We moved from St. Louis, Missouri, to Weatherford, Texas, in 2017. For me, Shawn, this was first time living outside of my home state. But I, Martha, would be returning to the motherland, though St. Louis was a second home to me having lived there almost 13 years. It’s where we met, married and started a family. We were a part of local church community and developed deep roots in that Gospel-centered community. Still, the move home to Texas was exciting. We would be closer to Martha’s family and Shawn was embarking on a career promotion. However, we quickly realized the spiritual and relational gap that left us longing for church family and sound theology. We spent almost 3 years seeking spiritual family and community founded on Gospel-centered truth, and it proved difficult. The 2020 pandemic brought its own wave of hardships but also the gift of finding Grace Church Southwest. It was a breath of fresh air, and even though we began attending the church virtually, there was a sense of finding home and feeling connected.
We began attending Community Group with Pastor Matt and his wife, Codye, in Aledo. I, Shawn, began serving on the hospitality team, participating in the Tough and Tender men’s gatherings and leading a D-group. Our daughters have often joined in cleaning, setting up and greeting on Sunday mornings. I, Martha, began serving on the Prayer Team and helping with the admin as well as meeting one-on-one with other women for times of ministry and prayer. As we cultivated deep relationships within our community groups and fellowship, we desired deeper spiritual growth in dealing with sin and idolatry in our lives. We were then introduced to redemption groups where we learned to surrender our need for control as we repented and turned to the Lord for His fulfillment and wisdom in our lives.
Talk of the East Parker County church plant was initially discussed in our Community Group; Shawn and I knew we were called to join. We have been united in prayer and vision for the Aledo church plant, growing in friendships through the process of preparation. We have also grown closer in our marriage as we navigated several difficult situations that have been revealed through our own discipleship journey in facing sin, sanctification and spiritual warfare. Being a part of the Aledo church plant, we hope to show others the love and grace we have experienced (and continue to experience!) in our own sin and sufferings, and to spread the joy of being a part of a Gospel-centered community in East Parker County.