Dear Church Family,

When we talk about the mission of the church, I hope we never think only about what happens within our own buildings or even in our own city. God has given us the privilege and responsibility of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with people near and far, including those living in places we may never have the opportunity to visit.

That's one reason I'm so grateful for the partnerships that allow us to participate in gospel work around the world.

In Philippians 1:3–5, Paul expresses his gratitude for the believers in Philippi and their partnership in the gospel. I love that picture of the church. The work of sharing Christ was never intended to rest on the shoulders of one person or one congregation. We have the opportunity to work together, each doing our part to help others know and follow Jesus.

This past Sunday, we began our annual Global Missions Offering, which continues through the end of the year. Through this offering, our CityRise family supports gospel ministry through the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, Texas Baptists, and Union Baptist Association. These partnerships help extend our reach across our city, state, nation, and around the world.

Over the coming weeks, I want to share some stories that help us better understand the people and ministry behind these partnerships.

One of those stories comes from Southeast Asia where IMB missionaries Victor and Madeline Hawthorne are serving Deaf communities. For many Deaf individuals, access to the gospel in a language they can fully understand presents a significant challenge. Through visual resources and sign language, the Hawthornes are helping people encounter the hope of Jesus, grow in their understanding of God's Word, and learn to share their faith with others.

I encourage you to take just three minutes to watch this story. As you do, pray for the Hawthornes, for the Deaf communities they are serving, and for the gospel to ontinue spreading among those who have yet to know Christ.

I would also love for every member of our CityRise family to prayerfully consider participating in this year's Global Missions Offering. You can learn more about our missions partners and how to give at cityrise.org/globalmissions or cityrise.org/gmo.

Before I close, I have a couple of reminders. The first is to remind our West U Baptist family about Gallery Groundbreaking this coming Sunday, November 8! We will gather for one combined worship service at 8:30A, followed by Community Groups at 9:45A, the groundbreaking ceremony on the front lawn at 11:00A, and lunch together after that. I hope you'll join us for this exciting milestone in our Pathways initiative, and I encourage our entire CityRise family to continue praying for the work ahead.

Also, November 1–15 is our nomination period for the CityRise Executive Council and Deacons. These individuals serve important roles in the leadership and ministry of our church, and I encourage our members to prayerfully consider whom they might nominate. You can review the qualifications and submit your nominations online at cityrise.org/nominations through Sunday, November 15.

Church family, thank you for your continued faithfulness in praying, serving, and giving. I am grateful that we get to participate together in what God is doing, both here at home and around the world.


Expecting Greater,
Pastor Roger

Somewhere right now, someone is looking for God. They want to know Him more and take a step closer, but they don't yet have the information they need. In Acts 10, God brings together a Roman centurion named Cornelius and the apostle Peter, and the story shows us something remarkable: God is at work in two places at once, bringing the seeker and the messenger of the gospel together.

God at Work in Two Places at Once
While God is speaking to Cornelius, telling him to send for a man named Peter, He's also giving Peter a strange dream somewhere else. God is in the background, sovereignly orchestrating events to bring these two men together so that Cornelius can be saved. How amazing is that?

That's the very basis of world missions. Somewhere out there right now, someone is seeking God, but they don't have the specific revelation about Jesus that they need. And God is calling you, me, and the whole church to go to that person and bring them the good news so they can be saved.

How Will They Hear?
That's why Paul writes in Romans 10:13-15: "For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!'"

In other words, God has to bring the seeker and the messenger together in some way. That's how it works. When someone responds to the revelation they've been given, God sends more revelation.

"We Have Been Praying for Someone to Come"
There's no greater joy than being at the ends of the earth, in an obscure village no one has heard of, sitting in someone's modest home to share the gospel, and hearing them say, "We have been praying for someone to come to us. We've been waiting for someone to tell us the truth you're telling us right now." In that moment you realize God has been at work in two places at once.

God is at work all over the earth at the same time. Somewhere, someone's heart is opening, and they want to know more. And somewhere, God is calling us to bring the good news to that person. That's why giving to missions matters. It helps send thousands of missionaries to carry the message of the gospel to people who are seeking and waiting.

Don't Keep the Good News to Yourself
Here's another lesson from Cornelius: we shouldn't only care about our own spiritual condition, but also about the people around us.

Look at Acts 10:24: "And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends." And in verse 33, Cornelius tells Peter, "So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."

Cornelius knew the message was coming, so he gathered a crowd. He called his relatives, his close friends, and the people around him, and he assembled an audience to hear what Peter had to say. He was spreading the gospel before he had fully taken it in himself. He didn't want to be the only one to hear the good news. If he was going to hear it, he wanted everyone around him to hear it too.

The Woman at the Well Did the Same
That's personal evangelism, and we see it in John 4 too. When the Samaritan woman encounters Jesus at the well, she tells her whole community about Him. John 4:39 says, "Many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman's testimony."

When we discover the good news about Jesus, we shouldn't keep it to ourselves. Call your friends. Call your neighbors. Let others in on the good news.

What We Learn From Cornelius
Cornelius was a good man who still needed the gospel. He was a powerful man who humbled himself before God's messenger. And he was a Gentile whom God welcomed into His church through faith in Jesus Christ, because God shows no partiality.

Who Is Waiting Near You?
God is still at work in two places at once. Someone near you may be seeking Him right now, praying for someone to explain what you already know. Be the messenger God sends, and like Cornelius, gather the people around you so they can hear the good news too.
 

This blog is based on the message shared by Campus Pastor Ben Hays at our CityRise West U Baptist campus on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. Check out the full message below!

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!

Is there someone in your life you've quietly given up on? Maybe it's someone who walked away from faith, or someone who seems openly hostile to it. In Acts 9, Jesus stops the most unlikely person imaginable, a man actively hunting down Christians, and changes his life forever. If He could reach Saul of Tarsus, don't underestimate Jesus' power to change a life, including yours and the life of someone you love.

The Road to Damascus
Saul was a vile man hunting down the church when he was confronted by Jesus Himself. Acts 9:3-6 says, "Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' And he said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.'"

Notice how Jesus calls his name twice: "Saul, Saul." We see this in other places in Scripture: Abraham, Abraham; Simon, Simon; Martha, Martha. The commentator John Gill said the name is doubled to show both vehemence and affection, intensity and tenderness. A double call means the speaker intends both to rebuke the person and to win them back.

When You Attack His Bride, You Attack Him
Saul was hunting down followers of Jesus, and Jesus said, "You are persecuting Me." When you mess with someone's wife, you're messing with him. When you mess with the bride of Christ, you mess with the Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ. As R.C. Sproul put it, Jesus so closely identifies Himself with His church that attacks against the people of God are, in fact, attacks against Jesus.

Then Saul responds, "Who are you, Lord?" Here's a man terrorizing believers, stopped by a bright light that takes away his sight. He recognizes a person of authority and calls Him Lord, but he doesn't know who He is. Now he's on the ground, unable to see, in a posture of humility and dependence. For anyone to move into the kingdom of heaven, it begins with an admission: I am lost, and I don't know the Lord.

Three Things Jesus Does When He Calls You
When the Lord calls you to Himself, three things take place.

1. He Confronts Your Sin
"You are persecuting Me." Saul was convicted of his sin and his separation from God. His entire worldview was that he was his own savior through keeping the law. Later, as the apostle Paul, he looked back on that life in Philippians 3:4-7: "If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ."

His worldview of being his own savior turned out to be empty. He no longer wanted "a righteousness of my own that comes from the law" (Philippians 3:9). We all have the same problem: "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), words written by this very same man. The worldview that says, "I'm good enough, I can perform, I'm the captain of my own ship," leaves us empty.

2. He Doesn't Shame You
Jesus doesn't shame Saul, and He won't shame you either. If He's calling you out of darkness into light, He calls you, but He doesn't shame you. If anyone deserved shame, it was Saul: a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee of Pharisees, a zealot who persecuted the church. If behavior modification were the goal, this would have been the place for shame.

Moms and dads, behavior modification isn't the goal of parenting. I recently talked with a mom whose goal was simply changing her child's behavior, and I told her she had to think bigger and show the way of Jesus. Yes, there are consequences. But shame is a tool of Satan, and it's a way to beat somebody down. Don't shame your kids.

