Rooted in Bear Creek: A 1941 Founding Story
Ben Washington Baptist Church stands on Frisco Avenue in the Bear Creek neighborhood of Irving, Texas, and the congregation that gathers there traces its beginning to a single, deliberate decision in the early 1940s. In the mid-1900s, Bear Creek had two churches, Allen Chapel A.M.E. and Shady Grove C.M.E., neither of them Baptist. To worship as a Baptist, Mrs. Mary Morton dressed her granddaughter Dixie in her Sunday best and walked three miles to Mt. Elam Baptist Church in Frog Town, the area between Bear Creek and Grand Prairie. Occasionally her grandsons Delmar and Samuel Morton went with her. One Sunday, Morton asked two fellow worshipers, Mrs. Isye L. Holmes and Mrs. Josey O. Davis, about forming a church of their own.
Working under the umbrella of the Busy Bee Mission, the three devout women, Davis, Holmes and Morton, set out to plant the first Negro Baptist Church in Irving, a church that would serve Bear Creek, the oldest settlement of freed slaves in North Texas and one of the oldest in the state. Mrs. Morton's words set the tone: "I am not walking three miles to Church any more, The Lord is going to bless us with a Church in Bear Creek." On October 16, 1941, more than sixty people filled the Old Sowers School Building No. 2 to worship, pray, give thanks and welcome all who wanted to unite with the new Baptist church. In January 1942 the church received its name, Ben in honor of Mary's father and Washington, the name shared by the fathers of Holmes and Davis, becoming Ben Washington First Baptist Church. That spring, through the acquaintance of Mrs. Emma Taylor, the members called Rev. J.L. Lott of Dallas as their first pastor. Davis became church clerk, and a board of deacons and trustees was set in place.
The congregation that started in a schoolhouse grew under Rev. Lott for nineteen years, then called Rev. Joseph R. Sheppard in 1961. Under Sheppard the church bought land for a parking lot in 1964, broke ground on a new edifice on the first Sunday of January 1967 and entered the new building on the third Sunday in July 1967. Additional land followed in 1988, a remodel and expansion in 1993, more land in 1994 and 1995, a new Administration and Education Building in 2004, and still more land for an even larger building in 2007. Sheppard served for more than fifty years until his death on January 14, 2013. Rev. Kenneth Moore, Minister of Education, guided the church through the transition. Pastor Larry L. Harris was installed on April 20, 2014 and served until 2018. Rev. Darrell Sneed first served as interim pastor in November 2018, was installed as permanent pastor on January 26, 2020 and retired on May 31, 2025. In September 2025 the church called Rev. Dr. Michael O. Oyedokun II, an internationally recognized preacher, as its next pastor.
The Historic Ben Washington in Irving Today
Today, members and friends call the church "The Ben." The congregation describes itself as a warm, Christ-centered community committed to loving God and loving people, with a mission to share the love of Christ through worship, discipleship and service. The vision is a thriving community transformed by faith, love and action, and the values the church names are worship, faith, community, service and compassion. The congregation's theme is "A Church that Ministers, with a Ministry that Matters," drawn from 2 Peter 1:1-8, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and Galatians 6:9. The church is a Bible-believing, autonomous local assembly that it says is led by Jesus Christ, who gives direction as the head of the body through the pastor-teacher and other appointed leaders. Worship, music, teaching, family ministry and outreach flow out of that conviction in a city where the congregation sees itself as a beacon of light in the world, with Jesus Christ as the light.
Sunday Mornings at 10
The Sunday rhythm begins with Sunday School at 8:45 am. Members and visitors gather to study the Bible together, learn the ways of the church, deepen their discipleship and prepare to live out their faith in the week ahead. Zoom access is offered alongside the in-person classroom, and the curriculum moves through book-by-book studies such as the lessons on Joshua and Rahab that are currently scheduled for September.
At 10:00 am the morning worship service begins. The church describes its worship as the core of who the congregation is, a time when the focus is on being reminded that God is present among them. No matter a guest's praise style, the church invites everyone to lift up the name of Jesus. On Sundays other than the first and second, the youth gather for a Youth Service that runs alongside the main worship hour, giving students their own space to encounter God. The service is also available through live stream on YouTube and Facebook, and sermon recordings are posted for later listening under titles such as "God Has a Plan," "There's a Story Behind My Praise," "When God Has You in the Waiting Room," "A Hand Me Down Faith," "When You Don't Want to Hear What the Lord Has to Say" and "How to Minister to Messy People."
