One on one
See all One on Ones By Tiffany Jackson
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| Pastor A.C. Toney |
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Many are called but few are chosen. Pastor A.C. Toney of Pleasant Zion Missionary Church is among the chosen men of God who for 29 years has spread the Word of God throughout the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. But throughout his journey of spreading the “good news” he has faced many challenges; some of which he thanks God for bringing him through still today. The Giddings, Texas native takes time from his congregation to chat with DallasGospelConnection.com about how he found his way over the hills.
Dr. Toney first began his pastoral duties in 1972 after he was called to pastor the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Hallsville, Texas and shortly after, he was called to take over the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Athens, Texas. But during the year of 1978 after much prayer, Dr. Toney had a vision to organize Pleasant Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He resigned from Mt. Calvary and started his church on 5210 South Lamar in Dallas, Texas. This is when Dr. Toney recalls that his church then located on Lamar brought him many sleepless nights.
“God has brought me and this church a mighty long way from the streets of Lamar,” said Dr. Toney. “We had many break-ins but God still delivered us. I think the most challenging thing that happened when we were on Lamar was when I had to lead the church across the Trinity River right after I had a massive heart attack. I also had other personal things happening but by the grace of God we made it.”
Dr. Toney led his congregation to the present location, 1910 North St. Augustine Road in Dallas, Texas with only a few members. Today, the Shepherd and his congregation have grown tremendously and continue to grow each year.
In 1997, Pleasant Zion moved again but this time it was only next door to their old facility. Members poured in and in 2000 the addition to the new sanctuary was completed. This was the beginning of many additions to the church.
“I love working with young people,” proclaimed Dr. Toney. “Children are my heart so with the new space within the church, I organized ‘Save the Children and the Homeless,’ a program directed at watching young people grow.”
The “Save the Children,” program has brought many children off the streets and from community apartments to the church. With this program, Dr. Toney has helped both financially and spiritually with the children in the community. He says education is the most important focus for the children.
Other organizations that Dr. Toney has contributed to in Dallas include: the A.C.T. Seniors Activity Center and the Youth Community Outreach Center and he does not plan to stop there.
“I plan to build apartments across the street from our church for Senior Citizens and those in need of housing,” said Dr. Toney. “God is not through with me yet, I want to continue to help God’s people until he calls me home.”
The former real estate and insurance agent graduated from Southern Bible College and is a member of the Baptist Union Ministerial Alliance. Dr. Toney is also the father of four children, the grandfather of two and with the new addition to the family; he is now a great-grandfather of one.
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