New Name, Expanded Vision for North Texas Church
PILOT POINT, TEX – A milestone was reached for the congregation formerly known as the Denton First Seventh-day Adventist Church when the Texas Conference Executive Committee voted to approve the church’s name change to North Texas Seventh-day Adventist Church on Sept. 26, 2024.
The new name reflects both the congregation’s growth in the Pilot Point area and its commitment to meeting the spiritual needs of the rapidly expanding neighboring communities of Celina, Frisco and Prosper.
“Renaming the church opens the next chapter of our growth,” affirmed its pastor, Denton Rhone, “empowering us to share the Three Angels’ Messages throughout Denton and Collin counties and beyond.”
The idea for the new name was sparked on July 27, 2024, when the congregation had the privilege of hosting Mayor Elisa Beasley of Pilot Point during their divine worship service. Beasley fondly reminisced about worshiping in the same building before it had been acquired by the Denton First church in August 2018.
She expressed gratitude to Rhone, who had visited her office on June 25, 2024, presenting her with a copy of The Great Controversy, a special Signs of the Times edition (“We Believe”) and a copy of the Adventist Church’s 28 Fundamental Beliefs.
During a brief interview with Rhone during her visit, Beasley suggested the church update its name to emphasize the expansive, 65-square-mile development that will soon envelop the area. This suggestion aligned with the local congregation’s vision for broader outreach, culminating in the final decision to change the church’s name.
In reflecting on the formal approval of the name change, Rhone remarked: “God is doing great and big things in this place.”
As the newly named church continues to serve its immediate cities of Denton, Pilot Point, Celina, Prosper, Aubrey and its surrounding areas, the congregation looks forward to sharing God’s love and the three angels’ message with a rapidly growing community, upholding its legacy of faith while embracing fresh opportunities for outreach.
By James Adeogun
