This week we took 23 high school students and seven adults on a mission trip to Wilmore, Kentucky with an organization called AdventureServe. Our primary project was to repair a roof for Penny, a single mother of four who is trying to put three of her kids through college. The roof leaked so badly that the ceiling caved on the inside. She is possibly one of the sweetest people on earth and has spent hours getting to know us and baking us cookies. We also rotated our students through a series of “mystery trips,” where we partnered with [...]

I remember the day that my dad left. I remember sitting in his lap as he tearfully confessed the words that would be my first-ever heartbreak. I remember thinking that divorce was a thing that happened to other kids–not me. I remember the way he looked as he walked out of my home forever. I remember sleepless nights with me, my sister, and my mom huddled closely together in the same bed the first week of his absence. I remember losing a unique brand of childhood innocence that day. How do I honor this person? When I look [...]

Loving God, you who are the perfect parent, I remember my mother, when I was small, involving me in the speech therapy program she operated in our home, so she could be both mother and professional at the same time. I remember going to the special needs summer camp with her in the summer. I think I can remember her stroking the bridge of my nose between my eyes when I was very little, soothing me to go to sleep. As a teenager, I remember getting up every morning to go to school, finding cooked breakfast on a hot plate [...]

With child-like faith and a natural compassion, VBS goers saw a need, understood how to meet it, and did something. Some even set up lemonade stands to raise money for other kids’ shoes – kids they will never meet. Through their generosity, the kids raised $7,665 that helped purchase 511 pairs of shoes.  While I could fill a BIG book with all the ways I heard, saw and experienced our children, teens and adult leaders growing in God’s super hero powers throughout our VBS week, there was a poignant experience I wish to share. At the end of [...]

What do you get when you add 204 teen volunteers, 50 adult volunteers, 600 campers and 2 crazy New Zealanders? VBS 2017! St. Luke’s became Hero Central, and friendly welcomers ushered each new and returning family to our first campus-wide VBS including the new Johnson Building. We launched right in with spirited singing at the first big group time with The Lads in Fellowship Hall. Teen helpers from Westheimer and Gethsemane served each day and increased the “cool factor” as they assisted in all activities. The VBS teachers raved about the teen helpers: “We LOVE our teen helpers! [...]

St. Luke’s Gethsemane is nestled in the midst of the Gulfton community that has been selected as one of the Mayor’s “Complete Communities.” This neighborhood, with its first generation immigrants and refugees, is considered to be one of the most diverse in the city of Houston. The Mayor’s "Complete Communities" is a pilot program designed to revitalize under-resourced areas while allowing residents to stay in their neighborhoods. This is exciting news and something that has been needed for a very long time. The initiative will work towards creating “complete” communities: neighborhoods that are safe, affordable, and healthy; have [...]