The church was originally started by John and Melissa McKinzie in 2000, and was originally run out of a day care that could only accommodate around 100 people. Today, the church has four different locations and reaches thousands of people in person and online.
“There are many great churches, and I wanted to go to a place where there weren't as many churches,” Lead Pastor John McKinzie said. “I didn't know that the north Dallas area, specifically Collin County, was growing and had the potential and the plan for growth. We came in that window at the end of 1999, started the church in 2000, and there weren't many churches in Frisco at that time.”
The idea behind it was John McKinzie wanting to have a church that he could invite his friends and neighbors to, free of judgement.
“The genesis of our church is just really endeavoring to reach people who were potentially disconnected from God,” he said.
The majority of those that attend the church are either starting or restarting their faith journey, along with their families. Those who attend have four physical options to choose from, along with online livestreaming options.
The locations:
- 9950 Rolater Road, Frisco
- Service times: Sat., 5 p.m.; Sun., 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
- 309 Main St., Frisco
- Service times: Sun., 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
- 1702 W. University Drive, McKinney
- Service times: Sun., 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
- 2000 W. Prosper Trail, Prosper
- Service times: Sun., 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
- Online
- Service times: Sat., 5 p.m.; Sun., 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
“I've never been in a church, and I know I'm pastoring this church, so that sounds biased, but I've never been in a church that treated our kids as normal as they possibly could,” John McKinzie said. “Sometimes pastor's kids get the raw end of the deal. They get more scrutinized. They get criticized or whatever. Our church was the exact opposite. We had such loving and caring people who loved our kids and took care of our kids and taught our kids and all that stuff.”
In January, the church will be having some small celebrations for its birthday, but will mainly focus on how it can continue the work they’ve been doing in the community.
“We believe every single person matters to God. And if they matter to God, they matter to us,” John McKinzie said.
To learn more about Hope Fellowship Church, visit the website or stop by one of its four locations.
The above story was produced by Community Impact's Senior Multi Platform Journalist Sierra Rozen with information solely provided by the local business as part of its "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
