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David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church

David Chapel Missionary Baptist Church was established in 1924 to serve the community of Ceiling Hills that was located where Austin Bergstrom International Airport (formerly Bergstrom Air Force Base) is situated.  The church moved to the corner of E. 14th & Chestnut Streets in 1926.   In 1959, the congregation moved to its current location at 2211 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. It currently also has a Tuesday bible study and Sunday morning worship service in the Pflugerville area.
 
Rev. Joseph C. Parker, Jr. became Pastor of David Chapel in 1992, after serving as Associate Pastor for Christian Education for about 10 years prior.  Pastor Parker, an attorney who holds two Doctorates, one of which is a law degree, and two Masters degrees, made it a priority to build strong financial and management systems, expand church facilities, and focus on neighborhood revitalization.  In 2002, David Chapel adopted a 5-year strategic plan that outlines seven priorities, one of which is to implement comprehensive ministries to students.
 
The motto of David Chapel is “A church with a heart for the community.” There is a large space in the “heart” of David Chapel for the educational success of its youth members.  All high school students who pursue higher education obtain a financial incentive from David Chapel to do so upon graduation.  Students who decide to attend a 4-year institution are eligible for larger scholarship awards from the church. Students who decide to take up a trade at other schools are eligible to receive grants from David Chapel.  In addition, David Chapel organizes Sunday School activities for children and youth, DC Kids Church (twice a month), “Jesus and Me Saturday” a monthly children’s ministry meeting, and a monthly youth meeting with a focus on youth service projects.  David Chapel has also adopted L.L. Campbell Elementary School as a partner in education and organizes a Back to School Rally at the school every year. David Chapel has been supporting L.L. Campbell Elementary for many years.
 
Rev. Brian Martin, who provides leadership for the Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, College Ministry & Computer Technology, has been on staff at David Chapel for two and a half years, having been recruited from Kentucky. Rev. Martin has been in ministry for over 13 years with most of his ministry experience being in the areas of children and youth.
 
David Chapel has become a “home base” of sorts for the Faith & Education Collaboration since we have regularly used a classroom at the church to convene the group.  “Through the dialogue amongst other faith organizations and key district staff we have been able to identify new ways to help families at our church, and students in particular, “said Rev. Martin.  “The tools we have created make it very convenient for our church to deliver important messages about college and career preparation.”