practices two ordinances: baptism by immersion of a believer, which serves as the public profession of faith and entrance into church membership, and the Lord's Supper, a symbolic act of obedience in which members memorialize Christ's death and anticipate His return.
Church government is congregational, with two scriptural offices: pastor / elder / overseer, and deacon. The church affirms the dignity of every human being, the sacredness of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and the blessing of children from the moment of conception. Lakeland's beliefs page is unusually thorough, running through Scripture, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, man, salvation, election, the church, baptism and the Lord's Supper, the Lord's Day, the Kingdom, last things, evangelism and missions, education, stewardship, cooperation, the Christian and the social order, peace and war, religious liberty, and the family.
The Gospel at the Center
Lakeland explains the gospel in four points: God, Man, Christ, and Response. The Bible teaches one true and holy God who created mankind and will judge the world. All people have sinned and fall short of His glory, earning the penalty of spiritual death. God, in love, sent His Son Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, who lived a perfect life, died on the cross in the place of sinners, and rose again. Each person is called to repent of sin and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, receiving forgiveness and new life.
For those ready to respond, a sample prayer is provided, and the church invites anyone to talk with a pastor during the invitation at the end of a worship service or by calling the church office at 972-436-4561.
Membership, Baptism, and the Lord's Supper
Lakeland encourages church membership as an act of humility, submission, and covenant commitment. New members enter through one of four paths: profession of faith followed by baptism, transfer of letter from another Baptist church, baptism alone for believers who have not been immersed, or statement of faith for those coming from a church without membership letters. The Connect Class, offered at various times during the year, walks prospective and new members through the church's history, beliefs, structure, and ministries.
Baptism at Lakeland is reserved for those old enough to believe and understand its meaning, and is always by immersion as a symbol of the believer's death to sin and resurrection to new life. The Lord's Supper is observed by church members in good standing who have been scripturally baptized and have examined themselves. Four prerequisites frame participation: a believer in Jesus Christ, a baptized believer, a church member in good standing at Lakeland or a church of like faith and practice, and a time of self-examination.
Missions and Outreach
Living life on mission is a stated priority. The church's Faith Forward Vision Plan for 2026 to 2028 names community outreach and missions as Priority 3, with goals to create hands-on mission opportunities, equip members to share their faith, and develop strategic partnerships. Mission efforts include local outreach, partnerships with missionaries, and a downloadable Sample Evangelistic Letter that members can personalize to share the gospel with friends and family. Jim Crouch leads the missions ministry.
Faith Forward: A Three-Year Bible Plan
To support the Discipleship and Spiritual Formation priority, the church has adopted the Faith Forward Bible Reading Plan for 2026 to 2028. By reading one chapter a day, the congregation works through Scripture together, with the aim that God would meet them in fresh and powerful ways. A downloadable reading plan is available for members and visitors.
Lakeland Christian Academy
Lakeland Christian Academy (LCA) is the church's fully accredited preschool through twelfth grade school. Under Head of School Beverly Bandy, LCA offers a full academic curriculum along with fine arts and athletics, with a mission to equip students to impact their world for Jesus Christ and fulfill their own potential in scholarship, leadership, and service. The vision is to stand as a lighthouse for families seeking a Christ-centered place of excellence, equipping students to launch into adult life with the character and skills to navigate life for God's service.
Resources for the Week
Each week, the church teaches biblical truths straight from God's word, and the Media Library holds videos of past sermons, Sunday School lessons, and ministry updates. Audio messages are also available through a podcast feed. For prayer needs, a prayer request form is available, and the church office can be reached for immediate assistance at 972-436-4561. Online giving is available, framed as an act of worship and cheerful response to God's grace.
Plan a Visit
Visitors can expect a friendly face at the Welcome Center in the center of the first floor. The dress is relaxed, the music is a mix that welcomes traditional and contemporary styles, and the preaching aims to teach the Bible clearly. Families with children can stop at the Children's Check-In Desk, where volunteers will help get children to their age-appropriate class. For those wanting to know more before they arrive, the church office is reachable at lakeland@lakelandbaptist.org or 972-436-4561.