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FALL 2022
THE STORY IS A COMMUNITYOF SKEPTICS & BELIEVERS FOLLOWING JESUS TOGETHER.
We exist to inspire nonreligious people to follow Jesus. That’s why our community is made up of lifelong Christians who were raised in Sunday school, skeptics young and old who aren’t sure what they believe about God or if He’s even real, and people anywhere in between. Everything we do at The Story - from Sunday morning worship services to groups, events, and service teams - is all about bringing people from all walks of life together. Our hope is that with every day, our community looks more and more like heaven and represents the diversity of Houston and the world around us.CORE PRACTICES:1. CHALLENGING COMFORT Church shouldn’t be a place you go to every week to feel good. It’s a 24/7 lifestyle. In order to become more like Jesus, that sometimes means losing the comfort we cling to because it’s what seems easiest or normal. We’re not perfect people and never will be, but we can do our best to make space for self-examination, honesty, and repentance.2. INSPIRING DEEPER CONVERSATIONS We’re a community that doesn’t shy away from hard topics and dicult questions. In fact, we fully embrace and encourage them. We believe that discipleship involves vulnerability in wrestling with our doubts together, learning to love people well no matter how dierent they are, and being at the forefront of issues that matter. We’re choosing to be in relationship with each other, not just become more religious.3. PURSUING TRUTH The ultimate truth lies in Jesus - not in the opinions and assumptions of the world around us. Jesus is the key to understanding the Bible and all of the questions we have about life, faith, relationships, suering, and more. Every message, group, and ministry is built around deepening our relationships with Jesus and coming to him for answers to our deepest doubts and questions. We want to make sure you enter into a relationship with him as well.INDEX02 // MISSION & PRACTICES04 // FROM THE PASTORS06// THE FOUNDRY NETWORK07 // PERMANENT HOME SEARCH08 // FALL TEACHING10 // MAYBE GOD PODCAST12 // CONNECT & GROW14 // DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS16 // HOME GROUPS18 // DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES20 // BAPTISM & COMMUNION21 // PRAYER & CARE22 // STORY KIDS26 // STORY STUDENTS28 // VISIT TIMBERGROVE30 // SPECIAL EVENTS32 // SUNDAY TEAMS36 // STRATEGIC PARTNERS
04FROM THE PASTORSDear Story Family,The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.Psalm 126:3Now more than ever, we feel this verse deep in our bones. Less than a year ago, The Story’s future was uncertain. We were emotionally wounded and financially vulnerable, and we were mere months away from being homeless with no savings, no credit, and no organizational history of our own. Needless to say, we lost quite a bit of sleep during those days!But the Lord has done great things for us! We have a wonderful, new (albeit temporary) home in the Museum District. Our thriving new Timbergrove Campus in the Heights continues to inspire more nonreligious people to follow Jesus every week. Meanwhile, our Online Campus, which grew rapidly through the pandemic, continues to reach more people all over the world. We’re probably most excited about The Story’s ministries with students and children, which have more than doubled their reach since last year. Through our Sunday programming, Vacation Bible School, summer trips, Apologetics Camp, and Camp Daniel, we’re raising up a generation of young people who not only know about Jesus, but who know Jesus and can’t wait to tell the world about him! The Lord has done great things for us! The Story’s media initiative, Maybe God Productions, has reached thousands of people so far this year through ACROSS, our new, award-winning documentary on the migrant crisis along the southern border. ACROSS has already been accepted into several international film festivals, and has taken home two major awards so far. Also, thanks to our brand new recording studio in the Museum District, the Maybe God Podcast has begun releasing all-new content - and tackling seriously tough topics - while reaching over four thousand people per episode!In the aftermath of the Covid shutdowns and The Story’s big move, we’ve been excited to remobilize our church’s outreach eorts in Houston and beyond. We’re serving Houston’s homeless community through Star of Hope, ministering to our “brothers and sisters in white” with Jubilee Prison Ministries, and reaching an entire island for Christ alongside our friends at GO Ministries in the Dominican Republic. Indeed, the Lord has done great things for us……and we are glad! The past year’s crisis could have caused our community to turn inward and to grow callous; instead, we’ve chosen to trust God all the more. Instead of “playing it safe,” we’ve continued to talk about our culture’s most pressing issues - such as climate change, abortion, social media, and gender identity - in our Sunday messages. We firmly believe that, as long as we keep pursuing God’s Truth in all things, God will continue to increase our joy!
