Impact Report

Church Family,

As I reflect on all the wonderous things happening in our community, like lives transformed through discipleship, families serving side by side, and worship that lifts our eyes to Jesus, it’s clear to see that God is on the move.

What we choose to celebrate reveals what matters most to us. As you read through this Impact Report, I hope you’re reminded of His faithfulness and encouraged by how He’s working among us. It’s been a season full of God’s grace and presence.

Looking ahead, there’s so much to anticipate. Our Pastor Nominating Committee continues thoughtful engagement, and we’ve begun planning for our 100th anniversary in 2026. Most importantly, we’ll keep leaning into our mission to lead all generations to find and follow Jesus.

If you’ve been wondering what your next step might be—whether it’s finding a community group, serving on a team, or beginning a regular rhythm of generosity, I encourage you to commit to the one thing God is placing on your heart. God is doing something beautiful here, and we want you to be part of it!

Everything we do in Highland Kids and Students exists to help the next generation find and follow Jesus—and to equip their parents to do the same. This past year, we’ve seen God move in powerful ways, with growth both spiritually and numerically across every area of ministry.

Our Early Childhood (Birth-K) and Elementary (1st-4th Grade) ministries reached record numbers on Sunday mornings. We had over 600 children in attendance twice this year and surpassed 500 kids on multiple Sundays—a testament to God’s work and the trust families place in this ministry.

In Highland Students (7th–12th Grade), we celebrated our largest Confirmation class ever, with 65 students completing the course. Many then made the decision to become covenant partners of HP Pres, and four were baptized! Parents consistently shared how meaningful the Confirmation journey was for their kids this year. We also give thanks for our incredible Student Lead Team (10th–12th Grade), who helped plan major events like our annual retreat and several “student-led” Sunday night gatherings. Watching students lead their peers in worship and service has been a true joy.

We welcomed key new staff members this year who are already making a big impact. Mary Chhuani joined Early Childhood to enrich our curriculum and chapel time. Ellie Steindorf came on board to support Elementary through curriculum development and events like 3rd Grade Bible Sunday and Come to the Table Communion Class. In Highland Students, Sydney Baranowski stepped into a vital role focused on middle school ministry. We’re grateful for each of them and look forward to welcoming more team members this fall.

Looking ahead, we’re preparing for continued growth from birth through 12th grade. Please join us in praying that God would raise up the right people to fill our remaining staff openings and the army of volunteers we’ll need to serve our kids and students well. The volunteers who invest in the next generation are the best—and we’ll need even more of them in the year to come to open classrooms, lead groups, and point students to Jesus. If you feel called to be part of what God is doing in Highland Kids and Students, now is the perfect time to get involved!

Paul cries out, “I am in agony until Christ be formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). That same longing—to see Christ fully formed in every believer—is what drives the Discipleship Ministry at HP Pres. Our mission is to lead all generations to find and follow Jesus, until His likeness is reflected in our lives, our relationships, and the places we serve.

Already this year, we’ve seen that transformation taking root. Over 100 young adults launched or recommitted to weekly small groups. Women deepened their life of prayer through the Teach Me to Pray course. Ascent men lived out their faith by serving at VBS, preparing meals for the homeless, and supporting our mission partners by traveling to Cuba.

Meanwhile, our Third Third ministry added valuable spiritual formation tools through Thursday lunch seminars—equipping parents launching adult children and helping grandparents embrace their spiritual influence. In January 2026, we will be launching The Essentials, a new course that walks through six foundational practices for following Jesus.

Discipleship isn’t just a program—it’s a lifelong journey. Thank you for being a church that, like Paul, longs to see Christ formed in each of us.

It’s a joy to reflect on all God has done through our Connections Ministry this year. At its heart, this ministry exists to help every person feel seen, known, and invited into the life of the church. Whether someone is here for the first time or has been at HP Pres for years, we want this to be a place of belonging—where no one is just a face in the crowd, and everyone is encouraged to grow in Christ.

We’ve seen that kind of connection thrive in so many ways. Community Groups continue to be a beautiful expression of the church being the church—gathering to pray, study Scripture, and walk through life together. It’s been especially encouraging to hear how these groups have grown deeper through shared retreats, rhythms of prayer, and honest conversations. And across all generations, we’re seeing people shaped by community in ways that overflow into their families, neighborhoods, and workplaces.

