Meet the Pastor

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Donald R. Parish, Sr.

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Donald R. Parish, Sr. currently serves as Pastor of the True Lee Missionary Baptist Church, located at 3907 Bertrand Street, Dallas, Texas. He has served in this position since August 1992. Prior to becoming Pastor he was a special assistant to his Pastor and biological father, the late Rev. Robert L. Parish, Sr. Under Pastor Donald Parish’s leadership the True Lee Congregation has established an outreach ministry of hope to carry God’s word to those who are incarcerated in the Dallas County jail system and those in the Beto Prison at Tennessee Colony, Texas. Consequently, a non-profit organization, “Hope Restoration” was established, with the purpose of helping to restore hope in the lives of people.

Donald R. Parish is a product of the Dallas Public Schools. He attended Bishop College and received an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science Degree from El Centro College. He subsequently enrolled in Southern Methodist University where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. In the Spring of 2000 he received a Masters in Theology from the Dallas Theological Seminary. His plans are to pursue a doctorate degree from the same Seminary.

Donald R. Parish, Sr. was in the United States Army two years, serving one year in Viet Nam as Infantry Squad Leader at the rank of Sergeant. He worked his way up through the Bell System from a technician with Western electric to a Supervisor with AT&T Inc. He took an early retirement after 18 years. He left the corporate world for five years to form Parish Management Company in which he owned and operated a convenience store in downtown Dallas. He returned to the corporate field with employment at the Sprint Corporation as a Customer Service supervisor for over 5 years. In November 1992, he began devoting full time to his Pastoral duties at the True Lee Missionary Baptist Church.

Donald R. Parish serves in the following capacities: Moderator of the Galilee Griggs Memorial District Association of Baptist Churches; Field Supervisor for the Foreign Mission Board, National Baptist Convention, USA Inc.,

2^nd Vice President of the Texas Missionary State Baptist Convention, President of the Board of the Southfair Development Corporation, President of the Board of the Martin Luther King Jr Family Life Clinic, Member of the Park south YMCA, Area 10 Committee Co Chair, ESGR, member of the South Dallas Ministers Association, The South Dallas Faith Coalition and one of the founding members of the Bertrand Neighborhood Association, Member of the Mayor’s Faith Based Coalition. He is a spokesperson and volunteers with the American Cancer Society; also a volunteer and supporter of Habitat for Humanities. Donald Parish is also an advisor to the HOPE VI Frazier Redevelopment.

Donald R. Parish, Sr. has served in the following organizations: Redistricting Commissioner for the City of Dallas District 7, Special appointee and Advisor to Councilman Leo Chaney, NationsBank Community Advisory Board;  Member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce, Progressive Voters League, March of Dimes and Jr. Achievement Coordinator; President Glen Oaks Homeowners Association, PTA Boards, Assistant Scoutmaster Boys Scouts of America, and several leadership offices in the church, prior to becoming Pastor. He has received awards and recognition as an Humanitarian, Minister of the Year, Pastor of the Year and Father of the Year.

Donald R. Parish, Sr. is married to Deborah Salone Parish for nearly 35 years.Two children were born to this union, Kimberly Parish Wilson, Staff Seargeant and government worker, and Rev. Donald R. Parish Jr., Youth Pastor, Young Adult Pastor and motivational speaker.Additions to the family includes Daughter in law, Counselor Monica Parish, grandsons, Isaiah Wilson and Devin Horsley; granddaughters Eboni and Deonna Wilson and Dawn Renee Parish..

One of Rev. Parish's goals is to provide better outreach ministries in the South Dallas Community. Under his leadership the church decided to change directions and support the building of an outreach center before a badly needed sanctuary. After serious prayers and plans the construction should begin on the Hope Outreach Center September of 2006.