Join us for Dallas Metro Podcast #81, featuring special guest Kelly James, hosted by Pastor Clay Wallace. Kelly James, a dedicated pastor and family man, has been married for 31 years and is a proud father to two grown daughters and a grandfather, affectionately known as "G-pop." With deep roots in ministry, Kelly's journey began at Pathway of Life Church in 1993, where he started as a musician and later served as worship leader before becoming lead pastor in 2021. His connection to the church runs deep, having met his wife through their pastor and sharing a legacy tied to the historic Gospel Lighthouse church through his wife's family, including her uncle, Mike Morrie.

In this episode, Kelly shares his inspiring story of faithfulness and perseverance in ministry, reflecting on his 32-year tenure at Pathway of Life Church. From organizing cassette tapes in his early days to leading the church through the challenges of COVID and a major building project, Kelly emphasizes the importance of saying "yes" to God's call, even in small tasks. He discusses how the church adapted to online services during the pandemic, thrived through creativity, and continues to reach people both in-person and virtually. Kelly also highlights the church's transition to a new facility in Sunnyvale, Dallas, underscoring the mindset that buildings are tools for ministry, not monuments, and how his congregation has embraced this vision despite the challenges of change.

Pastor Clay and Kelly dive into the value of long-term commitment to a church community, drawing parallels to the film Mr. Holland's Opus, where staying in one place allows for meaningful investment in people's lives. Kelly offers wisdom for those feeling unfulfilled in their calling, advising them to "fast the frustration away" and seek God's direction while remaining faithful to their current assignment. The conversation also touches on Dallas Metro's ongoing efforts to build a new facility to reach the next generation, with Kelly encouraging listeners to partner with the ministry to make a lasting impact. Tune in for an uplifting discussion on faithfulness, community, and trusting God through every season. Be sure to like and subscribe so you never miss a Dallas Metro Podcast episode! Visit dallasmetro.org to learn more and support the mission.

Join us for Episode #80 of the Dallas Metro Podcast, featuring special guest Dr. Bill Cox, a dedicated internal medicine physician with over 32 years of experience. Dr. Cox, married to his wife Bianca, a registered nurse, has two accomplished children: Christopher, pursuing certification to assist adults on the autistic spectrum, and Emily, a nurse at UT Southwestern preparing for physician assistant school. His journey into medicine began at age five, inspired by frequent exposure to healthcare due to family health challenges, leading him to a fulfilling career in a field he finds endlessly fascinating and ever-evolving.

In this episode, Dr. Cox shares heartfelt insights from his professional and personal life, including how he met Bianca during his residency at Methodist Medical Center in Dallas, where her expertise in nursing earned her a stellar reputation among colleagues. He reflects on the profound changes in healthcare over three decades, from groundbreaking treatments to the challenges of electronic medical records and rising drug costs. Dr. Cox also offers candid advice for those considering a medical career, emphasizing the need for unwavering passion, and discusses the importance of focusing on quality of life when medical solutions are exhausted, drawing from his experience guiding the host through a difficult family health journey.

Dr. Cox passionately advocates for Dallas Metro’s mission to serve the southern sector, a community close to his heart, where he believes every child deserves a chance to dream big and achieve their potential. He highlights the organization’s role in inspiring and equipping young people to become leaders, lawyers, engineers, or doctors, regardless of their circumstances. Tune in to hear Dr. Cox’s wisdom, faith, and commitment to both medicine and community transformation, and learn how you can support Dallas Metro’s vision for debt-free facilities by visiting dallasmetro.org. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about healthcare, hope, and making a difference. Be sure to like and subscribe so you never miss a Dallas Metro Podcast episode.

Join Pastor Clay for an inspiring conversation with his longtime friend Paul Aaron on Episode #79 of the Dallas Metro Podcast. Paul, a gifted clarinetist, music minister, and owner of Banner Time, shares his remarkable journey of faith, loss, and renewal. After losing his wife of nearly 40 years, Carla, to melanoma and dementia in January 2022, Paul found hope through his remarriage to Jennifer in 2024 and the joy of his first grandson, Boaz. A native of Texas, Paul’s musical talent emerged in junior high, leading to a lifelong commitment to play his clarinet solely for God’s glory, performing at venues like Texas Rangers games and churches across the country. He is the founder of Banner Time, a business he dedicated to the Lord in 1993, and previously ran an event company featuring World War II searchlights. Paul’s testimony of trusting God through grief, depression, and new beginnings has touched countless lives, and he advocates for GriefShare and preparing believers for death.

In this episode, Paul recounts the challenges of Carla’s illness, the profound peace he found in God’s plan, and the grace of Jennifer, who embraced their shared home with patience. He shares miraculous stories of healing through his music, including a service in Victoria, Texas, where seven people were healed as he played. Paul discusses his upcoming album, Streams of Healing Waters, designed to bring comfort and restoration, and his vision to teach churches how to address death. He also reflects on starting Banner Time after a divine vision and surviving economic hardships through faith. Pastor Clay and Paul explore the importance of moving forward after loss, the integrity of Dallas Metro’s ministry, and the need for a debt-free community center to serve the next generation. Be sure to like and subscribe to never miss another Dallas Metro Podcast episode!