05The last couple of years have been the most tumultuous, trying times of our lives in ministry, as one disruptive wave after another has come crashing down on us all. But God has brought us through those storms, and The Story Church is stronger than ever and blessed beyond measure. We have a few key goals in mind as we look ahead to the coming year: 1. First, we will formalize The Story’s aliation with The Foundry Network, a network of like-minded churches across the nation that are committed to upholding biblical Truth and to making disciples of Jesus Christ. Learn more about The Foundry Network on the next page.2. Second, we are excited to pursue God’s will for The Story’s permanent home. Our lease on Montrose Avenue is set to expire in January 2024, so we need to have a plan in place as soon as possible. 3. Third, we intend to mobilize a Deep Discipleship movement that has been percolating at The Story for over a year. This movement will soon multiply and, by God’s grace, will take the city of Houston by storm. We’ve never been more excited to be your pastors, and we thank God every single day for the privilege of leading The Story Church. God has done great things for us; we are glad!Yours in Christ Jesus,Pastors Eric and Geovanna HumanTHE STORY BOARD OF DIRECTORS Matt MeloyErnie D. CockrellGretchen RichterJohn Sullivan IIIAnn Hopper STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS TEAMJohn Sullivan Tom AyersCarrie Meloy Patty ChenJim LawninHQ SEARCH TASK FORCE Matt Meloy Ann HopperChip ClarkeStephanie SauerRebecca KingMarcus WagnerWayne BrintonMoises Morales
INTRODUCING THE FOUNDRY NETWORKAs amazing as The Story’s transition has been in 2022, the Bible teaches that there is really no such thing as an “independent church,” because individual congregations and pastors need community, support, and accountability beyond the local parish. As The Story’s pastors and Board explored groups like the Global Methodist Church, the Free Methodist Church, Disciples of Christ, and the Anglican Church of North America, Pastors Eric and Geovanna were asked to help launch a network of former UMC clergy from large churches all over the country. These church leaders began meeting multiple times a month for prayer, support, and accountability. With each gathering came greater awareness of the mighty thing that God was about to do. In September 2022, The Foundry Network was born with the stated mission of “drawing together the leaders of large, independent churches in the Wesleyan tradition for greater Kingdom impact.” The name comes from 18th Century London, where John Wesley leased an abandoned cannon factory that had previously been used to cast armament for King Charles and planted a church where men and women of God were forged through the faithful teaching of God’s Word. They called their new church The Foundry. The Foundry Network stands in this faithful Methodist tradition and seeks to forge a network of like-minded pastors and churches who are aligned theologically and work together to reawaken the movement of Jesus in our communities. This network is made up of accountable relationships that are simple and clear and that provide opportunities to learn, encourage, support and advance the Kingdom of God together. The Story Church, its Board of Directors, and its pastors are excited to be a part of this new movement of the Holy Spirit! FOUNDRY NETWORK CHURCHESAs of September 1, 2022 Christ Church | Fairview Heights, IL | www.mychristchurch.comMt. Bethel Church | Marietta, GA | www.mtbethel.orgThe Orchard Church | Tupelo, MS | www.theorchard.netGranger Community Church | Granger, IN | www.grangerchurch.comAsbury Church | Huntsville, AL | www.weareasbury.comThe Story Church | Houston, TX | www.thestory.church06
07NOT SETTLING DOWN:THE STORY’S SEARCH FOR A HOME CONTINUESLast year, The Story’s future was very much in doubt. We were a church in transition with no financial reserves and no place to go. Thanks to the selfless generosity of people like you, our community hasn’t merely survived - we have thrived in our new Museum District home. Sunday attendance is up fifty percent over last year, StoryKIDS and Student Ministries have more than doubled in size, and our men’s discipleship movement is growing exponentially! Your generosity is making a real dierence in people’s lives - a dierence that will ripple through eternity. Thank you, and praise God!As amazing as this year has been, the fact remains that our lease at 4910 Montrose is set to expire at the end of 2023. Due to the complexities of the inner-loop real estate market, it’s essential that we begin the discernment process now to determine The Story’s next steps. With that in mind, The Story’s Board has appointed a ten-member task force that is responsible for gathering vital information about our options beyond next year. The task force (see page 5 for the HQ Search Team members) is reporting its findings to the Board, and in the fall of 2022, we’ll host another series of town hall meetings to keep the entire congregation informed. No matter what the future holds, The Story Church will face it faithfully and fearlessly. God made a way for us before, and we know He will do it again!
FALL TEACHING08DEEP TRACKS: EXPLORING THE LESSER KNOWN TEACHINGS OF JESUSSEPTEMBER 11 - OCTOBER 16Anyone can sing along to the hits, but it takes a true fan to know the deep tracks - an album’s less popular songs that get buried between the more radio-friendly Billboard bops. If Jesus’ teachings were an album or a playlist, scattered among his greatest hits - like The Good Samaritan, The Golden Rule, and Love Each Other - you’d also find his deep tracks that could shock or even oend you - such as Hate Your Parents, Die Fig Tree Die, and I Bring the Sword! What are we supposed to do with the most confounding things that Jesus had to say? Join us for this six-week series starting September 11 to learn more.PLAY YOUR PART: EMBRACING YOUR GOD-GIVEN PURPOSEOCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 6Everyone has a part to play in the story that God is telling here and now. No matter your background, track record, or membership status, you are made in God’s image, and He has uniquely equipped you to serve Him in a powerful way. With this three-week series, we’ll celebrate all the ways that God is using ordinary people to achieve His extraordinary purposes in the world!
09I’M OUT: RESPONDING TO 3 REASONS PEOPLE GIVE FOR LEAVING CHURCHNOVEMBER 13-27With every passing year, more and more Americans are walking away from their churches, and they’re not coming back. In 2022, just 22% of Americans say they attend weekly worship services, while another 20% attend church “about once a month”. Meanwhile, 56% of Americans say they “seldom” or “never” attend worship services. Now consider this: as recently as 2009, the same survey yielded very dierent results. Just thirteen years ago, 48% of Americans said they went to church every week, 30% attended services about once a month, and just over 20% said they seldom or never attended worship services. What are the reasons behind this seismic shift in our culture, and how should followers of Jesus respond today? Join The Story for this fascinating three-week series this November as we explore these questions and more!
