David Laughlin
DUNCAN — Phone calls can be a nuisance, but for Dr. Brad McCoy, it is an opportunity to display character and stewardship.
McCoy quipped “Where else is the pastor going to answer the phone? Rick Warren won’t answer his phone.”
McCoy is the pastor of Tanglewood Bible Fellowship in Duncan. McCoy has led numerous missions and endeavors throughout his years at TBF. His latest endeavor is to lead a tourist trip to Greece to follow the footsteps of the Apostle Paul and John.
Tanglewood Bible Fellowship was started in the summer of 1976. It was founded by a group of believers from all different denominations. They wanted to establish a church that focused on their determination of the basics of Christianity, derived from Acts 2:42-47, Bible study, fellowship, prayer, worship and world missions or evangelism.
McCoy is versed in theology, with a master’s degree from Dallas Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Trinity Seminary. McCoy first came to TBF in December 1988. McCoy jokes, “When I first started out in the ministry, I had no desires of being rich or famous, and 22 years later, I can honestly say I have reached my goal!”
Although TBF may seem small compared to the mega-churches, McCoy doesn’t like to think of his church as small.
“I read in a study that 85 percent of churches in America have fewer than 100 people in service on Sunday,” McCoy said.
“We have on average well over 150 people, so we are not a small church, we are more like a medium-sized church.”
“God really has a sense of humor. Before I was pastor here I always disliked churches that didn’t have ‘church’ in their name, then God called me to one.” Speaking of humor, McCoy likes to start Sunday and Wednesday services with a humorous “Top 7” list.
The central theme to TBF is grace. “When I was young, I thought grace was something ballet dancers had, but it is something so much more amazing. It is unmerited favor,” McCoy said.
“By the grace of God, we are not licensed to sin, but we have the liberty to serve.”
One of the things that sets TBF apart is there are no offering plates.
“We don’t pass around an offering plate because we don’t want to put any undo duress on folks, we don’t want them to ‘perform’ by putting something in the plate,” McCoy said.
James Mitchell, who has been the Youth Pastor for almost four years likes McCoy’s approach.
“McCoy has the most realistic expectations. He has never told me no. He has told me ‘let’s wait’ on some things. He is a great guy,” Mitchell said. “He (McCoy) really supports the youth group 110 percent.”
On any given service Mitchell has about 30 youth attend. Mitchell said that college students also participate in the youth group.
TBF participates in many short term foreign mission trips.
“We have a great working relationship with a church about 80 miles outside of Mexico City,” McCoy said.
McCoy said that the church has also been on mission trips to China, Guatemala, Thailand, Israel and Jordan.
McCoy has been to Israel five times and serves as a visiting instructor at Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary in Amman, Jordan. McCoy is an adjunct professor at Cameron University-Duncan and teaches in the English and Communication departments.
McCoy will be leading a trip to Greece in May 8-15.
“I have led trips to Israel before. Those trips really turn Bible reading from black and white to color when you get to see it all in person.”
McCoy hopes the experience will give those who participate a new perspective for their Biblical studies.
The trip is set to follow the footsteps of the Apostle Paul and John.
TBF membership is not necessary to join the trip. Anyone interested can contact the church at 580-252-3365. Feb. 8, is the deadline for booking the trip.
“Unity in the essentials; Liberty in the nonessentials and Love in all else,” McCoy described as the church’s foundations.
“We have a really great group of people here.”
— David Laughlin is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 144, or via e-mail at david.laughlin@duncanbanner.com.
