Our Story

Living Hope Church has existed for over 40 years as a part of the Evangelical Free Church of America. Our current pastor, Phil Smith, began his tenure in 2010.

The church has had some consistent characteristics over the years, including strong Bible teaching and personal, authentic fellowship. We are a church who values its people more than programs.

Throughout the years, people who were connected with the International Linguistics Center made the short drive to Southeast Arlington to be a part of Living Hope Church. In January of 2024, the Lord began to stir the church to consider relocating to the International Linguistics Center. We prayerfully sought the Lord’s leading and began going through the open doors that the Lord was providing. Then in June of 2024 the Lord led us to take a step of faith to relocate to the International Linguistics Center and to sell our church building in SE Arlington.

Living Hope Church feels humbly but also confidently called to serve the Lord at the International Linguistics Center. At the same time, we honor the principles of SIL and the Linguistics Center that encourages its residents’ (short-term and long-term) to be a part of one of the multitude of good local churches that best fits the residents' beliefs and preferences. Living Hope Church simply wants to serve the Lord faithfully to those who might find a church on the ILC campus to be a good fit for them.