MAYBE GOD10Hey Maybe God listeners!If a new episode hasn’t already dropped as you read this, we are just days away from our latest season of the Maybe God Podcast! After designing our very first podcast studio inside The Story’s new Museum District campus, we started recording so much incredible content - interviews with leading experts like Dr. Anna Lembke (author of Dopamine Nation) and incredible guests like former Astros farmhand Russell Dixon. And starting now, we’ll be releasing weekly episodes, PLUS so much more exclusive video content on Maybe God’s YouTube channel. Make sure to sign up for email updates at maybegodpod.com and subscribe to our YouTube channel (and hit the notification bell!) so you know right away when new content is being released.If you’ve been looking for a way to share your faith with friends and family who are skeptical about church, or if you know Christians who show up to church on Sunday but struggle silently with crippling doubts about God and the Bible, head straight to your favorite podcast platform and check out our new trailer episode pinned to the top of the feed. This 7-minute episode explains why we created Maybe God and lays out all our favorite episodes as a starting point for new listeners. So many listeners have told us how important Maybe God has been in their journeys of honestly wrestling with doubts and reigniting their relationships with God. That’s why we need your help reaching as many new listeners as possible.Thank you for all your support and encouragement!Julie MirlicourtoisExecutive Producer, The Maybe God Podcast
11AN UPDATE ON ACROSSThe feedback on part one of Maybe God’s first (now award-winning!) docu series (based on the podcast episode “Can Loving ‘Illegals’ Save Our Souls?”) has been overwhelming! We’re so excited to announce the release of the full series to a streaming platform this fall. Please head to maybegodpod.com to subscribe for email updates on where to watch, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to help us spread the word! The immigration crisis at our southern border isn’t going away anytime soon, and we as Christians need to know how to respond.CAM AYALA ’S LIFE-CHANGING BATTLEFormer Bachelorette contestant (and Story Church member) Cam Ayala talked about his lifelong battle with lymphedema on our Season 4 episode “Will You Accept This Rose?” In June, Cam suered a life-altering loss in the form of an above-the-knee amputation. In the days since his operation, however, Cam’s faith in Christ has stolen the spotlight from the loss of his leg. Cam has been quick to remind his friends, family, and followers on social media that, even when life feels unfair, God is with us, and He is always good. The Maybe God team has been following Cam since May, and we’ll be releasing a short documentary on his journey late this year.SEND US YOUR Qs AND IDEAS!Pastor Eric and the Maybe God team are here to help answer any questions and doubts you’re wrestling with, so don’t forget to send us your questions, as well as topic and guest ideas! Just email us at producers@maybegodpod.com.
12CONNECT & GROW
13Discipleship is the heartbeat of every Christian’s life. To live as a disciple of Jesus means pursuing him every day through spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, worship, and sacrificially serving God and our neighbors. Over time, the more we grow in our relationship with Jesus, the more He shapes our hearts and makes us more like Him. I love what the apostle Simon Peter wrote about discipleship in 2 Peter 1:5-8: “...make every eort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual aection; and to mutual aection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” I know that God has many blessings in store for our church in the coming season, and I encourage you to make an intentional choice to develop as a disciple of Jesus Christ. At The Story Church, we have so many ways to connect and grow, and our leaders can’t wait to help you take the next steps toward deeper discipleship!In Christ,Pastor Geovanna HumanExperiencing God’s PresenceSundays @ 9:45amRegister: thestory.church/experienceThe Holy Spirit is one of the least talked about persons of the Trinity, even though scriptures tell us that we are “temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor 6:19). If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to “experience” the work of the Spirit in your life, we invite you to join us for centering prayer and meditation on Scripture every Sunday at 9:45am at the Museum District Campus. Led by Lesley Lilly and members of the prayer team, you will learn how to discern God’s “gentle whisper” of the Holy Spirit in everyday life.
