Tabernacle Baptist Church
About us
Our Story
The Tabernacle Baptist Church in Roanoke, Texas began in a home around 1948. Months after the formation, the people purchased the current property at 512 North Oak Street and built the first south building. The main auditorium was added in 1957 and an east addition in 1963. Since 1993, the main auditorium has had three major remodels.
Our longest serving pastor was Dr. Joe Tims Sr. He pastored from April 3, 1973, until his passing on October 19, 2024. After a 13-month pastoral search, on November 30, 2025, the congregation voted and called Tony and AshLeigh Tims to lead them into the next chapter.
While there has been a change in leadership and ministry, the purpose for us existing remains the same, to share the love of Jesus with Roanoke and the surrounding communities.
We would love for you to join us!
Pastor and Staff:
Our Pastor: Tony Tims
The congregation called him on November 30, 2025. He has been a member of Tabernacle since 1973. He has served in various roles, including Youth Director, Media Director, and Trustee. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Counseling and Psychology and a Master of Arts in Communications from the Louisiana Baptist University. In addition, he teaches the Adult Sunday School Class.
Music Director and Director of Maintenance: Troy Parish
Musicians: Debbie Smith and Kim Parish
Debbie Smith and Kim Parish provide the music for the worship service.
Children’s Ministries Coordinator: AshLeigh Tims
AshLeigh has been at Tabernacle since 1981. She completed her Associates Degree in Bible from Louisiana Baptist University.
The responsibility of the Children’s Ministries Coordinator is to oversee the Nursery, Toddlers, and Children’s Church.
Youth Ministries: Travis and Kathryn Bissell
Travis joined Tabernacle in 1999. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Theology, from the Arlington Baptist College, in 2003.
Kathryn has been a member of Tabernacle since 1983. She studied Early Childhood Development at Arlington Baptist College and earned her L.M.T. from the Institute of Natural Healing Science in 2001.
Leadership Team: Troy Parish, Joe Tims Jr., Travis Bissell, and Don Smith
Secretary: Nancy McPherson
Our Faith
Our Covenant
Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this Church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spreading of the Gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of, and use of, intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other Church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
Our Doctrine
We believe the Bible from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 as the verbally inspired, infallible Word of God (2 Peter 1:20-21).
We believe that Jesus Christ was born of Mary, a virgin, and is the Son of God and God the Son (Isaiah 7:14 and John 1:1).
We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God (Romans 3:24-26).
We believe that Christ rose from the grave the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-19).
We believe that Christ will come again in person, bodily and visibly ( Acts 1:9-11).
We believe that in order to be saved, you must be born again by the Grace of God (John 3:3 and Ephesians 2:8-9).
We believe that every true born again person will declare this faith by the act of baptism (Immersion in water) setting forth the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection. (Romans 6:3-6).
We believe that the Church is a local, visible body of baptized believers whose mission is to preach the gospel, win the lost, baptize and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).
We believe in the eternal security of every true born again soul (Romans 8:30-39 and 1 Peter 1:5).
Ministries
Sunday School
The Sunday School Program is designed to accommodate every member of the family. Tabernacle Baptist Church offer classes for nursery age through Adults:
Newborn to Age 3: Nursery
Ages 3 to 6: AshLeigh Tims
Grades 1st-6th: AshLeigh Tims
Grades 7th-12th: Travis and Kathryn Bissell
Adults: Pastor Tims
Everyone is encouraged to attend the Sunday School at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday morning for a proper foundation in the Bible Doctrine of the Word of God.
Worship Services
Sunday School at 10:00 am, Worship Service at 11:00 am, and Evening Service at 5:00 pm.
Our Worship services are based upon prayer, gospel music and expository Bible Preaching . . . “So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” (Nehemiah 8:8).
Childrens and Toddlers Churches
The Children (age 6-12) and Toddler’s (age 3-5) Churches are conducted during the same time as the 11:00 a.m. Worship service on Sunday. It is conducted the same as the adult worship service with the preaching and teaching of the Word of God being done on a level of their understanding. Visual aids, puppets and songs are used to present the Word of God in Children/Toddlers Churches.
Nursery
The nursery is provided for infants to 3 years of age. The nursery is staffed by the ladies of our Church, who are qualified to care for the children. We encourage all mothers to take their children to the nursery so that the Worship Service might not be disrupted. We want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to hear and respond to the calling of the Holy Spirit as the Word of God is preached.
Missionaries
WBF Missionaries
James & Cheri OrtizgNepalWanda WhaleyGuatemalaLarry KoehnChilePhil HarrisBrazil
Home and Independent Missionaries
| Baptist Bible Translator’s Institution of Missiology | |
| Rex & Mary Cobb | |
| New Churches | Baptist Fellowship of Texas |
| James Huckabee | Uganda |
| Carl and Cindy Johnson | Brazil |
| Brandon and Kathy Lane | Honduras |
| Wendell Heirs | Home Missions |
| Metroport Meals on Wheels | |
| Baptist Bible Translators Institute | |
| Northwest Community Storehouse | |
| Institute for Creator Research | |
| World Baptist Mission Office |
Jewish Missionaries
| International Board of Jewish Missions, Inc. |
| The Olive Tree Ministry |