THIS BOOK BELONGS TO:
Copyright © 2022 by Cathedral Family ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Published by LT
Copyright and use of the curriculum template is retained by Brett Eastman.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotes are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, unless otherwise indicated.
ISBN: 978-1-950007-72-1
04 Introduction from Brett Eastman
06 History of Cathedral Family
12 Campaigns, Campuses and Ministries
36 Generosity Journey and Next Steps
40 Vision of Cathedral Family
50 One Fund & Giving Chart
52 How to Use this Study Guide
68 82 96 110
SESSION 1
HISTORY OF CATHEDRAL FAMILY: BUIDLING ON FOUNDATIONS OF THE PAST
SESSION 2
HEART OF CATHEDRAL FAMILIES: BRING YOUR FAMILY TOGETRHER
SESSION 3
HABITS OF CATHEDRAL FAMILIES: BEST PRACTICES TO BUILD TOGETHER
SESSION 4
HANDS OF CATHEDRAL FAMILIES: USING THEIR GIFTS TO SERVE OTHERS
SESSION 5
HOPE OF CATHEDRAL FAMILIES: AN IMPACT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME
126 Frequently Asked Questions
128 Small Group Agreement
130 Small Group Calendar
131 Weekly Check In
132 Prayer and Praise Reports
134 Memory Verse Cards (Clip and Review)
135 Small Group Roster
136 Hosting an Open House
138 Leading for the First Time
140 Leadership Training 101
147 Sermon Notes Answer Key
WELCOME FROM BRETT
EASTMAN
FOREWORD BY RICK WARREN
For over 40 years as pastor of Saddleback Church, I’ve seen firsthand how lives are transformed when people embrace a purpose-driven life—one that is focused on contributing to God’s Kingdom rather than just accumulating wealth. One of the greatest callings we have as believers is to be faithful stewards of the resources God entrusts to us. But stewardship isn’t just about managing wealth—it’s about using it to make an eternal impact and fulfilling the Great Commission. That’s why I’m excited about this new Leverage curriculum and study guide, which follows the powerful principles laid out in the Leverage
book by Ken Boa and Russ Crosson. This guide is not just a companion— it’s a practical tool designed to help you apply the concepts of biblical stewardship, generosity, and legacy-building in a personal and profound way. Whether you are leading a small group, facilitating discussions in your church, or working with families of wealth, this study guide will bring the truths of Leverage to life. Through beautifully produced and creatively crafted media, the teachings, training, and testimonies come to life in ways you’ve never seen before. The experiential study guide will lead you to take what you’ve learned and apply it not only in your life but also in your family, ministry, business, and hopefully, your church. Our vision is to see small groups launched in every church across the country, creating a ripple effect of generosity and family legacy, especially among families of wealth. Will you join us in this journey?
This curriculum provides access to the most comprehensive digital library designed to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re a family member, church leader, small group host, senior pastor, financial advisor, or nonprofit leader, we have a playbook and pathway to guide you on this transformative journey.
With the help of videos, testimonies, and group discussions, this guide will equip you to take what you’ve learned and apply it in your own life, your family, and your church. Jesus called us to store up treasures in Heaven, and this curriculum will help you take that call seriously. It’s more than a study—it’s an invitation to live a purpose-driven life that maximizes the impact of what God has entrusted to you. I encourage you to go through this guide with an open heart, ready to see how God can use your time, talents, and treasures for His Kingdom. Russ and Ken, along with Brett, have given us a remarkable resource, and I believe it will lead to transformation not only in your life but in the lives of everyone you touch.
HISTORY OF CATHEDRALS
Our church has been around for nearly 100 years, and we expect to be found still faithful when Jesus returns, whether it’s tomorrow, another 100 years, or beyond. Here is a brief timeline of some of the highlights of our rich history, beginning with the first Bible study that would become a faithful worshiping church.
1928
Charles S. Rush, Pastor West University Baptist’s first Bible study was held on the front porch of Miss Nannie David’s home at 6600 Buffalo Speedway.
1929
OCTOBER 25
Present site purchased from city for $650. A portion was sold back to the city for $450 to create Amherst Street.
1928
FEBRUARY 26
A number of pastors and deacons from Houston area Baptist churches meet with charter members at West University Elementary School to organize West University Baptist Church.
1928 APRIL
Time extended for accepting charter members. After organization, the first service was held in the field office of West University Place. (University at Buffalo Speedway)
1937APRIL
New auditorium (wooden) built to house both Primary and High School department. First full-time secretary hired.
1938
New education building built. (wooden)
1929
WUBC Worship Services were held in the school building.
1940-1941
Ernest Quick Second Education building built to care for estimated enrollment of 700.
1945 - 1961
Ray V. Mayfield called as Pastor
1947
NOVEMBER
First masonry and steel building built, with the first floor used as an auditorium (now our Chapel, library and elevators.)
Though our teenagers dress a little differently than when this photo was taken, we have always had a heart for our students!
