About Trinity
Our Mission
We are a committed community of disciples growing deeper in our faith as we engage our neighborhoods through fellowship, learning, service, and worship.
Originally, we gathered because of our mutual love for Jesus, our Scripture-centered and theologically reformed faith, and our deep desire to serve the needs of children, youth, and adults. This is still what binds us and guides us today.
Our mission is to make and grow disciples of Jesus Christ who give their lives to make a difference in the world.
We believe that our community and world still need us to be this kind of church, now more than ever, because:
- Too many still hunger for belonging because we feel isolated and lonely
- Too many still hunger for depth because our lives feel shallow and stagnant
- Too many still hunger for meaning because we feel worthless and helpless
- Too many still hunger for the holy because our lives feel self-centered and small.
We believe that we find belonging in fellowship together, as we choose to commit to each other – though we may be different or busy or afraid – because we are the Body of Christ together.
We believe that we grow deeper as we learn together: as we read widely, study deeply, inquire courageously, and think critically – striving to be reflective, informed, aware, and thoughtful as we come to know Jesus better.
We believe that we find meaning as we serve together, and are sent to pursue justice, compassion, and peace in our world – even when this requires us to roll up our sleeves and get involved as we pray His Kingdom Come.
We believe that we touch the holy as we worship together, as we find that true abundant life is not found by looking inward, but by looking upward. We fall on our knees before our King – expectant and aware of His presence.
Guiding Principles
Intentional learning to deepen our faith – We are a church that digs deeper into our faith. We ask hard questions and search for answers, we read widely and study the Scriptures carefully as we strive to grow in our faith and understanding. In a world of shallow Christianity, we strive to go deeper.
Committed relationships to deepen our community – We are a church where ‘everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came’. But more than that we are called to be a community where no one can be anonymous. We truly believe that life is better when we do it together. We were made to interact and grow together.
Active service to deepen our love of neighbor – Our mission as a church is to grow as disciples who make a difference in the world, and more specifically in North East Tarrant County where we live. To this end we are constantly working together to feed the hungry, fix what’s broken, and care for the hurting. We are always looking for ways that we can lend a hand.
Engaging worship to deepen our love of God – We believe that we are made to worship our awesome God. And we do that not just on Sunday mornings but throughout the week. We seek to experience God as we meet with Him.
What We Believe
Our faith and beliefs are rooted deeply in the Scriptures. We believe that God has spoken and still speaks through the pages of the Old and New Testament. As such, we believe that the Scriptures are both authoritative and sufficient as God’s Word.
Our beliefs take on more character and color as the Scriptures have been interpreted throughout the ages through the Creeds, Catechisms and Confessions of our faith. The Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, Scots Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, Second Helvetic Confession, Westminster Confession, Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms, Theological Declaration of Barmen, Confession of 1967, and A Brief Statement of Faith embody our Reformed understanding of the faith. We believe that these historical documents still speak and shape our theology today.
Essential Tenets
As Reformed Presbyterians, we recognize that certain teachings help define and form us. Some of these include:
- SCRIPTURE ALONE as the final authority for salvation and the life of faith.
- GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY.
- The INCARNATION of the eternal work of God in JESUS CHRIST and his LORDSHIP.
- The SIN of idolatry.
- JUSTIFICATION (Grace alone, Faith alone).
- God’s ELECTION for salvation and service.
- HOLY SPIRIT’S power to create and sustain.
- The mystery of the TRINITY.
- A faithful STEWARDSHIP of God’s creation.
- The fellowship of the Church.
- Seeking justice and living in OBEDIENCE to the Word of God.
The Sacraments
The sacraments are a physical sign and seal of God’s grace to us. They, Baptism and Communion, are ways that we can experience the grace of God here on earth. And Jesus invites us to participate together in these two sacraments.
- BAPTISM symbolizes our entrance into the covenant community. In baptism we remember God reaches out to us long before we can reach back out to God and adopts us into the family of God. Therefore, we baptize infants and adults alike as we are all cleansed and reborn in Christ.
- In COMMUNION we remember the sacrifice that Jesus paid for us, but we also celebrate his resurrection and the life. We believe that Communion if a blessed foretaste of the Heavenly Banquet that we will enjoy forever together.