First-time visitors will find a church that makes room for every kind of Sunday attire, from Sunday best to casual wear. Members are invited to bring themselves, an open heart and mind, and a Bible if they want to engage in study. The leadership encourages guests to invite friends and family, especially around Christmas and Easter, and to ask neighbors who might be curious about Jesus to come along for a Christian worship service.
Wednesday Bible Study and Teaching
Midweek teaching carries two streams. At noon on Wednesdays a Bible study meets in person, working through the pastor's series "Serving in HD, High Definition," a title drawn from his published book on preaching. The series is moving through topics such as humility, integrity, compassion, listening and accountability. In the evening, a 7:00 pm Bible study convenes on Zoom and is currently working through the study "I AM a Church Member." At the same hour a Youth Bible Study also meets on Zoom, giving teenagers their own time in the Word. The church's Bible Study page posts the downloadable outlines for each week, so members can prepare ahead and revisit the material afterward.
Music That Anchors the Service
The Music Ministry exists to faithfully support and advance the spiritual vision of the church by cultivating worship that is Christ-centered, Spirit-led and rooted in biblical truth. The mission is to glorify God through Christ-centered worship that unites voices and instruments in excellence, proclaims the gospel and invites all people into authentic, Spirit-led praise. The staff is led by Bro. E. Dion Chew Williams, with Bobby Huffin on keyboards, Dr. Tawanna Sargent as Choral Director, Tanya Cohen as Sanctuary Choir President, Jennifer Robinson as Sanctuary Choir Vice President, Mandy Nora in communications and chaplaincy, Tia Hatcher as Youth Choir Director, Ed Clements as Men's Choir President and Larry Bradford as Senior Saints Choir Director. Percussionists include Keyven Moore. Rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings prior to the first, fourth and fifth Sundays of each month at 7:00 pm. The vision is a worship ministry that develops worshippers rather than performers, strengthens unity across generations and supports the preaching and teaching ministry of the church.
Equipping Disciples at Every Stage
Discipleship is led by Dr. Raymond Davis and is described as walking alongside one another in love, bearing burdens, encouraging the weak and living selflessly for the glory of God. The Christian Education Ministries are committed to building up the body of Christ by nurturing spiritual growth, developing strong disciples and preparing believers for effective service. Sunday School is led by Bro. Colvin Gibson, Wednesday Bible study by Dr. Oyedokun himself, Vacation Bible School by Sis. LaNita Johnson, and the scholarship ministry by Sis. Ann Mickel and Sis. Krystal McHenry. The scholarship arm includes the Dr. JR Sheppard Scholarship, named for the long-serving pastor who led the church for more than fifty years.
The Connection Ministry is the primary pathway from first contact to faithful discipleship. Under the leadership of Sis. Mary Davis, with new member intake by Sis. Rosalind Walker and new member orientation by Sis. Denise Scales, it guides visitors and new members through assimilation, discipleship and ongoing spiritual formation so that every person who joins understands the church's mission, beliefs and expectations.
A Web of Ministries: WOVEN, Kingdom Man, Marriage Takes 3, and More
Family Ministries stretches across every stage of life, with programming for married couples, singles, young adults, women, seniors and men. Marriage Takes 3, led by Rev. Sam and Sis. Sonya Jones, exists to strengthen, restore and equip marriages through Christ-centered teaching, affirming that lasting marriages are built when husband, wife and God walk together in covenant. The group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 pm on Zoom. Kingdom Man, the men's ministry led by Bro. Keyvon Moore, develops men who follow Jesus Christ and lead lives that honor God in their homes, church and community; it meets every Monday at 6:00 pm in person and on Zoom. P.R.I.M.E. (Praying Readiness Into Mature Ears) serves adults ages 36 to 55 under Sis. Janice Cunningham. T.H.R.I.V.E. is the young adults ministry for ages 18 to 35, led by Sis. Jazmine Corbin.
The Table, the college and career readiness ministry directed by Sis. Ann Mickel alongside Sis. Mary E. Davis and Sis. Krystal McHenry, invites students and young adults into an authentic community where faith is lived out through connections, conversations and shared life, gathering monthly on the first Tuesday at 7:00 pm. WOVEN, Women of Virtue Embracing Newness, is the women's ministry led by Sis. Lily Nickerson, Sis. Thelma Suber, Sis. Kanei Jones, Sis. Angel Jordan and Sis. Tanya M. Franklin, grounded in Colossians 2:2. The Senior Saints choir and fellowship are led by Bro. Larry Bradford. Singles ministry is forming, with leadership still being identified.
