Raising Up New Leaders

This year, we had the privilege of taking 39 prospective leaders away over 3 separate weekends for our Incubator Retreats. Our time away was incredibly encouraging as we combed through the Scriptures and sought the Lord’s vision for House Churches. Our hearts were collectively refreshed and restored. We dreamt toward shifting culture in our House Churches positively and pressing forward into God’s mission with greater purpose and clarity. This model for raising up and identifying prospective Shepherds has become exceptionally fruitful. Each wave of incubated leaders is an answer to prayer by providing both new Shepherds and a bolstering of health as some integrate back into their groups. We are so grateful to partner with each of you in embodying and declaring the Gospel to the city of Houston, block by block by block.

House Church Multiplications

41% of newcomers jumped into a House Church for the first time and over 50% of those newcomers stayed in their group.

COLLABORATION FOR THE KINGDOM

830. We had 830 men and women together at our Prayer Meetings in January and February this past year, as we collaborated with other local churches to long for awakening in our city. What we didn’t realize was that God would move beyond our measly attempt to behold more of his glory and inspire over 50 other local churches to join in fasting and praying with us! We received live images from other areas of greater Houston during our February Prayer Meeting and were in awe of what the Spirit was doing in and through Christ’s Church. We’re convinced every movement of God has found its footing in corporate, urgent, and unified prayer. Thank you for taking part in our collective aim to see Jesus lifted high in Houston as it is in Heaven!

LIGHT IN DARK PLACES

As the people of Seven Mile Road collectively strive to embody and declare God’s redemptive story to every Houstonian, we each have the unique opportunity to become pastors of the men, women, and children that live in our neighborhoods and on our blocks. Out of an overflow of what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf, we get to be sent-ones that bring light to dark places. If you spend any time at all with Jessica or Caleb Hindy, you quickly learn how seriously they take this calling to spread the hope of Jesus in their everyday lives. You’ll frequently find Jess prayer walking their neighborhood with her daughters Amore and Joy, begging God to transform the lives of the families on their street, and always stopping to chat or pray with a new or old friend. You’ll find Caleb connecting with neighbors and co-workers and entering into spiritual conversations with those the Lord leads his way. As the East Downtown House Church Shepherds, Jess and Caleb keep the purpose of Meal Night at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Last year their House Church planned a neighborhood Meal Night and saw over 50 people attend! Together as a family of four, countless hours are spent with our Afghan neighbors living at the Bayou Park apartments, both to help these families with tangible needs and initiate deep spiritual conversations and times of prayer together. Like Jesus, the Hindy family wades into the dark and uncomfortable parts of our world with grace, compassion, and an urgency that recognizes “If not me, then who?”. And like the disciples who encountered the resurrected Jesus on the Road to Emmaus, Jess and Caleb run with great joy to proclaim the name of Christ to all nations, beginning in Houston.