Early in my marriage, my husband and I moved to Houston from Southern California. We knew finding a church home was important and in 1991, after seeing Dr. Moore preach on TV, we decided to try St. Luke’s. We immediately loved the church’s contagious, vibrant energy. Its large size initially provided us some comforting anonymity. It didn’t take long, however, before we were ready for more–we soon joined the Genesis Sunday school class, signed up for Disciple Bible Study, enrolled our daughters at the day school and got them involved in children’s Sunday School and choirs. One of my first memories of volunteering was when the mother of one of my daughter’s pre-school friends invited me to teach with her at Vacation Bible School–the first of many rewarding experiences in Children’s Ministries. 

When Tom Pace arrived in 2006 I rejoined the Church’s Executive Committee (I had been on the committee when Dr. Moore was Senior Pastor), becoming Board of Stewards Chair in 2013. This was an especially gratifying time; the Church’s momentum was amazing. I loved that as Board Chair, I had the opportunity to be an active participant in our most recent capital campaign and building program, culminating in a memorable worship service at NRG attended by over 2600 people!  I served a partial term as Chair of the Church’s personnel committee in 2014 before Dr. Pace offered me the opportunity to move from lay leadership to staff leadership as Director of Adult & Connecting Ministries. In 2018, I was named Executive Director of Program Ministries. 

For all church members there are different seasons. Sometimes we need to just show up and be fed. But for the church to thrive, we can’t all remain there. My move from volunteer to staff reflected my need to be even more invested in, and integrally involved with, my church home.  

As both a volunteer and staff member, I have been truly blessed to partner with Tom Pace–a partnership of tremendous mutual respect and trust.  I greatly appreciate Tom’s authenticity and humility, his openness to other’s ideas, his leadership and above all, his friendship.   

When I joined the staff, some expressed concern the church would seem more like my place of work rather than my place of worship. But the wonderful reality is my staff position has enriched, not diminished, my experience as a member. I still view St. Luke’s as my beloved, life-changing church home. 

Jennifer Gould