DISCIPLESHIPGROUPS14Are you looking to study the Bible and dive deeper into the Sunday messages in a small group setting? Then Discipleship Groups are for you! These groups meet every week at our physical campuses in Houston’s Museum District or Timbergrove to discuss provided study notes based on the current sermon series or a book of the Bible. Discipleship Groups are for all life stages, and all you need to bring is your Bible and something to write with. By joining a Discipleship Group, you’re committing to reading your Bible beforehand, growing deeper in your faith through conversations, and praying for group members throughout the season. On the next page, you’ll find a list of all of our groups meeting this fall so you can find the best one for you. Each listing includes if it’s for men, women, or co-ed, as well as their regular meeting time. Once you find one that fits your schedule, stop by our Group Signup table in the lobby throughout the month of August or visit thestory.church/groups to sign up before August 31. Groups launch right after Labor Day weekend and will meet until the week before Thanksgiving. SIGN UP TO JOIN A GROUP:thestory.church/groups
15MUSEUM DISTRICT GROUPSSUNDAY MORNING CO-ED (PARENTS)9:45am // Led by Rebecca & Jason KingSUNDAY MORNING CO-ED (ADULT PROFESSIONALS)9:45am // Led by Jenny Pickett, Sarah Bolton & Ann SingletonTUESDAY MORNING WOMEN 7:30-8:30am // Led by Angie Webster & Amy WallnerWEDNESDAY MORNING WOMEN 7-8am // Led by Angela Clarke & Meredith KirkWEDNESDAY EVENING WOMEN6:30-7:30pm // Led by April Hingst & Elizabeth BrooksTHURSDAY MORNING WOMEN7-8am // Led by Melody Duarte-Morales & Ann LawninTHURSDAY EVENING CO-ED6:30-8pm // Led by Wayne & Bev BrintonTIMBERGROVE GROUPSSUNDAY EVENING PARENTS4-5:30pm // Led by Kale & Kim KinchenMONDAY MORNING WOMEN7-8am // Led by Lynda Werline & Shannon LeonhardtMONDAY MORNING MEN7-8am // Led by Ron SchutzWEDNESDAY MORNING MEN7-8am // Led by Pastor Kale Kinchen
HOMEGROUPS16Our Home Group network spans across the entire city of Houston and is the best way to make friends and develop your faith outside of the church walls. Home groups gather every other week to build Christian community and friendship, and to serve together. Home groups are based on life-stage and they meet in various neighborhoods. There’s a home group for everyone and anyone! If you want to explore your faith with a mix of skeptics and lifelong Christians and make new friends at The Story, a Home Group is your perfect fit. Registration for Home Groups is open the entire month of August. Just stop by our Groups Signup tables in the lobby on Sunday or visit thestory.church/groups to register online. We’ll plug you in with an existing group that meets your needs or launch a new group. SIGN UP TO JOIN A GROUP:Visit the church lobby or thestory.church/groups
17HOME GROUP QUICK FACTSRegister between August 1 - 31, 2022 OR in January 2023Over 20+ existing home groups in our networkAvailable in every neighborhood with the 610 loop and most of the metro areaOver 100+ current members and attendees plugged into Home Groups
DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES18BELOVED WOMENThe mission of BeLoved is to inspire women to follow Jesus through events and Bible studies that are uplifting and help strengthen their faith. Topics vary throughout the season and our hope is that each event will reach women from dierent stages of life. As a group, BeLoved has leaned into dicult topics such as parenting, maintaining healthy marriages, dwelling in the Holy Spirit, and trusting God when the world around us is dicult to navigate. Check out this fall’s oerings and sign up to join our women’s ministry.A CONVERSATION WITHLARA LOGANWednesday, September 14 @ Noon // River Oaks Country ClubThe Beloved Leadership Team is so excited to continue its mission of keeping women inspired to follow Jesus through our first event of the season, with special guest and award-winning TV and radio journalist and producer, Lara Logan. Lara has an inspiring story of courage and resilience in the wake of unthinkable tragedy and hardship. We know she will inspire us to start a new season by trusting God in all areas of our lives, and by persevering in the faith, especially through troubling times.Lara Logan’s candid reporting, often from the most dangerous places in the world, has earned her a prominent place among the world’s best foreign correspondents. Logan has earned almost every journalistic and reporting award, including the highly prestigious duPont-Columbia University Silver Baton, the Overseas Press Club, the Emmys and the RTNDA/Edward R. Murrow Award. A journalist who heads straight into hostile places not for spectacle, but for the sake of our understanding the real issues of our time, Logan is an insightful interpreter of international current events, a fearless interviewer asking tough questions of today’s most powerful people, and a sought-after voice to comment on topics ranging from national security to terrorism, journalism, and foreign aairs.Register for this event: thestory.church/beloved
LEADING MENTUESDAYS @ 6:45am // Museum DistrictRegister: thestory.church/leadingmenLeading Men is a weekly gathering for men of all ages to come together over coee and breakfast and fearlessly tackle their hardest faith questions. Each week features live teaching from Pastor Eric and other special guests, lively discussions with the men at your table, and time for prayer. Leading Men is the perfect place to connect with other men in our community, find accountability and support for every season you walk through, and learn the richness of scripture together. REENGAGE MARRIAGE CLASSMONDAYS @ 6:30-8pm (Starting September 12) // Both campusesRegister: thestory.church/marriageWould you rate your marriage as a 4 or a 10? Maybe even a 2? You’re not alone. Whether your marriage needs to be reignited, or is in need of a complete resurrection, Re|engage is a safe place for couples to reconnect. Re|engage is a marriage enrichment program used all around the country with couples of all ages and backgrounds. This fall, join other couples from The Story Church as we work together to enhance our marriages. We’ll hear powerful testimonies and learn and grow together in a small group setting. GATHER MOMS NETWORKTUESDAYS September 6 - November 14 @ 9:30-11am // Museum DistrictRegister: thestory.church/momsGather Moms is a place where moms of young children (newborns through elementary) come together for meaningful connections, deeper friendships, and spiritual support. Each week, we share our stories - the highs and lows, the battles we’re facing in motherhood, and how God is working in us - with the group, pray together, and spend time in the Bible. This is a safe space for your laughter, tears, vulnerability, and to experience the power of prayer from women in this journey alongside you. Join us every Tuesday in the Museum District Discipleship Hall.19
20BAPTISM & DEDICATIONSBaptism is a crucial step in the story of any believer. When you get baptized, you’re washed clean of your sin and covered by God’s love. It’s an outward expression of your faith in Jesus as your savior and that you belong to God and the Church. No matter if you’re brand new to faith, been in church your whole life, or stepped away from church for a while, we’d love to celebrate this special occasion with you. You’re never too young or too old to be baptized, or to remember your baptism and re-dedicate your life to Christ. Just let us know you’d like to be baptized, dedicate your child, or remember your baptism by visiting thestory.church/baptism, and our team will follow up to set a date and worship service time and also schedule you to attend a baptism class ahead of time. We’ll walk you through what it means to be baptized, prepare you for this public declaration, and answer any questions you have. Fill out our form to schedule your baptism or dedication:thestory.church/baptismCOMMUNIONEvery week, at every worship service, we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us. Communion is a central part of worship and is a time for us to repent of our sins as a community, ask God to enter into our lives in the week ahead, and break bread together. We celebrate communion after the sermon, and each station is completely run by our Hospitality Team (find out more about serving on this team on page 25). In order for everyone to be able to participate in this sacred meal, our “wine” is non-alcoholic grape juice and gluten free options are available.
