Singles

God's Love

As a single woman who lives hundreds of miles from most of her relatives, church family is a big deal to me. One Sunday morning an older man who only identified himself to me as a deacon asked me a question. I didn't have an answer but we chit chatted for several minutes. Before he walked away he pulled a peppermint out of his pocket. After he handed it to me he said "I love you" and left. I knew he meant it. My Papa would be so glad to know there are men here who will adopt me as their own. That little moment has stuck with me. Sometimes a little bit of love goes a long way.

Carrie Cochran, 29

Direction and Purpose

A little over a year ago, I was lost, no direction in my life or a purpose to wake up to. I had been through a divorce, lost my job, homeless and lost my will to go on with life. I ended up at the Star of Hope discipleship program where I turned my life over to God. As God began revealing himself to me and restoring my life, I needed a new family. The first time I walked into the sanctuary at First Baptist, I felt an overwhelming feeling of love and I knew I was at home. As a new member, Pastor Gregg suggested that I find a Bible study class and be a part of the Church, now I go to two Bible studies a week, church services, Celebrate Recovery and work-out in the gym. The Lord led me to First Baptist where I would be a part of something big. I just want to thank the church for having open arms and a smile for someone who needed both.

Vance Letbetter, 50

Act of Kindness

I had visited off and on for about four months when my mom became ill in Jan. 2006. I was looking for a church that offered more for older singles and people who are blind or sight impaired. I just was not sure if this is where God wanted me. On Sunday Jan. 15, my mother went into cardiac arrest while I was in Sunday School. I cannot drive due to very poor eyesight. The class I was in was mostly married people who had kids older than me. I asked the class secretary if she would mind giving me a ride to be with my family. She gave me a ride to the hospital. This woman did not know me and yet she did this. Though this may seem simple, it meant the world to me. She was willing to be God's hands and feet to someone she really did not know. That one act of kindness was all I needed to motivate me to join this church.

Thomas Morrison, 37

Community

I am involved with Summit Ministries, and I joined after I graduated from college June 2006. I have enjoyed the classes, teaching and activities, but mostly I am just glad I found friends who share a heart and life for Christ my savior.

Carolyn Schroer, 23

Valued

I came to First Baptist in October 2004 after being hurt by a church where I didn't feel valued as a single. I joined a class in Summit and immediately knew I'd found a church where singles were not only welcome, but valued. The Lord healed my hurt as I found fellow believers in my station in life who wanted to worship, serve, and fellowship with me. I went on a Mission Trip with this group that May and accepted a leadership role in my Sunday morning class that August. I felt "whole" here at this church, not like there was something wrong with me because I was still single at 29. The Lord brought my husband to me through my service in this Sunday morning class. We met there and married in November of 2006. FBC was instrumental in shaping our first year of marriage, as well. The Newlywed Class led by Ken and Cindy Kapp was a wonderful place for us to learn about God's design for marriage and practical ways to do marriage God's way. We have just "graduated" from that class and have started a new class with other couples who are right where we are right now. God used FBC to show me that He had not forgotten about me...that He valued me as an individual and would be faithful to His promises to me.

Jill Guerrero, 31

Warm Welcome

The first night I came to HFBC, I was greeted warmly by the members and visitors alike. I enjoyed the time we had to worship our Lord in song and in study through the scriptures. When the service was concluded, and the Pastor had given his blessing to us, I walked up to him and asked if I could join the church. He smiled at me and said "Sure, of course! Let me get you a (deacon?) to help you out!" I told the pastor that I was from Plano, TX, and that I was a part of Prestonwood Baptist Church there. He knew what I was talking about and only spoke kind things about the church. I was ushered into a comfortable living room where I sat down with a man named Chris. He helped me to find what programs I might be interested in and answered all of my questions. We really got along well, and Chris told me he would help me in any way he could to get me connected to the things I wanted most to do in this church. I don't think I could have found a better place to become a member. I am now dedicated to showing everyone the same kind of welcome I received when I first visited – with open arms!

Anonymous, 19

God Turned My Life Around

When I first came to HFBC I was lost. Malcolm Marshal had invited me several times to where I gave in and came, that same Sunday was the day that changed my life period. I got up in the middle of the Pastor’s sermon and walked right out, he stopped and watched as well as everyone else. I was almost out to my vehicle when two Deacons of the Church stopped me, exchanged numbers and made friends instantly. I kept comin’ back for more of the people that God has and still worked/works through. I was baptized on Oct. 1st of 2006 through HFBC and am a happy member. I have sought so much help through the Church that God—working through this Church—just turned my life around. I came from drugs, alcohol, Wicca, satanism, heavy metal and the like... and with all the help that was provided through HFBC I am now in a prime position to help others out of the pits of where I came from. Comin’ from that lifestyle with the help of God flowing through HFBC, He has enabled me to flip the script in small words. I am now a Christian Radio DJ and actually working for one of those 2 Deacons that stopped me that day. I also am the Apprentice Encourager Coach for Celebrate Recovery through HFBC, and with God's help I also run an internet based accountability system, have over a year of sobriety time from drugs and alcohol, and over a year from other forms of addictions and help with sponsorship programs. Houston’s First Baptist Church, with God working through y’all, is a MAJOR mile marker in my life.