I once had to stop a dad in his tracks. He was speaking badly about his son to me, right in front of his son. I pulled him aside and said, "Don't speak of your disappointment in him to other people in front of him. If you want to hold him down and keep him down, keep doing that. It's like an undertow pulling him out to sea." If behavior modification is the goal, shame becomes the tool. That's not the way of Jesus.

The way of Jesus says, "I wish you hadn't made that mistake. There are consequences. But I love you, and I'm disciplining you because I love you." Students, when your parents discipline you, it isn't to make you miserable. It's because they love you, the same way the Lord disciplines those He loves, "as a father the son in whom he delights" (Proverbs 3:12). Discipline, but show grace: "I still love you. You'll always be my son or my daughter."
Paul later wrote about people still living the way he once lived: "For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things" (Philippians 3:18-19). That was who he had been, until he encountered amazing grace.

3. He Calls You to a New Purpose
Jesus confronts Saul's sin and doesn't shame him, and then He immediately gives him another way: "But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do" (Acts 9:6).

When you come to Jesus, He calls you out of darkness into light, away from a life of ruin and destruction and into a life of peace, joy, goodness, faithfulness, and the rest of the fruit of the Spirit. He called Saul away from being his own savior and said, "I've got something different and far better."

Isn't that remarkable? This man who hated Christ and actively hunted the church left everything to have Christ. "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:8). All that performance, all that climbing to the top, he walked away from because Jesus is far better.

Don't Underestimate His Power to Change Your Life
Maybe you're thinking, "You don't know what I've done. I'm not worthy." I don't have to know. I'm telling you what I've seen. Many people who were lost are now found. They were blind, and now they see. Jesus loves you too much to leave you in your sin. He doesn't shame you; He invites you into another way.

Don't Give Up on Someone You Love
And don't underestimate His power to change the life of someone you love. Some of you have stopped praying for someone. You've given up on them. It's easier to give up than to labor in prayer, so you've just stopped. I'm trying to strike a little flint and reignite a fire for the people you've stopped praying for.

Look at Ananias, because he represents us in this story. Acts 9:10-14 says, "Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, 'Ananias.' And he said, 'Here I am, Lord.' And the Lord said to him, 'Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.' But Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.'"

Ananias is basically saying, "You've got the wrong guy. I'm just telling You what I see, and what I see is that this man is evil." That's a mirror for us. We give up praying for people because, like Ananias, we're keeping score.

The Father Who Kept Watching
It's like the older brother in the story of the prodigal son: "You're throwing a party for him after what he did?" But the father went outside every day, looking down the road: "Is my boy coming home today? I miss him. I love him. He took all my money and treated me like I was dead to him, but I can't wait to hug him, to put a ring on his finger, shoes on his feet, and a robe around him. He's always been my son."

That's the heart of your Father. But we quit. We stop praying, we stop asking, we stop believing, and we're not prepared when they come home. No one is too far gone for God. Keep praying, keep watching the road, and don't underestimate what Jesus can do.
 

This blog is based on the message shared by Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson at our CityRise Bellaire campus on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. Check out the full message below!

CityRise continues to make exciting progress through our Pathways initiatives across our campuses! Each milestone represents more than construction and campus improvements—it reflects our shared commitment to creating welcoming spaces where people can worship, build community, grow in faith, and encounter the love of Jesus. We are grateful for the generosity, prayers, and continued support that are helping bring this vision to life.

West U Baptist: Parking Lot Progress and Broken Ground
We are excited to share that the Milton Street parking lot at West U Baptist is now fully open and functional, complete with its new fence! We are putting the finishing touches on this project, with lighting and final landscaping still to come. This is an important step forward in improving accessibility and creating a more welcoming experience for everyone who visits our campus.

And the progress doesn't stop there! We have officially broken ground on the parking lot on Amherst, marking another exciting milestone in the ongoing work at West U Baptist. We look forward to seeing this project take shape as we continue investing in spaces that serve our church family and the surrounding community.

Bellaire: Looking Ahead with Prayer
At our Bellaire Campus, we are eagerly anticipating the next step in our landscape project. The Bellaire City Council is scheduled to vote on our proposal on November 2, and we ask our CityRise family to join us in prayer as this important decision approaches.

We are hopeful for the opportunity to begin this project soon and continue enhancing our campus. Please pray for the Lord's favor, wisdom for city leaders, and a smooth path forward as we work toward bringing this vision to completion.

Missouri City: Another Step Forward
We also have wonderful news from our Missouri City Campus! The parking lot is scheduled to be available for parking beginning Sunday, October 25. This is another meaningful milestone in the Pathways work taking place at Missouri City, where continued improvements are helping prepare the campus for the future.

After a season of significant construction and change, each completed phase brings us closer to having spaces that better support worship, ministry, and fellowship. We are thankful for everyone's patience throughout this process and excited to see our campus continue to take shape.

Save the Date: West U Baptist Gallery Groundbreaking
One of our next big milestones is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 8, as we celebrate the groundbreaking of the Gallery construction project at our West U Baptist Campus.

The day will begin with a special combined worship service at 8:30 a.m., bringing our church family together for a time of worship and celebration. Then, at 11:00 a.m., we will gather on the lawn to officially break ground and enjoy lunch together.

This will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate how far we have come, look forward to what lies ahead, and give thanks for the many people whose generosity and faithfulness have made this work possible. We hope you will join us as we mark this exciting new chapter in the life of our campus!

Every Pathways milestone is a reminder that ministry is about people. While these projects involve parking lots, landscaping, and new construction, their purpose reaches far beyond the physical spaces themselves. We are investing in places where people can gather to worship, families can find community, children and students can grow in their faith, and lives can be transformed by the Gospel.

And it's not too late to be part of what God is doing through Pathways! If you haven't yet made a commitment, we invite you to learn more, prayerfully consider how you can participate, and join us in helping build a strong foundation for the future of CityRise.
Visit cityrise.org/pathways to learn more about the vision and make your commitment.

Dear Church Family,

It's humbling to realize that God gives each of us opportunities to participate in what He is doing. Sometimes those opportunities are simple and personal: an encouraging conversation, an invitation to a neighbor, or a warm welcome that helps someone feel they belong. Other times, we are called to look ahead together, pray for wisdom, and make decisions that will help shape the future of our church, our city, our state, and our nation.

Both aspects of our lives matter. Our responsibilities as citizens and our involvement in the lives of others are opportunities to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us.

This past Monday night, we had a hearing before the Bellaire City Council about the pocket park we have planned for our CityRise Bellaire campus. During that meeting, one of our church members shared how CityRise Bellaire has been an integral part of his relationship with Jesus. He even invited the council members and the rest of the community to visit our church! In that moment, he had an opportunity to testify about Christ before an assembly of elected officials.

Over the years, we have appeared before various boards and councils in Bellaire and West University Place. With that familiarity, I can sometimes take for granted the important role these governing officials play in our communities. But Scripture reminds us of our responsibility to respect and honor those in authority.

In Romans 13:1–7, the Apostle Paul reminds us that governing authorities have been established by God and instructs us to give "respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed" (verse 7).

Every time we turn on the television right now, it seems we see one political ad after another. Too often, these ads focus on the negative qualities of opposing candidates. If we're not careful, that constant negativity can cause us to hold those seeking public office in contempt. But as followers of Christ, we have an opportunity to respond differently. We can pray for our leaders, treat them with respect, and take our responsibilities as citizens seriously.

One of the best ways we can participate in the future of our communities and nation is by voting. We have the privilege of using our influence to help shape what happens at various levels of leadership, and I want to encourage you to prayerfully and thoughtfully exercise that responsibility in this year's election.

You can find helpful election information at HarrisVotes.com. Also, my good friend Pastor Gregg Matte recently published Let Freedom Ring: A Guide for Christian Voters, The 6 P's of Voting. It's a helpful resource as you prayerfully consider your vote. You can learn more and download a digital copy at houstonsfirst.org/vote.

Tomorrow night, on the very campus where we hope to build the pocket park, we will welcome families from across our community to Fall Carnival! From 6–8P, there will be games, bounce houses, a chili cook-off, food trucks, music, and plenty of fun for everyone.