21PRAYER & CAREAt The Story, we believe wholeheartedly in the power of prayer and caring for each other as a community. We have a team of prayer warriors ready to lift you up in prayer and join you in your spiritual battle. No matter what’s on your heart - celebrating a new job or birth, mourning a major life change, uncertainty or anxiety about what’s coming up in your life, and anything else - our team is here for you. Let us know how we can be praying for you on the link below. You can use our prayer request page as much as you’d like - we’re always ready to pray over every request that comes through. You can share your requests anonymously or let us know if you’d like to be in contact with a prayer team member. You aren’t alone - we’re here for you as a church community!Submit your prayer requests online: thestory.church/prayWEDDINGS & FUNERALSTo inquire about using our facilities for a memorial service or celebration, email MacKenize Herman (mherman@thestory.church).
STORY KIDS22Hi Story Parents! We are thrilled to kick o our Fall season with many new opportunities for children of all ages, as well as growth within our sta team! Every Sunday morning we oer chil-dren’s classes for our PreK-Elementary aged students. Our children’s classes combine child development and theology to encourage our next generation to love God and love others. Every lesson includes videos, songs, crafts, and fun activities, and our goal is to inspire children to follow Jesus! We also oer nursery care for infants-age 2 that is staed with loving caregivers. And of course, kids are always welcome to attend the service! If you are interested in serving with our kids’ ministries, we are always in need of volunteers to serve! No experience is required, and we provide all the materials and training. It’s a great way to meet other people, and we promise it’s a lot of FUN! You can register here: thestory.church/storykidsThis Fall, I’m excited to transition to our Timbergrove Campus as the StoryKids Coordinator. So many new families have joined Timbergrove and the kids’ programming is growing quickly! I’m leaving my current position in the hands of the talented Joan Loyd - learn more about her on the next page! She’ll take over starting September 15.We hope your family gets involved on Sunday mornings or during one of our special events. If you have any questions or want to chat about our kids’ programming, I’d love to hear from you!Kim Kinchen kimkinchen@thestory.church
23MEET OUR NEW MUSEUM DISTRICT STORYKIDS COORDINATORQ: Hi Joan (pronounced Jo-ann)! How long have you been attending The Story?A: My husband, Kyle, and I have been attending The Story since 2017. We had been married a few years and knew we were planning to grow our family soon and we wanted our kids to grow up loving God and going to church.Q: We love that, and we’re so glad you’re here! Can you tell us a bit about your family?A: We now have two girls - Blakely who is 3-years-old and Landyn who is one. While the pandemic threw a wrench in our last few years, we have taught them about God, faith, and prayer at home while watching services online. We are so excited to be back on campus and meet all of the wonderful families at The Story. My husband is a 7/8th grade math teacher at ROBS and I have taught 1st/2nd grade for the past 12 years. Q: What led you to change paths into kids ministry instead of traditional schools?A: I recently felt God calling me to something dierent and took a huge leap of faith by quitting teaching in May with no plans for the fall. He has been so abundantly clear with this next step for our family and I feel beyond blessed to get to serve the kids and families at The Story Church. I can’t wait to meet everyone and help even our littlest members be enthusiastic worshipers of Christ.Q: God is so good. Now for a fun questions - what are some of your favorite things to do in your free time?A: In my free time I love being with my friends and family and going to Club Westside to workout, swim, or play tennis. I love taking pictures of my girls, sharing my mom life, and supporting other families with stories of Landyn’s limb dierence journey on my blog. Q: Final question. What’s your favorite Bible verse?A: Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”Thanks Joan! You can meet her starting Sundays in Septmeber at our Museum District Cam-pus. We can’t wait to see how our kids ministry continues to grow at both of our campuses this fall.
