Well, it finally happened! After 2 years of God stirring up Curtis and Amanda and spooning them onto the same ministry page and after six months of praying and planning with a core group of believers, Bayou City Fellowship blew open its doors last Sunday, September 11th. On so many levels, it was the Sunday of my lifeā¦and, just so you know, Iāve loved me some Sundays. Youāve got no hater here. Ink canāt convey what growing up in the church meant to a child whoād come from early victimization and was all but paralyzed by fear and insecurity. I know my story is not everyoneās but, for me, church was a safe place. A happy place. A lively place even long before the days of praise bands and raised hands. It was there in that small circle of Sunday school chairs in Arkadelphia, Arkansas that I met the love of my life. It was there that I memorized my first Bible verses and, there, my head plunged beneath the waters of baptism at the ripe old age of nine.
If Iām counting them right, Iāve belonged to about 6 or 7 churches in my 54 years and most of those changes were necessary because of moves. I canāt say that a single one of them was intolerable. If youāve been around the LPM blog very long, you may know how dearly I loved HFBC and what tears I shed in saying goodbye to the church where Iād worshipped for almost 30 years. At first the sense of lostness was palpable. Then, suddenly, as I crouched with other believers way out on that limb, in the throes of desperate prayer, and complete dependence on God for this infant church, it was like quart of Red Bull started coursing through my veins. People would ask from time to time, āAre you guys scared?ā Well, alive is more like it. Alive and AWAKE.
Itās been one of the most exciting things Iāve ever been part of. Many of you who have been involved in church plants have said the same thing. I guess one reason is because itās just so out there. History canāt make it float. Heritage canāt make it float. Habit canāt make it float. Only Jesus can make it float. If He does not shine His face upon us, we will fizzle out like a year-old sparkler on the 4th of July. The other big thing from a personal standpoint, making it so exhilarating is the band of new relationships. How often does somebody make 50 new friends without getting on Facebook? I know at least 20 childrenās names and they know mine. OK. So I have candy in my purse. Is that against anybodyās religion??
Sunday two weeks ago, we had our BCF dress rehearsal. Everybody on the core team has at least one job to do so we got there early and into our places. (The first wave at 7:00 AM. The second wave at 8:30. Thatās my wave. Service begins at 10:00.) Iām on the host team so we mostly practiced welcoming each other at dress rehearsal and we taste-tested the coffee at our makeshift coffee bar. Other teams were practically as busy at dress rehearsal as theyād be on opening day. The utility team and the childrenās team require the most hands on deck because they have to set up and tear down every week. God graced us lavishly with space to rent at Houston Christian High School (Beltway 8, close to Hammerly ā a gorgeous school and a great one). So, on these Sundays, halls and gyms transform into childrenās areas with bright primary colors, songs, sounds of laughter, and stories about a great big God and a Savior who could walk on water. A Man who could take one boyās lunch and feed thousands. Someone who said, āDonāt hold back those children from me! Theyāre what the Kingdom of God is all about!ā We feel like God gave us one of the most gifted couples in our entire area to head up our childrenās ministry. I pray for Dustin and Cassi second in line only to Curtis and Amanda. I wondered if theyād be overwhelmed on opening Sunday but their team was prepared, all the children welcomed and well cared for, and I saw nothing but smiles as I picked up Jackson and Annabeth.
Oops. Iām getting ahead of myself. Iāll back up and give you a short run-down of our first Sunday from the pitifully biased point of view of Blonder Than She Pays To Be:
I got there a few minutes behind schedule because Iād asked special grace from the pastorās wife. Saturdayās simulcast in Lubbock made for a pretty late Saturday night so, by the time I got to the church, everything was already in high gear. This was the scene at the welcome center for the children. As you can see, we were getting a few things ironed out before our guests arrived.
We met for prayer in the gym and, after our pastor asked us to get in small groups and agree in focused intercession, one of our team members also requested that we gather around Curtis, lay hands on him and call out to God in his behalf. It was such a powerful time that I donāt think Iāll ever forget it. I could get tears in my eyes just thinking about it. At this point, you realize that we didnāt even know for certain that anybody else was coming. We were “in the presence of the God in whom [we] believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” (Romans 4:17 ESV)
After prayer, we all scurried to our places. Mine last Sunday was beside those at the front door to the chapel. I will work in the childrenās area pretty regularly but, when Iām in big church, I get to be on the team that welcomes people. I always wanted to be on the welcoming committee at HFBC so Iām ecstatic about my new job. I get to serve in this capacity as long as I donāt clog up an aisle or a door so I intend to stay light on my feet on Sundays and move from place to place. (I have promised Curtis and Amanda that I will not let BCF become a place for signing books or taking pictures. I just want to be a fellow church-servant so badly. On our first Sunday, thatās exactly what I got to be! A good sign indeed.)
