Page 67 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2023 - Online Magazine

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE

The Dream Center was under the covering of COTR,
but from the beginning, Jackie felt like he needed to
enlarge the circle of influence. He put together an
advisory council outside the church. He pursued
people who had influence in the city. The first group
included Wayne Havens who had just retired as LISD
Superintendent—who continues to serve, and David
Seim, a well-known banker—who had headed the
United Way of Lubbock. Jackie also contacted Tony
Whitehead from Prosperity Bank.

The tremendous response from the Dream Center
neighborhood was almost instantaneous. Jackie
knew a Sunday service would be coming but didn’t
anticipate how quickly it would be needed. Because
she shared the vision and had the ability, Linda was
chosen as the Dream Center’s first director (followed
by Royce Riggins in 2010 and then Josh and Zephare
Ramirez in 2013.)
Linda recalls, “We connected with a ministry out of
Dallas called Beach Clubs. They would go in after
school and start little clubs. That was our biggest first
connection to the school. They loved the idea because
so many kids in their after-school programs were
getting into trouble. Now they could send them to the
Beach Club. Out team has gotten to lead lots of kids to
the Lord, and through that program, parents started
coming.”

The initial building was 11,000 sq ft. A lot was going
on in a little bit of space. The most chairs the meeting
room could seat was 173. From the start, church
services were cramped. After it filled up, they went to
two services, and it filled up again. More room was
needed.

Lubbock Senior Link 67