Concord Church gave $50,000 total to five south Dallas school districts ahead of the upcoming school year.
Concord Pastor Bryan Carter presented $10,000 each to Cedar Hill ISD, Dallas ISD, DeSoto ISD, Duncanville ISD, and Lancaster ISD on Sunday. School officials posed on stage with the checks, totaling $50,000.
“They are making a difference every single day,” Carter said. “Every year, we try to pour back into our community. Because we believe this is incredibly important.”
He called forth Cedar Hill Superintendent Maria Gamell, Dallas Regional Directors Tanya Shelton and Jonathan Smith, DeSoto Superintendent Usamah Rodgers, Duncanville Chief of Staff Tellauance Graham, and Lancaster Deputy Superintendent Cassandra Barker.
“Father, use them in that school academically, but also spiritually,” Carter prayed. “When they get discouraged – when days get hard – energize them, Father. Give them a new sense that you have put them there for such a time as this.”
DeSoto ISD thanked the church on Facebook for the donation, and for its “unwavering support” of local schools “year after year.”
“This heartfelt gift was presented during their annual Back-to-School Worship Service — a special time dedicated to uplifting students, families, and educators as we prepare for a successful school year,” district officials wrote.
Duncanville ISD echoed the sentiment, saying the donation helps the district “write success stories – one student at a time.” Lancaster ISD said officials appreciate the church’s “continued support” of local schools.
Today is Back to School Sunday at Concord Church and we are "UNASHAMED" to share the Gospel of God. Thanks Pastor Bryan Carter and @ConcordDallas
for the generous gift of $10, 000 for Lancaster ISD. We Grow People! 🙏🏽🖤🧡✝️ @drcasscarr @YvonneMThornton pic.twitter.com/hSALRRtyM9— TaTanisha Stevenson (@totstevenson) August 3, 2025
Dallas ISD called the donation “generous,” and thanked Concord for its “continued partnership and commitment to our students.”
The district is offering free supplies to students ahead of the upcoming school year, as The Dallas Express previously reported. Starting August 2, parents could register them for things like a free backpack and other services.
Carter asked God to send “people that are on fire for you” to invest in students. He called the congregation to thank teachers, coaches, and administrators.
“This is an investment in students to keep making the impact,” he said. “We want you each to know that we are thankful for your leadership as you surround southern Dallas.”