I wish you could have seen the host team and I staring through the glass doors for signs of guests. Sure enough, by 9:30 they were coming. To say that we tripped over one another to welcome people is an understatement. Mind you, weād been planning this moment for 6 months. It might be safe to say that there were some among the host team who were willing to elbow others to get to the guests first.Ā Iāll not mention any names but, if I remember right, I think her initials were BM.
Side note: Someone who will remain nameless but is related to me had brought donuts for the team to dress rehearsal the week before and I couldnāt eat one because of a bread-fast I was observing for the simulcast. I could not WAIT to sink my teeth into a warm Shipleyās on our opening morning and, lo and behold, no one brought any. I said to my son-in-law Colin, āIām starving for a donut.ā (A sick exaggeration, of course.) He said, āI donāt have a donut but I do have some peanut M&Mās. Would that do?ā In a pinch, YES!
At the exact moment I threw a handful in my mouth, our first guest walked through the door. Not to be outdone, I flew over there, chewing as fast as I could, and greeted her with great enthusiasm and with tiny chips of brilliant red, blue, and green lodged between the opening teeth of my lifelong overbite. In hindsight, I wish Iād waited. I saw a piece of peanut on her shoulder after I hugged her. I wanted to swat it off but I was afraid sheād think that I thought she had dry scalp. It was a lose-lose. Another of our team members was equally enthusiastic. She showed us later how sheād nearly wrapped herself like a pretzel around the first guest she got to greet. (Donāt be scared to visit. If we canāt bring ourselves to settle down some over the next few weeks, we overzealous ones are prepared to take medication. Or have it forced upon us. Maybe we could wear a relaxation patch of some kind.)
Then I looked inside the chapel ā still about 25 minutes before the service ā and spied two women from the back with really cute gray hair. I descended upon them like a seagull dive-bombing a surf. We are hoping to no end that God will build BCF into a multigenerational body of believers so gray was one of our favorite colors last Sunday. If we donāt turn out with many senior adults, Iāll pray about letting my hair go its natural color. And I feel utterly certain that God will say no.
Their names were Irma and Joanne. Iām talking about the two women in the chapel. Stay with me here. And, are you ready for this? They are SIESTAS. Yep. Siestas. They live in Houston and knew about Bayou City Fellowship through our blog. In fact, I do not doubt they are reading this right now. Hi, Irma! Hi, Joanne! I loved meeting you both! Are you coming back this Sunday? Huh? Huh? I, of course, asked them if theyād be coming to our SSMT celebration but Irma said sheād found so many verses to be a bit daunting. I bet many of you can relate. But I told her the same thing Iām telling you: itās not too late! Choose a psalm with 20 verses and get busy!
Back to BCF. The host team got the chance to welcome many people on Sunday. We think we had about 500 in all, counting the children. We were ecstatic. It was the perfect size for our first Sunday because we had a room full of worshippers without being overwhelmed. Our praise to God knows no bounds. Our whole family was involved. I wish I could see your faces when I tell you that Melissa manned the coffee bar. She did a splendid job, but when she ran out of half and half, youād have thought we were on the edge of Armageddon. The Texas Pecan coffee was other-worldly in my opinion but she quipped, āWITH NO HALF AND HALF???ā I agreed. It was unheard of. I just adore her. No one on earth is like her. Colin, Melissaās man, was extremely busy because he is on the utility team, setting up and tearing down. (She is, too, by the way.) During the service, Colin passed one of the offering plates and, honestly, if I loved him more, Iād throw my back out. I would not trade him for anything on the planet. Melissa sat on one side of our hard-working pastorās wife. (Donāt get me going on the pastorās wife. It will put me over the edge. She is taking her place right beside her man and I am so impressed with God through her that I hardly know how to handle it. I have begun to call her First Lady. She has failed to acknowledge the honorific, however.) My older sister, Gay, sat on Amandaās other side. It is a picture that will be engraved on my mind as long as I have memory. Ā I sat on the other side of my sister and Keith sat next to me. And his handsome twenty-two year old nephew sat next to him. And itās very likely that any unattached young woman within five years of him wished she were sitting hitherto.
