Faithful in Family, Church, and Community

Robert Brackeen’s story is one of steady faith, family devotion, and a willingness to use the gifts God has given him to serve others.

Born in Waco, Texas, Robert moved to Kaufman when he was 10 years old. He later attended the University of Texas at Arlington, where he played football for two years. During his college years, Robert accepted Christ as his Savior and began serving the Lord through the Baptist Student Union and the college ministry at Fielder Road Baptist Church.

That season marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to faith and service.

A Career Guided by Faith

In 1975, Robert was considering a part-time job and had planned to call the company back later. About 30 minutes later, however, he received a call about an accounting position with a local company. Looking back, Robert sees God’s hand in the timing of that opportunity.

It was at that company that he met Tina. The two were married in November 1975 and will celebrate 51 years of marriage this November.

In 1978, after prayer and conversations with Tina, Robert decided to start his own accounting practice in Arlington. The early years brought financial challenges, but Robert remembers seeing the Lord faithfully provide for their needs. Today, he has spent 48 years in business.

For Robert, his career has been more than a profession. His work as a CPA has also opened doors to serve churches, nonprofits, and community organizations through the financial skills God placed in his hands.

Serving Starts at Home

Robert and Tina welcomed their son, Brandon, in 1981 and their daughter, Alissa, in 1983. Their family has since grown to include one granddaughter and four grandsons.

When their children were young, Tina devoted herself full time to raising the family. Later, when Alissa reached junior high, Tina enrolled at the University of Texas at Arlington. She earned her master’s degree in social services and became a licensed Christian counselor. She went on to serve for 25 years at Arlington Memorial Hospital and continues working part time at Impact Counseling while also helping care for her parents.

Family has always held special importance for Robert. His own father died when Robert was only five years old, an experience that helped shape his desire to be present and involved in the lives of his children.

Fortunately, his accounting career did not require extensive travel, allowing him to participate in school and church activities and coach both of his children’s sports teams for many years.

Robert believes one of the greatest responsibilities of a parent is to guide children in God’s Word and model a faithful life.

Faith, he believes, is demonstrated not only when life is going well, but in the way we respond to adversity and difficult circumstances. Those seasons give children and grandchildren an opportunity to see how Christ walks with us as we faithfully follow Him.

Using Your Gifts to Serve the Church

Robert believes every Christian has been given spiritual gifts to strengthen and serve the body of Christ.

“No matter how minor you think your spiritual gifts are, Christ will use you in His service if you are teachable and available.”

Robert and Tina began attending Mayfield Road Baptist Church in 1976. In 1993, their family began attending Lake Arlington Baptist Church, now known as Lake Church.

Over the years, Robert has served his local church in a variety of roles, including teacher, deacon mentor, and member of the finance team. Each opportunity has allowed him to use different gifts while contributing to the life and ministry of the church.

Finding Your Place in Community Service

Robert jokes that he is a “specialist” when it comes to community service, although perhaps not in the traditional handyman sense.

He admits that woodworking, car repairs, and fixing equipment are not among his strongest gifts. In fact, Tina once gave him what he calls a “honey don’t list.”

But Robert has learned that service is not about having every skill. It is about recognizing the gifts God has given you and being willing to use them.

One of those gifts is his heart for young people. Robert coached youth sports teams from ages six through 16. While winning was always nice, his focus went beyond the scoreboard. He wanted to teach boys and girls values that would help them throughout life, not just during a game.

His professional experience as a CPA has also provided another avenue for service. Robert has served as treasurer for several organizations and currently serves as Treasurer for Men Serving God.

He also serves on the Arlington Mansfield Area Salvation Army Advisory Council, helping support the organization’s work with individuals and families throughout the community.

Through Lake Church and Men Serving God, Robert has volunteered with numerous local organizations, often alongside Tina.

Inspired by Those Who Serve

For Robert, one of the greatest blessings of community service is meeting the men and women who faithfully care for people in need.

Watching volunteers give their time, energy, and resources to help individuals and families continues to inspire him. Service has also created opportunities for Robert and Tina to build meaningful relationships throughout the community.

Over the years, they have mentored married couples and couples preparing for marriage, sharing lessons from their own journey and encouraging others as they build their lives together.

Robert looks forward to continuing to serve alongside other men and women wherever the Lord leads.

Trusting God in Every Season

A favorite Scripture has helped guide Robert throughout his life:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)

From starting a business during uncertain years to raising a family, serving the church, mentoring others, and supporting community organizations, Robert’s life reflects the truth of those words.

His story reminds us that serving God does not require every talent or ability. It requires a willing heart, a teachable spirit, and the faith to use whatever God has placed in our hands.