Pastor D.R. Shortridge came to the Dallas Church of God in 1975. He and wife Karen have served the Dallas Church of God with a deep love for the church's membership and a heartfelt burden for the unsaved. Rev. Shortridge has served on the Church of God State Youth Board, Evangelism, Home Missions Board, and the State Council in Church of God of Western North Carolina. Many have been blessed with his preaching in revivals, camp meetings, prayer conferences and on foreign mission fields. His heart is preaching the truth of God’s word with a love and compassion for the lost and compassion for the helpless. He has proclaimed the gospel on various local radio stations and in recent years through our website and on social media. Rev. Shortridge believes in the true gospel as the Bible teaches ...the new birth (conversion), the work of sanctification and the baptism of the Holy Spirt with tongues and the practicing of the gifts of the Holy Spirt.

Rev. Shortridge has had by his side through his ministry his wife, Karen Shortridge. Through the years they have blessed thousands with their anointed singing and the preaching of the word. They recently celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2017. Karen has been invaluable to the ministry as she does so many things behind the scenes that no one sees. She is the church organist and faithful to her talent. She is a true servant of God and cares deeply for the mission of the Dallas Church of God. 

Brother and Sister Shortridge have two sons, Daniel and Matthew. Both have grown up in the Dallas Church of God and are greatly involved in the ministry. Daniel has written numerous songs and sings regularly with the group Adoration in the church as well as playing instruments and coordinating the music ministry.

Daniel is married to Deana Shortridge. Deana has been a faithful member of the church since her youth and teaches the children's primary class in Sunday School.  Daniel and Deana have two children, Jordan and Allison. Jordan is also very active in the church, playing the drums and working in the A/V department. Allison is a member of our choir and actively participates with our youth group. 

Matthew is married to Amy Shortridge and they have two children as well.  Daughter, Adalyn is a member of our "little church" and son, Asher, is their most recent addition to the family. Both Matthew and Amy teach on our children's ministry team and work with our children's ministry team members conducting bible schools, field trips, and community outreach. Matthew is an outstanding vocalist, blessing us with his God given singing talent and from time to time plays his saxophone. 

God has richly blessed the Dallas Church of God through the years under the leadership of the Shortridge family. Numerous miracles, conversions and works by the power of God have been witnessed and we will continue to lift and worship our God until He returns again. We feel that through Jesus name, the best is still to come.