TELEVANGELIST HB MORGAN Digital Library Publications (BLOG NEWS) Under the Overpass: Founders of Iconic Bridge Church Retire After 34 Years For over three decades, the rumble of traffic on Interstate 35 has provided the backing track for one of the most unique and enduring faith communities in Texas. In a setting where most see only concrete and shadow, Jimmy and Janet Dorrell built a congregation. Today, they have announced their retirement from day-to-day leadership of Church Under the Bridge, closing a monumental chapter in Waco’s history of radical inclusivity. The couple will officially step down from their pastoral duties the week following Easter Sunday (April 5), transitioning from leaders to longtime members of the flock they first began gathering in 1993. From a Breakfast Ministry to a Movement What began as a simple outreach—serving hot breakfasts and leading a Bible study for individuals experiencing homelessness under the I-35 overpass—gradually transformed into a formal, multi-ethnic church body of over 225 members. The evolution of the ministry reflects a fundamental shift in philosophy: moving from a charity model to a community model. In a poignant social media announcement, Jimmy Dorrell reflected on the mosaic of life they have witnessed. "We have been so blessed to walk alongside so many poor and marginalized friends, as well as those whose wealth and privilege have tainted their understanding of the kingdom of God," he wrote. He painted a vivid picture of a ministry measured not in attendance numbers, but in shared humanity: "There have been so many funerals, weddings, letters to prisoners, meals, softball games, songs, and baptisms through these years, but even more hugs than all of those." A Succession Plan Rooted in Community Unlike traditional pastoral retirements that often signal a departure, the Dorrells' exit strategy is steeped in the communal values they preached. While they are relinquishing leadership responsibilities, they will remain integral parts of the congregation, ensuring a continuity of presence even as the church navigates a new era of governance. The Next Chapter: Art, Academia, and Grandchildren With the weight of administrative and pastoral leadership lifted, the couple is pivoting toward personal passions and global service. Jimmy intends to continue his academic tenure, teaching anthropology and missions at Baylor University and Truett Seminary. Janet plans to immerse herself in art projects, a pursuit often sidelined by the demands of ministry. However, the primary focus of their "retirement" is intergenerational. They are eager to spend undistracted time with their 11 grandchildren—with a twelfth on the way—and intensify their commitment to overseas mission work, serving impoverished communities in Haiti, Mexico City, and South Asia. A Legacy of Presence, Not Pity The roots of Church Under the Bridge stretch back to 1992, sprouting from simple acts of service into a formal worshiping body that intentionally dismantles socioeconomic barriers. The church describes itself as "a multi-cultural church committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the unity of His Spirit," a mission statement actualized every Sunday morning under the highway. As Jimmy Dorrell articulated to The Christian Post during their 25th-anniversary celebration, the distinction is vital. Their goal has always been to be a church "with the poor and marginalized (not 'for') that invites the ex-offender, mentally ill, homeless, addicts, and other marginalized." It is this philosophy of accompaniment rather than assistance that cemented the church’s reputation as a sacred space carved out of the urban landscape. As the Dorrells step back, they leave behind a legacy cemented not in bricks and mortar, but in the persistent grace found beneath the steel and concrete of a Waco bridge. Compiled By: Christian Church World News CCWN TV Presshouse Media Copyright ©️ 2026 CCWN TV Presshouse Media. All Rights Reserved.