| Dr. Dowell Loftis began his ministry at Shearer Hills Baptist Church on Sunday, June 12, 1998. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University in College Station and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Texas A&M in 1982 and his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern in 1986. He was awarded the C.W. Brister Pastoral Ministry Award in 1986 as the Outstanding Graduate in the area of Pastoral Care at Southwestern.He earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree from Southwestern in 1994. Dr. Loftis also completed Advanced Clinical Pastoral Education at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas in 1990.
Joe Dowell Loftis, Jr. was born in Dallas, Texas on October 23, 1960. His father owned and operated the Rockwall Veterinary Hospital in Rockwall, Texas. Rockwall is 27 miles northeast of Dallas and he spent his entire childhood there. He married Elizabeth Celis of San Antonio, Texas on July 23, 1983. They have two children, Catherine who was born on October 20, 1987, and Joey who was born on June 13, 1991. Elizabeth is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy. She is currently a teacher in the North East Independent School District.
HIS MINISTRY:
The Loftis family came to Shearer Hills from Hillcrest Baptist Church in Bryan, Texas where he was pastor for seven years. Hillcrest was one of the fastest growing churches in Texas during his pastorate. He was licensed and ordained by the First Baptist Church of Rockwall, Texas. Before coming to Hillcrest in 1990, he served as a Chaplain at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas (1987-1990), and Pastoral Intern at Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Ft. Worth (1985-1987). Dr. Loftis has served the Baptist General Convention of Texas by being on the Committee On Nominations For Institution Boards, the Special Seminary Study Committee, and he is currently a Trustee for the Baptist Health System. Dr. Loftis is a traditional Baptist who believes in the substitutionary atonement of Christ, the priesthood of the believer, soul competency, the authority of scripture, and the autonomy of the local church.
Dowell and his family enjoy skiing, swimming, and team sports. Dowell's vision is that Shearer Hills be a loving family of faith where lives are changed, needs are met, and families are strengthened by the gospel of Jesus Christ. |
