Overflow Tyler is a ministry for college students that strives to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ known on local college campuses. The ministry comprises students from both TJC and the University of Texas at Tyler who share in the same mission as the organization. Friendly Baptist Church originally started the ministry in spring 2017 when they saw a need for students to have a place to comfortably worship with fellow believers. 

As the ministry has grown, they have partnered with other local churches and hope they will be able to continue reaching students with the Gospel for many more years. The ministry is currently overseen by Steve Lyles, the executive pastor at Friendly Baptist Church, and is lead in part by the worship team and other volunteers. 

“I have loved being a part of this ministry, and I love getting to see the impact it has had on students,” Skylar Davis, a member of the Overflow worship team, said. “It really is great. I have learned a lot and would definitely recommend it to anybody looking for a place to worship.” 

Overflow meets at 7 p.m. every Tuesday and alternates locations weekly. Each meeting consists of a time of worship, a lesson and concludes with another short segment of worship. The ministry and its leaders are passionate about Overflow being a safe place for students to come without feeling judged and focuses on loving people right where they are. 

Bailey Johnson, an Overflow student, said, “We want everyone to come. Even if you haven’t been before or don’t know anyone, at least come and try it out. That’s what I did, and now I love it.” 

 Overflow ministry serves students at TJC and UT Tyler to share its missionFor more information on when and where Overflow meets, visit the group’s Facebook page “Overflow Tyler” or its Instagram page “@overflowtyler.”