A Note from Pastor Roger

January 15th, 2026
by Jason Bergstrom

Meaningful Moments at CityRise: Celebrating, Thanking, Welcoming

Dear Church Family,

We’re fifteen days into 40 Days of Faith, and I hope you’re going strong, too. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to get us back on track, which is why I hope these quick chapters are reminders that, as Jesus said, even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. I pray you’ll keep going in the book or through the blog posts. And if you miss a day, just jump back in and carry on!

This week has been one of meaningful moments, ones of celebrating and serving, of thanking, and of welcoming.

CELEBRATING & SERVING

First, we celebrated five years of our CityRise Missouri City campus! God has done so many wonderful things there through both our English and Spanish congregations, the staff and volunteers, and the leadership of pastors Dr. Mark Edworthy and Justo Robinson (whose Spanish congregation actually predates the launch of CityRise Missouri City!). They have the most gracious hearts for sharing the love of Christ with the Missouri City community. We’re looking forward to God’s continued work there as we walk by faith in the years ahead.

Speaking of service to the community, allow me to encourage you and your family to volunteer with the Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) this Saturday, January 17. Their CCSC Family Service Day is a great way to help and give back and for families to serve together. If you have some time Saturday afternoon (and have a bag of nonperishable food to bring with you), you can find registration here.

THANKING & WELCOMING

This past Sunday, we were able to bless Pastor Chris DeArman from our Bellaire campus as he finishes his time with us this weekend. (See pictures from the receiving line further below.)

And at the same time, we’re grateful to welcome a new staff member: Student Pastor Alberto Avila! Here’s an introduction to Alberto from Student Pastor Tim Yeager:

We are excited to share that Alberto Avila has joined the CityRise Student Ministry Team as a Student Pastor!

Alberto and his family have been faithful members of our CityRise Bellaire campus since 2021. He is married to his wife, Margarita, and together they have two sons, Sebastian and Elias. As a family, they have been actively involved in the life of our church, and we are grateful for the ways they already serve and invest in our community.

Alberto is a servant leader with a genuine pastoral heart and over twenty-four years of experience leading and creating healthy youth ministry culture.

We are thrilled to welcome Alberto into this role and look forward to the impact he will have on our students, families, and volunteer teams. Please join us in praying for him and his family as they step into this new season of ministry at CityRise.

As we walk by faith, we’re grateful for every season God gives. In celebrations, goodbyes, and new beginnings, we trust Him to keep the gospel advancing through our church and our city.

We’ll see you on Sunday, Church Family, and let’s keep walking by faith.

Stay Expectant,
Pastor Roger