Connect with Paul Aaron:

Facebook: @PaulAaronMusic

Website: www.paulaaronmusic.com

Support Dallas Metro:

Visit www.dallasmetro.org, click “All In,” and consider partnering with us to build a debt-free ministry center. Join Paul in believing for a miracle to provide a home for kids in our community.

n this episode of the Dallas Metro Podcast, Pastor Clay sits down with Der-Lonzo, a young man who has been part of the Dallas Metro community for over a decade. Growing up in Dallas, Der-Lonzo first connected with the church through its bus ministry as a child, an experience that ignited his lifelong commitment. Now nearing his 19th birthday, he reflects on his journey from riding the church bus to volunteering as a teenager and now working at Ross while staying active in the church. Der-Lonzo’s story is one of faith, resilience, and the profound impact of a supportive community that helped him navigate the challenges of growing up in the city.

Der-Lonzo shares vivid memories of his early days at Dallas Metro, from summer camps at the “big old church” to the lively, sometimes chaotic youth events that made faith engaging. He recalls volunteering as a young teen, helping with tasks like loading supplies alongside mentors like Abi, a missionary from Nigeria whose quiet wisdom left a deep mark. Der-Lonzo’s high school years at Carter brought lifelong friendships but also the pain of losing peers to the city’s struggles, shaping his understanding of life and the importance of a faith-based foundation.

The heart of this episode is Der-Lonzo’s testimony of how Dallas Metro became a safe haven, offering guidance and a spiritual foundation that countered negative influences. He speaks passionately about the church’s unique mission, reaching kids across Dallas to teach them about God in a way few others do. Der-Lonzo’s story highlights the transformative power of Dallas Metro’s commitment to fostering spiritual growth and protecting young people from harmful paths.

Pastor Clay and Der-Lonzo discuss the church’s vision to build a debt-free facility to serve future generations, inviting listeners to join this mission. Visit dallasmetro.org and click “All In” to learn how you can support this work with a one-time or monthly donation. Subscribe to the Dallas Metro Church Podcast and join us next week for more stories of faith and impact. Be sure to like and subscribe for more Dallas Metro podcast content!

Join us for Episode #77 of the Dallas Metro Podcast, featuring special guest Candace Moya! Pastor Clay and Candace, a pastor’s wife with over 24 years of ministry experience, discuss her inspiring journey. Raised in a pastor’s home in West Texas, she grew up immersed in church life, later moving to Phoenix and Dallas. Candace met her husband, Bob Moya, at Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU), where a chance encounter in the registration line sparked a 29-year marriage. Together, they have three grown children and have dedicated their lives to ministry, including planting a church in Arlington, Texas. With a heart for outreach, Candace’s story is one of faith, family, and perseverance.

In this episode, Candace opens up about her experiences as a pastor’s kid and a pastor’s wife, offering heartfelt insights into the joys and challenges of ministry. She discusses meeting Bob, a former Air Force member, and their shared calling to plant a church in the diverse, booming community of Arlington. Candace reflects on the importance of balancing in-church ministry with community outreach, emphasizing how new believers bring vitality to the church. She also shares her passion for children’s and youth ministry, recounting how their outreach efforts have impacted lives, with many former children now serving as adults in ministry.

Candace offers encouragement to pastors’ wives facing unrealistic expectations, stressing the need for grace, prayer, and partnership in ministry. She also supports the Dallas Metro’s vision to build a debt-free church in the inner city of Dallas, a project aimed at serving children and future generations. Join us as Candace shares wisdom from her journey and calls for support to help Dallas Metro make a lasting impact. Visit dallasmetro.org, click “All In,” and consider a one-time or monthly donation to be part of this life-changing mission. Don’t miss this uplifting episode—like and subscribe and tune in next week!

Join us for an inspiring episode of the Dallas Metro Podcast as Pastor Clay welcomes Kermit Bell, Assistant Superintendent and Missions Director for the North Texas District of the Assemblies of God. Hailing from the small town of Friona, Texas, Kermit grew up in a close-knit community where his family ran a small business. After losing his father at age 12, he was shaped by a supportive local church and a resilient mother who ran the business for 30 years. Kermit felt a divine calling early on, leading him to pursue a business degree at Nelson University, where he met his wife, Cindy. Married for 43 years, they have five adult children and 12 grandchildren, with two great-grandchildren born recently. Kermit served as a pastor in Austin for 33 years, including 15 as senior pastor, before taking on his current role, where he oversees 165 missionary units.

