Who We Are
We Are Reformed
We are a Reformed church shaped by the doctrines of grace—saved by grace alone, through Christ alone, for God's glory alone. We believe true life begins when God brings sinners to repentance and faith.
We Are Baptist
We are Baptist in conviction and practice—made up of believers who have trusted in Christ, publicly baptized, and gathered under His Word. We aim to order our lives and our church according to Scripture, not culture.
We Are For Dallas
Located in the heart of Dallas, we exist to make Christ known in DFW. Whether you are searching for answers or looking for a faithful church home, we invite you to come, hear the gospel, and be shepherded in truth.
Our
Confession
The Bible alone is the final and sufficient authority in all matters of faith, practice, and conduct, a truth clearly affirmed in the opening article of the 1689 London Baptist Confession. We gladly receive this confession as a faithful summary of our doctrinal convictions. As a historic statement, it helpfully articulates the truths we firmly hold, serving as a guide in times of theological dispute, a strengthening of our faith, and a tool for growth in righteousness.
Our History
Several pastors who gathered annually for the Pastors’ Conference held at Trinity Baptist Church in Montville, New Jersey prayed that Christ would raise up a Reformed Baptist church in the Dallas area. Unknown to them at the time, two men in Dallas, Brian Baker and Jeff Sulman, then students at Dallas Theological Seminary, were coming to embrace the historic doctrines of the Reformation as the faithful expression of biblical truth.
As their convictions developed, Brian and Jeff met and began praying together, seeking a local church where they could lead their families and raise their children in faithfulness to Scripture. They desired a church devoted to sound biblical doctrine, faithful practice, and a heart for evangelism. After graduating, they began to consider whether Christ might use them in the establishment of such a work.
In the years that followed, the church continued in ordinary means of grace and pastoral ministry. On September 7, 2025, after many years of faithful service, Pastor Walthers resigned from the office of elder due to declining health, leaving the church without any active elders. Shortly thereafter, on November 24, 2025, Lester Ralph Walthers passed away at the age of 90. The church gives thanks to God for his long and faithful ministry and the lasting spiritual fruit borne through his life and service among them.
In the spring of 2026, the church called Tyler Ivey to serve as interim pastor, trusting in the continued kindness and provision of Christ as they look to the future with gratitude, dependence, and hope.
DRBC's first gathering place:
The Ambassador Hotel
Dallas Reformed Baptist Church exists today because of the work of Christ upon the hearts and minds of various men in different places who were brought together through God’s providential care.
In God’s providence, they came into contact with one of the pastors who had been praying for a Reformed Baptist church in Dallas, Les Walthers. Pastor Walthers had previously served as pastor of Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and was preparing to retire and relocate to the Dallas area. Through this connection, the three men and their families began meeting together on the Lord’s Day, February 4, 2001, forming the Dallas Reformed Baptist Fellowship under the oversight of Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Over the next several years, the fellowship grew and was increasingly recognized as a true work of Christ. On February 8, 2004, with twelve members, the fellowship was formally constituted as Dallas Reformed Baptist Church. At that time, the members adopted the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith as their doctrinal standard.
Later that same year, the congregation became persuaded that Christ had provided an elder for them. On July 18, 2004, Pastor Walthers accepted the call to serve as an elder of the church. On February 14, 2010, Brian Baker and Jeff Sulman were also ordained as elders, joining in pastoral oversight of the congregation.