We believe that the power and the focus of these sacraments are not found in the elements themselves, or in the heart of the individual believer that partakes of these Sacrament, but the power and focus of the Sacraments is on God’s Grace… which is experienced within the context of God’s Covenant Community which is the Church
Even more of what we believe…
To learn more about what we believe about becoming a Christian, click here.
Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is the head of the church. We believe that “all power in heaven and earth is given to Jesus Christ by Almighty God, who raised Christ from the dead and set him above all rule and authority, all power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. God has put all things under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and has made Christ Head of the Church, which is his body.” (G1.0100a)
We strive to follow Jesus with all that we do and with all that we are. We are guided in this by our Officers, the Elders and Deacons of Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Church Officers – Elders & Deacons
The elders on Session have responsibility for governing the congregation and guiding its witness. Each year, the congregation elects three Elders to serve a three year term of service on session. Our session consists of nine Elders and the Pastor. Each Elder also participates on ministry teams in addition to Session.
Class of 2024: Ray McDonald, Jessica Eastham, Troy Hudson
Class of 2025: Ashley Mohr, Del Fogg, Lisa Decker
Class of 2026: Margaret Steele, Dan Lyons, Joe Small
Deacons are people of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. Each year, the congregation elects four Deacons to serve a three year term of service.
Class of 2024: Morgan Steele, Allison Monrad, Steve Barkate, David Shankle
Class of 2025: Jill Gonzales, Jim Houston
Class of 2026: Chris Ingram, Stephanie Finley, Merissa Mesle, Amber Williams
Staff
Tim Galligan – Senior Pastor
After growing up in California, Hong Kong, New Jersey, and Kansas, Tim graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science from the University of California, San Diego. He then worked for a bit in the Silicon Valley before crossing the continent once again to complete his Master of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary.
Tim began his pastoral ministry in Houston, at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church as Associate Pastor of Outreach and Evangelism. During his three years there he preached regularly and helped the church transition between senior pastors. In 2008 he became an associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio where he taught extensively as he worked with their Discipleship Ministries. While there, he met and married his wife Chalie (a native Texan and fellow engineer). In 2010 they made the move back to Houston, where Tim completed a Master of Business Administration at the University of Houston.
In early 2012, Tim accepted God’s call to pastor Trinity Presbyterian Church of Southlake where his contagiously energetic style of ministry continues today. Tim, Chalie, their daughter Emily, their son Jack, their daughter Kate, their daughter Lily, and trusty dog Frisco enjoy camping, movies, sports, eating guacamole and spending time with friends and family.
Ben Adams – Director of Discipleship
Ben was born in Paris, Texas. As a preacher’s kid, he moved across the country, calling Atlanta, Anchorage, and Harrison home at different times. Throughout his youth, he was drawn to ministry. He found his passion in organizing Vacation Bible School events, participating in liturgy, engaging young minds during children’s moments at church, and contributing as a member of the presbytery’s youth committee. Ben graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a degree in marketing. In 2020, his life took a joyful turn when he married Juliet and a few months later they learned that they were expecting their first child.
In February 2021, their daughter Mary was born. They found out that she was born blind and had to spend the first 2 weeks in the NICU. From there, Mary has not stopped amazing her parents with her determination, faith, and absolute joy.
During that time, they became house-parents at Goodland Presbyterian Children’s Home, and that job soon evolved into a fundraising role as Ben leveraged his marketing degree and his church experience. While there, he spent time with dozens of churches across Oklahoma and North Texas, getting to worship and learn with many different communities and people. Juliet also began her new studies at TWU in Denton in their occupational therapist doctoral program. They moved to McKinney and Ben started working at a local food bank. But Ben felt a calling back towards the community of church ministry. And in 2024 Ben became our Director of Discipleship as he leads us all deeper in our following of Jesus.
Ben, Juliet, Mary, and their 2 dogs, Winnie & Moose, all enjoy music, board games, roller skating, and hiking.
Ruth Johnson – Business Manager
Ruth grew up in Buffalo, New York with parents who emigrated from Germany and the Ukraine. She graduated from Clarkson University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.
Ruth met her husband, Randy, at college and that have three children (Katie, Kristen and Carlton) – all grown and on their own. They lived in Philadelphia, PA and Seattle, WA before arriving in the DFW area in 1998. Ruth enjoys travel, beaches, game night, reading, painting and crafty things.
