The Christ Church Stories: A Journey of Hope, Growth, and God’s Faithfulness
Testimonies to God's Incredible Faithfulness
Introduction to the Series
“Thus far the Lord has helped us.”
— 1 Samuel 7:12
When we moved to Plano, Texas, in the summer of 1985, we carried our family and worldly goods, a renewed confidence in the Bible, a few big prayers, and a deep hunger to see the Gospel take root in people’s lives.
There was no grand strategy. No buildings. No budget. We had a commission from the Bishop. A clear invitation. And we felt a call—and a hope.
Over the next thirty years, we would watch Christ Church grow from a thirteen-person small group in a living room into a thriving community of worship, prayer, and mission.
But the true story is not about numbers or buildings. It is about God’s steady hand, His surprising provision, and His power to use ordinary people to build something extraordinary.
It will be my privilege to tell the Christ Church Story in a way that puts it all together, honors God’s faithfulness, and sets the scene for its ministry today under Bishop Paul.
(If you have photos of those years, please send a MAXIMUM of five to Taye@LeaderWorks.org. Could you be sure to identify the event, the people, and the year, if possible?)
About The Christ Church Stories
In this series, I’ll share the true and personal stories behind the founding and growth of Christ Church — moments of challenge, laughter, risk, provision, and grace. I was the Rector of Christ Church for 31 years and the more stories I write, the more I remember.
You’ll hear about:
Our earliest days meeting in a middle school cafeteria (“St. Carpenter’s”)
The bold prayers that shaped our beginnings
The unlikely ways God provided leaders, land, and lasting friendships
The painful choices and hard seasons that tested us
The moments of joy, wonder, and enduring hope that marked the journey
Some stories will make you laugh. Some may bring a lump to your throat. But all of them, I hope, will point beyond our work to the greater work of God among His people.
The Christ Church Stories will begin next week.
From Easter to Pentecost (April 20 - June 8).
About Paywalls
Most of the articles will come to your inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays. But I have (currently) 20 stories to tell and more to come. So expect some on other days as they are ready to go.
Most of The Christ Church Stories will be Free… BUT
If you want to make this Anglican happy 😘, please consider becoming a PAID subscriber. You won’t miss a thing, and there is other content coming to The Anglican.
For example:
Fran’s Portrait: You will read an update on Fran’s photoshoot at Schiaparelli. An artist in Poland was so moved by the story and her look that she painted her portrait. I bought it and I’d love to share it with you.
Thought Pieces: My article on the Roman Catholic Church was read by 5,000 people. It kicked loose more thinking on the Anglican Church. More of that to come.
The Wichita Lineman: I have an article on the song Bob Dylan called the greatest song ever written. That song makes me cry!
I will not be posting every day as I have during Lent. But consider a Paid Subscription as a very direct way to:
Support this Work. The Anglican is five months old and is in the Top 100 of Bestselling Substacks in our category, Faith and Spirituality.
Cure your FOMO. You will miss something if you are not a Paid Subscriber. And will you not have access to some of our live sessions.
Pay it Forward. Consider that when you become a Paid Subscriber, you make it possible to continue offering free content to others. Many others.
How the Series Will Work
Each post will be labeled by Part and Episode — so you can follow the journey from the beginning through the seasons of planting, growing, weathering storms, and finally passing the baton.
You’ll see titles like:
The Christ Church Stories
Part One, Episode 1 — A Hope and a Future
I’ll be posting one episode at a time — with enough space between posts for you to read, reflect, and enjoy the journey.
If you’re a longtime Christ Church member, you’ll recognize many of these milestones.
If you’re new to The Anglican, I hope these stories encourage your faith and remind you that God still delights to use willing hearts and open hands.
An Invitation
My prayer is that these stories will not simply be memories, but testimonies —reminders of the faithfulness of a God who still calls, still sends, and still builds His Church through ordinary people and extraordinary grace.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for walking this road with me.
And thank you most of all for trusting, as we did, in the One who holds the future.
Welcome to The Christ Church Stories.
Grace and Peace,
David Roseberry ☩
The Anglican
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About David Roseberry
I have been an Anglican pastor, teacher, and author for over 40 years, passionate about Scripture, theology, and the life of the Church. I’m married to Fran, and together we have five children and five grandchildren —you’ll sometimes hear their stories woven into the life of The Anglican.
I was the founding Rector of Christ Church in Plano, Texas, where I served for over 30 years, and now lead LeaderWorks, a ministry dedicated to equipping and encouraging church leaders. I’ve written over a dozen books on Amazon, offering biblical guidance on prayer, stewardship, pastoral leadership, church growth, and the Christian life.
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Published Books by David Roseberry
Over the past several decades, I’ve written over a dozen books that explore Scripture, leadership, stewardship, and the life of the Church. Each one is rooted in biblical truth, Anglican wisdom, and pastoral experience — designed to nourish faith, strengthen leadership, and deepen love for God and His Word.
Biblical Devotionals
The Ordinary Ways of God (Book of Ruth) — Finding God’s providence in everyday life.
The Psalm on the Cross (Psalm 22) — Exploring the suffering and triumph of Jesus through the psalms.
When the Lord is My Shepherd (Psalm 23) — Hope and guidance from the Good Shepherd. (Also available in Spanish.)
The First 24 (Mark 1) — A deep dive into the first day of Jesus’ public ministry.
The Last Will and Testament of the Apostle Paul (2 Timothy) — Paul’s final reflections on life, ministry, and faith.
The Advent of Christmas (Matthew 1) — Reflections on the women in Jesus’ genealogy during Advent.
Eight Days That Changed the World (Holy Week Devotional) — Walking with Christ through the final week before the Resurrection.
Church Leadership and Anglican Life
The Rector, the Vestry, and the Bishop — Essential guidance for leadership and polity in Anglican congregations.
The Seven Tools for Church Growth — Practical strategies for building and sustaining healthy congregations.
10 Ways to Preach the Church Year — Connecting sermons to the Christian seasons with clarity and depth.
Stewardship and Generosity
Giving Up — A call to spiritual renewal through biblical stewardship.
A Field Guide for Giving — Practical tools for preaching, teaching, and leading generosity in the Church.
The Giving Life (2 Corinthians 8–9) — Exploring Paul’s theology of generosity and Christian giving.
Take a look at my Amazon page for a complete description. Note that all titles can be shipped at bulk order prices by visiting the book tab at LeaderWorks.
Grace and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
David Roseberry ☩
I look forward to hearing about the 15 year journey before I got there!!
Eager to read the church stories, which I know will be helpful for our plant!