Central Pointé Tribute – Reginald B. Dulin

This future preacher was born on the Lord’s Day, October 1, 1950, to loving parents Frank and Mary V. Dulin in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Inspired to preach as a teenager, Bro. Dulin was persuaded to pursue his love for the gospel at Southwestern Christian College.

He arrived in Terrell, Texas in 1968 and his charming personality along with a genuine concern for people quickly made him one of the most popular students on campus. Upon graduation, he transferred to East Texas State University where he met his future wife, Jacqueline Thompson.

As his partner and friend, she traveled with him every Sunday when he was given his first preaching assignment at New Zion Church of Christ in Hallsville, Texas. In 1972, he and Jacqueline were married. Shortly afterwards they moved to Dallas and he became the full-time minister of the Dallas West congregation in Dallas, Texas.

In the 28 years he labored at the congregation, the membership grew to nearly 800 members. The church’s motto, “Where Everybody is Somebody” was clearly a page from Bro. Dulin’s book as he managed to make everyone feel vital in their work for the Lord.

Locally, he was very involved with the upbuilding of the Kingdom. He enjoyed a great relationship with his colleagues, preaching in every pulpit in the city. His reputation as a mediator and confidante afforded him the opportunity to work behind the scenes with other ministers and leaders to settle congregational disputes, help establish auxiliary ministries, and collaborate on many worthwhile projects.

His innate ability to minister to people at difficult times led him to a secondary career as owner of the Hampton Place Funeral Home. With his family at his side, Bro. Dulin became the “Funeral Director of Choice” in the Dallas area. Patrons found they were not only being served by a competent business professional but by a loving pastoral staff as well.

Bro. Dulin was a natural leader. He co-chaired the Dallas Area Campaign for Christ, the annual gospel meeting hosted by all of the local churches to baptize the lost and restore the redeemed. His leadership skills earned him a seat on the Planning Committee of the National Lectureship of the churches of Christ and the Board of Trustees of Southwestern Christian College.

Bro. Dulin was passionate about serving people however he could. His commitment to his alma mater and the community was unwavering. He was named SwCC Alumnus of the Year in 1981 and served as the Vice President of the National Alumni Association. He later spearheaded the effort for the purchase of a new van for the college from the Dallas West congregation.

He was active in the Dallas community often joining citizens groups in their fight for justice and equality, participating in peaceful protests if the need arose, and testifying before governing boards when the issue impacted his community or the church.

During this time, Bro. Dulin became one of the most well-respected evangelists in the brotherhood. From holding revivals to keynoting lectureships, his unique ability to preach God’s Word to the prestigious and to the pauper easily made him a favorite.

He influenced the careers of many current ministers, particularly his only son Rodney Dulin, who preached his first sermon on December 24, 2001 in the presence of his father at the one-year old Central Pointe’ congregation.

The next four years, Bro. Dulin and his son worked side by side to ensure the vision planted in his heart for Central Pointe’ was fulfilled. On June 19, 2005, Bro. Dulin led the Central Pointe family into their new home, a spacious 49,000 square-foot worship center in southern Dallas County. More than 700 members followed their leader into their first permanent home since the congregation’s inception in 2000.

With Rodney installed as the Associate Minister, six deacons, a full-time staff and ministerial associates, Bro. Dulin had seen his dream realized. While there was certainly more he could have done in this lifetime, he had accomplished so much more than many could ever have thought possible.

On September 18, 2006, the earthly journey of Bro. Reginald B. Dulin was completed. While his immediate family, including Jacqueline, Rodney and Shalonda Dulin, and granddaughter Mia were impacted the most, a void was left in the hearts of the Central Pointe family that will likely never be filled. Saddened, but not discouraged, we “press on toward the mark” as we know he would want us to.

Even now, when the building is quiet for a few moments, our hearts imagine that we hear a sweet voice singing:

“Time is filled with swift transition,
Naught of earth unmoved can stand,
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Trust in Him who will not leave you,
Whatsoever years may bring,
If by earthly friends forsaken
Still more closely to Him cling.

When your journey is completed,
If to God you have been true,
Fair and bright the home in glory
Your enraptured soul will view.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand;
Build your hopes on things eternal,
Hold to God’s unchanging hand.”