24SUNDAY CHILDCARENursery (Ages 2 and under)Museum District: 8:30, 9:45, and 11am Timbergrove: 10amOur nursery is staed with trained caregivers who create a safe and exciting environment where your child is sure to feel welcome! We spend the time playing and singing together.StoryKids PreK (Ages 3-5)Museum District: 8:30, 9:45, and 11am Timbergrove: 10amOur PreK class is taught by sta and parent volunteers. Kids at this age learn about God’s love, how God made them, and how Jesus wants to be their friend forever. Weekly lessons include songs, games, crafts, and fun activities.StoryKids (K-3rd Grade)Museum District: 9:45 and 11am Timbergrove: 10amOur Elementary class is taught by energetic volunteers and meets in the Discipleship Hall. It starts with fun worship music for the kids to sing and dance along to, followed by a lesson and activity. Every Bible lesson teaches kids to make wise choices, build stronger relationships with their friends and family, and develop a deeper faith in God.Note: all volunteers and sta go through thorough train-ing and an annual background check to add that extra layer of safety and trust for our families!
SPECIAL EVENTSBack to School BlessingsSunday, August 21 (all services/both campuses) Join us as we pray over students on stage before the start of the new school year! Students in kindergarten will be presented their own Bibles, and we’ll celebrate on the lawn after the services with a special treat. RSVP to receive Kindergarten Bible: thestory.church/biblesTrunk-or-Treat (Timbergrove)Saturday, October 29 @ 10amthestory.church/totJoin us for our annual trunk-or-treat event at our Timbergrove campus. There will be trick-or-treating from car to car, games, snacks, a costume contest, prizes for the most creatively decorated cars and more!Fall Festival (Museum District) Saturday, October 29 @ 4pmthestory.church/fallfest Join us for the first Fall Festival at our Museum District campus. We’ll have games on the lawn, a costume contest, bounce houses, treats, and more! 25
STORY STUDENTS26The Story Student ministry’s goal is to make disciples who make disciples. Over the past six months, I have witnessed our students step up and begin to make strides in this endeavor. It began with a night of testimonies in May at the end of our spring Foundations gatherings, where three of our students blessed us with vulnerable stories of how God was actively working in their lives in the midst of brokenness.In June, I led a student team to the Dominican Republic where I saw students take prayer, Bible study, and service so seriously that it changed their approach to life back here in Houston. I’ll never forget the moment when, on our final evening of the trip, one of our students shared that he actually believes in the power of prayer because of the answered prayers he witnessed every day while there. Finally, just this past July, I watched as our group continued to bond and form friendships for a lifetime at our week-long Summer Apologetics Camp and our second annual Lake Retreat. The best part is I know this is just the start. I pray the Spirit continues to move among our students, and you join us for the ride! If you have a heart for discipleship and like to have fun, email me to join our stellar volunteer team.Dilan Braddockdbraddock@thestory.church
27STUDENT MINISTRIESLift O (4th - 6th Grade)Sunday Mornings at 9:45 and 11amLift O has literally doubled in size since our move to the Museum District in 2022! In Lift O, students go through the entire Bible over the span of three years. The goal of Lift O is to prepare upper elementary and middle school students for Foundations by making them more familiar with scripture, engaging them through thought provoking questions, and fostering community with their peers. Student Round Table (7th - 9th Grade)Sunday Mornings at 11amThis is a brand new class we are launching this August for our 7th-9th Grade Students! At the Round Table, students will gather around a table together and search for answers to life’s biggest questions in the Word of God. Every week we will open God’s Word and discuss what we learn, how we are called to love, and what it means to live in obedience.Foundations (6th - 12th Grade)Sunday Evenings from 5-7pmThe mission of Foundations is to be a place where students can find solid ground in a world of sinking sand. We meet on Sunday evenings at our Museum District campus from 5 to 7pm for a meal, worship led by our students, and teaching. At Foundations, we dive into apologetics and cover relevant topics like depression, dating, identity issues, bullying and more through the lens of Jesus. This is the Story’s version of a confirmation class, where we will help students understand who God is and how he calls us to live. Student Small GroupsWednesday Nights from 6-7:30pmThe mission of Student Small Groups is to foster community where students can build relationships, confess their struggles, and be held accountable by their peers. Small groups meet in church members’ homes across the city and are led by our young adult volunteers. In small groups, we remind students that faith is practiced outside of these church walls and through community.
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29VISIT OUR TIMBERGROVE CAMPUSAt The Story, we truly feel called to be a church that isn’t defined by a single building or location, but by our mission to inspire nonreligious people to follow Jesus. That is why we exist and that is why we ocially became one church in two locations as we launched the Timbergrove Campus at the beginning of 2021. The Timbergrove Campus is located at 8200 Washington Ave in the downstairs building of the bustling Railway Heights Market. Every Sunday you can expect the same live worship music experience, the same challenging and encouraging message that is either live-streamed from our Museum District campus or through in person teaching, the same incredible StoryKids programming from infants through elementary school, and most importantly, the same culture and mission that permeates throughout every Story campus. Throughout the week, we also have the same community building DNA with our own Timbergrove-focused Home Groups, Discipleship Groups, and Re|Engage Marriage class.It has been such a privilege to pastor this young, dynamic, and growing community that is a part of this incredible God-given mission of The Story Church. If you live in or near the Timbergrove or Heights area, or know anyone who lives in our surrounding areas, I’d love for you to join us on Sunday mornings or invite them to join your church that gathers in a dierent location!In Christ,Pastor Kale Kinchenkalekinchen@thestory.church
SPECIAL EVENTS30CHARITY TRIVIA NIGHTThursday, November 3 @ 6:30pmLocation TBDRegister: thestory.church/triviaSave the date for our favorite fun event of the year! You and your friends will have the chance to compete against other teams to win big for the charity of your choice. This is the perfect event to invite your nonreligious friends and family to.
