The State of Texas is seeking nearly $788,000 from a nonprofit ministry led by Fort Worth City Councilmember Chris Nettles after the Texas Department of Agriculture disallowed expenses claimed under a federal child nutrition program.
The Office of the Attorney General filed the lawsuit on TDA’s behalf on August 6 in Travis County’s 353rd District Court, naming Purpose Driven Ministries and identifying Nettles as a defendant in the petition, according to court records reviewed by The Dallas Express. The case is styled State of Texas v. Purpose Driven Ministries, Cause No. D-1-GN-26-006578.
The State is asking the court to enter a $787,872.77 judgment against the nonprofit, plus prejudgment interest, attorney fees, investigative costs, and court costs.
State seeks repayment after administrative process
TDA administers the federally funded Child and Adult Care Food Program in Texas. The program reimburses eligible child-care centers, adult day-care centers, after-school programs, and other participating providers for qualifying meals and snacks.
“After conducting an administrative review in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Texas Administrative Code and the Code of Federal Regulations, the Department took adverse [action] against Defendant Purpose Driven Ministries, which included a demand for the return of $787,872.77 in disallowed expenses, plus additional interest as required by statute,” the State’s petition reads.
The petition states that Purpose Driven Ministries had the opportunity to appeal the repayment demand and termination of advance payments through an administrative hearing.
“An administrative review upheld the Department’s determination. As a result, the Department’s determination is final,” the State alleged.
TDA subsequently referred the debt to the Attorney General’s Office for collection after Purpose Driven Ministries allegedly failed to pay the amount demanded.
The court has not entered a judgment holding Purpose Driven Ministries liable for the amount the State seeks. The State’s petition also names Nettles as a defendant, but pleads its claim for repayment of $787,872.77 against Purpose Driven Ministries.
Records connect Nettles to ministry and program
A permanent agreement included with the State’s filing shows Nettles signed as Purpose Driven Ministries’ director on October 26, 2018. TDA signed the agreement on November 15, 2018. The agreement made the ministry responsible for complying with state and federal requirements governing its selected food programs, including the Child and Adult Care Food Program.
The ministry website identifies Nettles as its founder and senior pastor. Nettles has also publicly tied his child-care business to his ministry.
“Since 2014, Chris Nettles has owned and operated his daycare center, Haven of Purpose Childcare Center, which provides care, education, nutritious meals, mentorship, and so much more to the children of working families in Fort Worth. Chris’s business is run alongside of his ministry, where he has served as the senior Pastor and played an active role in the community for the past eleven years,” Nettles’ campaign website states.
Nettles’ official Fort Worth City Council biography similarly states that he has owned and operated Haven of Purpose Childcare Center since 2014.
As of August 30, a search of the Texas child-care database by the center’s name and operation no. 1673455 did not return a current provider entry. Purpose Driven Ministries also did not appear on TDA’s 2025-2026 CACFP Centers Sponsor List, last updated August 17.
Those databases do not explain when or why the organization’s status changed.
Council candidate calls for transparency
James “Conly” Brewer, a District 6 resident who has filed for the 2027 District 6 City Council race, raised questions about Nettles, the ministry, and Haven of Purpose during the council’s August 25 meeting.
“Public records involving Council Member Chris Nettles, Haven of Purpose Childcare Center, and Purpose-Driven Ministries raise substantial questions that deserve clarification.” Brewer told council members.
Brewer told the council that Nettles’ 2026 personal financial statement identifies him as self-employed and describes his occupation as owner of childcare and after-school.
However, Brewer alleged that Texas child-care licensing records show Haven of Purpose entered voluntary suspension in July 2024 with zero children and zero staff before ultimately closing in April 2026. He contrasted those records with the information still presented publicly by Nettles and the City of Fort Worth.
Brewer also discussed the TDA dispute, telling the council that state records showed $787,872.77 in unallowable expenses and meal disallowances covering 2021 through 2023.
The State’s lawsuit independently confirms that TDA demanded the return of $787,872.77 in disallowed expenses. However, the petition reviewed by The Dallas Express does not provide a year-by-year breakdown of the disallowed expenses or specify in its four-page complaint which expenses resulted in the repayment demand.
Brewer emphasized that the dispute should not be interpreted as proof that Nettles personally engaged in wrongdoing.
“I’m not asking this council to presume guilt. I am asking for transparency. Public trust requires one standard of accountability for everybody.” Brewer said.
Brewer urged city officials to determine whether Nettles’ city biography or financial disclosures require correction or clarification and whether another city authority should review the matter.
The Dallas Express contacted Nettles for comment regarding the State’s lawsuit, TDA’s administrative determination, his role in Purpose Driven Ministries, the current status of Haven of Purpose Childcare Center, and the information contained in his city biography and financial disclosures, but did not receive a response by publication time.
Provided by Dallas Express