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, this is a wonderful opportunity to extend a personal invitation to someone you know. There may be a neighbor, coworker, or family from your child's school who would enjoy an evening like this. We've made inviting someone easy at cityrise.org/textinvite, where you can send a prewritten text invitation or copy the message and make it your own.

The event is free, but wristband registration is required. You can register here. I hope you'll come and help us make our guests feel welcome.

Additionally, this coming Sunday, our church family will vote on the joint motion from the Executive Council and Finance Committee regarding bridge financing during the Pathways construction process.

This is an important decision for our church, and I encourage every eligible member to participate prayerfully and thoughtfully as we seek to steward well what God has entrusted to us.


Church family, thank you for the many ways you faithfully participate in what God is doing at CityRise. Whether we're welcoming families, making important decisions, or preparing spaces for future ministry, let's continue to pray for wisdom, serve with joy, and keep our eyes on the people God has called us to reach.

And let's remember to exercise our responsibility as citizens by getting out and voting in this year's election!


Expecting Greater,
Pastor Roger

Because you give, CityRise Women’s Ministry continues to create meaningful opportunities for women to grow in their faith, deepen their understanding of God’s Word, and build lasting relationships with one another. This fall, nine different Bible studies are being offered, bringing together 140 women for a season of spiritual growth, encouragement, and fellowship.

Every woman’s faith journey is unique, and each season of life brings its own joys, challenges, and opportunities to grow closer to the Lord. Through these nine classes, women can find a place to ask questions, study Scripture, share experiences, and discover how God’s Word speaks into their everyday lives. Whether they are seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible, hoping to strengthen their walk with Christ, or simply looking for meaningful connections with other women, these studies provide a welcoming place to grow together.

But women’s ministry is about more than learning Scripture. It is also about walking alongside one another through life’s most difficult moments. While some seasons are filled with celebration and new beginnings, others bring grief, uncertainty, loss, and unexpected change. During these challenging times, having a supportive community can make a tremendous difference.

That is why classes such as GriefShare, DivorceCare, and Streams in the Desert are so important. These studies offer women a place to process difficult experiences, find encouragement, and be reminded that they do not have to walk through hardship alone. In these spaces, women are reminded that God remains present even when life feels overwhelming. They can connect with others who understand their struggles, receive encouragement from those who have walked similar paths, and continue discovering the comfort and guidance found in Scripture.

The impact of these Bible studies extends beyond the classroom. As women grow in their faith and form meaningful relationships, they are better equipped to encourage one another, serve their families and communities, and share the hope of Christ with those around them. Each gathering becomes an opportunity to build a stronger church family rooted in God’s Word and united through His love.

Dear Church Family,
 
When we talk about stewardship, most of us probably think first about the resources that come into our homes each month: our income, our budget, and the portion we prayerfully choose to give. Those are important parts of faithful stewardship, but they are not the whole picture.
 
In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul writes about a generous financial gift that was being entrusted to him and others for ministry. What stands out to me is how seriously he took the responsibility. Paul wanted that gift to be administered in a way that was honorable not only before the Lord but also before people.
 
I believe there is an important principle there for us. God calls each of us to be faithful with what He has entrusted to us, and those of us entrusted with leadership in the church have a responsibility to steward those resources wisely and help people understand the opportunities available to them.
 
That is one reason I want to share something with you today that you may never have considered.
 
For many of us, giving has always meant giving from our regular income. But God may also have entrusted resources to us in other forms. Appreciated stock, retirement accounts, and donor-advised funds are just a few examples of assets that can sometimes be used for charitable giving. Depending on your circumstances, there may be possibilities you simply have never thought about.
 
The point is not simply to give more but to prayerfully think differently about how we give.
 
Our friends at Mortarstone Charitable have a valuable document that explains several of these possibilities in straightforward terms called the 2026 End of Year Generosity Guide.
 
One area I especially want some of our church family to be aware of involves retirement accounts. For those age 70½ and older, the guide explains Qualified Charitable Distributions from an IRA. It also addresses Required Minimum Distributions and ways those funds may be used for charitable giving. The guide covers other possibilities as well, including appreciated stock and grants from donor-advised funds.
 
I recognize that some of this may be unfamiliar, and I am certainly not suggesting that every option is appropriate for every person. These decisions can involve financial and tax considerations, and I encourage you to speak with your own financial or tax advisor as you consider what’s wise for you.
 
We also want to help you ask the right questions. You’re welcome to contact Liana Fairbanks in our CityRise Business Office, or you can schedule a conversation here with Dr. Tim Deatrick, our philanthropic advisor through MortarStone.
 
Some forms of non-cash giving take longer to arrange than a typical gift, which is why I wanted to put this information in your hands now rather than at the end of December. My hope is simply that you will know these possibilities exist and, if one of them applies to you, have the resources you need to explore it thoughtfully and prayerfully.
 
Thank you for the many ways you faithfully support the work God is doing through CityRise. I am continually grateful for a church family that understands generosity as part of our discipleship and as an opportunity to participate in the advance of the gospel.
 
 
Expecting Greater,
Pastor Roger

If you want to know how to finish strong as a Christian, the story in Acts 6 and Acts 7 shows you what faithfulness looks like. Faithfulness in the life of a believer is buttressed by three qualities: a willingness to serve, a willingness to speak, and a willingness to suffer. Those who are faithful to the end serve, they speak, and they are willing to suffer.

It all begins with a willingness to serve, and the opening verses of Acts 6 show us why. It's a story about a growing church, a real conflict, and a group of people who were willing to do humble work so that the mission of God could keep moving forward.

The 3 Marks of People Who Finish Strong in Faith
Before we look at the story, keep the three marks in front of you. People who finish strong in their faith are marked by:

1. A willingness to serve
2. A willingness to speak
3. A willingness to suffer

Those who are faithful to the end are marked by all three, and the story of the early church in Acts 6 and Acts 7 shows each one at work.

What Was Happening in Acts 6?
To understand the conflict in Acts 6, remember the context. There had been the Passover, and then fifty days later came Pentecost. Devout Jews had gathered in Jerusalem for the feast and were celebrating when the Spirit of God came and the church was born.

The church grew rapidly, so much so that people decided they weren't going home. They were going to stay right there, because that was where life was. As they were fed and nourished in the Word of God and put their faith in Jesus Christ, the believers in Jerusalem began selling their possessions and pieces of property to make sure these people had enough food to eat, a place to stay, and the like.

So a daily distribution of food developed. The believers went from house to house and fellowshipped together, devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching, to prayer, to the breaking of bread, and to the Word of God.

When Growth Brings Conflict
Then came a dispute. Here is how Acts 6:1 describes it: "Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution."

Notice the sequence. There was growth, and then there was conflict, or at a minimum, a disruption. The Hellenistic Jews were more Greek oriented. They grew up in Greek areas and embraced more of the Greek approach to life and worldview. Their widows were being overlooked when the food was handed out each day, and so a complaint was lodged.

One of the things I really love about this passage is that it demonstrates that people problems are often best solved with people solutions.

Why the Apostles Didn't Just Add Another Task
The apostles show us something here that we need to keep in mind. The leaders didn't decide to add another task to their to-do list. They wanted to keep the momentum going of what God was doing, and they wanted to stay in their sweet spot.

"And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, 'It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables'" (Acts 6:2). Instead, they would devote themselves "to prayer and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4).

So they said, in effect, we need to find other leaders to multiply our time and to meet the needs of the flock God has just given us. They raised up leaders to solve ongoing problems so the church could keep enjoying the sweet unity it had known. The disruption was real, and to keep that disruption from becoming disunity, they needed leadership to come alongside and help solve the issue.

What Does a Faithful Servant Look Like?
Look at the qualities they were looking for in Acts 6:3: "Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty."

Good repute, full of the Spirit, and full of wisdom. That's a good frame for recognizing faithful people in any church today.

They have a good reputation. They don't let themselves be put in places where their reputation could be stained. They're not a lover of much wine. Their family is stable, and there's integrity in their lives.

They're full of the Spirit of God. They walk with the Spirit of God. They sit down and fellowship with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis.