Bobby Kilgore, Jr. (aka, BEAR), 27

Preparation

I will make my response brief.... because to tell it in its entirety would take 4-5 pages. God used First Baptist Church of Houston to grow me as a Christian man, and to prepare me to meet my wife. As I became more involved in the singles ministry (SUMMIT), I took a class with Don Munton called "Roles of a Man" which changed my Christian walk. After learning the importance of preparing NOW to become the Spiritual Leader God has called us to be ... I shortly thereafter met my wife. I was looking for a friend in my class to discuss starting a men’s Bible study, but we had been playing phone tag for a couple of weeks. One Sunday I saw him sitting in the back of a class, and thought I would catch him afterwards to talk with him. When class was over, he had to run off to another commitment, but introduced me to the young lady he had been talking to. We instantly hit it off, but took it slow and became friends first for 2-3 months. After getting to know each other for a year and a half ... we got married on June 16th. God's timing is always better than our timing ... I waited 38 years to meet the person God had prepared for me. As I waited, I didn't realize that God was using HFBC to grow both of us so that when we DID meet, we would be ready for it. We had both been going to the same Church for almost two years, but had never met. (smiles)

Lee and Ella Edmiston, 39 and 33

Exciting Journey

Houston's First Baptist holds a very special place in my heart as well as in my walk with Christ for many reasons. God initially used the First Place program to draw me closer to Him back in January 2001 after being away from church for years and never knowing about having a personal relationship with Christ. It was through that ministry that I was first introduced to scripture memory and hiding God's word in my heart along with developing a daily quiet time and doing a daily Bible study. It was there that my love for God and His word was ignited. He began to move powerfully in my life and laid a foundation for what He had planned for me. The second way God used First Baptist to impact and further shape my life was through Beth Moore and her anointed teaching. I attended "Believing God" in Fall of 2002 and have been faithfully attending her Bible studies ever since. In addition, I also attended her Sunday school class for a year and a half. God has used many of her lessons to bring much healing to my life, and I knew that God had great purpose for my being there. In August of 2002, God planted the inspired idea of my artwork in my life. What started as a wedding gift for my best friend quickly evolved into what could only be defined as a series of divine circumstances. God had another plan, and Inspirational Arts was born. I was greatly encouraged on this exciting journey with God by several members of the HFBC staff that I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to this very day – Geni Hulsey, Scott Reavis, Carole Lewis & Nancy Taylor. Each of them gave me their full attention, time and enduring support, and we wouldn't be where we are today without any of them. God continues to bless me with the privilege of being part of such an incredible Body of Christ here at First Baptist Church. It's where a very special part of my personal story began, and, for that, it will always be dear. God Bless Houston's First Baptist Church and may it continue to have a story to tell!

Kelly Hansen, 38

Growth, Service and Missions

For many years, all I knew about Houston's First Baptist Church was that they put on amazing Christmas pageants. My grandparents loved to go to them every year and would talk about how amazing they were. They also talked about how wonderful the pastor (Brother John, at the time) was and how much that church would miss his leadership. I didn't have my own experience with First Baptist until I moved back to Houston from Tennessee at the beginning of 2005. I had heard that Gregg Matte was the new pastor and I remembered how much I enjoyed his teaching at Breakaway, Passion Conference and One Day. Several of my friends had also started attending HFBC, so I had some contacts in Summit Ministries. When I got there, I jumped in with both feet and soon found myself doing administration for my Sunday school class, facilitating a home team and raising support to go to Guatemala. I love the fact that ours is a missions-minded church and have really been impressed with how each member is encouraged to go on a mission trip. On my third trip to Guatemala with HFBC, I felt the Lord leading me to take the leap I had been waiting to take for 20 years. As soon as I got home, I applied to the International Mission Board and am now on my way to being appointed as a career missionary to Venezuela. First Baptist has impacted me by providing opportunities for personal growth, service and missions and keeping me challenged by so many godly people who are living out their faith every day. It has truly been a "relevant, biblical community" that God has used to bless, enrich and stretch my walk with Him.

Karla Turner, 34

Baptism

Houston's First Baptist Church has impacted my life in many ways. My aunt invited me to Houston's First Baptist Church on many occasions and I would tell her that I would come on Sunday. I would not show up. Then one day I decided to come to the church and I really enjoyed the choir and the worshiping. I felt there was a lot of togetherness and people that made me feel like they were family to me. I enjoy how we worship as one. I went to church as a little girl but I really didn't know the real reason for going to church back then. I had never been baptized before. I walked down to the altar one Sunday and I wanted to join the church and to be baptized. This was a new beginning for me in my life. Jason Swiggart was the person to baptize me. He told me that his baptizing me made a big impact on his life and he thanked me but, there in turn he too had made a tremendous impact on my life for just being a part of my life just for that special moment. I enjoy coming to church on Sundays and when I miss a Sunday I feel like I'm missing out. Thank you all at Houston's First Baptist for making me feel at home. God Bless.