St. Aidan’s, Cypress, wins ‘Nonprofit of the Year Award’

St. Aidan’s, Cypress, was named “Nonprofit of the Year” by the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce in February 2022.

The Rev. Les Carpenter, rector of the parish, recalls the first time he walked into a Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce meeting over nine years ago.

“I had just moved to Texas to lead St. Aidan’s,” Carpenter said. “I knew my predecessor was a giant in that organization. There were not many churches there. I was never taught in seminary to go to chamber meetings, but I was told to go out to where people were. So, each time I thought about it, I decided I would just keep showing up.”

Eventually, he noticed people started coming to him for prayer or with grief. Their impact in the community grew, and he found himself getting to know the city and understanding it in a unique way.

“This is the way true evangelism works,” Carpenter said. “It isn’t in a polished speech or an elevator pitch. It is the miracles we find when we keep showing up knowing that God already has.”

Officials at the 20-year-old chamber recognized St. Aidan’s as its award-winning nonprofit along with three outstanding local businesses. Recipients were selected from a pool of local businesses and organizations. Saint Aidan’s was selected for its dedication to serving the community through scholarship fundraising and supporting other nonprofit organizations in the area, according to the chamber.