Urban Studies Department: Faculty

Jimmy M. Dorrell

Founder and Executive Director, Mission Waco
Adjunct Professor, Urban Studies Department

Personal

Born: 1/1/50 in Huntsville, Texas (Childhood in Conroe, TX)
Married: Janet C. Dorrell
Children: Seth M. Dorrell (9/10/80)
Josh B. Dorrell (7/8/82)
M. Zach Dorrell (12/2/87)
Crystalina M. Dorrell (10/20/90)

Author

Trolls and Truth: 14 Realities About Today’s Church We Don’t Want to See (2006)
Plunge2Poverty: The Poverty Simulation Manual (2007)

Education

Doctor of Ministry, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA, 2001
Baylor University, Masters of Arts. Environmental Studies, 1993
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity, 1978
Baylor University, B.A., Religion 1972
Conroe High School, diploma, 1968

Employment

Founder/Executive Director -Mission Waco (Cross Culture Experiences, Inc.) 1992-present
Pastor of Church Under the Bridge- 1992-present
Professor (Adjunct)- Baylor University & George W. Truett Seminary, 1993-present
And at Bakke Graduate University (Seattle) and Eastern University (Philadelphia)
Response Program Director, Tejas Council of Camp Fire, Waco, 1984-92
Parent Educator & job trainer for at risk youth-Waco I.S.D.-part time; 1992-96
T.E.A.M. Skills, Inc.-1993-present; for-profit organization to teach teamwork skills through
experiential education and as a Ropes/Challenge Course Instructor
Youth Director, Highland Baptist Church, Waco, Tx. 1970-75
Recreation Supervisor, Waco State Home, 1975-77 and 1978
Inner City Director, First United Methodist Church, Ft. Worth, Tx. 1977-78
Family Life Specialist, Family Counseling and Children's Services, Waco, Tx. 1978
Associate Pastor/Youth & College, West Memorial Baptist Church, Houston, 1978-81

Community and Volunteerism

World Hunger Relief, Trainer in Haiti and India, 1984-85

Board of Directors:

Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce Board 2011
Christian Community Development Corporation, 2006-2009; 2009-present Advisory Board.
HOT Homeless Coalition- Board of Director 2005-present
Dept. of Family/Consumer Sciences Advisory Board- 2009-present
Junior League of Waco Community Advisory Board- 2009-present
Mission Waco Community Development Corporation Board 2001-2004
City of Waco Homelessness Committee 2005
McLennan Community College Continuing Education Advisory Board, 1999-present
CareLinc Network- president of collaborative effort to link agencies/churches; 1998-2001
Baylor University Family Ministry Advisory Board-1999-present
Census 2000 Special Housing Subcommittee Chair-1999-2000
Waco Tribune Herald Board of Contributors, 1995-present
Teen Pregnancy Prevention Council, 1988-1992 (president 1990-92)
Child Placement Services, adoption agency 1992-1994
Waco Park and Recreation Commission, 1992-1995
Northern Little League, 1991-1994
Parents as Teachers- early childhood education Board; 1993-present
Parent Education Program- teen parents in public school, 1993-present
Review Panel, Waco Community Block Grant Development, chair. 1993
Vision 20-20-City of Waco Planning Committee, 1995
Cross Culture Experiences, Inc.-poverty education training, pres. 1991-present
Compassion Ministries of Waco- founder of homeless shelter, 1994-1999; president, 1994
Hope For the Hungry- international hunger organization, 1994-96
Sanger Heights Neighborhood Association-Board 1995-97; President-1995/96
City of Waco Housing Task Force, 1997-98

Honors

1995 Family of the Year Award-Waco Conference of Christians & Jews
Hometown Hero Award, 1997
2000 Citizen of the Year, National Association of Social Workers, Waco Unit
Abner V. McCall Humanitarian Award-2000 Baylor University Alumni-
Brook Hays Christian Citizenship Award 2006, from Second Baptist Church, Little Rock Arkansas
George W. Truett Ministry Award for Ministerial Excellence-2006, from Baptist Standard and Baylor
University/Truett Seminary

Hobbies

Table Tennis, Racketball, Tennis, Snow skiing, Outdoor adventure

Life Goals

I believe the gospel of Jesus Christ is the foundation of any his followers’ beliefs,
values and lifestyle. He clearly was concerned with bringing “good news” to the poor, oppressed,
and marginalized. My life goal is to follow that example and empower the poor to a holistic life that
represents the Kingdom of God. I am also committed to mobilizing the Christian community to
become more involved with the poor of the urban world, both in the U.S. and throughout the world.