Diverse pastors, community leaders gather to network, fellowship, seek issue solutions
By Norma Adams-Wade
Texas Metro News
Walking into a room with a mixture of folk from diverse faiths, races, and viewpoints was odd enough. But finding them actually talking and exchanging opinions was even more different.
Yet, the exchanges taking place seemed to be working.
The interracial, interfaith event was the annual Pastors’ Luncheon, this year for the first time at the State Fair of Texas Cotton Bowl Stadium on Tuesday, October 6 – during the State Fair’s 24-day run from Sept. 25 through Oct. 18, 2026.
Guests around the room munched delightedly on tasty-looking buffet food that included barbeque wings, cheeseburgers, fries, and a variety of thick pizzas. Side selections included soft drinks, candy apples, and colorful cotton candy. While guest talked and dined, catchy party music filled the room provided by the uniformly-dressed North Texas Campus of Dallas College while the musicians’ leader, Dr. Luis Palacios, stood ready to give the sign to begin their next number.
To get a sense of the exchanges of thoughts, let’s listen in on some of the conversations waging at tables as costumed State Fair characters wandered the room waving hands and making guests smile.
Four guests at one table came from faith and nonprofit groups. Here, Alice Robinson expressed some opinions and frustrations as a community advocate and active member at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church in the annexed Joppa/Joppee community of Dallas.
This exchange of ideas was only one example of the vibrant give and take at other tables.
Part of Robinson’s mission is to help families prepare for a loved one dying. She has written the book Get Your House in Order: What to Do When Someone Dies. She also is founder of the nonprofit Vision for Families that assists youth, adults and the elderly. Visit www.visionforfamilies.wixsite.com.
Robinson explained that the act of pastors and community coming together is vital because “a pastor needs to relate to the community. A pastor needs to know the needs of the people outside the church…and to reach out to people who do not have a church home.”
Also at Robinson’s table is Dr. Preston “Pastor P” Malone, pastor of Exciting Ekklesia – a Greek word meaning “called out one” — Missionary Baptist Church, near the Spring Avenue/Lagow Street intersection south of Downtown Dallas.
Dr. Malone expressed frustration that elected officials too often say they represent their constituents when they have barely spoken to people in the community.
“There’s a great need to partner-up,” Pastor Malone said. “…otherwise, we can’t help each other.”
Others at the table were Felicia Williams, representing the nonprofit Journey 2 Healing Hearts that addresses the grieving experience. Visit www.journey2healinghearts.com. Sultry Jackson was also at the table representing Giles Consulting LLC that advises workplace culture. Visit www.gilesconsuting.org.
At another table, Pastor Marco Luna sat with some members of his congregation from The Gathering Church, 500 Furlong Dr. in northwest Oak Cliff. His members said they have been coming to this event for several years to stay in touch with faith and social programs for all ages of their youth and adults.
Pastor Luna said, “The crucial thing is to not be isolated within four walls of the church, but to be involved in the community so we know what’s going on.” He said that stance means staying in touch with entities including the police, community, schools, and faith groups – this in order to ultimately “reach the lost and spread the Gospel.”
Fliers on tables around the venue promoted various upcoming events included these three: Big for a Day: Bowl for Kids’ Sake, recruiting males to be matched as Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors for one day with one of the more than 400 “little brothers” waiting for a male mentor/role model. Activities will include bowling, food, and mentoring from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. October 17, 2026 at an Addison location to be announced.
There also will be a BBBS “Bring a Friend” Mentoring Recruitment from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 22, 2026 at The Rustic, 3656 Howell St. near Lemmon Avenue and U. S. Hwy 75 in Dallas. To learn more about both events, contact chawkins@bbbstx.org.
Next year’s North Lake Jazz Festival will be April 9-10, 2027 in performance Hall 302 at Dallas College North Lake Campus, 5001 N. MacArthur Blvd, Irving, TX. Activities will include master classes, clinics, and guest performances by the UNT Two O’ Clock Lab Band, and guest artists Sal Lozano and Rob Parton. To inquire, contact Lpalacios1@dallascollege.edu.
Among various other nonprofits present were: Homeward Bound that assists families and persons affected by addiction, mental illness and the effects of crime. www.homewardboundinc.org; Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star that provides one-on-one mentors for male and female youths in Texas that can range from ages 5 to 25 depending on the service need. www.bbbstx.org; and Dallas County Healthy Start Program that provides services for under-served expectant mothers, fathers, and adoptive parents and guardians. www.DCHHSMaternalHealth@dallascounty.org.
Meanwhile, near the Midway outside the Cotton Bowl, fairgoers mingled, gawked at farm animals on display in pens, and stopped at enticing vendor booths. Fairgoers paused to talk to teenager Maddy Shorny of Justin, Texas as she walked her one-year-old goat, Lucy, who last year was a 2025 Grand Champion. The teenager walked Lucy to give the animal a break from stretches inside the building in a display pen.
Norma Adams-Wade is a Dallas native and a UT Austin journalism graduate. Retired Dallas Morning News senior staff writer. A founder of the National Association of Black Journalists. adamswade15@gmail.com
