The town of Lewisville in the late 1950's was clustered mainly on the east side of I35.
Jim Angel lived in Denton and drove by Lewisville on his way to work at Southwestern
Bell every day. He noticed the few homes being built on the west side of I35 and God
began to speak to his heart about starting a new church. One day Jim pulled off the
highway and walked out into an open field and knelt down in the grass and asked God, "to give us a church to reach Lewisville." God answered that prayer.
Jim and Darlene Angel used their personal property as collateral to purchase the land at
397 S. Stemmons, Lewisville, Texas. Jim rented a 60 X 40 tent from Childress Tent Company
and scheduled revival services. A small group of thirty-four were present at the first service
on June 25, 1962. That same Sunday was the groundbreaking ceremony for the new building.
The church borrowed $40,000.00 to build the first building. As soon as the roof was on the
church moved out of the tent and into the open-air chapel. The date was August 1, 1962, and
ten people joined by letter and six made professions of faith. Lakeland Baptist Church was born.
The following five years saw 200 people being baptized. Jim resigned in 1967 to accept a position
to build and review Camp Copass in Denton, but the dream of a church to reach
Lewisville was just beginning.
Garland Beasley came as pastor in 1967, and Wayne Galbreath served as the part-time Minister
of Music. Rev. Beasley had a tremendous ministry for about six years, and resigned in his seventh year.
J.V. Thomas, Director of Church Extension, Baptist General Convention of Texas, served as
interim pastor until December of 1974 when the church called a pastor.
Dr. Ben Smith was called to Lakeland from Sherwood Baptist Church, in Odessa, Texas. God gave
him the scripture of Psalms 37:34 as a vision for Lewisville. In February of 1975 he and his staff made
long range plans, which are still in operation today. Wayne Galbreath came on staff as full time
Minister of Administration.
Under Bro. Ben's ministry the heart of Lakeland has been missions. Since he came as pastor there
have been 14 missions started and many have become thriving churches. God called Ronnie Capps
and his family from Youth Minister to the mission field of Japan. Duane Falk followed His calling into Africa.
Many of the young men who came to help start missions in Lewisville went on to become Mission
Directors and
Pastors all over the United States.
From 1974 through 1998 Lakeland baptized 1,926 people, and gave over $5,000,000 to missions.
The Family Life Center was built in 1976. It was used as the worship center until 1989. The House of Prayer
was built in 1989 and a new media enhanced Education Building was completed in 1998.
The last twenty-five years have brought dramatic changes to Lewisville. From a population of
14,000 in 1974, Lewisville has grown to 74,700 people today. The development of DFW Airport
just south of Lewisville, along with the intersection of two major highways in the city, have given Lewisville a
central position on the golden triangle of Dallas, Fort Worth, and Denton. No longer is Lewisville a
small farming
community on the rural rolling plains of north Texas. The city has become a suburb
of Dallas and a refuge of thousands
who work in the Metroplex. Lakeland Baptist Church stands
at the heart of the city as a reminder to thousands of our Savior
Jesus Christ.
