Dear Church Family,

What a joyful week it has been across CityRise!

At CityRise West U Baptist, more than 300 children gathered each day for VBS: Illumination Station, learning about the light and hope of Jesus through Bible teaching, worship, games, crafts, and the faithful care of so many volunteers and leaders. At CityRise Bellaire, close to 180 middle school students gathered for VBX, filling the campus with energy, worship, friendships, and intentional time in God’s Word.

Before you enjoy more of the recap and photos below, I also want to remind our West U Baptist family that the Milton St. parking lot is now closed for Pathways construction. This will affect parking this Sunday, June 21. Please take a moment to review the parking map, and come ready to make room for guests, families, senior adults, and one another as we enter this season together.

Thank you in advance for your patience, flexibility, and hospitality. Even something as practical as parking can become one more way we serve one another well and welcome people warmly.

One of the greatest encouragements from VBS/VBX week was the gospel impact behind it all. Children heard the good news of Jesus, students were challenged to grow in their faith, and we even had the joy of celebrating baptisms as a beautiful picture of new life in Christ.

None of this happens without the Lord’s kindness and the faithful service of His people. Thank you to the dozens of volunteers, childcare staff, ministry leaders, and CityRise staff members who helped organize, teach, guide, welcome, serve snacks, lead games, comfort children, answer questions, and make each day flow so well.

Be sure to scroll to the end of this email for photos from VBS and VBX, where you can catch frozen glimpses of the joy God brought to our campuses last week.

And the summer ministry continues! Escuela Bíblica de Vacaciones, or EBV, has been going on all week at CityRise Missouri City Español, and next week CityRise Missouri City will host its VBS. Please continue praying for every child, student, volunteer, and family who has been or will be part of these weeks. Pray that the gospel would be received with open hearts, and that the light of Christ would shine clearly.

This Sunday is also Father’s Day, and although I will be away this weekend for a wedding, I hope you will take time to thank God for the fathers, grandfathers, spiritual fathers, and faithful men who encourage, lead, and bless our church family in so many ways.

On a personal note, my sabbatical will officially begin on Monday, June 22. I am grateful for the opportunity to rest, pray, and be refreshed, and I look forward to being back in the pulpit on Sunday, July 5, at CityRise Bellaire.

I am so grateful for what God is doing in and through our church family here at CityRise!


Expecting Greater,
Pastor Roger