Gateway Church is a non-denominational, charismatic Christian multi-site megachurch based in Southlake, Texas, near Dallas. It is the largest congregation in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, with an estimated weekly attendance of 36,000 as of 2016. The church is home to well known Christian recording artist Kari Jobe.
History
On September 16, 1999, Pastor Robert Morris began to plan a Bible-based, evangelistic church in Southlake, Texas. Gateway Church's first service was held on Easter morning, April 23, 2000, at the Hilton Hotel in Grapevine. Approximately 180 people attended the service. The church grew, and moved to an old movie theater in Grapevine. According to the Fort Worth Star Telegram.
In June 2003 the church moved into a 64,000-square-foot (5,900Â m2) campus on Southlake Blvd. In 2010 Gateway opened its current 4,000-seat sanctuary, 64-acre (26Â ha) Southlake campus.
In 2016 Gateway reported official giving records totaled over $500 million for the previous four years (2013â€"2016). For 2016 their annual report showed revenues of $127.2 million minus $123.9 million expenses, $3.5 million less than total revenue. Gateway also spent $9.9 million on land and other expenditures which includes the land for the Frisco location and the Dallas campus.
In 2017 Gateway Church confirmed salary cuts and 20% downsizing of their entire staff. The downsizing story gained national attention by other church media outlets.
Campuses
The church currently conducts 27 weekend services at six locations across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. A church affiliated with Gateway Church called Gateway Scottsdale opened in Scottsdale, Arizona in August 2012.
Southlake
In 2008, the church began work on a new main campus located along State Highway 114. The project included a 4,000-seat sanctuary. It opened on November 13, 2010.
North Richland Hills
In November 2007, Gateway opened a new campus in North Richland Hills, Texas. The building is almost 50,000 square feet (4,600Â m2) in size and sits on approximately 9 acres (3.6Â ha). Weekend services at the NRH Campus are a mirror of those at the main Southlake Campus with live worship and personal ministry, but with the message delivered via live video from the Southlake Campus. Pastor Byron Copeland serves as the Campus Pastor. The NRH campus is also home to Gateway's Messianic Jewish ministries. The Messianic congregation is said by the church to be the largest in the United States, with some services reaching over 1,000 people.
Frisco
In April 2010, the overseers of Northstar Church in Frisco, Texas asked Gateway to assist them in a transition process following the resignation of their senior pastor, Blaine Bartel. Gateway provided video messages and worship teams for the church before announcing that Northstar would become a Gateway extension campus on June 10, 2010. As with the NRH campus, the weekend services are a mirror of those at the Southlake Campus with live worship and personal ministry, but with the message delivered via live video from the Southlake Campus. In addition to facilitating five weekend services, the Frisco campus serves as a multi-purpose facility with an emphasis on ministry to Jr. High and Sr. High students. Pastor Jelani serves as the Campus Pastor. In 2015, the Frisco campus averaged 2,901 people per weekend according to the church's annual report.
North Fort Worth
The fourth campus of Gateway Church started weekend services in a temporary location at Fossil Ridge High School in August 2012. A permanent location at the intersection of Beach and Basswood opened in July 2013. As with the NRH campus, the weekend services are a mirror of those at the Southlake Campus with live worship and personal ministry, but with the message delivered via prerecorded video from the Southlake Campus. On October 7, 2012, the North Fort Worth location began offering a third service to help meet the growing congregation size. The North Fort Worth Campus currently offers five services to serve their congregation. Pastor Marcus Brecheen serves as the Campus Pastor. In 2015, the North Fort Worth campus averaged 6,395 people per weekend.
Grand Prairie
In early 2013, it was announced that Shady Grove Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, would become a campus of Gateway. The transition started in March 2013. The Grand Prairie location seats around 1,500. The campus is off of 161 (The President George Bush Turnpike) and Carrier Parkway. Pastor Mark Jobe served as the Campus Pastor. In 2015, the Grand Prairie campus averaged 1,784 people per weekend.
Dallas
In October 2015, it was announced that a former extension campus of Prestonwood Church in North Dallas, Texas, would become the newest Gateway extension campus. The first service will be held March 5, 2016. Pastor Tom Lane is the campus pastor.
Gateway Church Scottsdale
In Fall 2011, Gateway announced that former young adults pastor Preston Morrison was planting a new Gateway Church in Scottsdale, Arizona. The church launched in August 2012. This is different from a campus as Morrison is the senior pastor who preaches with a staff team and has an independent eldership.
Ministries
The King's University at Gateway
Launched in September 2012, The King's University at Gateway offers full accredited undergraduate and master's degree with a doctorate degree plan within two years. When initially launched, the Southlake campus was an extension campus located at the former Southlake church building on Southlake Blvd. On November 14, 2013, there was a special Dedication Service and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at The King's University at Gateway making it the official location for King's University founded by Jack W. Hayford. Dr. John Spurling serves as the president.
Gateway Live
Gateway Live is Gateway's online webcast of most services at the Southlake Campus.
The Blessed Life TV Show
Gateway produces a weekly television program called The Blessed Life. This program airs on the Daystar Television Network, Golden Eagle Broadcasting, and Trinity Broadcasting Network and features sermons and worship from past Gateway Church services.
Gateway Worship
Gateway Worship, the worship band that leads worship at the Gateway Church, had some success in 2008 with their live album as it reached No. 2 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart. Gateway's live album God Be Praised was released on November 9, 2010, with Japanese, Korean and Portuguese versions released in 2012. The live album, Walls, which was released on October 2, 2015, reached No. 1 on Billboard's Top Christian Albums Chart.
References
External links
- Official website
