October 22, 2019

Jerry Wiles

Storytelling methods are increasing in popularity as effective marketplace tools for improving working relationships and community, addressing organizational change, leadership, and maintaining corporate culture. Not every follower of Jesus is part of the business community. However, almost everyone is engaged in the marketplace in some way. Most people buy things and deal with sales and marketing people. Each of those occasions can be witness and ministry opportunities.

October 17, 2019

Skyler Womack

5 Lessons I've Learned from Missionaries

5 years ago, I took the role of Minister of Missionary Care at Houston's First. It has been one of the most rewarding and stretching positions I have ever experienced in my short ministry career. Our team has seen and heard it all—from religious persecution to church planting movements, hidden depression to unexplainable joy through trials. Whether it comes through a screen or across the table, we have learned some life lessons from our missionary partners, and we would love to share some with you.

October 12, 2019

Josh Ellis

How and Why to Celebrate Pastor Appreciation ...

If you’ve never been a pastor, let me give you a little glimpse into their world. Some of it can be quite funny, and some of it will make you secretly thankful that you don’t have to do their job. This reality doesn’t just apply to senior pastors either—every ministry position has nuances and complexities. Sure we make fun of youth pastors (I was one, so it’s okay), but there is no easy ministry job. Let me see if I can explain why that is so.

October 8, 2019

Marie Burrus

How Poor Communication Skills are Hurting Your ...

Why are many Christians so offensive, aggressive, or just downright weird in the way we share the gospel? More often than not, our problem is not our theology behind our conversations but rather our methodology. The gospel may be a stumbling block, but the way we share it shouldn't be. So, let's learn to be winsome without losing the truth of Scripture. Here are five strategies to help you be a more effective communicator and a better gospel witness.

October 3, 2019

UBA Staff

Better Together in Our Communities

At UBA, we talk a lot about being better together—because we know it to be true. When churches work together to advance the gospel, they can do all kinds of things that would never have been possible for each individual church. In the same way, churches can also partner with schools in their communities, as well. We recently got the chance to talk with Kevin Alvarez, lead pastor of Long Point Baptist Church, and hear how Loving Houston helped connect and equip his church to be better together with their local school district.

teachability

Mike Ayers

August 13, 2019

5 Ways to Last 20 Years in the Same Church

Mike Ayers

August 13, 2019

5 Ways to Last 20 Years in the Same Church

This year, I begin my twenty-fourth year as founding and current pastor of The Brook Church in northwest Houston. Statistics reveal that lasting this long in one church is rare. However, there is a strong correlation between the length of time a pastor stays in a church and the church’s degree of health. So, allow me to share with you some things that I have personally learned or had to learn that have enabled me to make it 20 years. I hope these are encouraging to you no matter where you are in your journey.