This spirit of connection extends into so many corners of church life. From volunteers who greet and serve each Sunday, to the growing ministry of Church Coffee throughout the week, we are watching God use simple acts of service and hospitality to transform lives. It takes nearly 1,000 volunteers and leaders to run our church, and this fall, I’m excited to gather all the leaders in one room. Thank you for showing up with warmth and faithfulness—it makes more of a difference than you know.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to strengthen our care for new guests, invest in leaders, and help every person find their place in the body of Christ. Thank you for being a church that lives out connection and community so well. It’s an honor to serve alongside you.

Congregational Care seeks to advance the vision of our church through love, relationships, and encouragement. We support the spiritual formation of our church family by offering direct pastoral care and by equipping the ministers of the church—our pastors, elders, and deacons—to do the same.

Each week, one of our pastors or pastoral residents is on call 24/7 to provide prayer and care for anyone in need (214-525-4360). We manage the weekly care sheet, a prayer list shared with church officers, and coordinate with our deacon service teams to ensure that needs are met with compassion. Our team also provides pastoral counseling, referrals to licensed professional counselors, and support for those who are grieving through memorial services, inurnments, and GriefShare.

Our columbarium is a meaningful ministry to our members, offering a sacred space to lay loved ones to rest. Families often stop by to visit while attending worship, Bible study, holiday services, or other events. The columbarium serves as a tangible reminder of the hope we have in the resurrection—that because of Christ, we will one day be reunited with those who have trusted in Him. Niches will be available for purchase beginning in September for $5,000 (each holds two urns). The price will increase to $6,000 on January 1, 2026.

We’re also excited to welcome Clay Allard as our new Pastoral Fellow for the Care Team! Clay brings 36 years of pastoral experience, including 22 years as Senior Pastor at Oak Cliff Presbyterian Church. He has already begun making a difference by connecting with homebound members, praying for those on the care sheet, assisting with memorial services, and teaching Bible study on Sunday mornings. Clay is married to Shannon, and they have five adult children.

With gratitude,

Prayer, put simply, is communion with God. Prayer is a vessel for knowing God and being known by him; it is a means for transformation; it is a catalyst for restoring our world. We were created for prayer. The gift and practice of prayer is at the center of our church because it is at the center of Christianity. To be followers of Jesus demands prayer. To be people of peace demands prayer. To be a church that exists to help people find and follow Jesus for the flourishing of our city and beyond demands prayer.

As a church family, we are responsible for bearing each other’s burdens in prayer. Our prayer teams would love to pray for you specifically. If you would like to submit a prayer request or receive prayer in-person, you can do so at hppres.org/prayer.

Because prayer is central to our church, we value equipping our people to grow in their personal prayer lives. This past year, 464 people attended Teach Me to Pray – a class on different prayer postures – during the fall and spring semesters. Additionally in the spring, 47 people joined the Prayer Course – a journey through the Lord’s Prayer based on Pete Greig’s How to Pray.

It is true that prayer is work, but prayer is also a gift. The Lord has blessed us with access to himself. As we learn to steward this gift together, may you feel the freedom to grow in prayer from exactly where you are, not where you would like to be. May you be transformed to be more like Jesus through spending time with him. May you experience deep joy in your conversations with God. May you know him more deeply as you are deeply known by him.

Since 1926, Highland Park Pres has been joyfully committed to God’s mission of renewal in Dallas and beyond. Church planting has become one of the most beautiful and essential ways we live out our calling to lead all generations to find and follow Jesus. It’s not just a strategy—it’s an act of obedience, a gospel-shaped response to the deep needs of our world. As we follow Christ, we are drawn outward to help bring healing, hope, and new life wherever God sends us.

Over the past decade, this outward mindset has reshaped our identity. We’ve come to see the church not as a reservoir but a river—blessing others as it flows. That shift has led to the joy of supporting ten church plants, both locally and beyond. These new churches are rooted in prayer, launched through obedience, and grown in faith. Some are reaching the nations in our own city. Others are spreading gospel hope in places we may never visit. Each one tells the story of God’s faithfulness and your generosity in sending, praying, and supporting.

In the last nine years, we’ve had the joy of supporting eight church plants—three within our Family of Churches and five through strategic church planting partnerships across the country and beyond.

