New Church Fills Void in North Dallas

After more than 20 years of full-time ministry, one activity Jeff Kossack was confident he would never find himself doing was planting a church. But in 2012, he knew God was leading him to make a transition from the church he was pastoring in Mesa, Arizona. Jeff’s church leadership board gave him their full support and encouraged him to follow God’s leading.

Once several doors of ministry opportunity closed, Jeff realized that God was directing him toward church planting. He was interested in Austin, Texas, but in a meeting with the church planting director in the North Texas District of the Assemblies of God, Jeff was made aware of the great need for a church plant in north Dallas. To prepare for the task, Jeff and Melissa signed up for Boot Camp, a training session for church planters hosted by Church Multiplication Network.

One year ago this month (in September 2015), Jeff and Melissa Kossack launched Trilogy Community Church in Cross Roads, Texas. 

Located in the heart of the rapidly growing northeast section of Denton County in north Dallas, Cross Roads is a bedroom community and home to thousands of commuters that work in the cities of Denton, Frisco, and Dallas.

Prior to launching the church, the Kossacks moved into a community near Cross Roads and began a Bible study in their living room. When the size of the group outgrew the space, a local church offered them meeting space. Within nine months, the group grew to about 70 people and the couple knew it was time to launch.

About 150 people attended the launch at Cross Oak Ranch Elementary School in September 2015, and today the church’s weekly attendance averages 90-100. The church also has a group of leaders with Bible college degrees who want to be a part of this effort and are currently volunteering their ministry.

Trilogy church has hosted several community outreaches including an after-school mentoring program at Cross Oaks Elementary and movie nights throughout the summer for the local community. In the spring they had an Easter event and last Christmas they offered carriage rides and a photo booth to the community.

“The Matching Funds provided by AGTrust helped us to create a portable worship environment at the school location that speaks of excellence,” Jeff says. “Visitors have remarked that the church far surpasses their expectations of a church meeting at an elementary school. We are also grateful to an AG church in Corinth, Texas, that provided us with a substantial financial gift of support.”

The Kossacks have been in ministry together since they were married 17 years ago. Jeff has served as a youth pastor, district youth director, and most recently as pastor of the church in Mesa, Arizona, for six years. He and Melissa have six children, ranging in age from eight months to 14 years.

“The heart of Trilogy is to see new stories written in people's lives,” Jeff says. At the church’s first water baptismal service in July, Jeff baptized 14 people, including his daughter, Hannah.

“A lot of people who attend church grew up in church,” Jeff says. “They've almost become inoculated to the gospel because they've heard it so many times, and it's never taken root in their lives. Our goal at Trilogy is to show them what authentic Christianity looks like. Through the way we do church and do life together, we want them to see authentic community and what living for Jesus looks like.”