And, Curtis?
Well, Girlfriend. Curtis preached.
I do mean Curtis PREACHED.
And I got a word.
And many of us rededicated our lives. Iām not being facetious. I really did. 54 is no time to shove everything over to the young. They need you to stick with them. And, oh, Lord, have mercy, I NEED THEM.Ā Iāve hardly known what to do with myself since giving up Sunday school. I have a new job at church now: itās called Whatever. Iāll rock babies. Iāll tell stories to children. Iāll welcome guests. Iāll help Melissa with the coffee. Iāll pass the offering plate (and probably try to peek in it). Whatever. Iām in.
Because I love church life. Even in all its imperfections and missteps. Even with its questionable reputation. Even though, at best, it can only point to Jesus and feign to replace Him. God used it to scoop me up when I was freefalling into an abyss. God used it to light a torch in me for missions and for the lifelong study of Scripture. God used it to teach me how to take a messy stab at teaching. God used it to show me how to love and to be loved. God used it to teach me how to forgive and feel forgiven.
Infinitely more than that, Jesus loves the Church. The big One. The one weāre only a speck on the face of. We – a people crouched on a tiny new dot on the Kingdom globe – want to take our place, shoulder to shoulder, with all the others who lift the Name of Jesus sky-high for any eye to see.
We want to take our place next to you.
And, if you happen to find yourself shoulder to shoulder with me, you might check your person for a rogue piece of peanut M&M. Iām a hugger, you know.
I knew it would be fabulous! So exciting to see it through your words…..every little M&M spec and all. May God be glorified and magnified until our faith becomes sight.
Praise God
Thanks for sharing that!
Wow, I get exhausted and all excited at the same time reading this post. You amaze me and I love your love of life! š Thank you for sharing your day with us!! Loved it
Thank you, thank you and thank you again for such a beautifully detailed description of “Opening Day” at BCF. I felt like I was right there and I would be, if I did not live in Stockbridge, Georgia already. I would be sitting with Irma and Joanne with my silver hair! God Bless this wonderful church home and all the wonderful people serving Him!
Precious – oh Beth my heart is just SLAP FULL of love for you and this fellowship. I LOVE church, too, just love being in God’s house with my faith family. I LOVE that God is doing something amazing in this new faith family.
And girl, I’m sorry about the lack of Shipley’s. We don’t have Shipley’s in my neck of the woods, but my baby girl is off at Miss State and she just got a job at Shipley’s — and I’m a FAN! That’s some kinda good donut!
Beth my dear, you are something! As you came to greet us, we were thrilled to be meeting you and Amanda in person and it is hard to believe you would remember our names as you were greeting lots of other people too. Curtis did preach a great sermon and I saw you on the front row, taking it all in. The music was great too.
It was a wonderful blessed experience and I just know that God is going to bless everybody that takes part in BCF. I guess we better get back to own church this Sunday but we will be back to BCF again–for sure.
Erma
What a perfectly wonderful entry to ready! I can relate with you due to the fact that my family is joining in with my brother-in-law and his wife in ministry too. Itās a long story as to how we got to where we are today but I can tell you all this- it is nothing short of miraculous to see how God Almighty has moved in the past two years and continues to move. Just last night, 8 of us gathered to discuss some things and more importantly, have a time of prayer. Let me tell youā¦GOD WAS THERE!!! I never stop being amazed about the fact that God allows me to be apart of what he is doing!! And he loves me, to boot!!
Miss Bethā¦thanks also for your words of encouragement regarding the memory verse challenge. I didnāt discover this blog until just couple months ago and the minute I heard about the challenge, I felt it was too great. Yet at the same time I thought that trip would be a perfect way for me to celebrate my 40th birthday! Soā¦Iām going to look for a Psalm tonight with 20 verses and by the grace of God, Iāll get emā memorized and hopefully be there in January!
Love to all the āsiestasā out there!! <3
That sounds like an amazing first Sunday and an amazing new church! I love the Church!
(I also love that you call big church, big church! And that you love Shipley’s. And I so identify with the lifelong overbite.)
