Mercy Culture Church files for land use change to build ‘discipleship center’ in Fort Worth

Mercy Culture Church is taking another step toward building a “religious discipleship center” on its campus at 1701 Oakhurst Scenic Drive.

The church is applying for a zoning change after a review of its July building permit application determined the proposed center didn’t comply with the city’s land use rules.

Mercy Culture is proposing to build a two-story structure with space for a dining hall, exercise room, offices, gathering spaces and two stories of residential sleeping rooms that could house up to 115 people, according to the building permit application and plans obtained by the Star-Telegram through an open records request.

The bottom floor would be split-level with a family room, exercise room, kitchen and offices , according to the building plans.

The chapel on the first floor could have room for about 163 people, according the plans.

The center will incorporate “the exercise of religion without limitation prayer, worship, development and restoration, and other religious activities,” according to the permit application.

In 2022, the church withdrew plans for a human trafficking victim shelter after opposition from neighbors in nearby Oakhurst who were concerned about parking and safety.

The zoning change application lists the project’s name as “The Justice Reform Discipleship Center,” which is the same name as the church’s ministry for helping victims of human trafficking.

The building permit application also includes renderings that appear identical to those on the church’s website dedicated to its proposed trafficking victim shelter.

Representatives for Mercy Culture Church did not immediately respond to a phone call, text message and two emails from the Star-Telegram requesting more information about the project.

The Justice Residences would house trafficking survivors for one to three years to help them heal from their trauma in a way that is “Presence Driven and Biblically based,” according to the Justice Reform website.

The website cites statistics from a 2017 study on modern slavery to argue there are 40.3 million victims of human trafficking, while citing 2019 report from Episcopal charity Saint Francis Ministries to argue there are only a few shelter beds available for survivors.

Neighbors at a March 2022 community meeting were skeptical about the church’s plans, and expressed concern that Mercy Culture’s leadership wasn’t qualified to undertake such an endeavor.

This aroused the ire of lead pastor Landon Schott, who in a May 2023 sermon called those opposed to the project an “insane demonic resistance.”

Schott also cited opposition to the project in response to those critical of his church’s association with former Gateway Church Pastor Robert Morris.

The earliest the project could go before the city’s zoning commission would be Oct. 9 followed by a hearing before the Fort Worth City Council as early as Nov. 12.