They're full of wisdom. They study the Word of God so that the wisdom of God is on their lips.

Fill Me Up So You Can Pour Me Out
At the heart of a faithful servant is a simple prayer: Lord, would You fill me up so that You can pour me out? If it's waiting tables, pour me out. If it's serving on the security team, pour me out. If it's playing in the orchestra, pour me out. Fill me up so that You can pour me out, so that You get glory in my life.

Why Spirit-Filled People Wait Tables
Here's what's striking. These people of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, were chosen to wait tables. These mighty men would distribute food.

"And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them" (Acts 6:5-6).

In the church today, people like this hand out bulletins and make coffee. They greet you in the parking lot and open doors for you. Some of them wear a radio in their ear, ready to clear the room if an alarm goes off in the middle of the preaching and teaching.

Why? So that the unity of the Body of Christ would be maintained, because that unity allows others to experience Christ.

How Serving Keeps the Church Growing
Look at what happened next: "And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith" (Acts 6:7).

See that word increase. The trajectory didn't change, though there was a disruption. Disunity didn't fracture the whole movement. Instead, the disruption was solved by gathering leaders who said, let's help so that these guys can keep doing the most important thing. The trajectory stayed up and to the right, and the increase continued. More people were meeting Jesus. This was more than addition. It was multiplication.

Their ministry was so effective that many of the priests came to faith. The priests would rotate in for a two-week assignment and then rotate out as another group came in. The ones serving during this season were captivated by what they saw, and many of them believed.

Discover, Develop, and Deploy
Increase came to the church because the leadership saw a problem, and instead of rising up to do it themselves, they discovered talent, they developed talent, and they deployed talent. With seven new leaders deployed, the ministry would multiply.

And notice how the reading ends: "And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people" (Acts 6:8). One of the men chosen to serve tables is the same man full of grace and power, and his story carries on into Acts 7.

Finishing Strong as a Christian Starts With Serving
If you want to finish strong as a Christian, start where the faithful in Acts 6 started: with a willingness to serve. Ask the Lord to fill you up so that He can pour you out, whether that's at a table, at a door, or on a stage.

And when your church asks you to recognize people for leadership, look for those who resemble this picture: people of good reputation, full of the Spirit, and full of the wisdom of God. Put their names forward.

Serving is where faithfulness begins, but it isn't where it ends. Those who are faithful to the end also speak, and they are willing to suffer.
 

This blog is based on the message shared by Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson at our CityRise West U Baptist campus on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. Check out the full message below!

Because you give, CityRise is able to offer a weekly Bible study where men can gather, grow in their faith, and encourage one another through the challenges and opportunities of everyday life. This year, CityRise Men’s Bible Study is celebrating 20 years of faithfully bringing men together around God’s Word.

Throughout the school year, an average of 40 men gather every Tuesday morning, meeting before the workday begins to study Scripture, pray, and build meaningful Christian community. For many, this weekly gathering has become an important part of their rhythm—a time to pause, open God’s Word, and begin the day focused on Him.

Over two decades, this ministry has become about much more than a Bible study. It has created a place where men can develop genuine friendships, encourage one another in their walks with Christ, and find support as they navigate family, work, faith, and the many responsibilities of life.

One of the most beautiful aspects of this ministry is that the invitation extends beyond the walls of CityRise. Men who are not part of our church family have been welcomed into the group, including men who do not yet follow Christ or who do not have a church home. Around the table and in the study of Scripture, relationships are formed and conversations about faith can happen naturally.

For some, simply having a place where they are known, welcomed, and invited to explore questions about God can be the beginning of a journey toward Christ. Others come looking for community and discover brothers who will walk alongside them in faith.

Twenty years of Tuesday morning Bible study represents thousands of conversations, prayers, lessons, friendships, and opportunities to point men toward Jesus.

Dear Church Family,
 
There are many things in life we can plan or prepare for, even work hard toward. We can make wise decisions, have good conversations, extend invitations, serve faithfully, and do our best with what God has placed in front of us.
 
But some of the things we care about most cannot be produced by our own effort.
 
We cannot change someone’s heart; we cannot manufacture spiritual growth; we cannot force reconciliation, create conviction, or make someone become interested in the things of God. We can be faithful, but there are outcomes that belong to Him alone.
 
Paul describes this beautifully in 1 Corinthians 3:6–7: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”
 
I find that both humbling and freeing, that we do not have to carry the burden of producing what only God can do.
 
That is one reason why prayer matters so much. Often, we misinterpret prayer as us asking Him to bless what we have already decided to do. But prayer reminds us that we are dependent on God. It creates room for Him to guide us, redirect us, give us wisdom, and even work in ways we may never be able to see.
 
Maybe there’s someone you have been praying for lately. A family member, a neighbor, a coworker, another parent you see at school or on the sidelines. You may not know exactly what God is doing in that person’s life, and you don’t have to—your part may simply be to pray and take the next faithful step.
 
We have an easy opportunity this month to do just that. Our Fall Carnival is coming up in a couple of weeks on Friday, October 23, from 6–8P at CityRise Bellaire. It’s a super-fun, family-friendly night outside with lots of activities, food, and music. If someone has already come to your mind, I would encourage you to invite them. We’ve made it easy at cityrise.org/textinvite, where you can tap a button for a prewritten text message or simply copy and paste it into your own conversation.
 
We do not know what God may do with a prayer, a conversation, or a simple invitation. But we can faithfully plant and water, trusting Him to give the growth.
 
 
Expecting Greater,
Pastor Roger

Because you give, CityRise is able to continue one of its longest-running ministries: English as a Second Language, or ESL. What began as an opportunity to help people learn English has become so much more—a place where people from around the world are welcomed, relationships are built, needs are met, and lives are pointed toward Jesus.

Over the past two years, 535 ESL students representing 34 different countries have walked through the doors of a CityRise campus to learn English. And the ministry reaches even farther through online classes, with countless additional students joining through Zoom. Every student brings a unique story, culture, family, and set of experiences, creating a beautiful picture of the nations God has brought right to our doorstep.

ESL is made possible each week by a dedicated team of more than 20 volunteers. These volunteers give their time and energy not simply to teach vocabulary and grammar, but to invest in people. As friendships develop and trust grows, conversations often move beyond the classroom and into the everyday challenges and joys of life.

That relational aspect is at the heart of what makes ESL such an important ministry. Students have received help navigating needs such as finding cancer treatment or accessing counseling resources. Others have simply needed someone willing to listen, encourage them, and pray with them. In these moments, the ministry demonstrates that caring for people means caring about the whole person.

Most importantly, ESL has become a place where many students and their families have encountered the gospel and come to faith in Christ. What begins with learning a new language can open the door to discovering the love of God and becoming part of a church family.

Because you give, CityRise can continue welcoming people from dozens of countries into a ministry where English is taught, relationships are built, needs are met, prayers are lifted, and the Gospel is shared. Your generosity helps create a place where people who may be far from home can find community—and where people from around the world can hear about the hope we have in Jesus.

Dear Church Family,
 
Even during calmer seasons, it can be difficult to find quiet.
 
Most of us carry a steady stream of information with us everywhere we go. News alerts arrive throughout the day. Social media keeps us aware of what everyone else is saying. Emails, texts, podcasts, advertisements, and opinions are always reaching for our attention. Even when we are physically still, our minds can feel crowded.
 
There is nothing inherently wrong with being informed or connected. In fact, I believe followers of Jesus should pay attention to the world around us. We should care about what is happening in our communities, our country, and across the globe. But there is also a danger in allowing every voice to have access to us all the time.
 
Psalm 46:10 gives us a simple instruction: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Stillness is not something our culture encourages very often, but it is something our souls need.
 
When we create space to pray, read Scripture, worship, and listen, we are reminded again of what is true. We are reminded that God is sovereign even when the world feels unsettled, that our identity is not determined by the latest headline, someone else’s opinion, or the pressures of the moment. We are reminded that wisdom begins with Him.
 
Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8 to think about whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. That kind of focus does not usually happen by accident. It requires us to be intentional about what we allow to shape our thoughts.
 
