Dr. McCartt joined the Lavon Drive Baptist Church staff in June of 1972, as Assistant Pastor in charge of the School Ministry. After founding Garland Christian Academy, Dr. McCartt assumed more pastoral responsibilities; and in 1992, the church called him as Co-Pastor. After 40 years on staff, Dr. McCartt retired from full-time ministry in June of 2012. He currently serves part-time as Missions Pastor. Prior to his service at Lavon Drive, Dr. McCartt served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Pikeville, Tennessee, and as administrator of Panama City Christian School in Panama City, Florida. Dr. McCartt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Tennessee Temple College, a Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Temple Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. McCartt was one of the founders of the American Association of Christian Schools (www.aacs.org) and founded the Texas Organization of Christian Schools. Dr. McCartt was influential in leading the church into the Global Focus initiative in 2006. This ministry has been key to many of our lay people becoming involved in short-term missions trips as well as helping the church more than double its missions giving to over $500,000 in 2012. Dr. McCartt has led the church to adopt a evangelism strategy that includes reaching people both across the street and around the world.

Pastor McCartt was saved on June 16, 1957, at the First Baptist Church of Whitesville, West Virginia. He entered Tennessee Temple College immediately after completing high school and subsequently entered the ministry through the influence of the college. A commitment to Christian education resulted in a redirection of his ministry in 1967, as he became actively involved in the growing Christian day school movement. Since then, his ministry has been a dual one of pastoral responsibilities and educational leadership. Dr. McCartt’s wife Helen is also a graduate of Tennessee Temple and has been involved in the church and school ministry as pastor’s wife, teacher, and school librarian. They have three children: Terri, Mark, and Michelle. Their children, along with their five grandchildren, all live in the Dallas area. Having retired from the duties of daily ministry, the McCartt’s like to travel and enjoy using their travel trailer.