Family

Equipped

How has the Lord used Houston's First Baptist Church to impact your life as an individual, a married couple or a family? How has it not? Individually HFBC has helped me bridge the gap from being a consistent eater of the Word and Spirit of God to one who is allowing God to use him to feed others. As a husband, God has used HFBC to literally keep me a "husband" by being a haven of guidance, wisdom, and safety while the enemy was trying to make me an "ex-husband." Finally, God has used HFBC to equip me to show the love, compassion, and grace of God to my children. I have learned that children form much of their opinion of our glorious and wonderful Creator by what they see in their fathers. I am blessed that God has allowed HFBC to pour this "image" into me.

Adam Hamza, 40

Growth

My growth with HFBC has been amazing. It started in 1970 when John Bisagno came to Houston and had a bright idea of having a youth revival. I came to know Christ as my Lord. I became a member of Uldine [Bisagno] and Marge Caldwell's college Sunday school class. In 1981 I met my future spouse and brought him to hear Bro. John. We got married in 1982, had 2 sons—James and Jordan Robert—who were dedicated by Bro. John. We prayed and looked for a home and would you believe down the street from Bro. John and Uldine? We moved overseas and out of state and First Baptist Houston prayed us through that 10 year wilderness in our life. Thank you Lord as we move on in Christ.

Sue Caldwell

Rebirth

When I came to HFBC, I was a totally broken individual and as low in life as you can get and still exist. I was saved in the 5th grade, but being raised in an unchristian home, rarely went to church. I lived a very disobedient life, until coming here. I can see God’s great hand in it now. My precious daughter brought me to HFBC and to the Counseling Center, where I met my beloved Marge Caldwell. She knew all about me and loved me anyway, as have the ladies of Dayspring and M&M Bible Studies. I stand amazed at how God has and continues to richly bless me, and open new doors all the time. The Body of Christ doesn't realize the impact it can have on one person. Praise the Lord, for loving us so much!

Robbie Kendziorski, 63

Extended Family

From our first visit to FBC in 1963, God has used this church as a major factor in our lives. He showed His glory as we witnessed the vote to allow blacks to join our fellowship (in a major upheaval/miracle which only He could have accomplished) - and in hundreds of other ways. He encouraged us when the church was encountering discouragement from within its ranks. He always assured us that we were in the place of His calling, and has always proved Himself faithful. He supported us through His people here. He gave us work to do in various ministries. He brought godly leaders for us and for our sons. He blesses us continually through our "extended family" of this Body. He continues to increase our enthusiasm for First Baptist and for the work He is accomplishing here, and we look forward to His blessing in the future. We could never express our gratitude to Him for choosing this place for our church home. It is home. We are home, until that day we leave for our eternal dwelling.

Ernie and Kathy Wales, 72 and 71

Comfort

After the death of my father on July 22, 2007, I e-mailed Pastor Gregg Matte, and he contacted John Young. When I went to Florida to comfort my family, I never thought that I would have such a loving church person like John Young call me up and pray over the phone with me, let alone have the Pastor pray for me that same day. It means so much. Even after my return back home here in Houston, I had to deal with the effects, that I can't help my mom though this hard time. So I asked Pastor Gregg if there was any support group or any one I can talk to. He recommended me to The Stephen Ministry and Grief-Share. These two have helped me a lot when it comes to dealing with the death of my family member. This church has helped me grow closer to my family and God. Without my mother-in-law making a promise to God when she was in ICU this past December, I would never have gone to such a loving and understanding church. My mother-in-law was days from death in December and was diagnosed with Congestive Heart failure, and now weighs 124 pounds from 250 pounds in December. God has healed her heart and also brought her closer to him. As for my marriage, it has brought me closer to God, and hopefully this will rub off on my husband. Thank you for being such a supportive church.

