Pastor Gary Simons was a child reared in the rural plains of Bay City, Texas, by his parents, Dr. Bryan and Glenda Simons. He was a boy full of determination and eventually grew to be a man of destiny – a word that would follow him every day of his life.
Young Gary had many dreams where life would take him. Originally, he wanted to be a musician. He had a musical ear and talent that surpassed anyone’s expectations. Tragically, that dream had to be abandoned when during a routine oral surgery; Simons had a severe immune system reaction that would force him to live in a “boy in a bubble” type environment for many months.
One day, Simons was impressed to turn on the television. There stood a “little man in a great big church”. This man was a person many consider a “father of faith for the modern generation” – the late John Osteen, pastor and founder of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Pastor Osteen spoke words of healing that affected Simons immediately, “You don’t have to die with the devil, but you can live for Jesus and proclaim the works of the Lord!”
Gary found more than hope; he found a reason to fight against hopelessness. A few months later, he was given a miraculous clean bill of health. From that moment on, he began to “live for Jesus and proclaim the works of the Lord.” He applied the healing principles of God’s Word to his life and was able to leave his specialized environment and begin a new life of promise and purpose.
While leading worship at a youth rally in Stafford, Texas, the boy that was trapped in a sterilized room would soon discover what God had in store for him. At this rally, he met the love of his life – her name was April. They fell in love immediately and were soon married.
The young lady God had chosen for Gary just happened to be the daughter of the man who came through the television set to teach him how to receive his healing. To help navigate Gary in the ways of God was April’s father – Pastor John Osteen. He saw the Spirit of God in Gary’s music and message. Simons, with April by his side, became an Associate Pastor and Minister of Music at Lakewood Church. For ten years, Pastor Gary blessed thousands of people and saw his destiny unfold.
In January 2000, came a defining moment that would change their lives forever. With their faith and family, they packed their bags and moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in search of a land God promised them. They began having church in their living room with a few friends and family members. As time went on, attendance grew and so did a need for a much larger facility. For the next three years, High Point Church leased an auditorium at a local Junior High School and witnessed an exponential growth of more than 3,500 people.
In February 2002, this dynamic journey came to a moment, and a place, of irony. God moved upon Pastor Simons to purchase 107 acres on the corner of two major highways, the former Johnson & Johnson Medical Facility. As only God could plan, this location also happens to be one of the “highest points” of elevation in the city of Arlington.
After a tumultuous and miraculous plight to purchase the property, they received favor and in March 2002, it became the new home of HPC. Although High Point Church impacts the world through missions and its vision, its heart – and that of Pastor Simons – is for the community.
Today, High Point Church (HPC) is a facility of national regard. Not just for its 423,000 square feet, but also for its 20 different ministries and outreaches. However, it is not the creation of HPC that is amazing, but its inception.
From a rebellious boy without a cure to a respected man leading an innovative church, Pastor Gary Simons continues to be inspired from memories on a small television and a powerful word from God. Like a small city on a blessed hill, this solitary dream became a vision and eventually a reality that continues to evolve because of one sincere passion – to pastor the Metroplex and evangelize the world.