Ruth is also a charter member of this church, and joined the staff at Trinity Presbyterian Church of Southlake in April of 2005, as part time Financial Secretary managing the church’s bookkeeping. As more responsibilities were added, Ruth became Business Manager and is now doing financial stuff and managing rentals and sports camps
Christa Harley – Administrative Assistant
Christa grew up outside of Pittsburgh, PA. After graduating with a degree in business management, she worked for United Van Lines for eight years. While participating in their mutual friend’s wedding, she reconnected with a friend who turned out to be her future husband. He lived in Oklahoma and she subsequently moved to Midwest City, OK for new opportunities. Jim and Christa married in 1999 and their first daughter, Samantha was born the same year.
Missing family and friends back in Pennsylvania, Jim was blessed with a job at USAirways. They moved back to the area where they both grew up in 2000 to raise a family. Their daughter Melanie was born in 2002, and son, Zachary arrived in 2005. During this time, Christa began working for their family’s church, St. John’s “Burry’s” Church in Rochester, PA, as their administrative assistant. She loved the job, the pastors, and the people so much, she worked there for 13 years.
In 2015, due to the American Airlines/USAirways merger, Jim’s position was transferred to Dallas. The Harleys moved to Flower Mound in June, 2015.
In late November/early December 2015 Christa joined our staff as Administrative Assistant. She has found her position at Trinity to be the perfect job for her, allowing her to work while her children are in school, while giving her opportunities to be creative, organized, and encouraging. At the church, Christa oversees a variety of tasks, creating Sunday Worship bulletins, organizing and keeping attendance and giving records, answering phones, greeting visitors and much more.
In her spare time, Christa enjoys reading, doing crossword puzzles, traveling, and learning the best places to eat in Texas.
Roel Garza – Music Director
Roel grew up in Corpus Christi, TX. He has a Bachelor of Music Degree from Texas A & M University – Corpus Christi and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from The University of Texas – Arlington.
He has been a music educator for over 25 years and has experience as a Middle School and High School Choral Director and Elementary Music Specialist.
Roel currently teaches at Samuel Beck Elementary – Northwest ISD in Trophy Club and has been teaching K-5 music classes, choral directing, and producing musicals at Beck Elementary since 2011.
Roel began leading music ministry groups at age 15 and has been a church music director, worship leader, and accompanist for many churches and has experience directing and playing for adult choirs, children’s choir, youth choirs, and handbell choirs.
Roel is married to Kellie Garza. Roel and Kellie met at Texas A & M University while he was working in campus ministry and Kellie was attending Veterinary school. They have three boys and they stay very active participating in Soccer, Baseball, Golf, Gymnastics, Dance, Musical Theatre, and playing with their Goldendoodle -”Mollie”.
Kalyn Ray – Director of Trinity Private Preschool
Kalyn and her husband, Hunter, have been married since November of 2018 and were blessed with two beautiful children, Tatum and Giuliana. They love to spend time together as a family, making memories that will last a lifetime! Kalyn comes from a family of educators and Texas Christian University Alumni, GO FROGS! She has a passion for children, their education, and making a life-long impact that will positively guide each child throughout their academic career.
Kalyn graduated with a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education from Texas Christian University in May of 2017. She began her teaching career as a 2nd grade teacher at a local charter school in Fort Worth, TX. She taught 2nd grade for three years before being blessed as a stay at home mom. Kalyn was fortunate to spend a year at home raising her son before returning to work as an Area Manager for a large after-school company. She spent two years as an Area Manager overseeing ten different schools in Northwest ISD. As Kalyn began the search for Preschools for her son, she came across the opportunity of enrolling her son in Trinity Private Preschool along with being the Director of TPP! Kalyn and her son are both ecstatic to be part of the Trinity family!
Our Story
Our story began in the summer of 1998 when we started to gather in homes, at picnics, in neighborhoods and in schools. In the beginning, we were just a group of people who loved Jesus, were passionate about our community, and had a heart to establish a community of people dedicated to making a difference in the world.
One trailer, two schools, one charter, and a couple of years later, we completed and moved into our new multi-purpose building on Southlake Blvd. Our vision was not just for worship, but for a focus on service and outreach.
Our mission at the time was to reach out to the non-churched with the gospel of Jesus Christ and to focus ministry on the needs of families with children and youth in Northeast Tarrant County.