Katrina Figueroa, 25

Plugged In

Houston's First Baptist Church has been wonderful! The Lord has definitely used my time here. I actually grew up at another church in Houston. After hearing Gregg during my time at A&M, I knew that if I ever moved back to Houston, I would definitely need to try his church. After college, I returned to Houston and began attending First Baptist. I instantly loved the teaching and soon after became plugged into a Sunday school. The Lord has richly blessed me with great teachers, leadership, and friends. Not to mention, the absolute joy of meeting my husband! Throughout my time here, I have been able to be a part of the Children’s, Singles, and Married ministries. The outpouring of love has been phenomenal. I greatly enjoyed the Bloodworths and the Journey class. And once becoming married, the Newlywed class was fantastic in helping us build a strong foundation for our marriage. We were able to hear experienced lessons from teachers and talk through critical points. Altogether, at First Baptist Church we have been able to grow in our relationship with the Lord, each other, and with other couples.

Anonymous, 24

Single Parent Ministry

I came to Houston First Baptist as a recently divorced, single mother of two girls 8 and 10. I was embraced by the Single Parent ministry led by King Lane. The girls were quickly plugged into Sunday school and Summer Camp. Soon my girls were both baptized on the same day! The single parent ministry was big - over 200 people and it was my family. I spent many Friday evenings in the CLC and Saturdays at the park. Every Sunday, we went out to eat with the group. The men were great - they were role models for my girls and helped with all of the camping, biking and all those things I just wasn't into. I am in fundraising and social work - so through this ministry, I too was able to serve the body of Christ. I was single for 10 years. In 1998, I changed jobs to another part of town and we tried to find another Church in our area - never really felt it was home, so a few years later, we went back to Houston’s First Baptist. The first Sunday I was back, I received an invitation to the "new" single parent ministry. I signed up and again plugged in. My home became one of the gathering places for potlucks. The girls now in High School and College attended Sunday school and looked forward to eating out with the group every Sunday. Over the years, I have seen many of my friends join Houston’s First Baptist and even baptized, I've ministered to single parents and assisted with leadership for Christmas gatherings and softball outings. Houston’s First Baptist has been an integral part of my life. In 2003, I was ill and my car was in the shop. I called a close family friend, Ray Davis, for a ride to church. He agreed to stay and attend the single parent class. He was not a single parent, but he joined the class anyway. I was thrilled - I had been inviting him for 5 years. About six months later - he received Jesus as his personal savior and was baptized (I missed it, I was still sick and was in the hospital). He wanted to wait until I was better - but I didn't want to take any chances, he had already recovered from brain surgery a year before. In 2004, Ray Davis received the news that his brain tumor was back and he only had a few months to live. It was a difficult time for everyone, except Ray. He was so into Jesus! He wanted to know everything about Heaven. He didn't have family to care for him so I took him in my home. He had many friends in the single parent ministry and many stepped up to help - I signed people up for 24 hour shifts in my home. Ray Davis passed on December 10, 2005. Houston’s First Baptist made a huge impact on his life and in that of my life and the lives of my girls. As for me, I finally took that Divorce Recovery Course and dealt with all those issues. Then I attended the Dating Again Classes. In 2003, I met a wonderful Christian man - Tom Jennings. I stuck to the way God intended us to date and marry. We became friends and two years later we married on March 26, 2005. Well, the story doesn't end. My new step son was in big trouble with drugs and alcohol. In November 2005, through prayer and faith, we sent him to Victory Family Recovery Center (Christ-based). Our Sunday school classes lifted him in prayer week after week. He completed his 6 month program, came home for a couple of months and went back on his own - he realized he wasn't ready. In November 2006 he again came home. He has accepted Jesus as his personal savior and is still in recovery. He is now a member of Houston’s First Baptist and he and his girlfriend attend regularly. Presently, my husband Tom got a job in Los Angeles and we have moved to Burbank, California. I am still working in Houston, so I am in town for at least one Sunday a month. Tom and I listen to the audio sermons every week. My oldest daughter Crissy Lafuente - has reserved a date to marry at Houston’s First Baptist on August 31, 2008. Crissy and her fiancé Ryan Nolen are attending the Sunday school classes and pre-marital counseling. Ryan was baptized just a few months ago. My baby :), Julie is in San Marcos University and comes home to attend Houston’s First Baptist as much as she can. She loves the Lord and it just radiates from her. Has Houston's First Baptist Church had an impact on my life - I would say so!

