Chase Oaks Church

Chase Oaks Church (formerly known as Fellowship Bible Church North) has a rich history of reaching out to its neighbors, bringing them into community and helping them develop into maturing disciples of Christ. The historical links provided below explain the events and challenges that have made Chase Oaks the dynamic church that it is today.

1960s
Dr. Gene A. Getz, a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, was faced with disturbing questions from his students. These students, observing the anti-institutional attitudes that permeated American culture at that time, were even questioning the viability of the local church. Gene was challenged to begin a fresh study of the New Testament church with his students.

From this study, Gene gained tremendous insight. As a result of his changing views, he wrote a book called Sharpening the Focus of the Church, which outlined the principles of church renewal.

1970s
After writing the book, Gene and his wife, Elaine, were challenged by a group of families to start a church based on those principles. In 1972, the first Fellowship Bible Church was launched, with a vision to provide the following three vital experiences that Christians need to grow spiritually:

• Bible Teaching
• Fellowship
• Outreach

The church leaders were guided by the desire to allow freedom in determining the form and structure of these experiences without changing the Biblical concepts. The church grew quickly and within four years had planted four new churches.

1980s
In 1982, Gene led another church plant, this time in Plano - Fellowship Bible Church North. After a short time, rapid growth necessitated a relocation from a warehouse to a church building. The church body was challenged to raise money for a permanent facility. In June 1986, the church moved into it's facility on Lexington Drive in Plano.

1990s
Several events impacted the church during this decade, including a devastating fire in the church office building (set by an arsonist) that destroyed 50 offices. But just as God promises that He works all things for the good of those who love Him, the Fellowship family pulled together and came through the difficult situation as a shining example of that promise!

Two years after the fire, the Fellowship family launched a new church in McKinney, Texas. McKinney Fellowship Bible Church (McFBC) held its first services in March 1997 with 250 FBCN families as its charter members. Careful planning and many prayers proved invaluable as McFBC has grown steadily.

2000s
As FBCN entered the new decade, Gene and the elders outlined a plan to lead FBCN into the future. This course of action allowed Gene to devote his efforts to his growing ministry at large through the Center for Church Renewal (CCR). In March of 2000, Pastor Jeff Jones was appointed Associate Pastor, and a 7-year plan for succession was adopted, which allowed for Jeff to assume increasing leadership responsibilities. However, 3-1/2 years into the succession process, Gene announced his plans to retire early.  He believed Jeff was "ready" and fully prepared to assume full responsibility as Senior Pastor.  And on the weekend of January 9/11, 2004, Jeff was officially installed as Senior Pastor.  It was an historical occasion for our church and a very effective "passing of the leadership baton." 

The Present
Literally busting at the seams in our current facility, the elders made the decision to relocate to a new expanded campus to provide much-needed space for our growing ministries.  The new campus was completed in December 2007 and is located at Chase Oaks and Legacy Drive in Plano.  The elders also made the decision to change our name to Chase Oaks Church to align with our new location.