Our Founders

The History of OCBF

Making Christ known through
the Kingdom Agenda

In the Beginning

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step . . . and then another . . . and another.

This is precisely what one man did four decades ago—up and down both sides of Camp Wisdom Road in a still undeveloped suburb of Dallas. That man was Rev. Tony Evans, who stepped out in faith based on the Word of God, which says, “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses” (Joshua 1:3). As Tony Evans walked the entire distance of the block, he prayed for the impossible. He asked God to give him, and the church under his care, all of the land he walked on for the furtherance of the Gospel and the demonstration of God’s manifest presence in this area and beyond.

It all began with a young and enthusiastic Tony Evans preparing himself as a seminary student to take a biblical worldview to people around the globe as an evangelist. However, in early 1976, God directed him to take immediate steps to a place called Oak Cliff. God did this through a man named Dr. Ruben Conner of Urban Evangelical Mission, a ministry dedicated to planting Bible churches, and Dr. Gene Getz of Fellowship Bible Church North. Both men were concerned about the need for another strong Bible church in Dallas’s Oak Cliff area. They believed such a church could impact the community through sound biblical teaching.

Seeking a leader with skill of hand and integrity of heart, they presented this challenge to Tony Evans. Because of his desire to serve God as an evangelist, he wrestled with this decision in prayer as he waited to hear from God. After becoming fully convinced that this was God’s plan, Tony Evans, along with his supportive wife, Lois, began accepting the challenge by hosting Bible studies. This led to the founding of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church (OCBF). The young Rev. Evans contacted his friend, Rev. Crawford Loritts, and asked him to help start this church. Under God’s guidance, they chartered the church as Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship on June 6, 1976, with 10 members, and held worship services in the home of Pastor Tony and Mrs. Lois Evans. Rev. Martin Hawkins, who had moved from New Jersey to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, soon joined and helped it grow. The congregation experienced authentic Christian fellowship as they grew to love and minister to one another. Through God’s grace, the church continued to grow.

In 1982, the Rev. Tony Evans earned his doctorate from Dallas Theological Seminary, becoming Dr. Tony Evans, the first African American to do so. God blessed and expanded Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, introducing a Kingdom Agenda philosophy of ministry. Dr. Evans’s unwavering commitment to God’s Word and his powerful expository teaching ensured that OCBF was built on the proclamation and application of God’s Word—from its doctrine, philosophy, programs, and decisions.

The Kingdom Agenda

The Kingdom Agenda outlines OCBF’s comprehensive worldview, philosophy of life, and ministry. It is defined as the visible demonstration of God’s complete authority over every aspect of life. God’s rule is reflected in four divinely appointed spheres: the individual, the family, the church, and the community.

Under Dr. Tony Evans, the Kingdom Agenda worldview prospered as members learn the principles of God’s Kingdom, empowering them to live under its authority in every aspect of life. By effectively integrating God’s Word with good works, OCBF visibly demonstrates God’s Kingdom on earth, just as it is in heaven. In this way, OCBF fulfills its mission of discipling the church to influence the world.

Impacting Lives

Discipleship

The Kingdom Agenda establishes the foundation for discipleship, a progressive process that guides Christians from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity, equipping them to disciple others in the same journey. Dr. Evans’s discipleship model served as the basis for OCBF’s mission statement, ‘discipling the church to impact the world.’

Discipleship depends on specific, ongoing experiences in a Christian’s life. The four vital experiences—worship, fellowship, education, and outreach—are essential for a Christian’s growth toward spiritual maturity. These experiences were evident in the early church, leading to the spread of the Gospel and the church’s growth. Acts 2:42, 47 serve as the foundation for these four key experiences.

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Powerful Sermon Series

One of the most profound experiences of having Dr. Tony Evans as OCBF’s senior pastor was his captivating and steadfast approach to teaching God’s Word. His sermons were not only deeply rooted in scripture but also profoundly practical, providing invaluable insights that resonated with the daily lives of thousands. Through his engaging, dynamic style, he fostered an environment where learning became a spiritual journey, transforming hearts and minds and inspiring and uplifting the church and community. Countless individuals can attest to the profound, life-changing impact of Dr. Evans’s sermons on their relationships, ministries, and spiritual journeys. Through his powerful messages, they have become passionate and outspoken followers of Jesus Christ, driven by their unwavering faith and divine purpose.

Discipleship, which teaches us to be visible and verbal followers of Jesus Christ, served as the foundation of Dr. Evans’s messages. The Kingdom Agenda worldview became the backdrop and driving force of his sermon series, emphasizing and applying God’s absolute rule in every aspect of life.

A little fun fact about Dr. Evans’s sermon series is that no one knew how long it would run, even if he provided a timeframe!

Each week, members eagerly looked forward to what was next. Dr. Evans’s humor, creative illustrations, and practical applications made God’s word accessible and easy to understand for everyone. Study guides from the sermon series were designed for individuals and small groups to enhance their understanding of the sermon topics and how to apply God’s Word.

