Soma History
SomaChurch began in May 2006 when God opened doors for Tony and Melissa to minister to college students and young adults in Tyler. After months of prayer, fasting, and gathering with close friends, God began to shape a clear vision and set of values for this new work. Ephesians 4 became foundational, revealing God’s desire for a unified and equipped body of believers. From this, the name Soma—the Greek word for “body”—was born, reflecting both the heart and mission of the church.
Soma held its first gathering on February 11, 2007, at Arcadia Coffee Company in downtown Tyler. What began with a small group quickly grew, leading the church to relocate several times as God continued to expand the community—from a downtown bank basement to the Discovery Science Place, and later to Tyler Christian Fellowship. Each season marked meaningful spiritual and numerical growth, as families, children, and individuals found a place to worship and belong.
In October 2018, SomaChurch moved into its permanent home at 3700 Old Bullard Road, a milestone made possible through God’s provision and the generosity of many partners along the way. Today SomaChurch continues to see lives transformed as people grow in faith, build lasting relationships, and live out the Gospel together. Our prayer is that you would find family here—a community that walks beside you as you pursue a life worthy of the calling God has placed on you.