That might mean putting the phone down a little more often. It might mean beginning the day with Scripture before checking the news. It might mean spending a few minutes in prayer before responding to something that has made us frustrated or anxious. It might simply mean recognizing that we cannot listen to God well if we don’t allow any quiet.
 
The world around us will remain loud, but we can choose which voices receive the greatest attention in our lives.
 
My prayer for us is that we would become people who think wisely, listen carefully, and stay grounded in the truth of God’s Word no matter how much noise surrounds us.


Expecting Greater,
Pastor Roger

Because you give, a four-year journey came to fruition on September 13 as the doors of the CityRise Missouri City sanctuary were officially reopened. What began as a long and difficult season became a beautiful celebration of God’s faithfulness and the beginning of a new chapter for our church family.

More than 500 people gathered for the grand reopening, appropriately named “New Beginnings.” Throughout the morning, families and members of our church community had the opportunity to tour the newly refreshed building, see the progress that had taken place over the past four years, and celebrate the return of a space dedicated to worship, discipleship, fellowship, and ministry.

The day was more than simply reopening a building—it was an opportunity to dedicate these facilities once again to the work of the Lord. A special combined commissioning service brought together our English- and Spanish-speaking congregations as one church family. Together, we worshiped, prayed, and looked ahead to all that God will continue to do through CityRise Missouri City.

The celebration also included the joy of 10 baptisms, reminding everyone gathered that the purpose of the church is ultimately about changed lives and people taking their next steps of faith in Jesus. These baptisms were a beautiful picture of why having a place to gather matters: so that people can hear the gospel, grow in their relationship with Christ, and be equipped to serve Him and others.

During both morning worship hours, the sanctuary and classrooms were filled with people worshiping, fellowshipping, learning, and studying God’s Word. After four years of waiting and working toward this moment, seeing the building once again filled with the life of the church was a powerful reminder of God’s provision.

The doors are open, the church is gathered, and we are excited to see what God will do next!

Dear Church Family,

Sometimes when we hear the word service, we immediately think of a position that needs to be filled, a volunteer schedule, or a task that needs to get done. Those things matter, but biblical service begins somewhere deeper.

First Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” I love that picture. God has entrusted something to each of us—our abilities, experiences, resources, personalities, relationships, opportunities—and He invites us to use those things for the good of others.

That means service is not reserved for a particular kind of person. You don’t have to be on a stage, teach a class, or lead a ministry in order to make a meaningful difference. Sometimes serving looks like welcoming a family who is new to church. Sometimes it means listening to a friend who is carrying something heavy. It may mean teaching a child, mentoring a student, delivering a meal, praying with someone, helping behind the scenes, using a professional skill, or simply noticing a need and responding.

Much of the most important Kingdom work happens quietly.

Jesus modeled that kind of life for us. He consistently saw people others overlooked, gave His time to those who needed Him, and ultimately told His disciples that He came “not to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45).

As followers of Jesus, service is not simply something we add to an already busy schedule. It is part of who we are becoming. And often, the best place to begin is exactly where God has already placed us. What needs do you see? What abilities has God given you? Where might there be an opportunity to make someone else’s burden a little lighter, point someone toward Christ, or strengthen the work God is already doing?

There are certainly many opportunities to serve through CityRise—campus hospitality; Kids, Students, and Senior Adults ministries; Local Missions; and mission trips, to name a few. You can explore more at cityrise.org/serve, but if you are ready to take a next step, I especially encourage you to fill out our Serve Interest Form. Let us know where you might be interested in serving, and we can help you find a meaningful place to contribute.

But I also hope we will develop eyes to see ministry everywhere we go and wherever God has us. You don’t have to do everything. Simply be faithful with what God has placed in your hands and attentive to the people He has placed in your path.


Expecting Greater,
Pastor Roger

Yes, God's Spirit speaks. Not every impression that crosses your mind is from Him, and I want to be careful about that, but the Holy Spirit is not silent. If you have ever had a thought you could not shake and wondered whether that was the Lord or just you, you are asking exactly the right question.

Knowing whether God is speaking to you starts with knowing what Jesus actually promised His Spirit would do. He made that promise on the night before He went to the cross, and He made it as a comfort to men who were about to lose Him.

What Jesus Promised the Holy Spirit Would Do
The Spirit does not only strengthen us. He also teaches us. Jesus said it plainly in John 14:26: "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

That promise is the reason you hold a New Testament. The apostles were able to pass on the teaching of Jesus because the Spirit brought to their remembrance what Jesus had said. Then the gospel writers wrote it down. What you read is not a group of men straining to recall a good teacher from memory. It is the Spirit of God doing the exact work Jesus said He would do.

Notice His names. He is called the Helper. He is also called the Spirit of truth. As the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit is related to Jesus, who is the truth, and to the Word of God, which is itself the truth. The Spirit inspired the Word, and He also illuminates the Word so that we can understand it.

That gives you your first and firmest test. Since He is the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit cannot lie and cannot be associated with lies. He will never lead you to do anything contrary to the Word of God, because God's Word is truth.

Why Jesus Said It Was Better for Him to Leave
Look at what comes next in John 16:13: "When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come."

Hear that with the disciples' ears. Jesus is telling them it is better for Him to go. Better? Having Jesus physically present with you is as good as it gets, and yet it is limited. One body, one place, one conversation at a time.

What He describes next is like flipping on the power grid so that everybody has access all the time. It is better that I leave, He says, because He will guide you into truth at all times. He will speak alongside you. He is coming to you, and He will declare to you the things that are to come.

What Does It Sound Like When the Holy Spirit Speaks?
Usually it is an impression that runs deep. A word comes. A thought settles on you and will not move.

Our community group had dinner together recently, and my wife and I sat with another couple. We were talking about college football and where everybody in the family had gone to school. Then the wife mentioned, almost in passing, that she had a degree in interior design. I said, but you are a speech language pathologist. She said yes, and here is what happened.

She had gone back to school at 30 for that second degree. I asked whether her dad was excited about that. She told me she had been wrestling with the whole decision, and during that season she visited a church that met in a strip center, the kind of church that does a lot of praying. A woman there prayed over her that night, and the prayer was this: "Lord, those hands are healing hands. Use those hands for healing."

As an occupational speech therapist, she told me, she puts her hands on people every single day. It blew her away what that woman knew to pray for her.

I was on a Zoom call with a vendor not long ago. Thirty minutes, and we were wrapping up with about two minutes left before she had to get to another call. I could tell she was carrying a weight. So, I asked, do you mind if I pray for you? She said please. I prayed for her, and I could not tell you now what I prayed. Then we got off the call.

Later that afternoon she sent an email. Pastor, thank you for praying for me. You do not know how much that ministered to me. My brother just died, so I am grieving that, and my husband is leaving for a three month assignment in the Middle East. Your prayer was such a blessing to me.

Have you ever had the Holy Spirit in your ear?
I was praying about something recently and got an impression about Lakewood, where we do medical missions together. A few weeks later I was sitting in a Chicken Salad Chick at four in the afternoon. I had done a funeral that day, so I was still in a suit, and I was on the phone. I did not want to hang up and walk to the counter, because I had a coupon on my app and I was hoping for a buy two get one free, so I stayed on the call. Pastor Joel Osteen walked in the door.

He went up to the counter and placed his order while I wrapped up my call, and then he walked right over to me. We talked for seven to ten minutes. The very thing I had been impressed about, God walked the man right up to me.

God the Holy Spirit speaks to us if we are listening. Think about how privileged it is to have God in your ear.

Is Every Impression From God?
No. Not every impression is God, and not every thought or idea you have is God. That distinction matters, and it protects you.

When He speaks, He speaks consistently with the Word, because He is the Spirit of truth. When He speaks, He honors Christ. And He directs us, corrects us, and forms us as we submit ourselves to Him.

There are also moments when you recognize His hand looking back. You get an impression or a thought and then it comes to fruition, and you say, that was the Lord. You do not know the way to go, and He brings His Word to you, a word of remembrance, and you say, that was the Lord. Something is happening that you cannot control, and you are comforted by the truth of His Word, and Scripture jumps off the page as you read it, and you say, that was the Lord.

It is a joy to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit of God.

