about us

Stephen Hammond

phone: 817.929.5658

I was born in Dallas, Texas and had the privilege of growing up in a home that valued God and the importance of faith in our everyday lives. My mother played the biggest role in helping me understand the importance of following Christ. At the age of 11 I committed my life to Christ. My teenager years were filled with fun times as I grew up in North Arlington. As I went to college (graduate of the University of North Texas) I began to get involved with Campus Crusade for Christ. Through the influence of Campus Crusade I learned how to live under the power of God’s Spirit, share the Gospel with others in loving ways and help disciple and mentor other believers. It was on a summer long project with Crusade (Summer of 1991) that I felt God speaking to me concerning investing my life full time to encourage and train others for the mission of Christ.

After graduating UNT I enrolled at Southwestern Theological Seminary. It would take me four years but I would graduate with a Masters degree in Divinity (to this day I tell people that simply means I am good at making candy). Seriously, my time at SWBTS allowed me to grow deeper in my knowledge of God’s Word as well as develop a deeper character for the mission of changing the world. It was a journey well worth taking and I will be forever grateful for the people who shaped my life during those times.

From 1992 until 2005 I have been involved in working with teenagers at 2 different churches (Grace Baptist and Grace Community both in Arlington). It was during these years of developing younger generations that I sensed a desire in my heart to help plant churches that would continue to make the message and dreams of God relevant for the ages to come.

In the summer of 2004 I began to see that dream of planting a life giving, relevant, missional community of faith a reality. Through the blessing and help of Grace Community a small group of us began to meet, dream and pray about the future. Mosaic of Arlington was birthed in my living room with 7 adults (and 3 kids). Through the fall of 2004 we would grow to a launch team of 35 people. We were excited to be aligned with the Mosaic Alliance and be sponsored by Crossroad of Arlington. On January 16th, 2005 Mosaic set out to the church planting seas as we began meeting in a bar called Manhattan’s in North Arlington. Within 3 months we had seen many people come to faith in Christ, be baptized and step into the mission God had for their lives. Our kids' ministry started to grow and we soon realized that Manhattan’s wasn’t big enough to hold us all. In April of 2005 we began a great relationship with our friends at CATS. We are currently renting their theater each week as we support what God is doing through the local art community. In the Fall of 2006 we are excited to launch another Gathering on Sunday evenings back at the Manhattan’s club where we got our start.

Over the past 2 years we have seen our small group grow into a thriving community of over 100 adults who are touching multiple people through acts of kindness and love. We have already helped establish another church plant (Journey Lubbock) and are excited about the many churches that will come through our efforts in Square One. Our commitment for the future is to continue to be a community that lives by faith, is known by love and provides a relevant voice of hope to those around us. We truly desire to meet, embrace and transform culture as we create the future that God dreams about.

I am also currently serving with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as the Arlington High School Chaplain and the FCA Representative of Arlington.

All of the above couldn’t have been done without the loving support of my wife Lanette and my kids (Harrison, Madison and Bryson). We have a tremendous family that is learning daily what it means to love Christ and serve others. I have been blessed.

When I am not helping others find their full potential in Christ and His dreams, I love to read, write, watch movies, go to baseball games, support my kids in their activities, and spend time with close friends.

I am excited about the opportunities that SquareOne will afford many men to help influence culture for Christ through organic, missional church planting. Our best days are ahead of us as we continue to love Christ and serve our friends!