Every August, the WoodsEdge family looks forward to one of our biggest and most joy-filled outreach events of the year: the Back2School Bash. It is a day where the church campus transforms into a place of laughter, service, and connection. This year was no exception. In fact, it was extraordinary.
On Saturday morning, our parking lots began filling with families—parents holding hands with excited children, grandparents pushing strollers, teenagers helping carry little siblings. The sun was shining, and the air was full of expectation. By the end of the day, we had welcomed over 1,000 guests to our campus.
Before the Bash even began, our WoodsEdge family set the tone for generosity. This year's Backpack Drive was one for the books: our congregation showed up in a big way, donating 1,421 backpacks filled with school supplies! Of the backpacks collected, 700+ were given out at our Back2School Bash. The remaining backpacks were joyfully shared with a number of our local ministry partners, blessing students across the region who may never have been able to attend the event in person.
An added event this year was our first Backpack Drive Serve & Pray the week before the Bash. Many hands helped with collection, and together we sorted and organized the backpacks before distribution. Most importantly, each backpack was prayed over, asking God to bless the child who would receive it and to prepare their heart for the year ahead. This incredible outpouring was a reminder that when the Body of Christ comes together, the reach of our impact goes far beyond what we could imagine.
One of the most beautiful sights at this year's Bash was the sheer number of volunteers joyfully serving. Over 230 WoodsEdge volunteers came together, each person playing a different but equally important role. Some welcomed families at the parking lot and entry points with warm smiles and high-fives. Others acted as "shopping guides," walking with students to choose a backpack and pick out school supplies. Our prayer team quietly moved through the event, praying with parents and speaking blessings over children. There was no job too small, and no task too big. Each volunteer was a living reminder that when we serve together in the name of Jesus, the Kingdom of God is made visible.
One of the goals of the Back2School Bash is to ensure that children start the school year with everything they need—not only the basics but also a sense of dignity and joy. This year, thanks to the generosity of the WoodsEdge family, over 700 backpacks were distributed on our campus alone. These were not just items to check off a school list; they were gifts of hope, encouragement, and confidence for the year ahead. In addition to school supplies, 115+ children received free haircuts, thanks to 11 incredibly generous hairstylists who volunteered their time and skill. For many families, a haircut before school is an extra expense they simply can't manage. Watching a child see their fresh haircut in the mirror, smiling with pride—that's a moment that speaks volumes about the love of Christ.
While families were getting supplies and haircuts, the delicious smell of pancakes filled the air. Our Men's Ministry once again took the lead in serving breakfast, flipping and plating over 2,000 pancakes! More than just a meal, it was a time for families to sit together, relax, and enjoy fellowship with others from the community.
This year, the celebration didn't stop at our main campus. We also partnered with ministry friends at Greenspoint to host a Back2School Bash in that community. There, we were able to pass out 100 backpacks to local students, sharing the same hope and love we experienced at WoodsEdge. This extension of the Bash allowed us to bless families who might not have been able to travel to our campus, reminding us that our mission field is wherever God places us.
While backpacks, haircuts, and pancakes are wonderful blessings, the heart of the Back2School Bash is prayer. Our team leaned on 1 Thessalonians 5:17 as a reminder to "pray continually" for every personattending the Bash. At every turn, families encountered people ready to listen, encourage, and pray. Some prayers were for provision and strength. Others were for health, safety, and success in the school year ahead. Many were simple prayers of gratitude. As one volunteer shared, "It's amazing how quickly walls come down when you offer to pray. People are hungry for connection, and when they feel safe, they open their hearts."
An event like the Back2School Bash doesn't just happen. It's the result of countless hours of planning, preparation, and prayer from our staff, ministry leaders, and volunteers. It's also a testimony to the generosity of the WoodsEdge congregation. Every backpack purchased, every pancake served, every haircut given was made possible because people gave their time, resources, and hearts. The impact goes far beyond one Saturday in August. A child walks into their first day of school with a brand-new backpack and a fresh haircut, feeling confident and cared for. A parent remembers the prayer spoken over them when times get hard. A volunteer leaves inspired to serve in new ways. The ripple effect is real, and it points straight to Jesus.
At WoodsEdge, we talk often about Houston being "a city of God," bringing the hope of Jesus to our neighbors in tangible ways. The Back2School Bash is a perfect example of this vision in action. We don't do this event for recognition. We don't do it because it's easy. We do it because Jesus has called us to love our neighbors as ourselves. We do it because He told us that when we serve "the least of these," we are serving Him (Matthew 25:40). And every year, we see Him move—softening hearts, opening doors, and changing lives.
To every volunteer who served faithfully, thank you. To every person who gave financially or donated supplies, thank you. To every prayer warrior who lifted this event before the Lord, thank you. Your faithfulness made this day possible. Because of you, over 1,000 people experienced the love of Jesus in a real and tangible way, both here at WoodsEdge and at the Greenspoint Bash. They didn't just leave with backpacks and haircuts;they left knowing they are seen, valued, and loved.
As we look forward to next year's Bash, let's continue to pray for the families we met. Let's ask God to bless their school year, protect their homes, and draw each one closer to Him. And let's keep living as a City of God, where the love of Jesus is impossible to miss.
Bringing Hope Together,
The WoodsEdge Missions Team