South Union Church of Christ gathers on Ardmore Street in Houston, Texas, and is known for the open invitation, “There Is A Place For You At The Union!” The congregation meets for Sunday worship at 9:00 a.m. and Bible Class at 10:45 a.m., and describes its life as building up the body through faith and fellowship.
A Place for You at The Union
At 7427 Ardmore Street, South Union Church of Christ extends “a fellowship of love” to everyone who comes to its worship facility. The congregation says it wants people to become part of God’s family while seeking to please God and make heaven their home. That welcome frames the church’s shared worship, study, giving, and fellowship. South Union’s recurring message is “Building Up the Body Through Faith and Fellowship,” and its reference to the body is rooted in Acts 2:42, where believers continue in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayers.
The church pairs that welcome with a clear statement about worship: it is to be offered “in spirit and truth,” following the pattern of New Testament congregations. Its five acts of worship are singing, prayer, giving, the Lord’s Supper, and studying the Bible.
Sunday Worship at 9:00, Then Bible Class at 10:45
Sunday worship begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Ardmore Street worship facility. Bible Class begins at 10:45 a.m. These are the church’s two regular Sunday morning gatherings. South Union teaches that every Christian partakes in the Lord’s Supper every Sunday, and it presents the first-day gathering as a time to assemble and remember Christ’s sacrifice. The church’s telephone is 713-747-5440, and its general email address is secretary@sucoc.org.
Five Acts of Worship
South Union identifies five acts specifically authorized in its understanding of New Testament worship. Its teaching gives each one a place in the life of the congregation, with singing, prayer, giving, Communion, and the study of God’s Word connected to one another.
Singing With the Heart and With Understanding
The church begins its list with singing. It draws on psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs and emphasizes singing “with the spirit” and “with the understanding,” making melody with the heart to the Lord. The same teaching places song in the life of the congregation as a way to praise God, teach one another, and offer continual sacrifice of praise. South Union’s resources also point to Acappella Music and Shalon.
Prayer as Trust and Dependence
Prayer is the second act. South Union teaches that prayer is not an attempt to wear down God’s reluctance but an acknowledgment of trust in him and dependence on him. The congregation is encouraged to pray in faith, ask in Christ’s name, and say, “Not my will but Thine be done.”
Giving as Worship
Financial giving is the third act. South Union connects it to gratitude for what God has done, says it helps proclaim the gospel, and explains that it can fund aid for people in need as well as physical facilities and teaching materials such as Bibles and tracts. The church says the Lord has not set an exact amount for Christian giving. Instead, it calls for generous, cheerful giving and treats generosity as evidence of sincere love.
The Lord’s Supper Every Sunday
Communion is the fourth act and occupies a central place in the church’s Sunday life. South Union teaches that every Christian partakes every Sunday, without exception, in memory of Christ’s suffering and death. Bread represents the body of Christ and the fruit of the vine represents his blood, so the meal proclaims his death until he comes. The church describes the Supper not as a means of taking away sin, but as a memorial that shows the world a Christian’s belief in Christ’s sacrifice.
Preaching and Teaching God’s Word
The fifth act is the study of God’s Word through preaching and teaching. South Union calls this the highest form of worship and points to believers who searched the Scriptures daily. The 10:45 a.m. Bible Class gives that emphasis a regular place in the Sunday schedule.
The Church’s Six-Step Plan of Salvation
South Union states its plan of salvation in six movements. The sequence begins with hearing the gospel and moves through belief, repentance, confession, baptism, and faithfulness until death. The church supports each step with Scripture references, including Mark 12:29 and Mark 16:16, Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 28:19-20, and Revelation 2:10.
- Hear - Mark 12:29 and Luke 11:28.
- Believe - Mark 16:16 and Hebrews 11:6.
- Repent - Acts 2:38 and Luke 13:3-5.
- Confess - Romans 10:9-10 and Matthew 10:32-33.
- Baptism - Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 2:38.
- Be faithful until death - Revelation 2:10 and 1 Corinthians 15:57.
Minister Tucker and the Leadership Team
Randall F. Tucker, Sr., serves as South Union’s evangelist and minister. Baptized at age ten, he has been active in the church since childhood. He is an alumnus of Tennessee State University and the Nashville School of Preaching, with academic concentrations in speech communication and theatre, broadcasting and journalism, and elementary and secondary education. His professional background includes teaching science and history, coaching basketball and volleyball, and five years as a representative in the Division of Assessments.
Tucker has led congregations in Tennessee and Texas and has proclaimed the gospel at city, state, regional, and national lectureships. He has also spoken at National Crusades for Christ and serves on several leadership boards across Texas. A third-generation preacher, he credits a Christian home as a key influence on his ministry. He describes serving God as his greatest passion and says he seeks to illuminate God’s Word so it applies directly to everyday life.
Leonard Davis, Wilfred Dogan, John Ellis, and Freddy Holland are named elder emeriti. Walter Jeffery serves as a deacon.
A Cappella Music, Colleges, and Bible Learning
South Union maintains a broad resource collection. Its music offerings point to Acappella Music and Shalon, while its media offering includes several YouTube video players. The collection also includes ministries on the web such as Search TV, the Church of Christ Directory, GospeliTV, Rejoice880, and “What Do the Scriptures Say.”
The church groups Abilene Christian University, Cincinnati Christian University, Faulkner University, Freed Hardeman University, Harding University, Heritage Christian University, Lipscomb University, Lubbock Christian University, Ohio Valley University, Oklahoma Christian University, Pepperdine University, Rochester College, Southwestern Christian College, and York University as Christian colleges affiliated with the Church of Christ. Bible tools include Bible Gateway, Bible Look-UP, Bible.com, Biblica.com, and World Bible School. The Bible study list covers salvation, worship, a Bible Roadmap series, personal study, daily devotions, faith and science, and “The Seeker” Bible Study Series.
Online Giving as a Grateful Response
South Union’s online giving is described as an expression of gratitude. The church teaches that giving expresses gratitude for accepting Jesus as personal Savior and for the relationship with God that follows. From that relationship, people desire to honor God with their time, talent, and financial resources, using those gifts to further the Lord’s work.
Faith and Fellowship at The Union
South Union Church of Christ brings its identity together in the language of The Union: a fellowship of love, the body of Christ built through faith and fellowship, and a worship life made up of singing, prayer, giving, Communion, and study. At 7427 Ardmore Street in Houston, its Sunday rhythm joins worship at 9:00 a.m. with Bible Class at 10:45 a.m., while Randall F. Tucker, Sr., four elder emeriti, and a deacon serve the congregation. South Union continues to place welcome, biblical worship, and shared fellowship at the center of its life at The Union.