A Note from Pastor Roger

Good afternoon, Church Family!

I send this note to you today with hundreds of happily screaming kids going through the halls of West U Baptist, and it's music to my ears. More on that below!

Our "Lift: 7 Principles to Drive Change" series in 1 Timothy continues on Sunday with "The Lift of Clarity." If you are unable to join us in person, you’re welcome to be with us online during one of our livestreamed services through our CityRise app, on our livestreams page, or at youtube.com/cityriseorg.

The summer months are some of the busiest at CityRise, especially for our KidStuff and Students ministries!

PINE COVE CITY

Each year, the premier Christian camp organization Pine Cove sends counselors across the country to bring the outdoor camp atmosphere indoors with their day camp program, Pine Cove City. We have been blessed to have Pine Cove come to our Crosspoint Church - Bellaire campus for several years, bringing Bible lessons and catchy chants to children entering 1st through 6th grade. But with construction happening at Crosspoint this summer, they have seamlessly transferred over to West U Baptist, and it has been awesome!

Two hundred eight excited campers. Thirty-eight enthusiastic counselors. One week of Jesus being taught to children in our church and from the community. As you check out the pictures below, remember to keep these kids and counselors in your prayers, that the Holy Spirit will continue speaking to them through the words they hear and the lessons they teach long after the week is over.

STUDENT LIFE CAMP

Just outside the Dallas/Fort Worth area, our Students Team took a group of middle schoolers to Student Life Camp at the Mt. Lebanon Christian Camp and Retreat Center. They had an incredible experience outdoors getting to know Jesus and each other more. And even better—four accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior! Hallelujah!

Here is Student Ministry Associate Ashley Miksch's experience:

"Student Life Camp was an incredible way to end our summer with our middle school students. It was mind blowing to see how close they all got to each other and wanted to take their relationship with God more seriously. We had four kids raise their hands to say yes to Jesus!

A lot of our students felt like they were accepted and felt like they were a part of the church community. All the students hung out; not one student was left out. They were all servant-minded and cared for one another, which is really cool to see with middle school students.

We talked about the Trinity, and I think our students realized they hadn’t given a lot of credit or notice to the Holy Spirit and the power they hold because God is with them . . . everywhere. And there were a lot of sweet reminders of how God sent Jesus to pay the price to free them from captivity and that they should live more freely for God.

(Also, we dominated in every recreation event against the other groups there!)"

The Holy Spirit is moving through our children, and it's wonderful to see. Speaking of children, I will be helping my oldest, Brady, move this weekend. Please pray for the Lord's favor for us as we maneuver around, get him set up, and for him as he enters a new chapter in his life.

Have a great weekend, Church Family!

Stay Expectant,
Pastor Roger