Randy H. Skinner

In 2005, a partnership developed with JPI, one of the nation’s largest luxury apartment condo builders, and increased with this corporation lending its technical assistants to develop a tracking database of crime, sex offenders, poverty, and slum properties. This research allowed SJI and Builders of Hope, Inc to facilitate a $500,000 donation to purchase slum properties in West Dallas and where Builders of Hope CDC built quality affordable housing.  A study of Builders of Hope CDC accomplishments and impact on the community of West Dallas was conducted by SJI and presented to Southern Methodist University Conference sponsored by Faith and Philanthropy that year.  This study was also presented to Foundation for Community Empowerment as a grant proposal.  SJI facilitated a meeting at JPI with more than 30 non-profit leaders that began a more concentrated focus on economic transformation.

In 2006, SJI began a partnership with Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas where Skinner would serve as Director of the Urban Missions (changed to Urban Transformation) and USA Missions Department for the next two and half years. The church adopted the strategies and programs of SJI and put their vast resources and volunteers behind the Transformation West Dallas programs. A close relationship would be formed with the Rees-Jones Foundation, Morningstar Foundation, and over two hundred and fifty business leaders who visited West Dallas and were exposed to the transformation Five Phase Transformation program.  By the end of 2008 over ten million dollars would be given to West Dallas partners, over five million to Central Dallas and over one million to East Dallas non-profits as a result of these partnerships. 

In 2007, HPPC would host over 50 West Dallas community partners in casting the Five Phase Transformation program, and a focus for more collaboration between the business community and non-profits.  A educational campaign would began that year as Skinner led a series of bus tours with West Dallas leaders Arrvel Wilson of West Dallas Community Church, Norm Henry of Builders of Hope, Ed Franklin of Voice of Hope, and Trey Hill of Mercy Street.  A multi-colored magazine projecting the Five Phase Transformation process would be released that year. 

SJI would also assist in hosting with West Dallas Weed and Seed, Builders of Hope, and HPPC a major festival called BlessWest that involved fifty West Dallas partners and served as a Wake-Up Call Rally in serving the West Dallas community.In a partnership with World Vision, more than 400 back to school backpacks would be distributed.  The festival also included a prayer breakfast with Mayor Tom Leppert, an prayer and evangelism outreach, major outreach to Pinkston High School, and evening concert.
Collaboration would begin in 2007 with noted researcher and filmmaker George Otis, Jr. of the Transformation Series, and continues today.

A partnership began with YWAM (Youth with a Mission) in 2006 in Tyler, Texas where Skinner has served as an advisor and consultant. One of the largest YWAM bases in the United States with thousands of student missionaries sent across the world, the base also serves as a cutting edge mission agency to Asia.
In 2008, a new ten minute documentary would be released telling the story of West Dallas history and current transformation projects. A published analysis would be released as well as a part of the Five Phase Transformation model.  SJI also partnered with the Christian Broadcasting Network  (700 Club) which would also release a five minute video to more than one million viewers that told the West Dallas story as the South Dallas Turner Courts transformation as a result of HIS Bridgebuilders ministry.

In the fall of 2008, SJI would begin a partnership with Sojourners Ministry of Washington, D.C. The Foundation for Community Empowerment has joined Sojourners to sponsor the Dallas Justice Revival 2009, of which Skinner serves as Mayor Tom Lepperts representative to the religious community. The first planning event in November of 2008, would involve more than 160 spiritual leaders to hear Sojourners Founder Jim Wallis speak and cast vision for the 2009 event. A second event of about 70 pastors would hear Mayor Tom Leppert speak about the event in March of 2009, along with major non profit leaders such as Central Dallas Ministries, Dallas Leadership Foundation and FCE.

In 2009, SJI Executive Director spoke at the annual prayer breakfast of Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson to a hundred spiritual, corporate, and government officials. At this time, SJI and the Congresswoman office are exploring are more detailed focus on working together to bring economic assistance to the area.
In March of 2009, SJI partnered with Heart of a Champion program to implement this program in local schools suffering from poor test scores and discipline challenges.  Working with individual Dallas City Council members, Skinner has been working to bring churches, non-profits, and economic resources to these suffering areas.

Skinner is a graduate of Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas (B.A.) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div) in Ft. Worth Texas. Skinner currently lives in West Dallas working as an tireless advocate for those suffering. His home also serves as a "House Church" for the community of sixty homes in his neighborhood.