Dear Church Family,
 
We have one week of 2026 behind us already! I hope you were able to enjoy your Christmas and New Year’s holidays, and that our 40 Days of Faith journey has encouraged your daily walk with the Lord as we begin this new year together.
 
I’d like to share a couple quick notes as we head into Sunday.
 
First, as we mentioned back in November, Chris DeArman, our Bellaire Campus Pastor, will be finishing his time with us here at CityRise. His last day will be Sunday, January 18. We'll miss his leadership, and we’re praying for God’s kindness and success to follow Chris, Sonya, and their family in what’s ahead.
 
This Sunday, January 11, at our CityRise Bellaire campus (4601 Bellaire Blvd), after the 9:30A and 11:00A services, you’re invited to a reception for Pastor Chris and Sonya so you can thank them personally for the way they’ve served our church family and the many lives God has allowed them to touch. Also, in both the West U Baptist and Bellaire Welcome Centers, you’ll find cards and collection boxes we’d love to see packed with your notes and encouragement for them. (Those boxes will remain available through January 18.)

Also this Sunday is the annual Chevron Houston Marathon. If you’re new to Houston, this is a citywide event that affects travel in ways you might not expect! The route passes just a block from our West U Baptist campus through University Blvd, and major exits and roads will close for much of the morning. Even if you plan to attend Bellaire or Missouri City, your usual route could still be impacted depending on where you’re coming from. Please plan ahead using the marathon map via cityrise.org/marathon so your drive to worship doesn’t start to feel like you accidentally entered the marathon.

Have a great weekend, Church Family! We’ll see you on Sunday, and we’d love to hear how God has been guiding you through 40 Days of Faith. (It’s not too late to join in at cityrise.org/40days.)
 
 
Stay Expectant,
Pastor Roger