Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas is working with the Buckner Family Hope Center® at Bachman Lake by doing a monthly Bible study on the campus to reach the Bachman Lake community. 

“Park Cities has put the energy and all the volunteers behind to launch this ministry,” said Ken Murphy, the senior director of church engagement at Buckner. “They want to reach this community, and we have an agreement for them to utilize our building for that monthly meeting.” 

Murphy started meeting with Pastor Rolando Aguirre, the associate pastor of teaching and Spanish language ministries at PCBC, and began talking about strategic ways for the church to come alongside and help build relationships over time with the people Buckner already serves.

This partnership came naturally because Buckner already seeks “opportunities to meet with pastors and church leaders, listen to the mission that God has placed on their hearts for their congregation in their communities, and then share the wonderful programs Buckner offers,” Murphy said. “We want to find that common ground, that synergy where we can collaborate together.”

Through community outreach events, participating in Christmas events at the Family Hope Center and taking any opportunity available at Buckner to interact with families, PCBC was able to build relationships with the community.

“They just wanted to come and support the program and direction with our members and through volunteer engagement,” Murphy said. 

The first Bible study at the Family Hope Center at Bachman Lake was held in January, which was broadcasted back to PCBC’s campus. This partnership highlights how the work of Buckner and the work of the local church are both strengthened when they collaborate with each other, Murphy explained.

“There are areas where Buckner needs the church, like finding community leaders and volunteers, and churches are looking for meaningful ways to make a meaningful impact in their communities,” Murphy said.

Working with the local churches has always been a part of the history at Buckner. Buckner founder R.C. “Father” Buckner traveled across Texas to gather support from churches in the creation of the first children’s home. Texas Baptist deacons were the first ones to provide financial resources for the effort Father Buckner led. Today, 144 years later, Buckner continues collaborating with local churches.

PCBC will hold the next Bible study at the Family Hope Center at Bachman Lake on Feb. 26 at 12:10 p.m. The services are held in Spanish and afterwards, the group will stay to share a meal together. 

“If there is a church that interfaces with the work of Buckner, Church Engagement wants to understand ways we can help that church go deeper in their relationship with the work of Buckner,” Murphy said.

Learn how your church can work alongside Buckner and make a difference in your community.