What to Do When a Name Keeps Coming to Mind
There are people I find myself burdened for, and I honestly wonder where the burden came from. A name comes to me. Then it comes a second time. Then it comes a third time. At that point I stop and say, yes, Lord. I pray for that person. Then I send them a note that says I just want you to know I am praying for you today. I have no idea what you are facing, but God has brought you to mind.

That is the ministry of God the Holy Spirit in our midst, and it is sweet.

Where to Go From Here
If you want to know whether God is speaking to you, start with the tests Jesus gave and not with the intensity of the feeling. Does it agree with the Word of God? Does it honor Christ? Is it directing you, correcting you, and forming you as you submit yourself to Him?

Then keep listening. The Spirit illuminates the truth, and He does not do that for us privately and leave it there. He pushes that truth outward through us to others.
 

This blog is based on the message shared by Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson at our CityRise West U Baptist campus on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. Check out the full message below!

Because you give, 35 members of CityRise had the opportunity to join with Christ Church Peckham in London this past July to lead 60 children in Vacation Bible School. More than simply hosting a week of fun and activities, this team had the privilege of seeing firsthand what can happen when a faithful local church opens its doors and serves its community with the love of Jesus.

Just outside the church is a 2,000-year old road, once travelled by Roman soldiers. Today, that same road is bringing the nations to us, as families across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean call this part of London home.

For many of the children who attended VBS, this was their first experience in church. The week provided an opportunity for them to hear about God, experience Christian community, and discover a welcoming place where they could belong. Parents noticed the difference as well. Many expressed their gratitude and were impressed by the way the church welcomed and cared for their children throughout the week.

The impact extended beyond the children. Four members of the CityRise team helped lead a moms group during the week, and the group continued to grow each day. What began as an opportunity for conversation and fellowship became a meaningful space where mothers could connect, share, and experience the care of a Christian community.

One particularly moving moment came when a woman in the group received prayer. She had never experienced someone praying for her before. For the CityRise team, it was a powerful reminder that what may seem simple to us—stopping to pray with someone—can be a completely new and meaningful experience for someone who has never encountered it.

Through VBS, the moms group, prayer, and the collaboration with Christ Church Peckham, God opened doors for relationships to grow and the gospel to be shared. The week demonstrated the importance of supporting and strengthening local churches as they faithfully serve the people in their communities.

Dear Church Family,
 
This past Sunday was a special day for our CityRise family as our CityRise Missouri City and CityRise Missouri City Español congregations celebrated New Beginnings Sunday.

After four years of perseverance, it was wonderful to see so many people return to the renovated building for worship, dedication, fellowship, and lunch together!

The renovation gave us much to celebrate, but the greater joy was seeing our church family gathered together in this moment. Families worshiping, friends reconnecting, volunteers serving, and two congregations celebrating together gave us a beautiful picture of something Scripture reminds us again and again: we need one another.
 
It is easy in both quiet and busy seasons to become increasingly independent. Work can have demands, school and extracurricular schedules fill up, and we move quickly from one responsibility to the next. Before long, we can begin living parallel lives, even with people we see every week.
 
But God did not design us to follow Jesus alone.
 
Paul describes the church in Romans 12 as one body with many members, adding that “each member belongs to all the others.” I love that language because it reminds us that following Jesus was never meant to be an isolated pursuit. God places us in a church family where we can know and encourage one another, carry burdens together, celebrate what He is doing, and remind each other of His faithfulness.
 
And other people need that from us too.

That's why Community Groups, Bible studies, ministry teams, and the relationships we build throughout the church matter so much. They give us opportunities to move beyond recognizing faces and begin truly knowing and being known.
 
As the fall settles into its regular rhythm, I encourage you to ask: Who really knows me, and who am I intentionally getting to know?
 
If you have found meaningful community at CityRise, invest in it. Show up, reach out, notice when someone is missing, and make room for someone new. If you have not found that kind of connection yet, take a step toward it.

We need one another, and I am grateful God has given us a church family in which we can walk through life together. Have a great weekend, Church Family!
 
 
Expecting Greater,
Pastor Roger

If God feels far away, there is a reason, and there is also a moment in history where that distance ended. For most of the Old Testament, God's presence came with a perimeter around it. At Pentecost, the perimeter came down. Understanding what happened in Acts 2 changes how close you believe you are allowed to get to God.

God Showed Up in Fire, and Fire Kept People Back
In the Old Testament, when God appeared to people, He often appeared in fire. His presence showed up in flame. It happened to Abraham when he first entered a covenant relationship with God. God told him to prepare a sacrifice and cut it in half, and the Spirit of God passed between the pieces as a flame, recorded in Genesis 15.

It happened again to Moses. He was out in the wilderness with the sheep when he saw a bush burning, and he turned aside to see what was going on. God spoke to him out of the fire.

Notice what came next, because it happened every single time. Moses approached the fire, and God stopped him. Do not come any closer. The ground you are standing on is holy ground. There was always a perimeter. There was always a separation. There was always a distance, and it had to be there, because God's presence was powerful and holy. His presence created space between Himself and us, because we could not have access. We could not simply be present with God, because His power and presence were that overwhelming.

Why Mount Sinai Came With a Warning
The clearest picture of that distance is Mount Sinai. The people of Israel arrived at the mountain and watched what God was doing on it. The description in Exodus 19 reads like a storm: "On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled." Moses then led the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

The text continues: "Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently." The trumpet grew louder and louder. Moses spoke, and God answered him.

The people of Israel were so overwhelmed by the physical presence of God descending on that mountain in fire that they trembled in fear. God warned them again and again that no one was to come up the mountain. Nobody was to set foot on it, or they would die, because His presence was that powerful, that living, and that intense.

That created distance. It was exclusive. It was separated. God's presence in that moment was not warm, inviting, or welcoming. It was terrifying. By Exodus 20, the people had made up their minds. They told Moses to go and speak on their behalf, because if they heard the voice of God again, they were convinced it would kill them. Moses became the mediator, and he went up the mountain alone.

What Actually Happened at Pentecost?
Sinai was the moment God formed a covenant relationship with the people of Israel. Acts 2 is the moment God makes a new covenant with His people, and that new covenant comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Look at how similar the two scenes are. The fire comes down. The wind fills the room. The whole place trembles. Then one detail changes everything. They saw what looked like tongues of fire that separated. Instead of the fire separating the people from God, the fire itself separated and came to rest on every single person in the room.

There were about 120 people gathered, according to Acts 1. It was men, and it was women. It was the disciples, the women who followed Jesus, Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers and sisters. They were all there, and the fire of God fell on every one of them. Because of the death of Jesus on the cross, Jesus gives us access to the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of God landed on all of them. "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

Read those two scenes side by side and the shift is impossible to miss. At Sinai, the fire said stay back. At Pentecost, the fire came and rested on everyone in the room.

Why the City Was Full of Visitors That Morning
Acts 2:5 tells us that God fearing Jews from every nation under heaven were staying in Jerusalem. This was the festival of Shavuot, which meant everyone traveled into the city, and Jerusalem would swell to two or three times its normal size.

This particular festival was better for travel than the others. The weather was closer to summer, so it was not as hot as later in the year and not as hard to move across distance. Passover required leaving during winter. The Feast of Booths fell right after harvest, which was a difficult time for an agricultural community to leave home. Shavuot was the one that filled the city with people who had traveled from far away.

When they heard the sound, a crowd gathered in bewilderment, because each person was hearing his or her own language being spoken. They were amazed, and they asked how a group of Galileans could possibly be speaking to each of them in their native tongue. The crowd included Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, along with residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya near Cyrene, Rome, Crete, and Arabia. What they said was this: "We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues." Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another what it meant.

Why Hearing Your Own Language Does Something to You
You may have experienced a smaller version of this. You are walking around in another country, everyone is speaking a language you do not know, you are just trying to find a bathroom, and you have no idea how to talk to anyone. Then you hear somebody speaking English and the relief is instant.

My wife and I are Puerto Rican, and we go back to Puerto Rico every chance we get. Any time we hear someone speaking Spanish in a Puerto Rican accent, something in us lights up. A spokesperson for the local school district gave a message and started speaking in Spanish, and someone in my house came running into the room saying, I bet he is Puerto Rican. She could tell just from his voice. Our mailman came by, and I could see on the doorbell camera that he was listening to Bad Bunny, and I said, look, he is Puerto Rican.