Our Family of Churches:

• Grace Church Lake Highlands – Launched in 2020, Grace recently became a fully chartered ECO congregation, stepping into a new season of independence and growth.
• Good Shepherd Oak Cliff – A vibrant, growing gospel presence in one of Dallas’s most historic and diverse neighborhoods.
• Peak Street Church – Located in East Dallas, Peak Street continues to reach young adults and neighbors through gospel-centered teaching and deep community. It anticipates launching as an independent ECO church this fall.

Strategic Church Planting Partners:

• New Life Brazilian Church – A Portuguese-speaking church community that is faithfully reaching Brazilians in North Texas.
• Providencia West Palm Beach Church – A growing gospel presence in South Florida, bringing deep theological teaching and cultural engagement to the city.
• One Way Church – A young and energetic congregation focused on discipleship, evangelism, and community outreach in the heart of Austin, TX.
• Bolivian Church Plant – Led by longtime HP Pres missionaries Greg and Faith Hurst, this church is forming leaders and multiplying gospel influence across Bolivia.

As we look ahead to our 100th anniversary in 2026, our prayer is that HP Pres would be known not only for how many gather here but for how many are sent out. We want to be a church aligned with God’s mission—a people formed by the gospel and ready to follow wherever Christ leads. Thank you for being part of that story. Let’s keep praying for the churches we’ve planted, those still to come, and for the Spirit to stir in each of us a fresh desire to join in God’s work of renewal.

We believe the good news of Jesus is too good to keep to ourselves. That’s why the Outreach & Missions Ministry exists: to glorify God by making disciples of all nations—starting right here in Dallas and reaching to the ends of the earth. Everything we do flows from a desire to see the whole church mobilized in God’s mission. We live this out in two main ways:

Mobilizing the Congregation – Our heartbeat is to equip every member of HP Pres to live as a missionary—wherever God has placed them. Whether that’s in a classroom, a boardroom, a neighborhood, or across an ocean, we want to help you discover your role in God’s kingdom work. That means creating opportunities for you to learn about what God is doing in the world, pray for our mission partners, give generously, serve in local outreach, or go on a short-term trip. From supporting students and refugees in Dallas to joining global mission efforts, our goal is for every generation to find a place to engage.

Building Strategic Partnerships – We don’t do this alone. Our impact multiplies when we link arms with like-minded churches, missionaries, parachurch ministries, and community organizations. These partnerships—both local and global—help us fulfill the Great Commission more effectively. Through them, we gain wisdom and expertise, extend our reach, and deepen our connection to the global Church. We’re humbled to work alongside these partners in places near and far, sharing the gospel, making disciples, and serving those in need.

Thank you for being a church that says “yes” to the call of Christ—to go, to give, to serve, and to love. Together, we’re part of something much bigger than ourselves. And we can’t wait to see where God leads us next.

The stories in this Impact Report offer just a glimpse of the lives being changed by following Christ—both here in Dallas and around the world. For every video, photo album, and written testimony, there are countless more hearts being transformed by the love of Jesus. Your generosity fuels this work: strengthening the foundation for discipleship at HP Pres and extending the reach of the gospel across the globe.

Our vision is to transform lives by leading all generations to find and follow Jesus. Each of us plays a part in this vision through our giving and serving. Remarkably, giving in August accounts for over 28% of our church’s annual operating budget. As we approach the end of our 2024–25 fiscal year, your generous support is essential to helping us finish strong.

Looking ahead to the 2025–26 fiscal year, our Session—guided by the Finance Team and Operations Committee—has committed to maintaining a flat budget. We believe this is a time not to expand, but also not to shrink back from the mission God has clearly given us. While economic uncertainty lies ahead, we are confident in God’s faithfulness and deeply thankful for the generous hearts of our church family. Thank you for being part of this story of faith, hope, and transformation.

Ways to Give:

• Online at hppres.org/give — one-time or recurring gifts
• Text “HPPres” to 833-343-4801
• Mail a check to 3821 University Blvd, Dallas, TX 75205 (must be postmarked by Dec. 31)

For questions about giving, contact Melinda Jones at melinda.jones@hppres.org or call 214-525-4269. You can also view your giving history and print a statement by logging into the Hub.

Gratefully,