Bring Hope Week was a powerful reminder that living on mission isn't reserved for a select few—it is a calling for every follower of Jesus. Throughout the week, our church family was invited to remember that God's heart for the world is not distant or abstract. It is personal, active, and something He welcomes us into each day. Bring Hope Week gave us the opportunity to pause, look outward, and consider how the Lord may be inviting each of us to respond to the needs around us with compassion, courage, and obedience.
During our Sunday gathering, we had the privilege of hearing from Kevin Phillips with FAMM. Kevin shared an encouraging and timely message that challenged us not to rush past what God might be stirring in our hearts. His invitation was simple, but deeply meaningful: don't leave without asking the Lord how He is inviting you to live on mission. In a world filled with distractions, that question helped re-center us on what matters most. God is always at work, and He lovingly invites His people to join Him. Sometimes that invitation comes in big, life-changing ways, but often it begins with a quiet prompting—a nudge to pray, to serve, to give, or to notice someone in need.
That spirit carried throughout the entire week as our church family stepped into opportunities to serve, pray, and engage in meaningful ways. One of the highlights was our Feed the Hunger event, where more than 350 people—including staff, community groups, and students—came together to pack over 50,000 meals for families facing food insecurity around the world. It was an incredible expression of unity and compassion. Watching people of all ages stand shoulder to shoulder, joyfully working together for the sake of others, was a beautiful picture of the Church in action. Each meal packed represented more than food; it represented care, dignity, and the love of Christ reaching people in practical ways.
What made that event especially powerful was the reminder that something as ordinary as assembling meals can become deeply sacred when done in the name of Jesus. Every box packed was an act of worship. Every person serving was participating in God's heart for the hungry and vulnerable. It was a tangible reminder that mission is not always complicated. Sometimes it looks like simply showing up, using your hands, and offering what you have for the good of someone else.
In addition to serving, many in our church family gathered throughout the week to pray over our city. We lifted up the Greenspoint area, David Hill's church in the Third Ward, and neighborhoods across Houston, asking the Lord to move powerfully in these communities and to bring hope through His people. These times of prayer were a meaningful reminder that mission is not sustained by effort alone—it begins and continues through dependence on God. Before we go, we pray. Before we act, we listen. Prayer helps shape our hearts to reflect God's compassion and align us with what He is already doing around us.
There was something powerful about standing together and interceding for our city. We were reminded that Houston matters to God. Every neighborhood, every family, every church, every school, and every person is seen by Him. As we prayed, we were not just asking God to move somewhere "out there." We were also asking Him to move in us—to make us more aware, more available, and more willing to be used for His purposes.
We ended the week with the beautiful celebration of Fiesta de las Naciones, a powerful picture of God's heart for all people. With nearly 30 countries represented through food, worship, and fellowship, it truly felt like a glimpse of heaven as our church family gathered together in unity. It was a joyful and meaningful reminder that the Kingdom of God is made up of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation, all brought together through Christ.
The afternoon was filled with vibrant expressions of culture and celebration. The joyful sounds of the Mariachi band filled the air, followed by the stately music of the Houston Highland Bagpipe Band. We closed the day on a high note with a lively dance party, celebrating together through exuberant praise and worship led by the Nigerian band. There was joy, laughter, beauty, and a deep sense of togetherness as people from different backgrounds shared a common table and a common Savior.
This year, the Missions and Mobilization team wants to help you continue nurturing that call. Living a life on mission does not have to feel overwhelming or out of reach. In fact, it often begins with simple steps of obedience: serving, praying, listening, and loving others in the name of Jesus. It may look like partnering with one of our local ministries, joining a future serve opportunity, building relationships in your neighborhood, or simply slowing down enough to notice the people God has placed in your path each day.
Wherever you are, there is a place to begin. You do not have to have it all figured out. You simply have to be willing to say yes to God's invitation. Our prayer is that Bring Hope Week would not just be remembered as a meaningful series of events, but as a starting point—a moment that continues to shape how we live, love, and respond to the world around us.
As we move forward together, may we continue to nurture the call to live on mission, trusting that God can use our ordinary obedience in extraordinary ways. He is bringing hope to a broken world, and in His kindness, He invites us to be part of that work—together.