We hear our language. We hear our accent. It connects us to that person immediately, because they know us. They understand us. They are part of our community and our culture in a way that someone outside of it cannot fully access.

When you hear someone speak in your own language, it awakens something in you. It ties your story to theirs. On the morning of Pentecost, people from all over the world, from every community and every culture represented in that city, suddenly heard the wonders of God spoken in the language of home. Of course they had to know what was going on. Every one of those 120 people had begun speaking in the languages of the nations.

How Pentecost Reverses the Tower of Babel
This is another line where Jesus is redeeming the world, taking what was broken and bringing it back to life and back to good. To see it, go back to Genesis 11 and the Tower of Babel.

We do not talk about Babel often. It usually stays in Sunday school. It is a hard passage, and it sometimes confuses us, because it comes right after the flood and our scientific instincts start asking questions. Here is what it says: "Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there."

They had been commanded by God to go out into the whole world, to be fruitful and to spread out. That was the assignment. In Genesis, movement eastward is often the picture of people moving away from God. When Adam and Eve left the garden, they left through the eastern gate. When Cain left after killing his brother, he went east. When Abraham and Lot separated, Lot went east. It is the geography of walking away.

God told them to fill the earth, and instead they decided to stop right there on the plain and build a city. They wanted to make a name for themselves. They wanted to be like God. God came down, saw what they were doing, saw the arrogance of it and the sin in their hearts, and judged them. Genesis 11:8-9 records the verdict: "So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world."

Hold that next to Acts 2. At Babel, language was confused and people were scattered outward and downward. At Pentecost, people from all over the world heard the message of what God had done in their own language, and it landed directly in their hearts and their cultures. Instead of scattering in confusion, they were drawn in, and then sent back out carrying an intelligible word about what God had done.

What This Means for You
The distance is the part worth sitting with. If your sense of God is a holy fire on a mountain with a rope line around it, that picture was accurate for a season. It is no longer the whole story. The same fire that once said stay back came down and rested on ordinary people in an ordinary room, women and men alike, including the family members who had watched Jesus grow up.

Jesus has redeemed and reconciled all people back to Himself. That is what Pentecost announced in every language that mattered to the people standing there. The perimeter is gone. The Spirit of God is not held back on a mountaintop waiting for a mediator to climb up on your behalf, because Jesus already did that, and what came back down was access.

If God has felt far away, Pentecost is the answer to that feeling. He came close, He spoke in a language you can understand, and He has been drawing people in ever since.

This blog is based on the message shared by Student Pastor Alberto Avila at our CityRise Bellaire campus on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. Check out the full message below!

Because you give, CityRise returned to Roscrae, Ireland, earlier this summer for the fourth time to continue a ministry that is growing in both participation and impact. What began as an opportunity to serve the community through Vacation Bible School has become a meaningful annual ministry.

Fourteen CityRise team members traveled to Roscrae with servant hearts and a desire to share the love of Jesus with children and families. This year, 91 children participated! Through VBS, the team created opportunities for kids to learn about God, grow in their faith, build relationships, and experience the joy of being part of a community centered on Christ.

One of the most encouraging parts of returning year after year is seeing how God continues to deepen the relationship between CityRise and the people of Roscrae. The community has embraced the CityRise team, and each visit provides another opportunity to strengthen friendships, encourage local believers, and demonstrate the love of Christ through service.

The growth of VBS is a wonderful reminder that faithful ministry can have an impact that extends far beyond a single week. Relationships are being built, trust is growing, and the gospel is being shared with another generation.

Dear Church Family,
 
Before we look toward an important weekend at CityRise, I want to pause and remember an important day in the life of our nation.
 
Tomorrow marks twenty-five years since the attacks of September 11, 2001. We remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost that day, the courage of first responders and ordinary citizens who ran toward danger, and the families whose lives were forever changed. We also remember the men and women who served our country in the years that followed.
 
For many, September 11 remains deeply personal. I hope you will take a moment tomorrow to pray for those who still carry its grief and to thank God for those who sacrificially serve and protect others. Psalm 46 reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Twenty-five years later, that truth remains our hope.
 
Now this weekend, we will also celebrate something we have hoped and prayed for and worked toward for a long time.

On Sunday, our CityRise Missouri City and CityRise Missouri City Español church families will return to their newly renovated building for New Beginnings Sunday! After four years of perseverance, these congregations will once again worship, gather, and serve from these renewed spaces.

What excites me most is what will happen inside the building. We anticipate celebrating the baptisms of several new believers that morning. There is hardly a better picture of a new beginning than men and women publicly declaring that Jesus has given them new life.
 
At 9A, our English- and Spanish-speaking congregations will gather for a brief bilingual dedication service. The morning will continue with worship, Community Groups, baptisms, our Children’s Choir, a youth drama, fellowship, and a special welcome to community partners who have walked alongside the church.
 
I know many of you will be serving and worshiping at your own CityRise campus Sunday. But if you are able to join our Missouri City church family for any part of the morning, I know your presence would be an encouragement to them.
 
For those planning to attend, please be aware that parking on campus will be very limited. Additional parking will be available at the funeral home next door, at E.A. Jones Elementary about a quarter-mile away, and along nearby side streets. Please allow a little extra time when you arrive.
 
Many across CityRise have prayed, given, served, and encouraged this congregation through these years. Thank you. This Sunday is a reminder that our Pathways efforts are ultimately about making room for people to hear the gospel, grow in Christ, and find a church family.
 
Please pray for Campus Pastor Mark Edworthy, Español Pastor Justo Robinson, and the entire CityRise Missouri City and CityRise Missouri City Español teams. Pray especially for those preparing for baptism and for every guest who walks through the doors Sunday.
 
May God receive all the glory for what He has done and what He will continue to do.
 
 
Expecting Greater,
Pastor Roger

Because you give, more than 678 people gathered in person for the inaugural AI Revolution, a four-night event designed to help followers of Jesus navigate the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence and emerging technology. Nearly 1,000 additional people tuned in through replays on YouTube, expanding the reach of this important conversation far beyond those who attended in person.

Throughout the series, knowledgeable speakers explored the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, equipping attendees to think critically and biblically about technology that is becoming an increasingly significant part of everyday life. Rather than approaching these changes with fear or uncertainty, the event encouraged participants to consider how Christians can respond with wisdom, discernment, and faithfulness.

The AI Revolution provided a valuable platform for asking important questions: How should followers of Jesus evaluate new technology? What opportunities can emerging tools provide, and what challenges should we be prepared to recognize? And most importantly, how can our faith guide us as technology continues to evolve?

This enlightening series was about more than understanding artificial intelligence—it was about learning how to engage with a changing world while remaining grounded in biblical truth. Because of your generosity, CityRise was able to create a space where people could learn, ask questions, and be encouraged to approach technological change thoughtfully and faithfully.

Dear Church Family,

This summer, we have seen significant progress in our Pathways efforts across CityRise, and in just over a week we will celebrate an especially meaningful milestone.

On Sunday, September 13, our CityRise Missouri City and CityRise Missouri City Español church families will celebrate New Beginnings Sunday as they reopen the sanctuary and building for worship after four years of perseverance. I am grateful for their faithfulness and patience along the way—with special thanks to the excellent efforts of our Facilities and Production teams—and I hope all of us across CityRise will celebrate and pray with them as this important day approaches.

Work continues on the Missouri City parking lot, and it looks fantastic! While it won’t be ready by September 13, we anticipate its completion in the weeks that follow and are grateful for the additional parking it will provide.

We are also seeing progress at the West U Baptist campus: the renovated Milton Street parking lot is expected to be available for Sunday worship starting this weekend! During the work week, parking will still be relegated to Milton Street itself and elsewhere while remaining work continues on the lot.

As we see these plans taking visible shape, I am reminded of the Scripture that has helped guide Pathways from the beginning. David prayed, “Everything comes from Your hand, and everything belongs to You” (1 Chronicles 29:16).

Everything we have is from the Lord, and we want to steward faithfully what He has entrusted to us. As we move toward CityRise’s 100th birthday in 2028, this three-year generosity journey is helping prepare our church for the next century of ministry—honoring God’s faithfulness in the past while creating opportunities to welcome people, serve our communities, and share the gospel for generations to come.

