Church Under the Bridge founders to retire after over 30 years of ministry
The husband-and-wife founders of a church that meets under an interstate bridge in Texas have announced they are stepping down after more than three decades of ministry.
Jimmy and Janet Dorrell, leaders of the Church Under the Bridge, which meets in Waco under the Interstate 35 bridge, will be stepping down as leaders of the unconventional congregation that began originally as a breakfast meal and Bible study with homeless men and women in 1993 and grew into a multi-ethnic congregation of more than 225 people.
In a statement posted to his Facebook account on Sunday, Jimmy Dorrell said he and his wife would step down as leaders the week after Easter, which falls on April 5 this year.
“We have been so blessed to walk alongside so many poor and marginalized friends, as well as those whose wealth and privilege have tainted their understanding of the kingdom of God,” he stated.
“There have been so many funerals, weddings, letters to prisoners, meals, softball games, songs, and baptisms through these years, but even more hugs than all of those.”
Jimmy Dorrell clarified that he and his wife would remain members of Church Under the Bridge, and that they intend to do more overseas mission trips to aid impoverished communities.
“Janet and I will take more global trips to serve the poor and unreached in Haiti, MxCity and South Asia. I will still teach a few classes at Baylor and Truett Seminary and other churches,” he added.
“Janet will add more art projects. And together we will love on our 11-grandchildren ... with one more baby girl being born tomorrow!”
Church Under the Bridge traces its origins to 1992, when the Dorrells began ministering to the homeless men who regularly slept beneath the highway bridge in Waco, and a Bible study emerged.
The gathering began holding worship services, with the non-denominational church identifying itself as “a multi-cultural church committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the unity of His Spirit.”
“Church Under the Bridge attempts to avoid denomination, cultural, economic, or racial distinctions,” they stated. “We welcome folks from wide and diverse backgrounds to love God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with all their heart, soul, and mind, and to love their neighbors as themselves.”
In 2017, the church held a 25th-anniversary service, which drew approximately 450 people. Jimmy Dorrell told The Christian Post at the time that it was a "very meaningful" experience.
“We are a church 'with the poor and marginalized' (not 'for') that invites the ex-offender, mentally ill, homeless, addicts, and other marginalized. Our goal is to include them,” he added.