Cristy Jennings, 45

Ministries and Studies

God blesses us through the HFBC Sunday Morning Bible Studies with good friends that encourage, support, challenge, and pray for us as we follow Jesus. We are thankful for our church family in Summit Ministry and now with the Married Young Adult Ministry.

Anthony and Anjali Brown, 32 and 31

Marriage

The Lord has used HFBC to rescue me and my family from drowning in unhealthy doctrine and unbiblical theology. We are elated to be in an environment where the Word of God is esteemed higher than the one expounding on the Word. As a married couple, the Lord has used HFBC to bring us examples of godly marriages that we can emulate. We have no doubt that if we weren't in this place, where the institution of marriage is honored & respected, we'd be struggling in our marriage, if not already divorced.

anonymous married couple, mid-30s

Community

Wow, where to begin? OK, I know where to begin. HFBC provided myself and my wife with a relevant biblical community. We felt right at home with the church and everyone in it. We found a wonderful Sunday school class (The Big Time) and have never felt more accepted. I personally have grown tremendously as a Christian during my short time at HFBC. I have gained through studies like the Quest, Sunday school and of course Pastor Gregg's services. I have come to know a great number of the men and women on staff and that has led to great things for me.

Bryan and Colette Kraham, 33 and 36

Spiritual Growth of a Family

The Lord has used Houston's First Baptist Church in many ways to impact our lives as individuals and as a married couple and now as a family with young children. The church has helped deepen our relationship with the Lord through Spirit-led, Bible-based teaching. The incredible teaching has spoken to our needs as an individual man and woman, as a married couple, as a mother. The church seems purposeful and deliberate to offer teaching and fellowship that is consistent with the needs of the body of Christ. It has helped facilitate the development of relationships amongst a body of believers that has encouraged and challenged us. The church has encouraged and supported both of us in developing our Spiritual gifts to now be able to use in service for the Lord. We are so blessed and privileged to be a part of this church.

Charles and Beth Alvarez, 34 and 37

Birthplace

I came to HFBC shortly after I was saved. I was single, and I was intimidated by the institution of "church" and didn't feel as though I'd fit in as a completed Jew. But on the very first day I came to the Marathon Bible Study class (a singles class) I was made to feel like family. I truly got to see what "grace" really means. My first Bible study with Beth Moore was on Covenant - the Lord's special welcome to me into His family, connecting my roots with my salvation. I've been here ever since (8 years). I was baptized and married at First, taught how to teach Bible study, introduced to missions, counseled, discipled, and prayed for. I have had the privilege to teach Sunday school and the new members' class and see the body of Christ grow in numbers and in depth. I've been given the joy of discipling, counseling, researching, and praying for my brothers & sisters in Christ. It was my mentor, Joe Parle, who taught my class when we were all singles that encouraged me to get into seminary, from which I'll graduate soon. Now my baby boy, Caleb, comes with us, and it's our deepest desire that he comes to know the Lord and serve Him through the family of First. From my rebirth as a 30 year old woman to the birth of a covenant relationship with my husband to the birth of my son, First has been my spiritual home and family.

Richard and Andrea Kim, 36 and 36

Part of the Story

My grandmother was a member of HFBC from the age of 13 until she died at 73. Sixty years she was a part of the story! I have wonderful memories of attending church with her. I was 5 and loved to go along as she taught kindergartners in Sunday School. We rode the bus downtown to the church and always sat on the side balcony for worship. I will never forget when Brother John first came. He taught the church to OPEN the doors and invite everyone in. My grandmother was shocked when people wearing blue jeans came! It was just not right according to the old 'standards.' However, I must say within a few months, she was totally 'on board' and could not believe how God was moving in their sweet fellowship. Her picture (and my grandfather's) are in many of the photos in the welcome center. How thankful I am for her influence in my life. She taught me how to be a part of the story.