Reverend Dr. Homer Dewell Reagan 1939 – 2014 Founder & Pastor – East Gate Missionary Baptist Church

Reverend Dr. Homer Dewell Reagan life’s journey began June 5, 1939 to the parentage of the late Reverend George Homer Reagan and Mrs. Dorothy Williams in Nacogdoches, Texas. He was the oldest of five children. He accepted Christ at an early age at True Vine Baptist Church, Tyler Texas under the leadership of the late Reverend Moses P. Timms. He received his formal education in the Tyler Independent School District. Dr. Reagan graduated from Emmett Scott High School, where he excelled scholastically and athletically. He pursued his biblical studies and a received his Bachelor of Theology Degree from Southern Bible Institute and an Honorary Doctorate of Religion from Rialto Community Bible College.

Dr. Reagan was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Mrs. Ola Buchannan Reagan on May 18, 1957 and to this union four children were born: Wannetta, Darren, Marlon, Kevin (preceded in death). As years progressed God blessed them with another beautiful daughter, Tonia.

In 1960 the family relocated to Dallas where he united with Reagan Chapel Baptist Church under the pastoral leadership of his father, Reverend George Homer Reagan, who ordained him into the ministry in 1972. Being obedient to the Holy Spirit, Dr. Reagan founded and organized the East Gate Baptist Church in November of 1972 with only 18 members. Services were held in the very first church building, located at 1209 Diceman Street in Dallas, Texas.

In November of 1973, the church moved to its next location, at 2303 South Tyler Street, with a membership of 225. During that time, the church enlarged its facilities, adding a wing for additional seating and classroom space to accommodate its growing membership of 500. As a wise shepherd, Dr. Reagan’s visionary and progressive leadership guided East Gate in the purchasing of the property at 6960 South Polk where the ministry is presently located. He envisioned that this beautiful location, in the heart of the Oak Cliff community of Dallas, would be the ideal place which could provide the needed sanctuary seating capacity, additional facilities and sufficient parking for his growing congregation; and it was here, on South Polk Street that his dream for comprehensive Christian ministry based in the local church, reaching the “whole man” spiritually, physically, materially and educationally, was fully realized. Like King Solomon, Dr. Reagan understood the need for Kingdom work to be properly and adequately housed, and so he continued to remodel and build new facilities to advance the cause of the Gospel and to accommodate the ever-expanding vision for the church.

Always, his focus and mission was to win souls to Christ and to minister to those in need, regardless of race, creed, culture or status. The Family Life Center was one of Pastor Reagan’s final visions for the church and community. In actualizing this vision, the non-profit organization, “Community Outreach Connection” was established. The Community Outreach Connection provides High School scholarships for graduating seniors, food, clothing and assistance for those in need and many other services.

For over 41 years, Dr. Reagan stalwart and visionary leadership spearheaded the work of the Lord at East Gate, where he served the people of God untiringly. His vision for the church was recognized throughout the country as a model for successful urban ministry. With a church family numbering over 1,600 members, and with over 25 active auxiliaries and agencies operating in ministry throughout the city, state and nation, Dr. Reagan was used of the Lord to build and developed the East Gate Baptist Church into one of North Texas’ premier congregations.

Over the four decades of his service as Founder and Pastor, the many ministries, programs and institutions which he organized and established, made an indelible impact on the lives of untold thousands in the city of Dallas, in other communities across the nation, and in foreign mission fields around the world. Dr. Reagan served in numerous Christian organizations that include National Baptist Convention of America, Former Moderator of the American Baptist Churches of the South, The American Baptist Association, Area Five Minister of American Baptist Association and many years of affiliation with the Dallas Baptist Ministers Conference.

He was the recipient of many awards and honors and has been selected and recognized by Religious, Business and Community leaders throughout the USA for his many accomplishments and contributions in meeting the needs of people. During the many years of his fruitful ministry, Dr. Reagan was highly regarded as a man of God with a heart of Gold. He often would help a stranger financially by going into his own pocket to meet a need.

His astute acclamation of the Gospel affected the lives of many who accepted Christ under his leadership. He continually provided young preachers with a broad concept of preaching by mentoring them about the unlimited power of preaching. Many successful pastors today acknowledge him as their spiritual father and he was blessed to have many Sons in the Gospel Ministry who were birthed under his leadership at the East Gate Church.

Among the many special attributes of Dr. Reagan was included his melodious voice that would make you aware of the presence of GOD! He was a very humble, but powerful and anointed preacher of the Gospel. As our Shepherd he faithfully fed us the Word of God, reminding us, “To study to show ourselves approve unto God.” He was our Spiritual Father, who poured life into us giving us biblical wisdom and teachings to live by. He was an awesome Counselor, you could talk to him about anything and he would listen. He was an Encourager, who inspired, gave hope and lifted the spirit of anyone who was down. His life’s goal was to endear others to Christ and to manifest the Love of God to all mankind.

Preceding him in death are his father, George H. Reagan, his mother, Dorothy Williams and his youngest son, Kevin C. Reagan. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mrs. Ola Buchanan Reagan; two daughters: Wannetta Reagan, Desoto, Texas and Tonia (Joe) Shaw, Duncanville, Texas; two sons: Darren Reagan, Desoto, Texas and Marlon Reagan, Dallas, Texas; four sisters: Hattie (Charles) Waters, Richardson, Texas, Louise (Robert) Wilson, Desoto, Texas, Anzetta (Billy) Spencer, Dallas, Texas and Joyce Rushing, Houston, Texas; sixteen grandchildren; and a host of other relatives, friends, his Sons in the Ministry and his East Gate Baptist Church Family.