How Church Works 2010

Harold Bullock is the founder and Senior Pastor of Hope Church, an innovative church in Fort Worth, Texas. Hope began in 1978 with a vision to help with planting churches in the major cities of the world. During the past 31 years people going out from Hope have planted more than sixty-five churches. Hope is currently a congregation of about 1,000 in attendance.

Harold grew up in northeast Tennessee and graduated from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in 1967 with a degree in mathematics and chemistry. He pursued graduate studies in physical chemistry at ETSU and Ph. D. work in physical chemistry at the University of Southern California. He has worked as a research chemist for Kodak, and also taught chemistry at Pasadena College in the LA area.

Harold began vocational ministry as Director of Student Ministries on staff for the Los Angeles Southern Baptist Association, with the job description of starting Baptist Student Ministries on several campuses in the eastern LA region.

In 1974 the Bullocks moved to Fort Worth to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. They both graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1977. In January 1978, they began Hope as a mission of James Avenue Baptist Church. They have three children: Jessica (married to Matt Sturdevant), Gina (married to Thad Lanthripe), and Jon.

During the 1980's Harold traveled widely for the Home Mission Board speaking in Urban Evangelism forums and also doing conferences for the Student Work Department of the Sunday School Board. Since the 90's he has spoken at numerous church planting conferences and taught occasional courses at Golden Gate Seminary, Midwestern Seminary and New Orleans Seminary.

Harold has authored a series of fantasy adventure books for children ages 6-12, the Tarlian Adventures. The first three books in the series, The Battle for the Worlds, The Crystal Castle, and The Dragon of Raldan are in print. Silver 4, the first volume of an action adventure series for middle-schoolers is now available.

Harold has also written several non-fiction books: Sharper Strokes, Fools & Follies, Self-Defeating Strategies, and Reading God's Lips.

Deborah, Harold's wife, is a native of Oklahoma and a graduate of UCLA. She is a former newspaper feature writer and also worked in Pasadena, California as an administrator in urban renewal. She originally designed the communications system for Hope Church. From 1995 to 2000, Deborah worked part-time for Hope, leading in revising the Children's Ministry and creating the Youth Ministry. She currently is working on creating a gender-based, values-driven curriculum for elementary age children.

You can keep up with Harold's conferences and materials online at his website HaroldBullock.com.