It sounds like Amanda is doing an amazing job at being a pastor’s wife! I’m at a place in my life right now where I’m wondering if my own husband is going to be a senior pastor one day (he’s an associate pastor right now in a wonderful church with a great pastor & loves it!). My husband is an amazing man of God (that’s one of the main things that so attracted me to him!) and is a gifted preacher as well as an amazing people person and leader, but the thought of him becoming a pastor really scares me. Actually, the thought of myself becoming a pastor’s wife is what REALLY scares me.
oh beth. may i call you that? that was better than any movie i could have watched or novel i could have read tonight. thank you for sharing. i’m coming to houston in january! can. not. wait.! hope to visit bcf if the flights work out so. xxoo
I just loved this story Beth, but what really hit me was your encouragement to the siesta’s and the woman who was daunted by the verses. I have a friend who started but gave up. I am sending her your message. Pick a Psalm with 20 verses (or less since she started and gave up!)Thanks for the idea. I so want her to come to the celebration with us š
ohhhh, the birth of a church! you want to know what i was doing this past Sunday? i was praising Him with you as we celebrated 10 years since the first Sunday service of the church that we had the awesome privilege to serve as it launched. being part of that was truly amazing. that was Service, through and through, to set up, tear down, make do, pull together, and find His way during those first months and years. i am jealous for you š these are wonderful days and i rejoice with you!!
I forwarded this to my son and his precious wife who are moving to Clearwater, Fla to be church planters. Glory to God.
YOu are soooo funny. It’s lovely that you’re so excited for your new church and I wish I lived in Texas so that I could drop in. I’ll pray for you all
Oh my word. You had me laughing, crying, and I cannot get rid of this lump in my throat. What an amazing blessing.I can’t imagine the unyeilding joy of that day. To watch your babies launch on this new God inspired trek. How great it must be!!
Praise God!
That sounds wonderful! I’m church-shopping in a new city, and I would love to be greeted by you at a church I visit. I’m feeling invisible right now, it’s hard to go in as single woman, but God is faithful and has always provided wonderful church families.
Congratulations to you all…and all Glory to God:) I love your sense of humor in this post…thanks for the late night laugh! Blessings:)
mama beth-
I started at my church first as an infant caregiver.
I was 17. I was looking for a child care job so I could have on job training. Mom helped me look for jobs in the pennysaver(local newspaper)- I found one at a church. I wasn’t excited about it, but I called anyway. 15 min later I got a call back to interview with Pastor…
I’m sharing this, because I was one of those people who gave their life to Christ when it all started with working childcare, and every sunday I would hear the praise music through the walls of the dressing rooms.
One day I remember walking out and seeing song lyrics and seeing ” Psalm..” and I asked what that was. And found out that songs were based on the Bible. I had never opened the Bible really…it was all new to me.
And when they all held hands to pray…that was new to me.
We started with the same amount of people,and I loved the freshness of it. So I am excited for you guys too!! Please tell Amanda that I am praying for all of you, and KNOW that God is going to do amazing things there!!:)
Our core statement has always been:
” Where Love Changes Lives..”
and it DID.
xoxo
angie
I love church, too! I am so excited for this new birth in Houston! And now I am dying for Sunday up here where I live! M&Ms, hahahaha!
LOVE THIS. I ate up every word!!
Two things….Chris said it could have been worse about the peanut m&m’s….she could have had an allergy and swole up like a tick.
Also…I believe I met Irma at the Alluvial Fan in Estes Park three weeks ago. I told her about BCF. Their church had just closed and she and some friends were looking. I may be misremembering her name though. She was from the Spring area, I believe.
Ok. Three. I am so excited for y’all and praying.
Love, Holly
Beth,
I am praying for God’s continued hand of blessing on Curtis & Amanda & all the rest involved in this church plant. May His presence come & dwell among you in a mighty way each time you gather & may His name be exalted to receive all the glory! In the mighty name of Jesus I ask, Amen!
Love you all,
Christy
Summit, MS
Thanks for sharing this wonderful, exciting event with us! I loved it. almost felt like I was there! I laughed out LOUD when I read about the piece of rogue peanut and your dilema on whether to brush it off her or not! I just love you!! You make me laugh and think and cry and love Jesus all the more! Thank you š
How beautiful.
Every detail.
And the chapel is sooooo pretty. Wish we were in Houston. Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations!
