True Vine Baptist Church

In the heart of Dallas, True Vine Baptist Church stands as a testament to faith, perseverance, and the power of a song. “I believe I’ll go back home.” This simple melody resonated deeply within Dr. Wendell Blair, Sr. in 1970. It was a divine calling that led him back to his hometown, Dallas, to establish True Vine Baptist Church. The church’s journey began humbly on October 18, 1970. The first service was held in a spare bedroom of Pastor Blair’s home with just eight attendees. The congregation soon outgrew the bedroom and moved into the living room. Within six months, True Vine Baptist Church found a more permanent home in a converted house. True Vine Baptist Church continued to grow under Pastor Blair’s leadership. Just a year and four months later, a new church building was constructed at 831 Ann Arbor. Four years after that, another new building arose at 6728 Altaire Ave. True Vine Baptist Church flourished. Pastor Blair’s journey is intertwined with the church’s history. He led the congregation for 49 years, preaching over 2,600 sermons and leading approximately 160 revivals. His dedication extended beyond the pulpit. He officiated countless funerals, banquets, prayer sessions, counseling sessions, weddings, and baptisms. Pastor Blair’s life has been marked by personal milestones as well. He was married to his first wife, the late Barbara Jean Blair, for 27 years. They had two children together. He later married Gloria Blair, and they share two sons, a daughter, ten grandchildren, and one great-grandson. Sadly, his eldest daughter passed away in December 2018. Despite dropping out of high school, Pastor Blair earned his GED and a theology degree from Southern Bible Institute. He also received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Reed Christian College. Pastor Blair became a full-time pastor three and a half years after founding True Vine Baptist Church. His ministry has reached far beyond Dallas. He traveled to 33 states, cruised around the islands of Alaska and Florida, and visited numerous countries, including Israel, South America, Canada, South Korea, and Russia. Pastor Blair also worked with the Promise Keepers ministry and attended two US Presidential Inaugurations, a Texas Governor’s Inauguration, and numerous mayoral swearings-in ceremonies in Dallas. True Vine Baptist Church stands as a testament to the vision and dedication of Pastor Blair. It’s a place where the seeds of faith, planted in a spare bedroom, grew into a thriving community.