In this heartfelt conversation, host Clay and Kermit explore the transformative power of missions and the importance of living a life of stewardship. Kermit shares how a mission trip to Topeka, Mexico, early in his ministry sparked a passion for global outreach, leading his church to support 150 missionaries and ministries. He emphasizes the value of exposing people to missions to broaden their perspective and combat self-centeredness, drawing parallels to the broader challenges of Western Christianity. The discussion delves into the need for genuine community, the role of the local church, and the impact of prayer, with Kermit referencing the book Lead with Prayer by Ryan Skoog as a catalyst for deepening spiritual life.

The episode also highlights the ongoing work of Dallas Metro Ministries, as Clay shares updates on their new facility project, guided by architect Michael Cathcart and supported by the Lighthouse Church. Kermit encourages pastors to engage in missions, noting that it recalibrates a church’s focus, opens avenues for God’s blessings, and aligns with a kingdom-focused vision. He underscores the proven impact of Dallas Metro, urging listeners to support their mission to build a church for kids in Dallas through donations at metro.org. Tune in for an episode filled with wisdom, faith, and a call to action for kingdom impact.

Be sure to like and subscribe for more exciting Dallas Metro conversations.

Join us for another inspiring episode of the Dallas Metro Podcast, where host Pastor Clay welcomes longtime friend and dedicated supporter Gina Manis. Gina, a Dallas native with a rich history of service, shares her journey from her early days as a worship leader and fine arts director at Christian Life Assembly to her impactful work with Dallas Metro. Married to Michael, a police officer who transitioned from motorcycle to patrol car duty after a 25-year career, Gina is a proud mother to Richie and Ashlyn, and grandmother to nine. Her deep-rooted faith and passion for ministry began in fourth grade, sparked by joining her mother on a bus route for Dallas First Assembly, and later solidified during a transformative trip to Bill Wilson’s ministry in New York in 1986 while attending Evangel University.

Gina reflects on her long-standing connection with Dallas Metro, including her pivotal role in creating the impactful “Silent Cries in the City” video in 2003, which captured the ministry’s mission to reach underserved children. She shares behind-the-scenes stories of its production, highlighting the collaboration with videographer Chris Kraft and the emotional resonance of the project, particularly a scene where a young girl’s unscripted tears perfectly aligned with the script’s plea, “Please help me.” Gina also discusses her involvement in Dallas Metro’s 20th anniversary banquet, a celebration of Clay and Barb’s ministry that aimed to raise funds and awareness for the organization’s life-changing work. Her stories underscore the power of creative collaboration and the ministry’s enduring impact on the Dallas community.

Gina passionately advocates for Dallas Metro’s mission to disciple children, emphasizing the eternal investments made in young lives. She recounts the tragic story of a young man who might have been reached by Dallas Metro’s outreach, underscoring the urgency of expanding the ministry’s reach. With plans for new facilities on 50 acres provided by Lighthouse Church, Gina urges listeners to support Dallas Metro’s vision to double its impact through prayer and financial contributions. Visit metro.org and click “All In” to join the prayer team or make a donation to help build a brighter future for Dallas’s youth. Don’t miss this moving episode filled with stories of faith, resilience, and the transformative power of reaching kids early! Be sure to like and subscribe for more powerful Dallas Metro stories.

Join us for another inspiring episode of the Dallas Metro Podcast as we sit down with Saira Gallegos, a second-generation member of Dallas Metro whose life is a powerful testament to God’s grace and provision. Saira shares her journey from growing up in a challenging neighborhood in Lancaster, marked by gunshots and uncertainty, to finding purpose and opportunity through her faith. Now working at the Dallas County Juvenile Center, Saira recounts how divine timing led her to her current role after a chance encounter at her previous job at 24-Hour Fitness. Despite being denied a promotion due to limited work experience, Saira’s story highlights her unwavering trust in God’s plan, as she started her career at just 19 with only nine months of prior experience, a clear sign of divine favor opening doors.

Saira’s deep connection to Dallas Metro began in her childhood, attending sidewalk programs and summer camps that provided a safe haven from a turbulent home environment. She vividly recalls sitting on tarps in Lancaster, watching programs led by dedicated leaders like Karina, and later progressing from camper to junior worker to dorm leader at Dallas Metro’s camps. These experiences, especially her transformative moments at youth camp, helped Saira deepen her personal relationship with God, moving beyond routine church attendance to a heartfelt commitment. A pivotal moment came during her second youth camp, amidst her parents’ divorce and personal anger, where guidance from mentors like Karina and Tim helped her release bitterness and embrace God’s peace, even leading her to rededicate her life through baptism.

Beyond her spiritual growth, Saira’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her side business crafting chocolate-covered treats, which she used to share her mother Becky’s inspiring story of resilience. As a second-generation Dallas Metro attendee, following in the footsteps of her mother and uncle, Saira embodies the ministry’s mission to redefine “normal” through faith and community. She passionately advocates for Dallas Metro’s vision to build debt-free facilities to serve more children in underserved areas, urging listeners to partner with the ministry at dallasmetro.org/allin. Tune in to hear Saira’s heartfelt story and discover why Dallas Metro is her home, a place that continues to transform lives for generations. Don’t miss this episode—subscribe, share, and join us in believing for miracles in 2025!