The Gatekeepers, the greeting and usher team led by Sis. Carla White with co-leader Sis. Gwen Taylor, exists to serve and welcome members, visitors and guests into the worship service with a smile, meeting on the third Saturday of each month at 10:00 am. Healing Hands & Hope, the health and wellness ministry directed by Sis. Mary Davis alongside a team of sisters, nurtures a healthier church family by providing encouragement, education and compassionate care for body, mind and spirit. It meets quarterly on the third Saturday, with seasonal gatherings themed around renewal, movement, strengthening and rest.
The C.A.R.E. Ministry, led by Deacon Ron Williams, stands for Care, Attention, Restoration and Encouragement, ministering to members through prayer, visitation and support. The Deacon's Ministry, chaired by Deacon Tony Johnson and made up of Jarvis Washington, Charlie Ivory, Glenn Miles, Gerald Young, Raphael Washington, Ron Williams, David Pipken, David Richardson and Mark Spearman, serves as spiritual leaders, caregivers and supporters of both the pastor and congregation, assisting in the administration of the ordinances, ministering to the needs of members and nurturing unity within the church body.
Caring for the Community in Irving
The Outreach Ministries extend the love of Christ beyond the walls of the church. Community Outreach is led by Sis. Angel Jordan. Family Promise, the Food Pantry and Many Helping Hands are organized by Sis. Jackie Arkadie and Sis. Tanya Young. The Street Ministry is led by Bro. Keyven Moore, and the Fleet, or Bus, Ministry by Bro. Willie Swygert, providing van transportation to support church-sponsored ministries and events. Members can submit a van request online so that ministry leaders and members who need a ride can be served. The Outreach ministries also include a scholarship arm that invests in the future of young people, and community partnerships that build strong connections with local organizations to maximize impact and service.
Beliefs Held and Taught Here
The church holds to the historic Baptist understanding that there is one living and true God, existing in three distinct persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, equal in essence and distinct in their roles and functions. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God and virgin-born Son of man, fully God and fully man, whose sinless, sacrificial offering on the cross satisfied the Father's justice and atoned for the sins of all humanity. The church affirms his bodily resurrection, his physical ascension and his visible return to establish his earthly kingdom. The Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force but a person, executing the will of God in the world by convicting, leading, guiding, teaching, indwelling and filling, equipping believers with gifts and bearing fruit through their yielded lives.
Humanity was created in the image of God for an intimate relationship with him, but Adam and Eve's willful sin brought sin into the world and infected all of humanity, so that all are separated from God, spiritually dead and destined for physical death and an eternity removed from God apart from salvation through Christ. The church teaches that Jesus died for our sins as the only sufficient sacrifice, that salvation is by grace through faith apart from works, and that those who respond are regenerated and baptized by the Holy Spirit, becoming children of God and eternally secure in him. The Bible is the inspired, authoritative and trustworthy rule of faith and practice, the foundation of the church's teaching and life. On non-essential doctrines such as the specific functions of women in ministry, the extent and use of certain spiritual gifts and the relationship between open and closed communion, the church is diligent to establish positions but will not allow those doctrines to cause division within the body.
Visiting and Getting Connected
First-time visitors are invited to come as they are. The dress ranges from formal to casual, the atmosphere is meant to feel like family, and the music is open to every style of praise that lifts up Jesus. Sunday School begins at 8:45 am and the worship service begins at 10:00 am at 3901 Frisco Avenue, Irving, Texas. For those who cannot attend in person, the service is livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook, and past sermons are posted with audio versions available. The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Members and friends can stay connected through the BWBC Member Directory, the church newsletter, an email list, a guest form and a calendar of upcoming events. Giving can be made online through a giving link, the Ministry One Church app or Cash App at $bwbcirving, or by mailing a tithe or offering to the P.O. Box on file. For more information, the church can be reached at (972) 790-8421, by fax at (972) 986-6590, or by email at info@bwbcirving.org. The pastor can be reached at pastor@bwbcirving.org, and the youth pastor at youthpastor@bwbcirving.org. The church also maintains active presences on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube under the Ben Washington Baptist Church name.