Dear Church Family,

One of the most encouraging things we can do as Christians is pause and remember how God has been faithful.

Think about the prayers He has answered, the people He has placed in your life, and the ways He has provided for you through seasons of both joy and difficulty. There are moments when we may not recognize what God is doing until we look back and see how He was working all along.

In Psalm 77:11–12, the psalmist makes a deliberate choice to remember the works of the Lord and reflect on all He has done.

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.

That's a good practice for each of us, and it's something we should do together as a church family.

CityRise's 100th anniversary is just over a year away in February 2028, but we can already look back and see how much we have to be thankful for. Generations of faithful men and women have prayed, served, given, and shared the hope of Jesus Christ. Their faithfulness has helped lay the foundation for the ministry we are privileged to be a part of today. And God has given us opportunities to continue that work for the generations who will follow us.

I also want to share some encouraging news as we look ahead. The proposal brought before our congregation for a vote this past Sunday was approved, with 422 votes in favor, 9 opposed, and 3 abstentions. Thank you to everyone who participated in this important decision.

We have also signed our agreement with our contractor and have given them the Notice to Proceed. They will begin to mobilize at West U Baptist in the next two weeks, so we can expect to see quite a bit of activity around the campus. I'm grateful for the progress being made and for the many people who have helped bring us to this point.

In that light, one of our next milestones is coming on Sunday, November 8, when we celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Gallery at our West U Baptist campus.

This exciting step in our Pathways initiative will help create a welcoming new entrance to our campus and provide space for fellowship, receptions, gatherings, and ministry events. It's an investment in the relationships and ministry opportunities that will take place there for years to come.

Our West U Baptist campus will celebrate with a special morning that includes a combined worship service at 8:30A, Community Groups as normal at 9:45A, the ceremony on the front lawn at 11:00A, and lunch together afterward. I hope our West U Baptist family will make plans to join us for this meaningful occasion!

I also encourage our entire CityRise family to pray for this project and for all that God is doing through Pathways across our campuses. From needed parking lot improvements to the incredible renovations at Missouri City, these efforts are helping us welcome people and create opportunities for ministry. As we take these steps forward, we do so with gratitude for those who came before us and with confidence in the God who has faithfully led us.

Let me encourage you to take some time this week to remember what God has done in your own life. Consider sharing a story of His faithfulness with your family or a friend. Thank Him for the blessings you have experienced, and ask Him to help you trust Him with whatever lies ahead.

We have much to celebrate, to be thankful for, and to look forward to. The God who has been faithful through the generations continues to lead us today.


Expecting Greater,
Pastor Roger


P.S. Don't forget to “fall back” this weekend! Be sure to set your old-school clocks back one hour Saturday night. Enjoy that extra hour of sleep, and we'll see you at church Sunday morning!