I encourage you to stay connected to all that is happening through Pathways—including parking updates, helpful resources, and the latest campaign progress—at cityrise.org/pathways.

As we prepare our campuses for the ministry ahead, I am also grateful for the ways God continues to provide leaders to serve our church family. I want to share an important update from our CityRise Students Team.

With Tim Yeager’s recent transition from Global Student Pastor to Campus Pastor at CityRise Bellaire, Alberto Avila will now serve as our Global Student Pastor, providing vision and leadership for CityRise Students across our campuses while continuing to give particular leadership to our West U Baptist students on Sundays.

I am also excited to welcome Max Brown to our staff as Student Pastor! Max will serve alongside Alberto and give primary leadership to our students at CityRise Bellaire.

Our goal is to remain one united CityRise Students ministry while providing students and families consistent, trusted leadership at their local campus. I am grateful for Alberto and Max and excited about this next chapter for our student ministry. Please pray for them, for Tim in his new role, and for the students, families, and leaders they serve.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed, given, and made a commitment to Pathways. Your generosity is helping make this work possible. If you have not yet joined us, there is still an opportunity to participate. You can learn more and make a commitment at cityrise.org/pathways.

Please continue to pray for wisdom as the work moves forward and especially for our Missouri City church family as they prepare for New Beginnings Sunday. What an encouragement it is to see the Lord’s provision and the generosity of His people taking visible shape across CityRise.


Expecting Greater,
Pastor Roger

Jesus is the Passover Lamb. That is the claim He made at His final meal with His friends, and it is the reason the last pages of the Bible return to a Lamb seated on a throne. The story that started in Egypt does not end in Egypt. It ends with Him.

If you have ever sat through communion and quietly wondered what the bread and the cup are actually for, or why a church would keep repeating a ritual borrowed from an ancient Jewish feast, you are asking a fair question. The answer is not sentimental. It reaches back into a night of judgment in Egypt, forward to a Roman cross, and further forward still to a promise that the curse hanging over this world will one day be lifted for good. Here is the thread that ties all three together.

What Was the Passover, and Why Does It Still Matter?
Long ago, God promised His people a land He cared very deeply about. Famine drove them into Egypt instead, and Pharaoh held them there in captivity. That is where the story of Moses begins, with a demand delivered to a king: let My people go. Pharaoh refused. Plague after plague came against Egypt to break his grip, and still he would not release them.

The final plague was God's wrath and judgment. But God gave a warning first, and inside that warning He gave a way out. Find an unblemished lamb, sacrifice it, and paint its blood on your doorpost, and His judgment would pass over that household.

Notice what did not factor into that promise. It did not matter who was inside the house. It did not matter what they looked like, what they did for a living, or what sins they had already committed. It did not even matter what sins they would go on to commit after that night. The only thing that mattered was whether the blood of an unblemished lamb was painted on the doorpost. Where the blood was, the wrath of God passed over.

Then came the rescue. God's people walked out of Egypt toward the Promised Land, and the sea itself parted in front of them. That deliverance was real, and it is worthy of worship. Afterward they kept an annual meal to remember it, gathering friends and family around a table to look backward at the Exodus and the night judgment passed them by.

What Did Jesus Mean When He Said "This Is My Body"?
Every part of that Passover meal was a symbol pointing backward. The bread, the cup, the order of it, all of it faced the past. Which is what makes what happened in Mark 14:22 so startling.

"As they were eating, He took bread, and after blessing it, He broke it, and He gave it to them, and said, 'Take, this is My body.'"

That went completely against the script. A Passover meal was not supposed to be about the man hosting it. Jesus took a meal built to look backward and turned it to face Himself. No longer are we looking back, He was saying. You are looking at Me now. This is My body, broken for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.

In effect, He was telling them that the bread meant to remind them of Israel's suffering and deliverance from years past was pointing at Him all along. I am the one who will suffer for you. I am the one through whom God will bring a greater deliverance. Pharaoh once held you captive. Now sin holds you captive, and I will free you from that.

The rescue out of Egypt was real, and it deserved celebrating. It was also a picture of a greater rescue still to come.

Why Is Jesus Called the Passover Lamb?
Because He said so, and He said it while holding the cup. In Mark 14:23-24, He took the cup, gave thanks, and passed it to them, and they all drank from it. Then He told them, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many."

Follow the logic of that sentence. A lamb had been sacrificed in Egypt so that death would pass over the doors of God's people. Jesus, sitting at a table commemorating exactly that, says the blood in question is now His own. I am the Passover Lamb. My blood will be shed to cover your sin, and it will make a binding covenant between you and God.

That is the shift. The meal stopped being a backward glance at something that happened a thousand years earlier. Its center became Jesus Himself, and it has stayed there ever since. When we come to the Lord's table today, what we are saying is that His body was broken on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, and we take the bread and the cup as a remembrance of Him.

Why Does the Bible End With a Lamb on the Throne?
Turn to the final chapter of the Bible and the Lamb is still there. In Revelation 22, the Lamb who was at the cross is the Lamb seated on the throne. The one who shed His blood to remove the curse is the one who will one day remove the curse completely.

The cross is where the victory was secured. Revelation 22 is where the victory is completed. Those are not two different stories with two different heroes. They are one story, and He is the reason it resolves.

This is why the ending matters for a Tuesday. It is not only a destination waiting somewhere out ahead of you. It changes the ground under your feet right now, because the outcome is already settled by the one who settled it.

Do You Have to Be Worthy to Take Communion?
No, and that is the whole point. We do not come to the Lord's table because we are worthy. We come because Jesus alone is worthy, and because He made a way for sinners to be forgiven, welcomed into God's presence, and brought near enough to see His face.

If you have trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, receive this meal as two things at once. It is a remembrance of His sacrifice, and it is a public proclamation of your faith in Him.

Scripture does call us to examine our hearts before we come, so take the moment. Sit with your own sin honestly, confess it to the Lord, and profess Him as Lord and Savior. That examination is not a worthiness test you might fail. It is what it looks like to come to the table awake.

What If You Have Not Placed Your Faith in Jesus Yet?
Then this meal is not for you yet, and there is no shame in that word "yet." Watch instead. Pay attention to what is happening around the table and consider the grace that Jesus is offering you, freely, without first requiring you to clean yourself up.

Remember what did and did not matter on that night in Egypt. Not the résumé, not the record, not the reputation. Only the blood of the lamb.

Where This Leaves You Today
The Bible has one ending, and Jesus is it. He is the unblemished Lamb whose blood was painted over a doorway in Egypt, the Lamb who took bread and called it His body, the Lamb slain at the cross, and the Lamb on the throne in Revelation 22 who finishes what He started.

That is why Jesus is the Passover Lamb, and why the table still matters. The victory is secured. One day it will be completed. Between those two points, you have every reason to live like the outcome is already sure, because it is.

This blog is based on the message shared by Campus Pastor Tim Yeager at our CityRise Bellaire campus on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. Check out the full message below!

This summer, we have seen exciting progress across our Pathways efforts, and we are grateful for the ways God continues to open doors and move these projects forward!

At CityRise Missouri City, we are on target to reopen the sanctuary building on September 13 for their New Beginning Sunday. This is an especially meaningful milestone after four difficult years of persevering. What once seemed like a distant possibility is now becoming a reality, and we are looking forward with great anticipation to seeing the church gather again in this renewed space.

The CRMC parking lot is also well underway! While we do not expect the project to be completed by September 13, we anticipate the work being finished within the following few weeks. We are excited about the relief these additional parking spaces will provide and the opportunities they will create for the church and its ministry.

Looking ahead, we are also on target church-wide to bring details forward in October as we seek approvals for the next steps in all of our Pathways projects. We are thankful for the continued progress and for everyone who has prayed, given, and helped make these efforts possible.

Thank you to everyone who has given to Pathways and helped us continue moving forward. It is not too late to join our Pathways efforts! Visit cityrise.org/pathways to learn more and make your commitment.

We are grateful for what God has done, and we are excited to see what He will continue to do through Pathways!