Where Are We Now? Over the course of the past thirty-five years, the Towering Oaks Baptist Church family has been richly blessed. Brother Tommy began leading this fellowship in April of 1990, and through his leadership the Lord has provided in so many ways:
- Membership – 1,116 individuals have been baptized and entered the fellowship as members of Towering Oaks. Another 1,023 joined by transfer of letter or statement of faith; thus, bringing church additions to a total of 2,139.
- Financially – In 1990, the total church property was valued at $2,074,600, carried a $810,000 mortgage, and maintained a $402,738 budget. Today, Towering Oaks is Debt Free and valued at more than $20,000,000 and has aggregated ministries’ budgets of around $2,100,000.
- Facilities – The brick-and-mortar that makes up Towering Oaks has been transformed from a chapel with an educational wing into an 83,000 square foot facility. The main Sanctuary, educational space, and Family Life Center additions will serve the Lord’s work for many more years. Future ministry expansion opportunities abound, (“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Proverbs 29:18) and the Lord has blessed Towering Oaks with room to grow; with the acquisition of our Cross Country Track / Bible Walking Trail property, the Mission House, and parking areas, the original land-footprint has increased by 21 acres, to a total of 29.22 acres.
- Christian Education – Early in brother Tommy’s tenure, the Towering Oaks Christian School ministry began adding grades. In 1992, grades 7 & 8 were added. Today, the school ministry graduates high schoolers with superior education and the instilling of strong Christian values & understanding.
- Technology – In 1992, Towering Oaks went “digital,” and fully computerized church records. Through the years, technology was embraced for Kingdom purposes; Towering Oaks now maintains a strong online presence through its websites and multi-platform online streaming. As well, this year, all School financials have been digitally integrated.
- Missions – Throughout brother Tommy’s leadership tenure, “missions” has been a continuing focal point.
Mission trips within the U.S., Mexico, and Asia have been accomplished. Towering Oaks now directly supports missionaries, while it also maintains its strong support of associational missions. - Spiritual Growth – For 35 years, the Towering Oaks family has been the recipient of pure, theologically sound, biblical teaching & preaching. Many dozens of teachers and staff have received a fine lesson in pastor/teacher leadership through brother Tommy’s stalwart delivery of Biblical Truth. This church body has been prepared for our next step in discipleship & enjoyed the spiritual maturing that comes from the bold & undiluted proclamation of God’s Word.
The mantel is being passed. May we honor the faithfulness of all that have come before us… especially our dear friend & shepherd, Dr. James K. “Tommy” Pierce.
God is So Good!
Thank The Lord for his many blessings, and thank brother Tommy for his faithful service, shepherding, & stewardship.
“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant…” -Matthew 25:23