<p>In today’s key passage, Paul writes to a young church that had only existed for a few weeks before persecution began. Yet, even in the middle of opposition, this church remained strong and continued to grow. One of the themes that floats through these opening verses is “the church God loves.” I want to be part of a church that God loves. From Paul’s writing, we see several key characteristics of a church that God loves.</p>

In today’s key passage, Paul writes to a young church that had only existed for a few weeks before persecution began. Yet, even in the middle of opposition, this church remained strong and continued to grow. One of the themes that floats through these opening verses is “the church God loves.” I want to be part of a church that God loves. From Paul’s writing, we see several key characteristics of a church that God loves.

The Church God Loves - Part 2

Dr. Curt Dodd was born and raised in the heart of Texas where he married Ginger Bisagno. He received his bachelor’s degree from Houston Christian University; his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Curt Dodd began his ministry as an intern at First Baptist Church, Houston, Texas in 1973.  He was called as senior pastor to First Baptist Church in Eden, Texas, and First Baptist Church in Gonzales, Texas, before moving back to Houston in 1982 to shepherd the Metropolitan Baptist Church.  Under Dr. Dodd’s pastoral leadership, “The Met” received recognition as one of the fastest growing churches in Texas and the SBC.

In 1994, Curt left “The Met” to start a church in Pueblo, Colorado, one of Colorado’s most under-reached areas.  On the third anniversary of the Fellowship of the Rockies, attendance soared to 2000, and the church became one of the largest in Colorado.  While in Colorado, he initiated several other church plants, including Fellowship of the Rockies in Colorado Springs. In 1999, he began serving as senior pastor at First Baptist Church, Merritt Island, Florida until becoming Senior Pastor of Westside Church, Omaha, Nebraska in 2004.

While Curt has a heart for the local church, he has served on various denominational boards, including the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas; International Mission Board; and Advisory Council on Church Planting with the North American Mission Board.  Additionally, he has spoken to the Southern Baptist Convention Pastor’s Conference and has served as First Vice-President to the same.  He has been a Pastor-Advisor for the Conference of Texas Baptist Evangelists.  Dr. Dodd is also President and Co-Founder of Shepherds Group, a pastoral ministry team guiding local churches in their capital campaign ventures.  

Curt is also an accomplished author who has written four books: And One to Grow On; Hearts on Fire—the Keys to Dynamic Church Growth; Running on Empty in the Fast Lane; Armchair Devotional-Spiritual Insight for Professional Watchers; and Why Do I Have to Struggle? With a heart for the outdoors, he enjoys traditional archery, hunting, fishing, golf and riding his motorcycle.  But his greater joy is spending time with his family. He and his wife, Ginger, have two sons, one daughter and nine grandchildren.

Religion & Spirituality

Dr. Curt Dodd was born and raised in the heart of Texas where he married Ginger Bisagno. He received his bachelor’s degree from Houston Christian University; his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Curt Dodd began his ministry as an intern at First Baptist Church, Houston, Texas in 1973. He was called as senior pastor to First Baptist Church in Eden, Texas, and First Baptist Church in Gonzales, Texas, before moving back to Houston in 1982 to shepherd the Metropolitan Baptist Church. Under Dr. Dodd’s pastoral leadership, “The Met” received recognition as one of the fastest growing churches in Texas and the SBC. In 1994, Curt left “The Met” to start a church in Pueblo, Colorado, one of Colorado’s most under-reached areas. On the third anniversary of the Fellowship of the Rockies, attendance soared to 2000, and the church became one of the largest in Colorado. While in Colorado, he initiated several other church plants, including Fellowship of the Rockies in Colorado Springs. In 1999, he began serving as senior pastor at First Baptist Church, Merritt Island, Florida until becoming Senior Pastor of Westside Church, Omaha, Nebraska in 2004. While Curt has a heart for the local church, he has served on various denominational boards, including the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas; International Mission Board; and Advisory Council on Church Planting with the North American Mission Board. Additionally, he has spoken to the Southern Baptist Convention Pastor’s Conference and has served as First Vice-President to the same. He has been a Pastor-Advisor for the Conference of Texas Baptist Evangelists. Dr. Dodd is also President and Co-Founder of Shepherds Group, a pastoral ministry team guiding local churches in their capital campaign ventures. Curt is also an accomplished author who has written four books: And One to Grow On; Hearts on Fire—the Keys to Dynamic Church Growth; Running on Empty in the Fast Lane; Armchair Devotional-Spiritual Insight for Professional Watchers; and Why Do I Have to Struggle? With a heart for the outdoors, he enjoys traditional archery, hunting, fishing, golf and riding his motorcycle. But his greater joy is spending time with his family. He and his wife, Ginger, have two sons, one daughter and nine grandchildren.

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The Church God Loves - Part 2

The Church God Loves - Part 2