A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR GREGG

DEAR HOUSTON’S FIRST FAMILY,

We turn up the volume when a station plays the latest song from our favorite artist. We cheer with anticipation as a recently-signed player takes the field with our beloved team. We look forward to meeting the neighbors who just moved in across the street.

NEW THINGS CAN BE EXCITING!

WILL YOU FOLLOW WHERE HE LEADS?

Can you imagine how many “new” moments there have been in the life of Houston’s First Baptist Church? Our church today does not look, sound, or do ministry like we did when we were founded in 1841. Over the past 180 years, there have been countless times when something new came along that impacted the direction our church would take from that point forward.

Among the more significant moments were several times when we changed our location and added additional campuses to further reach the city of Houston as the Lord provided larger facilities to accommodate our growing church, when we introduced additional ministries to impact more lives, or when we welcomed a new pastor to lead us — something Houston’s First had done at least 28 times in our history before graciously welcoming me and my family in 2004. Beyond those larger moments are the countless times God has led us to start something that invites individuals to better connect with our church family and to Him — new Life Bible Studies, new discipleship classes, new mission trips, new programs for children and students, and more. Houston’s First is continually open to pursuing new ways to serve the Lord and the people He brings our way as we seek to be a relevant biblical community. Kainos, our bold two-year generosity initiative, will provide our church with exciting new ways to enhance and expand our Gospel ministry here at home and around the globe. As you read through this book and discover the scope of the initiative, picture the faces of the people each project will reach — and pray for the new people who will be drawn into a deeper relationship with Jesus, perhaps meeting Him for the very first time. As excited as we are about seeing these projects come to life, Kainos is about far more than providing our church with much-needed facilities or funding impactful missions endeavors.

All that we do as a church is aimed at fulfilling the Great Commission — making disciples, baptizing believers, and teaching God’s Word. If we were to build what we intend to build and fund the projects we plan to fund but do not experience life-change and personal growth along the way, then we will not have achieved our goals. We will not have made the most of this new journey God is inviting us to take with Him.

Therefore, as you get excited about what Kainos aims to accomplish outwardly, I encourage you to faithfully pray about what God wants to accomplish inwardly in your heart and in your relationship with Him. That is the primary goal of Kainos — to have 100% of our church family engaged on this journey and praying about the new levels of surrender, faith, and generosity the Lord is calling us to individually.

You do not have to wait long to experience change in our church. Houston’s First today is different in many ways from who we were even just one year ago, and we will be different in many ways a year from now. In your life, however, you do not have to wait at all to encounter something new! You can experience change today — right now, at this precise moment — as you commune with God and pursue His will for your life.

Jesus indeed makes all things new, and He wants to do a Kainos work in you — today.

With great expectation of the journey ahead,

Pastor Gregg Matte