The following is a curated list of Dr. Evans’s most impactful sermon series.
  • Knowing God Series
  • The Spirit of the Ministry Series
  • Returning to the Cross Series
  • Free at Last Series
  • Revive Us Again Series
  • Called for a Purpose Series
  • Pursuing Christ Series
  • Reclaiming Your Spiritual Authority Series
  • Divorce and Remarriage Series
  • Revive Us Again Series
  • Secure Forever Series
  • Fearing God Series
  • Six Lies of Satan Series
  • Fulfilling Your Life’s Mission Series
  • God is More Than Able Series
  • Strength for the Journey Series
  • Strengthening Your Marriage Series
  • Hungry for God Series
  • Intimate Fellowship with God Series
  • Liberated by Grace Series
  • The Christian Family Series
  • Life in the Spirit Series
  • The Christian Mind Series
  • Living by Faith Series
  • The Church God Blesses Series
  • Where is God When It Hurts Series
  • Secure Forever Series
  • Single and Satisfied Series
  • Six Lies of Satan Series
  • The Eternal Perspective
  • The Triumphant Trip to Heaven
  • Consequences
  • Overcomers
  • UTurn: Reversing Your Consequences
  • Understanding God
  • Acts of God
  • Divine Encounters
  • Encountering Jesus’ Name
  • Adam, Where You At?
  • Kingdom Stewardship
  • Divine Reset
  • Developing Kingdom Vision
  • Returning to Truth
  • Reclaiming Your Spiritual Authority

Possess the Land

In 1976, Pastor Tony and Lois Evans hosted Bible studies at their home, which led to the founding of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship. As membership quickly increased, the church moved its services from the Evans’s home to an apartment complex, then to a child development center, and later to an elementary school before establishing its first permanent location for worship services and ministry. In 1979, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship relocated to 1808 W. Camp Wisdom Road. This site was previously known as Faith Bible Church and represents the church’s first major real estate purchase.

Dr. Evans prayed for God to give him and the church he pastored all the land he walked on, so it could be used for the spiritual, educational, social, and economic growth of the church and community. From Ephesians 3:20, ‘we know that God can do far more than we could ever ask for or imagine. He does everything by His power that is working in us.’ God did not disappoint, as Dr. Evans’s Kingdom Agenda vision of church, school, and community impact continued to expand, as noted below.

  • 1988

    OCBF relocated to the newly built Family Life Center, now known as the Fellowship Center, which served as a temporary site for Sunday morning services and other ministry activities until the Worship Center was finished.

  • 1995

    The 99,000-square-foot Worship Center became the permanent location for Sunday morning worship, equipped with a 3,182-seat sanctuary, classrooms, a hospitality suite, a bookstore, and staff offices.

  • 2002 & 2007

    OCBF purchased the shopping center at the corner of Polk and Camp Wisdom, renaming it Country Club Corner and Polk Village Shopping Center as part of Dr. Evans’s vision for social and economic impact on the community. Country Club Corner is home to The Turn•Around Agenda Outreach Center, The Resale Store, and the Oak Cliff Christian Federal Credit Union, along with several other businesses.

  • 2004

    The 172,000-square-foot Education Center opened its doors, becoming home to OCBF's private school, Fellowship Christian Academy, as well as the children and youth ministries. It is equipped with classrooms, two gyms, a cafeteria, two youth rooms, and an outdoor court and amphitheater.

  • 2008

    The Oak Cliff Christian Federal Credit Union was officially chartered and began operations on February 27, 2009. Membership is open to OCBF members and their families, as well as individuals associated with Kingdom Collegiate Academy and The Urban Alternative.

  • 2017

    The Grove was completed, creating a state-of-the-art, versatile space where people can deepen their relationship with God and connect with one another. It includes a great hall with a fireplace, snack bar, the OCBF Bookstore, conference center, upstairs administrative offices, and an outdoor patio area.

  • 2019

    OCBF bought the 32-acre campus of Canterbury Episcopal School in DeSoto, Texas, to team up with OCBF’s Fellowship Christian Academy in Dallas, Texas, providing a premier college-preparatory education with a Kingdom worldview. The purchase of Canterbury realizes Dr. Evans's vision of creating a high school for middle school graduates of Fellowship Christian Academy. Students can start their education as early as 18 months old through 12th grade. Both campuses were renamed Kingdom Collegiate Academy in line with the Kingdom Agenda philosophy.

  • 2020

    The Golf Club of Dallas was acquired by Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, led by Dr. Tony Evans, ensuring that this historic venue would continue to serve both the golfing community and the broader neighborhood. The stewardship blends respect for tradition with a vision of inclusivity, making it one of the most unique golf properties in North Texas.

  • Present Day

    There is still the 145 acres of the very land that Dr. Evans walked on in faith five decades ago that will accommodate even more expansion for future Kingdom initiatives.

Family & Ministry

Parents
Lois Evans
Children
Carla Evans

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