Welcome to The Garden!
We are a local non-denominational church in the North Dallas area. We believe the local church is still one of the greatest hopes in the world for good and for change. We also believe the local church is a place where people can find their way to the cross and an empty tomb – a place where hope is restored, where the weak are strengthened and peace is found.
The Garden’s mission statement is a reflection of our passion: “To know Him and to make Him known.”
Our Pastors
With 25 years of full-time ministry experience, The Gamble’s passion is to equip people to live a life centered on Jesus and establish churches that reflect the heart of God and His mission. Prior to founding this church, they had the incredible opportunity to be a part of three church plants, two in North Carolina and one in Texas. No matter where they are serving, they always do it with the desire to point others to Jesus so that the world can know Him and make Him known.
Pastor Michael Gamble is our founder and Senior Pastor. He is a gifted communicator and desires to live his life, “never far from the towel of service.” Michael often says, “I love the picture of Jesus cooking breakfast on the beach after His resurrection. I mean, He has a glorified body! He can walk through walls, disappear and then reappear however he wants. But there Jesus is, cooking breakfast—serving. Leadership is not so much in the thundering voice and delivery of a powerful sermon as it is in the willingness to grab a towel and serve people.” As part of his pursuit to lead by serving, Michael volunteers as a Special Olympics Basketball referee, and serves on the Leadership Board and as Chaplain for Minuteman Disaster Response.
Pastor Debbie is an authentic, spirit-filled woman with a heart to serve others. She is a powerful
speaker who deeply understands God’s heart toward women. Her story is full of personal tragedy and amazing triumph as the power of God has touched her in profound ways. With this understanding, insight, and revelation she imparts God’s truth and love. The Gambles have been married for over 30 years. They have three children and are enjoying their first grandchild.
Our Story
The Lord gave Pastor Michael Ezekiel 34 (especially verses 11-16a) as a foundational passage of Scripture, and the catalyst for what was to become the vision for this church. It says:
11“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. 12 I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. 13 I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. 14 Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. 16 I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak.”
With the vision to provide a pastureland for those who have “been scattered,” and a place where anyone can come and be safe, cared for, and find peace for their lives, the next step was to look for a location. After several months of meeting in the Gambles home our first location was secured and plans were made to launch. Sunday, June 3, 2012 was a beautiful Texas morning. When the doors at Fairytale Manor opened people started arriving until the sanctuary was at capacity. And still more came, until over 170 people celebrated the start of Radiant Life Church. Pastor Michael said on that first Sunday service in June, “This last week I was praying for God to bless this endeavor, when I sensed Him ask me: “Why are you asking me to bless your endeavor, when I’ve invited you to mine?”
God’s blessings have been evident since that first Sunday morning, as more continue to connect with the mission and vision of our church. In January 2013, the growth of the church demanded a larger location to support the expansion of the children’s and youth ministries. The Sanctuary was found in beautiful Adriatica, where we held our weekend services for nine years.
Amidst the Covid Pandemic, Pastor Michael received a Word from God that Radiant Life needed to go through a Reboot, Reset and Relaunch. With the vision and mission intact, our Elders prayerfully sought the Lord’s direction and heart for what was next. In January 2022, Pastor Michael announced that we would transition from Radiant Life Church to a new name—The Garden”! With this name change also came the announcement of a new location. On April 3, 2022, we officially launched The Garden at our new location in Northeast McKinney.
We believe God is bringing forth a new harvest within The Garden. In all things, we are excited about what God has done and is doing in the life of His Church. We invite you to partner with us to fulfill His Kingdom purposes in The Garden!
February-May 2012 • Gamble’s Home/McKinney, TX
June 2012 – September 2013 • Fairytale Manor/Frisco, TX
October 2013 – March 2022 • The Sanctuary/McKinney, TX
April 2022… • The Garden/McKinney, TX
FAQ
Are you a “Christian” church?
Yes. To learn more about what we believe, click here.
What if I'm not even sure I believe in God?
If you haven’t made a decision to accept Christ, but would like to know more about it, that’s a good thing. That means you’re asking questions about spiritual things and how they might relate to your life. You are still more than welcome to attend our services; in fact, we encourage it!
What if I come from a different faith background?
People who attend The Garden come from a wide variety of faith backgrounds – Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, etc. We focus on Biblical truth and pursuing an active relationship with Jesus Christ… and you don’t have to be a member of a specific religious denomination to do that.
How long are the services?
Each service is around 75 to 85 minutes long. We recommend you arrive about 20 minutes ahead of time, so that you can find convenient parking, get your children checked in and find seating.
What about Kids and Youth services?
We’re taking additional steps to keep our kids environments safe (and fun) for your family! Currently, children’s classrooms are open for check-in with lower child to adult ratios during the 10am service.
Do I have to dress up to attend a service?
No. Dressing up is not a requirement to worship with us at The Garden. Some do wear their “Sunday best” but you’re also likely to see someone in jeans and a t-shirt. We believe the most important part about Sunday morning is showing up, ready to worship God. So, come as you are!
What if I don't have a Bible?
Check out the YouVersion Bible App on your smart phone. This free app allows you to read the Bible, share verses on social networks and bookmark your favorite scriptures once you discover them!
What is tithing? Do I have to give money to the church?
Tithing is giving a percentage of your income to God through the ministry of the local church. All Christian churches receive financial offerings and rely on these to function, as it is based on Scripture. We believe in the Biblical principal of it; however, no one is ever told they “have to” give or is pressured to even give at all. It is up to each person to decide.
Do you water baptize?
Yes. To get more information click here.
What is a Life Group?
Sometimes meaningful relationships are hard to find. That’s why Life Groups exist—to make these life-changing relationships relevant and accessible to you. Regardless of your age, interest, or location, we have a Life Group for you!
What sanitization measures will be in place?
Our team will frequently disinfect surfaces throughout the building and hand sanitizers will be placed throughout the building. Coffee stations will not be available at this time.