A Royal Story

Derick Miller’s Story – Easter Sunrise Service 2012

Deacons 2011 – New Deacons’ Stories

Charlotte Sewell

My parents were members of Royal Lane Baptist Church when I was born, and as a teenager I made the personal choice to join. I grew up at Royal Lane attending Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, missions trips, and summer youth camp. When I married my husband, Brian, in 1998, Royal Lane was the logical place to start that phase in our life together. When we began having children we wanted to get serious about attending church regularly so, again, we turned to Royal Lane.

Growing up at Royal Lane, I learned that being a Christian was about following the teachings and examples of Jesus more than anything else. I listened to sermons about hope, self-reflection, inspiration and forgiveness. But I also heard our ministers and teachers talk about doubt, confusion, and their own ongoing journeys of faith. Royal Lane gave me the freedom to question traditional teachings of the scripture and I was encouraged to ask questions, engage in spirited debates, and to think.

I realized at a young age that Royal Lane was different than other churches, and was certainly different than other Baptist churches. My friends seemed surprised by the messages of forgiveness, love, community, and openness I learned in my church. For many of my friends being Baptist meant being shamed, quieted, and hiding who they were. As a child watching women ordained into ministry, and serving as deacons, I learned that the opportunities to serve God were open to everyone. I was given the confidence to stand up for myself and for the teachings of Jesus.

Royal Lane feels like home. Brian and I love the traditional style of the worship services with the familiar hymns from our childhoods. But more importantly we appreciate that our church is filled with diverse and unique people who share a common desire to serve God through Jesus’ example and where all are welcome to do so. This is not a church filled with perfect people. This is a place for imperfect people to gather, care for one another, and to serve the community around us.

I believe Royal Lane is the best place for our children to learn and grow in their faith. Brian and I chose Royal Lane for our children. We want Grace, Emma, and Sadie to know that God’s love is available to all, and to have a place where they can truly learn to follow Jesus.

Jordan S.

My name is Jordan.  My favorite things to do are basketball, reading, puzzles, singing, dancing, and bowling.  I live in Lewisville with my parents, Mike and Jane, and my hermit crab, Tiny.  I am a 6th grader at Durham Middle School (Go Dragons!).  My favorite classes are Orchestra, in which I’m learning to play the viola, and Math.

My family have been members of Royal Lane Baptist Church since November 2008.  My favorite parts of church are singing hymns, Sunday School, and special church events.  To me, church means learning about God in a way that renews me and comforts me, always knowing He’s there for me every day, watching me as life goes on.

Laurence and Janet Schultz

In 1979, Laurence moved to Dallas from our hometown in Michigan to attend SMU. RLBC had posted an employment ad in the Dallas Morning News for a  SMU student to work at the church. Laurence applied for this position and thus our union with RLBC began. After working at RLBC for a few weeks, Lane Smith invited Laurence to attend service and then to join the church. When Janet moved to Dallas, she also became a member of RLBC. On January 25^th, 1980, we were wed at RLBC in a very “intimate” ceremony (Lane Smith, Associate Pastor of RLBC performed the ceremony with Cookie Stokes our sole witness and attendee). We attended Midweek Service and had the opportunity to fellowship and form a bond with our church family and some of those bonds remain today.  Gloria Jack was one of those who “adopted” us and RLBC became our family. We formed a special relationship with the children (the Bright girls, Blake and Garrett Vickrey, Holly Bohannan, Charlotte and Donna Sewell, Annie Young Fritsche, and many, many more) via Sunday School, Mission Friends, Nursery and Pre-school volunteering. In 1985 we relocated to Austin because of a career opportunity, then to Boise, Idaho (not on the way to anywhere)  and on to Orlando, Florida. We had remained in touch with RLBC through the Mosaic, Christmas cards and visits. Then in 2001, an opportunity arose to return to Dallas. We visited RLBC and were embraced with a Royal Homecoming, resulting in our reuniting with and renewing our membership at RLBC. (Not to mention that Ray Vickrey and Laurence had a challenge going as who would paint the steeple.)

No matter the distance, no matter the passing of time, God has kept us together, united in faith.

Your brother and sister in Christ,

Laurence and Janet