FAMILY TEAMS WEEKENDwith Jeremy & April PryorFriday, September 30 - Saturday, October 1Museum District Campus // 4910 Montrose Blvd.Register: thestory.church/familyFamilies today are struggling and overwhelmed. We long for believing families to be a light in a darkening culture but more often they are fighting just to survive. Is building a functional family really this hard? Does the Bible have the wisdom we need to heal the modern family? At the Family Teams Workshop, led by Jeremy and April Pryor and created by Jeerson Bethke, we’ll walk through the Bible’s ancient blueprint for building family. The weekend includes five main sessions, each with a keynote-led teaching and guided journal workshop time in smaller groups. We cover everything from establishing a family mission and vision, to crafting a weekly family meal, to why and how the biblical family diers from the modern family. Registration cost includes workbook, Friday dinner and childcare, and Saturday lunch.CHRISTMAS AT THE STORY CHURCHMuseum District CampusTravelers Christmas EveWednesday, December 21 @ 6:30pmChristmas Eve EveFriday, December 23 @ 6:30pmChristmas EveSaturday, December 24 @ Noon, 2 and 4pmChristmas DaySunday, December 25 @ 11am ONLYTimbergrove CampusChristmas Eve EveFriday, December 23 @ 5pmChristmas EveSaturday, December 24 @ 2 and 4pm31
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33Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. - 1 Peter 4:10-11 One of my favorite things about The Story is the people. Every week, I see new believers, lifelong believers, and first-time guests walk through our doors. Every week, I see people from all walks of life come to The Story to encounter Jesus. I also get to see so many faithful Story members serving every single one of these individuals. It never gets old. The gathering of the body of Christ is a beautiful thing, but seeing 1 Peter 4:10-11 being lived out throughout our community is the highlight of every Sunday for me. At The Story, we believe that everyone has a gift. God has equipped every one of us with a special gift and purpose to serve his body. As The Story’s Worship Experience Director, it’s an honor for me, alongside incredible Teams leaders, to help usher people into one of our many Sunday Teams. Our Sunday gatherings would not be possible without these Teams and our incredible volunteers. No matter what life stage you’re in and where you are in your faith journey, there’s a place for you to belong here at The Story. I hope you’ll read about all of our teams below and be inspired to take part in our Sunday worship services.Rolando Alvearralvear@thestory.churchHOSPITALITYOur Hospitality Team is the first group of people you interact with every Sunday at our campuses. They’re the ones welcoming people at the front doors as they arrive, giving directions, answering your questions, and connecting with first-time visitors. They’re also the team that prepares communion materials before services and serves communion alongside our pastors after the sermon. If you have a passion for greeting and meeting new people, this team is a perfect fit for you!COFFEE BAROur Coee Baristas keep our coee bars stocked with hot coee and fresh treats every Sunday. They arrive before the service to make fresh carafes for all of us to enjoy and, just like Hospitality, are available to answer your questions about The Story. If you’re a coee lover or just want to learn how to make the perfect blend while interacting with our Story community, check out our Coee team! This Fall, we’re bringing back specialty coee options to our menus - so get ready for lattes, cold brew, and more!
34MEDIA PRODUCTIONOur Media Production crew makes all of our worship services run smoothly. You don’t have to be tech savvy to learn how to run our slides for music and sermons or a livestream camera. We provide all the training you’ll need; all you need is an eagerness to learn and create. If you’ve ever wanted to take a peek behind the scenes of our worship services or know more about what a live production looks and feels like, this is the team for you. BAPTISM ASSISTANTSIt’s no secret that one of our favorite things to celebrate at The Story are the baptisms of all ages! Baptisms are scheduled on-demand so this team is more flexible than the others. Baptism Team members help families navigate through this special time during worship. If someone is getting fully immersed, team members are on standby with towels, a robe, and help them carefully make it to the bathroom to change into dry clothes. WORSHIP & MUSICIANSIf you know how to play an instrument or love singing, our Worship Team is the perfect fit! Every week The Story’s bands lead us through a time of worship, incorporating both traditional and contemporary worship music. Band members rotate within a schedule so you can participate as frequently as you’d like, or also serve on other teams during the time between your worship team bookings. An audition is required to serve on this team.