1954
Present sanctuary built and three-story education building is erected at the same time.
1957
Hired first Youth Director, Doris Penkert.
1949
Cottage on Milton Street purchased (now a Parking lot)
1957
DECEMBER 16
At close of service, sanctuary burns.
Children have always been at the heart of our ministry. Here is a picture of Vacation Bible School in 1972.
HISTORY OF CATHEDRALS
1960
Milton Street education building built.
1962-1985
LeRay Fowler, Pastor — becomes Pastor Emeritus at retirement.
This is the 50th birthday celebration of West University Baptist in February, 1978. Dr. Fowler was pastor at the time.
1962
Church calls Ronny Barner on staff as Music Minister.
1981
Prime Time Singers (Sr. Adult Choir) organized.
1969
Building for Preschool and new activities building erected.
1983
Sunday School attendance reaches 700.
1971
Open Door Ministry organized.
1986-1996
Charles Blackmon, Pastor; Church’s first mission trip to Rio Grande.
1987
Purchase of parking lots. Purchase and renovation of the cottage.
2000 MARCH
Contemporary Early Service began.
1996
Barry Landrum, Pastor; Purchase properties on University Blvd and Amherst St.
Called as pastor in 1996, Dr. Barry Landrum, and his wife Charlotte, led the church from one service with 300 people gathering for worship, to four services across two locations, with nearly 1200 people worshipping together each week.
1997
A Children’s Village/Mother’s Day Out program was started.
2001
Great Heritage, Great Hope financial Campaign begins –$4.0 million dollars raised.
2002
NOVEMBER
Phase I of GHGH completed (new classrooms, Chapel, Welcome Center, offices and elevators).
2004 APRIL
Phase I of Auden Renovation completed.
2004
SEPTEMBER
Church voted to purchase First Baptist Church, Bellaire (now Crosspoint Church) for $3.6 million.
HISTORY OF CATHEDRALS
In 2004, with a heart to reach our city, Dr. Barry Landrum led West University Baptist to expand to 4601 Bellaire Blvd. in an effort to reach more people living inside the inner-loop. In January 2005, Crosspoint Church—Bellaire was launched.
2005
Imagine the Possibilities Campaign to fund reconstruction of West University Baptist and Crosspoint campuses.
2008
Church launches Casa El Buen Samaritano, a free medical clinic in partnership with Iglesia Horeb to reach the poor of our city
2010
MAY
Dr. Landrum retires and Dr. Patterson begins tenure as pastor
2013
Bylaws amended, Executive Council Established, Impact Fund of $5.0 million is given, and church begins to deploy internationally
2014
Church adds Iglesia Crosspoint with Pastor Rick Vasquez and West U Chinese Church pastored by Joshua Tao as two foreign language congregations are added to the weekly worship schedule.
2009 MAY
Church calls Roger Patterson as senior pastor-elect, beginning a year of intentional transition as Dr. Landrum plans to retire
Reaching university students has always been a passion for our church family.
2016
APRIL
Church builds two student ministry buildings, one at each inner-loop campus without taking a single offering or raising funds
Kids ministry has always been a high value on all our campuses. These kids were probably at our construction site to make sure we didn’t forget the kids wing!
2021
JANUARY
Church launches third campus called CityRise Missouri City, embracing the people and campus of Emmanuel Baptist Church (formerly First Baptist Church, Missouri City); Casa El Buen Samaritano moves to CRMC and establishes permanent clinic campus; Church launches the CityRise Network in an effort to collaborate with other city reaching groups to lift the city of Houston together
2018 FEBRUARY
Church celebrates 90th birthday and begins to ask, “Where will we be when we turn 100 years old?”; Strategic Planning Teams Launched
2022
JANUARY
Church launches the Fight For It Campaign to help re-gather and rebuild the church, and set the table for the Deep and Wide Generosity Initiative
2020 MARCH
Coronavirus Pandemic hits the United States; Congregational worship moves online; CityRise Brand and YouTube channel are launched in a matter of days
Our senior high school students go on a life-transforming trip every year to Ecuador to serve people and share the gospel. It’s amazing what God does when we are faithful to respond when He says, “Go!”
CATHEDRAL FAMILY
CityRise Network is seeing a number of good things. We have wonderful momentum again. The Fight for It campaign has given us wings coming out of COVID and this momentum has begun to diminish the illeffects of the pandemic.
There is great energy right now and a lot of new life on our campuses thanks to the campaign. Recently, we eclipsed the 1300 attendance mark in worship across our campuses. Pre-pandemic we would have 1500-1600, but it feels great to be getting close to that again, and we’re almost there!
In January of 2022 we saw 12 new members join the church, and in February there were 30, with sixteen being baptized across all of our worship gatherings: our Chinese congregation, our Spanish congregation, CityRise Emmanuel at Missouri City. Just last Sunday as of this writing three were baptized at our 8:30 service, another one the Sunday before that, and nine the week before that across our services. It has been so life-giving to see this happening!