Lingleville Baptist Church: What is happening on the hill in the middle of nowhere

BY BETHANY KILPATRICK

Multimedia Journalist

In a town that is jokingly said to have more cows than people, there is a church on a hill that is experiencing astronomical growth and is buzzing with excitement. 

Lingleville Baptist Church (LBC) has outgrown its facility due to the current crowds that are attending. As of Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, the church began offering three services instead of two. 

To accommodate the rapid growth, Sunday services are now offered at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. 

Ella Klein is a senior at Tarleton State University and has been attending LBC since 2020. She says she is blown away by the growth the church has been experiencing. 

“This is the first time ever that we have had to do three services,” Klein said. “I am full of excitement to see what is to come from it. I am glad that this many people want to hear from God and want to show up for something that they see God moving in.”

Klein has witnessed the lengths LBC is going to in order to fit as many people as possible inside its walls.

“I have seen two overflow rooms full,” Klein said. “I have seen chairs in the hallway that people have had to sit in. I have seen chairs all the way stacked to the front and around the baptism tank.”

The number of families, college students and others who have been attending the church is possible for different reasons.

“I believe it is because of the times that we are in,” Klein said. “People are looking for God more than anything. I think we are close to a revival.”

Klein references scripture when explaining her beliefs as to why the church is experiencing the growth it is. 

“There is a verse in the Bible that says if it is from God, it grows,” Klein said. “I think it is growing because of the work that is being done out there in Lingleville. People just want to hear God and see God moving.”

The scripture Klein references is from 1 Corinthians, a book in the Bible written by the apostle Paul, who was addressing the Corinthian church.

“I planted the seeds in your heart, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)

While the current solution to accommodate everyone who wants to attend is offering three services, the long-term solution for the much-needed space is Project 41, which is expected to break ground soon.

Community members from many different walks of life feel welcome as the church’s motto is, “Come as you are.” 

“All are welcome,” Klein said. “Bring your worst. God has open arms, and we have open arms, too. Overall, we are just a big family, and I think that is what makes us unique.”

Many Tarleton students are involved at LBC and are encouraged to come take part not only on Sunday morning, but by attending The Hill, a young adults’ ministry held every Tuesday night. 

The Hill is a ministry designed for adults in their 20s and 30s. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., dinner is served at 6:00 p.m. and the service begins at 6:30 p.m., led by Callan Rice.

Reese Kiser is a senior at Tarleton and has been involved at LBC for about two years. In addition to attending Sunday mornings, he is also a part of a men’s Bible study and The Hill.

“Lingleville has completely shifted my life,” Kiser said. “It has shown me what a real Godly community looks like.”

Kiser has experienced much growth in his faith and was recently baptized at The Hill by Rice. 

“I have had so much influence from people at the church that makes me want to call it my home,” Kiser said. “Callan Rice has been a huge inspiration to me, and I wanted him to be the one to baptize me.”

For individuals wanting to take a step further to get involved, there are many ways to join and participate in LBC’s ministry.

Klein is personally a part of LBC’s photography team, missions team and social media team. 

“There is always a place to serve,” Klein said. “It does not matter if you are a college kid; there is always a place to serve.”

The Connect Hub is a room at the entrance of LBC with members ready to answer questions about involvement. It is open every Sunday for anyone with questions about serving or becoming plugged into LBC.

 Individuals may also attend the Next Step on the first Sunday of every month at 2 p.m.

According to Lingleville Baptist Church, Next Step meetings are designed for anyone new to the church or wanting to learn more. Attendees can learn about the church’s direction, meet others in similar situations and discover ways to get involved.

Carmen Perez is a part of the Welcome Team on Sundays, the Leadership Team for The Hill, the UTH youth group on Wednesday nights and hosts a small group Bible study, a lifegroup, at her home on Thursdays. 

“It is miraculous just to see the work that God is doing for LBC,” Perez said. “How they are using the church body, the connections and the community that is being built and the fellowship that is being had.”

Perez attended LBC when she was attending Tarleton as a student. When she graduated, she moved off, but work allowed her to move back to Stephenville.

“What drew me back was my job opportunity,” Perez said. “The moment it mentioned Stephenville, I knew I would be coming back to this church. I knew that this was a place I wanted to move back to. I just feel like God confirmed it for me in my heart.”

Perez says she is amazed by the growth since she originally started attending as a student.

“It is all significant,” Perez said. “Even more so in the past years since I have been back. Obviously it has been changing yearly, but in the past year, I feel like it has been changing month by month.”

LBC is located at 21543 FM 219, Dublin, Texas 76446, about thirteen minutes from Tarleton’s campus. 

To contact the church with any questions, students can call or text (254) 434-8062 or email [email protected]. 

LBC is on Instagram @linglevillebaptistchurch and Facebook @LinglevilleBaptistChurch. The church’s website, https://www.linglevillebaptist.org/ can also be referenced for further details. 

“We are letting Got take it, and we are just rolling with the punches,” Klein said. “If we have to put chairs down the hallway in all three services, that is what we will do.”