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Tony Isaac
In 2010, we were at a low point in our lives. Our church at the time had stopped all small groups. Since we were volunteering weekly in tech, we weren't able to be part of a traditional Sunday morning class. We had slowly become disconnected from the church we had called home for 20 years. Some friends had told us about WoodsEdge, so we decided to check it out. We knew that we--and especially our high-school boys--needed a place where we could get involved in small groups again, to again be part of a group of caring believers. In January 2011, we visited WoodsEdge for the first time. That Sunday, Pastor Jeff spoke about...small groups! A couple went on stage that Sunday to share their stories about what their small group had meant in their lives. At the end of the service, we were told that if we were interested in information about small groups, we should come to a meeting the following Saturday. We did. We had no idea that we would be forming a new small group that day. Two of the people we met at that meeting are still in our small group. They--and others--have become good friends, encouraging us many times along the way. We thank God for bringing us to WoodsEdge, and for a new beginning in our walk with other believers.
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Jimmy and Tina Gentry
We joined WoodsEdge approx 15 years ago - sometime during the spring of 2014. We had been searching for a church home and immediately felt drawn to WoodsEdge - the music, the message, the love you could feel coming from Jeff and Gayle. The fact that Jeff remembered our names the second time we visited meant a lot to us -it showed us that even large churches can have intimacy and closeness. Our children grew up in this church (they were 4th grade and K when we joined). I'd say our story also has a lot to do with the youth ministry of WoodsEdge. Our son and daughter participated in every single youth event - small groups were especially impacting on our son b/c he had the same small group leader for the bulk of his time in youth (Kyle Webb). Our daughter also loved small groups but she had a new small group leader almost every year so she didn't have the same mentor relationship as Josh did. Both of them also did mission trips (1-2 a year - depending on if there was a Mission Houston and an overseas mission trip). These mission trips had such a huge impact on both Josh and Brittany. If you ask either of them how God has used them -they both refer to mission trips with WoodsEdge. God used the youth ministry of WoodsEdge to speak to Josh in such a way that Josh is now a youth pastor himself. Josh's dream would be to one day serve in ministry at WoodsEdge and a lot of what he does in youth ministry as a pastor has been shaped by his experiences in the youth at WoodsEdge. Brittany wants to do a mission trip with some of her college friends b/c of her history of mission trips in youth. Josh led a mission trip with his youth to the Dominican Republic this past summer and they both want to return there again on future trips and Brittany wants to intern there during the summer of 2020. They both refer back to the mission trips with WoodsEdge as to when and how God spoke to them and gave them a
deep seated desire to minister to others throughshort term mission trips. Both Josh and Brittany formed life-time Godly friendships at WoodsEdge and we are touched by the fact that even though they are both grown,staff at WoodsEdge still remembers them and asks about them and prays for them. Jimmy and I have grown so much in our walk with God as a result of WoodsEdge. God truly uses WoodsEdge to love others, journey together, and bring hope to the world. -
Jerome Duran
My Wife and I (Stephanie) felt it was time to "bridge" the Sunday morning "Black and White" divide... So we made a conscious effort to attend a church where the "majority" of the congregants did not look like us. That was almost 5 years ago, and it was probably the best decision we made together as a couple.
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Jerome Duran
My Wife and I (Stephanie) felt it was time to "bridge" the Sunday morning "Black and White" divide... So we made a conscious effort to attend a church where the "majority" of the congregants did not look like us. That was almost 5 years ago, and it was probably the best decision we made together as a couple.
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Stanley Starr
In July of
2011 my wife passed away suddenly. I was lost. I had loads of questions. Such as why me, where was God through all of this, and how am I going to make it on my own with 5 kids to raise at the time ages 8 to 18 months. Three of which had special needs. I moved from Florida to Houston to be closer tofamily because I needed help and lots of it. A year later and still lost and confused I was approached by a friend why not go to church. I wasn't sure if it was for me and I was hurt to what God had put me through and felt all alone. After some convincing I contacted Woodsedge. I talked to Dionne who runs the special hearts ministry here. She told me to come to church and we will take care of you. She did take care of me. Along with everyone here. Atfirst it was an hour that I had a little break. I also grew closer to God. Woodsedge provided presents for my kids at Christmas when I couldn't afford to get them anything. Special hearts also had a small group where I was able to talk to other parents with special needs kids and find out I am not alone. Thereis all these people here that love me and will do anything to help me. Also moreimportant I learned that God loves me and was always with me after my wife passed away. Even though I was mad and upset at God and thought God didn't care I was never alone. God was guiding me the whole time to become closer to God. God took away all my burdens and lifted all that weight off my shoulders. A couple years later I met a wonderful woman who accepted and loved me for who I am and loved my children. In January of2015 we got married. Without Woodsedge I believe I would still be lost and not realize how wonderful, great and how much God loves me. Thank you so much. -
Justin Ulmer
As a ten-year alcoholic contemplating suicide, I acknowledged Jesus as my Savior during my first WoodsEdge service in 1999. Over the next three years, several WoodsEdger's invested in me in 1:1 discipleship relationships including Charlie Howell and Greg Johnson. In the midst of my
discipleship I experienced a miraculous delivery from alcoholism which I attribute to Jesus answering the prayers of my new WoodsEdge family. As I grew closer and closer to Christ, I was given multiple opportunities to use my gifts at WoodsEdge. I started off stacking chairs. Then I was invited to lead a small group. From there I began a young adult ministry that would one day become The Edge. In 2007 my wife and I were invited to serve as missionaries on behalf of WoodsEdge to Istanbul and the Middle East; after a summer overseas, I was invited to join the WoodsEdge staff as the Student Pastor of WoodsEdge Tomball. My story goes on from there, but in short, the people of WoodsEdge picked me up and invested in me when no one else. Jesus Christ is my Savior, and the community of WoodsEdge is the tool He used to execute my rescue. -
Christina Callaway
Below is a link to our story and I can share more in depth when we speak how WoodsEdge has played a key role in it. In short-- this probably would never have happened had we not been a part of the WoodsEdge family!
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