Pastor James and Vicki Green Senior / Founding Pastor 1991
Pastor James and Vicki Green, along with their two children and 20 or so followers, founded Higher Ground Church on an icy wintry morning in December 1990 at City Lake Park in Mesquite. In January 1991, the small congregation rented a space in the Sun Park Business Center in Sunnyvale and began to hold services. Just adjacent to Sun Park Business Center, after much prayer and found favor with Comerica Bank, God enabled the church to purchase 7 acres of prime land and imparted creative ideas on how to build this church home. In 1995 the current church facility was dedicated to the Lord. The testimony of "how" Higher Ground Church was built by the hands of the members of HGC using discarded building scraps and a torn down "fish restaurant", is a testimony in itself of how God can take the broken pieces of our lives and make something beautiful. Where there is vision, God provides provision. A "fish restaurant"? How appropriate that we are "fisher's of men". Only God. Many area businesses caught the vision of HGC and through their donations, discounted labor and expertise, made our church possible. We are grateful to so many and give thanks to God.
Pastor James and Vicki Green have been married 35 years, have been in ministry 30 of those years, have two grown children and two grandchildren. In addition to the many facets of pastoring, they founded and oversee Poppy's House Christian Daycare, and own a personal business. Pastor James' proclamation is that God has a plan for your life and God knows more about your tomorrow than you know about your past. In addition to the salvation message, healing, deliverance, and contemporary praise and worship in each service, Pastor James teaches superior living and leads by example.
HGC Ministry Lay Staff
Jim and Betty Belt - The Belts continue to faithfully serve the HGC family for over 15 years. Areas of ministry include Healing Ministry, Intercession, Adult Sunday School Teachers, Meals that Heal (Communion course). Betty Belt is a licensed ordained minister through Higher Ground Church and ministers the Word in the pulpit as called upon. Together, the Belts enjoy singing and joyfully serve HGC where they are needed.
Shirley Carter - Shirley continues to faithfully serve the HGC family for over 14 years. Areas of ministry are Faith, Prayer, Intercession, Adult Sunday School Teacher, and Shirley frequently ministers the Word in the pulpit. Shirley serves HGC joyfully and is a dynamic teacher on faith.
Travis and Adrienne Sandidge - Travis and Adrienne Sandidge continue to faithfully serve the HGC family for the past few years. Travis is the Co-Praise and Worship Leader and Adrienne teaches Children's Church. Travis and Adrienne have three children, Tanisha, Travis Jr., and Jeremiah.