35STORYKIDS TEACHERSStoryKids teachers help share the love of Jesus with kids in PreK through 3rd grade. Teachers facilitate an age-appropriate worship experience with Bible-based drama, videos, arts, crafts, and a simple message. If you have a passion for teaching the next generation or want to learn what it’s like to teach in a fun classroom, this is the team for you. This is the perfect opportunity for parents or couples to serve together. For the safety of our children, a background check is required for this team.STUDENT TEACHERSLiftO (4-6th Grade) and Roundtable (7-9th Grade) leaders facilitate age-appropriate discussion and lead students through biblical curriculum on Sunday mornings. These classes are built around addressing their questions in a safe space and encouraging them to dig into the Bible and become familiar with scripture. If you’re cool hanging out with the pre-teens and teens and helping them grow as disciples, this is a great place to serve. For the safety of our children, a background check is required for this team.SERVE ON A SUNDAY TEAM:thestory.church/teams
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS36GO MINISTRIESGO Ministries partners with local leaders across the Dominican Republic who desire to redeem people, renew their communities and restore creation by forming dynamic mutually transformational partnerships. GO empowers leaders primarily through church planting, nutrition centers, medical clinics, sports outreach, primary schools, ongoing training, water purification projects, and kingdom businesses. The Story has taken a total of 6 trips to the DR over the years to work with GO for a week in the summer, and we’re expecting to continue growing our partnership with them through more trips and connections with their leaders. Contact us to learn more about taking your small group or family to the DR, or stay in the loop for upcoming trips to join individually.HOUSTON WELCOMES REFUGEESHouston Welcomes Refugees’ helps ease the resettlement process for refugees coming to Houston by mobilizing invested, caring volunteers and fostering hope amidst crisis. They accomplish this through donation drives of household necessities, putting together teams to help refugees set up and move into their new homes, and creating small groups that commit to a six-month journey of welcoming the refugees as they arrive and adjust to their new lives. The Story partners with HWR through seasonal and crisis-oriented donation drives, hosting orientations for new and potential volunteers, and recruiting members to serve on their two types of teams. You can start serving this fall by visiting the link on the next page.
37JUBILEE PRISON MINISTRYJubilee takes the Gospel to prisoners behind bars in nearly a dozen locations across Texas. They regularly host volunteer-run “Jubilee Weekends” where members can spend a weekend inside the prisons worshiping, eating, growing, and praying together with prisoners or serve outside on support teams by preparing meals, resources, and praying over the entire group. At every Jubilee Weekend, we aim to talk less, listen more, and love always. The Story partners with Jubilee by recruiting individuals and families to serve at Jubilee Weekends alongside other Story members. If there’s one thing we’ve heard again and again, it’s that everyone - prisons and volunteers alike - leave absolutely changed. Visit the link on the next page to view upcoming weekend opportunities or sign up to learn more.LIFEHOUSE OF HOUSTONLifeHouse is a Christ-centered ministry ensuring life for unborn children by providing opportunities for housing, help and hope for young women during their pregnancies and beyond. LifeHouse seeks to reach women with the life-changing power of the gospel of Jesus. Most women find LifeHouse at their point of greatest desperation. Pregnant, homeless, lacking any family or support system, they enter the doors of LifeHouse to meet Jesus with skin on. The Story partners with LifeHouse throughout the year by hosting donation drives for needed items as well as taking on their annual LifeHouse Christmas Wishes program, where our community adopts and shops for the 60+ mothers in their care, purchases and wraps gifts for a Christmas marketplace for the moms to “shop” at so their kids have surprises under the tree on Christmas morning, and caring for them throughout the holiday season. Use the link on the next page to let us know you’re interested in serving with LifeHouse and join our contact list for updates as Christmas draws near!
38OAKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESSOaks of Righteousness is a non-profit, faith-based, residential facility that oers support for female ex-oenders who desire to make positive life changes and become productive members of society. Their center provides women a place to sleep and make a plan for their next steps in life. They equip them to be better disciples of Jesus while encouraging them to have hope for the future. The Story partners with Oaks of Righteousness to assist with facility maintenance. Story Students have taken multiple trips to do landscaping and touch ups on the exterior of their center, making it more inviting to incoming women. If you or your group would like to serve with Oaks, let us know by visiting the Teams link.SEARCHSearch is a nation-wide faith-based organization built around the search for meaningful stories and answers to our biggest questions. For over 40 years, Search has been tackling big questions head-on by oering honest answers and building up connections. They achieve their mission through Forums, where small groups gather to open the doors to conversations, Follow-Up, where leaders meet one-on-one to continue the conversations started at Forums, and Foundations, helping someone build up what they believe about God and their purpose. The Story supports Search in their eorts around the greater Houston area and connects members of our community with Search so they can be part of the conversations happening. SIGN UP TO SERVE WITHTHESE PARTNERS:thestory.church/teams
39Discover new books, podcasts, and shows to deepen your faith: thestory.church/resourcesMEET OUR STAFFAs The Story’s community and ministries continues to grow in Houston, our sta team does as well! This fall, we’re excited to welcome MacKenzie Herman as our new Executive Assistant. MacKenzie is from North Carolina and recently relocated to Texas. She’s a thrill seeker that loves flying planes and has a private pilot’s license, enjoys spending time outdoors, and loves trying new foods. MacKenzie is passionate about sharing Jesus with her actions and is excited to be involved with a vibrant church community that will challenge her in her faith. Make sure to give her a warm Story welcome when you see her on Sundays or during the week!You can view our full sta directory on our website: thestory.church/sta
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