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Jack Graham

DR. JACK GRAHAM
Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church

Dr. Jack Graham is Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of America’s largest congregations, with a membership of more than 25,000. Born in Conway, Arkansas, young Jack made a faith commitment to Christ at age six and was baptized at First Baptist Church in that small town. From there, his life took a steady course into ministry and continued during his formative years in Fort Worth. In 1970, at age 20, he was already an ordained pastor of his first church, married and halfway through Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, where he went on to earn a bachelor of science degree with honors.

Dr. Jack Graham

By 1976, Jack and his wife, Deb, had one son and Jack was associate pastor of Sagamore Hill Baptist Church in Fort Worth. That year he also completed work for a master of divinity degree with honors from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Four more years went by (by this time the Grahams had two children) and Jack received a doctor of ministry degree in “Church and Proclamation,” which nicely captions his life in ministry.

Dr. Graham began his ministry as pastor of East Side Baptist in Cross Plains, Texas (1970-’71). Following his associate pastorate at Sagamore Hill Baptist (’72-’75), he went on to pastor First Baptist Church in Hobart, Okla. (’75-‘78), First Baptist Church in Duncan, Okla. (’78-’81) and First Baptist Church in West Palm Beach, Fla. (’81-’89).

In 1989, Prestonwood Baptist Church – already a landmark Dallas congregation – called Dr. Graham as senior pastor. He brought his particular gift for exciting people about Christ and helping them mature as Christians to this already booming congregation. The 8,000 members responded enthusiastically to his straightforward message and powerful preaching style. At Prestonwood, he quickly shared his vision for a larger outreach. As the church family continued to increase by some 2,000 members annually under Pastor Graham’s direction, they investigated, deliberated, prayed, and finally built a new worship facility, school and ministry complex on 150 acres in what was then very far north Dallas.

On May 2, 1999, the Prestonwood family filled its new 7,500-seat auditorium for their first worship service in west Plano. Set amid new apartment communities, housing developments, and a bourgeoning suburban population, the facility continued to expand with the growing congregation. In 2003, Phase II was completed, which includes a chapel, a student building, a café and a commons area.

The church does not offer a gated community, but rather a bridge of hope, providing programs and facilities to attract people to Christ’s message of love and forgiveness and to equip them to take that message into their world. The church conducts four services each week, including three worship services every weekend and a midweek service on Wednesdays.

“What I love about this church is that it’s everywhere,” said one member. “We’re in Boston, in Thailand, in south Dallas. It’s big, but it’s big for a purpose.”

Dr. Graham serves on the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention and has served in several convention positions, including two terms as president from 2002 through 2004.

His published books include: You Can Make a Difference, Diamonds in the Dark, Lessons from the Heart, A Hope and a Future, Life according to Jesus and most recently, A Man of God. In addition, many pastors across the United States use his booklets: New Life in Christ and Is the Bible Just another Book?

Dr. Graham lives in Frisco, Texas, with his wife and ministry partner, Deb. The Grahams have three children: Jason (married to Toby), Kelly and Joshua, and one grandson, Ian James Graham.

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