There is so much I’d like to say to this…I love it. What I enjoy most about it, and about the things you write and Tweet, etc, is that you are just a regular person and you know it (not to say God hasnt chosen to use you in a huge way, but you know what im saying). When I ran across Amanda’s blog last year and started reading her posts I had an overwhelming sense that God was going to give her a platform/ministry of her own, and I told her that it wouldn’t be because of who her mother was, but her own place and space. I don’t know what that sounds like, but I know lots of women that hold you in a pretty high place, so I can only imagine that your girls run across people that would love to get close to you, by way of them. Know what I’m saying? It’s late and I am kind of rambling. All that to say I really respect the things I hear you say, because I genuinely believe you really want to be His servant. I’ve known people with much smaller ministries that demand to be served and it’s not attractive in the slightest. I’m so certain BCF will be a thriving body of believers and will impact that city. Praying for favor with God and with men. One day I’d love to visit…if I hadn’t fallen off the siesta memory wagon, I’d be there in January wouldn’t I? One day.
Hey, I just reread this and feel free to not post it if it sounds…not sure the word I want to use…but if it sounds funny, just delete it š
Oh, Sweetie, forgive me for that, but I just feel like I need to tell you what a “sweetie” you are and how much you touched my old heart regarding your support and love for this new “planting”- I’m Episcopalian so “planting” is not my usual word, however this church is truly a mighty seed being planted for our Lord’s Kingdom- you and Keith have been such sowers – I adore your post and God Bless you and yours and may HE bring a mighty River of Grace over all of you- How LOVELY- Lots of love,admiration and my Best Dear Sister in Christ- how lovely…..
FIVE HUNDRED?????!!!!!!!! that is HUGE!!! i know it’s houston BUT it’s a brand new church! that is GOD-SIZED! PRAISE THE LORD!!! you’ll be busting at the seems by this weekend! start looking for land and a building contractor! so happy for houston to have God providing for you all. God bless!
Oh, Beth, THANK YOU for the details of this first meeting of BCF. I, like many, have been praying–and well reminded having seen you last Saturday. Praise be to God for his Favor and Grace upon that gathering. I will pray in the weeks to come that you get to be a church lady. Period. (maybe some orthopedic shoes would help–you know, very sensible square-toed things)
And I had to laugh, as I live in a part of the country where the BIGGEST evangelical churches have 200, 250 at capacity! So your “manageable” 500 at first service…different worlds–but joyfully, THE SAME BODY š
With Love from this pinky toe.
I love church too! Love it madly! BCF is awash in anointing – God bless it! I mean, it’s no Vanguard Church (that’s my church!) but it sounds amazing! Mmmmmmmmm….peanut M & Ms….. š
That’s wonderful Beth! I am so happy for all of you.
I LOVE Sundays, too! I take every chance I can get to worship with fellow believers, and your description of the opening made me want to plan a vacation to Houston just so I can visit you guys! Glory be to Him!
This Siesta was there!! What a wonderful morning of celebrating -Jesus! I felt like God was speaking to me thru Curtis when spoke about God’s interruptions in our lives. I just knew the Lord had things for me to learn in that message! If I can get up after making it home after the late Aggie game, I’ll be back on Sunday!! God is brewing so much excitment in me about this new church – and this “brew” doesn’t even need any half and half!!!
I love that new church and I’m all the way in Indiana. !!!! What a fun and fantastic first Sunday. Thanks so much for sharing what God is doing in Texas. Love it
Pam
Dianne, I am praying that you will find the church that God wants you to be a part of. I can’t imagine not being a part of a loving Christian Fellowship. I love the people in my church and have been blessed to have the best friends ever from there. We have been members for 30 years. God bless you!
Wow! That is so awesome & encouraging. My family is actually apart of an inner city church plant here in Knoxville. We are terrified, overwhelmed, & feel totally inadequate. My man will be our worship leader. I am so proud of him & excited to see God use him in his passion. Reading about you new chuch makes me want our launch date to hurry up & get here but we are still percolating in training & prayer. Keep posting! It is so encouraging!
OK… glad it was awesome. But here’s my question: How much longer until you intend to SHARE the blessing? Would love to be able to listen to Curtis via iTunes podcasts!! I live in the Atlanta area and attend a small church that started in a High School – love it. But I also love listening to other pastors around the country when I jog. Would love to add Curtis to that rotation. Put some leverage on the crowbar girl.
Beth,
You make me smile siesta! I LOVED hearing about your first Sunday and the way you humble yourself to a “whatever.” I had a hard week and needed that! May God pour out His blessings Bayou City steps out in faith to minister and make a difference!
