Trinity Life Baptist Church, started as a "mission church" in January 1992. Oates Baptist Church of Mesquite, Texas and Casa View Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas co-sponsored the church plant. Trinity Life was "chartered" as a church in February 1996.
The mission of Trinity Life Baptist Church is to "invest our tithes, time and talents toward bringing more people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ." The GEM of our mission to GLORIFY God with our worship and our works, to EDIFY God's people with our teaching and our touch, and to MULTIPLY God's Kingdom with our evangelism and our life example.
Pastor Russell Rogers, Senior Pastor - Pastor Russell began his ministry at the age of 17. He has served as a Youth Pastor, Children's Pastor, and Praise & Worship Pastor prior to becoming the founding pastor of Trinity Life where he has faithfully served as Senior Pastor for eighteen years. He was licensed and ordained to the ministry at Oates Drive Baptist Church in Mesquite, Texas in 1992. Pastor Russell has been blessed with the privilege of serving as a guest speaker and Evangelist both nationally and internationally, building partnerships in Latvia, Thailand, India, and around the United States.
His degrees include a Bachelor of Science from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia and a Master of Liberal Arts with a Concentration in Pastoral Counseling from Dallas Baptist University. He has training in Marital & Pre-Marital Counseling, Crisis Intervention, has been a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, and served as a Chaplain with Victim Relief Ministries.
Pastor Russell has served as an adjunct professor of Pastoral Leadership and Church Evangelism at Southern California Seminary in San Diego, California through its on-line education program.
Pastor Russell married his wonderful wife Shelly in 1988. They are blessed with five children (three by adoption and two by birth), Austin (1995), Casey (1998), Nathan (2001), Sean (2004), and Lauren (2005).
Pastor Russell and Shelly served as foster and adoptive parents with the State of Texas Department of Family Protective Services for more than eleven years. During this time, they were blessed to provide foster care to several children.
As Founder and Executive Director of SALT Family Ministries, Pastor Russell is a passionate advocate for Fostering and Adoption. He travels extensively speaking to churches and Christian organizations about the need for Christian homes to be involved in ministering to "the least of these" as Christ commanded.
The Dallas Morning News published an article on the topic of Foster and Adoption in which Pastor Russell and his family were featured. Click here to read the story.
Pastor Russell enjoys playing golf, fishing, hunting, shooting guns, and traveling, but most of all, he loves to fellowship with friends and family.
When asked about his greatest joy, Pastor Russell quickly responded, "Evangelism and Empowerment! I love to preach evangelistic messages to people who enjoy hearing the word proclaimed with passion and power. I love seeing lives transformed by the power of God when truth is proclaimed with boldness. I love the celebration that takes place when people are empowered and motivated to fulfill the great commission!"
One of his favorite scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
Pastor Ken Morrill, Executive Pastor - Pastor Ken came to Trinity Life in January of 2006. Previously he served with Guidestone Financial Resources (The Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention) as a Regional Director and as Minister of Church Administration at Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas. In 1996, Ken was licensed and ordained to the ministry at First Baptist Church of Forney, Texas. Before surrendering to the ministry, Ken had a 28-year career in the banking industry. Ken has served as a chaplain with Baylor Hospital and Marketplace Ministries and as an Adjunct Professor at Dallas Baptist University.
His degrees consist of a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of North Texas, a Master of Business Administration from Texas Christian University, and a Graduate Banking Degree from Southern Methodist University. He has studied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, is a Certified Church Business Administrator, and a Fellow in Church Business Administration. Ken was honorably discharged from the U. S. Marine Corps in 1973.
The parents of three adult children, Ken and his gracious wife Judy have been married for thirty-seven years. Their son Matthew is a high school teacher and coach, their daughter Meredith is a teacher, and their son Michael is a sportswriter.
Ken enjoys reporting on high school sports with his son Michael, running, golfing, and spending time with his three adorable granddaughters; Avery, Haley, and Sheridan.
Ken lives the promise of Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
Pastor Hadley Baker, Student Pastor - The newest member of the staff, Hadley Baker came to TLBC in March of 2009. After five years of traveling as a youth evangelist, God transitioned him into his current role of pastor to students here at Trinity Life. Hadley also teaches Social Studies at Sachse High School. Being on a public school campus has immersed him into the youth culture, and has fueled his desire to minister to young people. He still receives invitations to speak at youth events, Disciple Now weekends, and conferences.
Hadley definitely has a humorous side. One of his hobbies is writing comedy music. Be it a song about your dog dying or the perils of internet dating, his music is anything but serious. Baker views his music as a tool to connect with students: "If you can make a kid laugh they will listen to anything you wanna share, including the Gospel." Many have dubbed him as a "clean version of Adam Sandler." Hadley has released two independent comedy albums. They can be downloaded on iTunes or purchased at www.hadleybaker.com
Hadley is a 2000 graduate of Southwestern University (Bachelor of Science, Church Ministries). He married Christie in March of 2005. They welcomed their first child, Caris, in October of 2008. The Bakers reside in Rowlett.
Evangelist Mike Courtney, Staff Evangelist - A native of Southern Louisiana, Mike has over eighteen years experience as a Pastor. He has spent that time in a full-time ministry that focuses on revival, evangelism, and missions. God called Mike from the pastorate into full-time evangelism. Since January 2006 he has spread the gospel throughout the world. He has preached at Bible conferences and crusades in the Philippines, Ghana, West Africa, and Chiapas, Mexico. In the U.S., he has preached at revival meetings, retreats, seminars, schools, jails, prisons, and homeless shelters.
A graduate of Criswell College in Dallas, Texas, Mike earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and a Master of Arts in Theology. Mike has completed the MasterLife program and has received training from the Dallas County Juvenile Department.
First Baptist Church of Denham Springs, Louisiana licensed Mike to the Gospel Ministry in 1975 and Northridge Baptist Church in Plano, Texas ordained him in 1985.
Along with his loving and supportive wife Debbie, he has two sons; Aaron (22) and Daniel (20).
Mike bases his ministry on the words of Act 3:19, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..."
If you would like more information about Mike, his evangelism ministry, or how you can schedule him to speak to your church or organization, please visit http://www.mikecourtneytimesofrefreshing.com/