Juanita in VB
I have just gotta say this post has made my morning so much brighter! (I must admit I was a bit grouchy because I am NOT a morning person and was up way too early)! I know a lot of people who have been hurt by churches (or rather the people in them) but it always was a safe place in my messed up childhood. I am excited about what God is doing in my church and am excited to hear what He’s doing in BCF! I will be praying for you guys! As Isreal Houghton sings, “Do you realize that you’re alive at the greatest time in history?” Awesome! By the way, Peanut Butter M&M’s are where it’s at!
I’m not sure, but I think this might be what it looks like to burst with joy!
What a blessing!
May God be the builder of His church and may you all have the most amazing time watering, tending, and working the harvest of that fruit!
Oh, Beth, I was in tears as I read your blog. Okay, I had to laugh a little too, but for the most part I was in tears. I have an Amanda, only her name is Chantel, and she and her husband are launching a church in Austin this Sunday.
Just yesterday she told me how sad she was that none of her family could be there for the launch, and when I read about how your whole family has banded together to be a part of this new “baby”, it was my undoing. We all live in Atlanta, and not one of us can make the trip to Austin even after months of hoping in that direction. My daughter and I talk every day and I feel like I am personal friends with their core team, and I felt worn out after hearing about their rehearsal Sunday, but there is nothing like the blessing of being a “hands on” supporter–of getting to be the mom and grandma on special days like that.
Thank you for writing about your first Sunday so I could experience it from a mom’s perspective and live through the experience vicariously. I know there will be many Sundays to come and I’m believing that on one of those Sundays soon, I’ll be able to run around doing whatever needs to be done and then sit by my daughter’s side as her husband ministers–but I’ll be sure to avoid the peanut M&M’s.
What a joy-full day!
May God continue to bless you all.
Margie
Well, well, well, what an exciting Sunday. I also grew up loving to “go to church”. In fact my family sat on the second row AND we had to sit together on Sunday mornings. My dad gave us a choice on Sunday nights and Wednesday nights but we also had to remember the pastor knew “all us kids” by name so we still behaved well. I have been called down a time or two from the pulpit for talking. (which I do very well). Oh, away with the nostalgia! Troy and I visited BCF that first Sunday and we really felt God’s presence. We will visit again and be in prayer for where we are suppose to be.
Glory to God!!
Oh, Beth,
I am so inspired by your blog today. I love the church, too, And always will. I believe in her. I believe that she will be presented to Christ very soon, as a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle. I believe the church is one of God’s grandest ideas. She is one bunch of imperfect people, coming together to form one glorious union of praise and honor to our Lord. Blessings to you, Beth, and to Curtis, and to the church.
Wish you all leave closer to us. We need a new church in NC. Best of luck and many of God’s blessing to you all.
God bless BCF! Church families are the BEST!!!
Hey Mama!
Can I just say that I love that you spit a bit of your M&Ms on someone’s shoulder and told us all about it? Bless your heart.
Thank you so much for this wonderful update on BCF’s first Sunday. SO EXCITING! I wish there were more church planter’s blogging about their start-ups, telling us what new thangs God is doing in the body.
I know you know, but KNOW that we are praying for Curtis, Amanda, and the whole team at BCF – that God will be glorified and draw people to Him!
~ Becky
I loved hearing about y’alls first Sunday! Thank you for including us! Pioneering is so invigorating and I pray everyone involved, especially the pastors and their wives, are supernaturally renewed through out their very full weeks. I’m also praying God might give you all His favor and grace as you continue to birth this baby of His.
On a lighter note, Beth, you’re a girl after my own heart…I am always very pleased when there are goodies on Sunday mornings, Bible studies, prayer meetings, etc. Loved your story š
What a blessing!! My husband also felt the call to plant a church after pastoring for over 20 years!! Our first Sunday at our new church was 9-11-05. This past Sunday, (9-11-11) we celebrated His Vineyard’s 6th anniversary with the dedication of our new worship center. God is great!! This new church plant has been the most awesome adventure that God has ever had us on. Our church family is awesome and there only desire is to see Jesus lifted up so that our community can be drawn to Him. Praying for your family and Bayou. God is going to do great things. Love you. Thank you for teaching the Word so faithfully to us women. God uses you in a powerful way in my own personal life as well as our women’s ministry.
How exciting for all of you. New adventures are always a little frightening and the validation through the smiles of the eager participants when it finally comes together is always worth the extra anxiety. Hoping one day to walk away with a piece of M&M on my shoulder, even if it’s red and the stain never comes out.