www.thegreaterhoustonchurch.com
January 18, 2015 • Issue 3
Lead Evangelist
Doug Wens • (951) 543-1628
dwens@thegreaterhoustonchurch.com
Women’s Ministry Leader
Angella Wens • (951) 543-1629
awens@thegreaterhoustonchurch.com
North Region
Evangelist: Derek Wooten • (904) 571-6210
dwooten@thegreaterhoustonchurch.com
Women’s Ministry Leader:
Misha Wooten • (904) 607-9708
mwooten@thegreaterhoustonchurch.com
Central Region and Singles
Evangelist: Ward Herbert • (832) 683-2927
wardherbert1969@gmail.com
Women’s Ministry Leader:
Ellen Herbert • (832) 493-7850
ellenpherbert@yahoo.com
Southwest Region
Evangelist: Jason Lugo • (817) 846-2426
jlugo@thegreaterhoustonchurch.com
Women’s Ministry Leader:
Carmen Lugo • (817) 939-5315
clugo@thegreaterhoustonchurch.com
Gulf Coast Region
Evangelist: B. O’Connell • (281) 840-0911
boconnell@thegreaterhoustonchurch.com
Women’s Ministry Leader:
Rachel O’Connell • (281) 770-1443
rachelaoconnell@hotmail.com
Campus
Evangelist: Tommy Thang • (562) 682-8808
tjthang121@gmail.com
Women’s Ministry Leader:
Jessica Thang • (562) 388-3303
jessicathang2@gmail.com
Youth and Family Leaders
Frank and Tammica Dowd
frankrdowd@gmail.com • (225) 288-6662
tammicadowd@gmail.com • (704) 641-6678
Church Office: (713) 487-7020
Lisa Ballard • Church Administrator
lisayorkballard@mail.com
Angie Jacobs, Office Manager
angiejacobs@thegreaterhoustonchurch.com
www.thegreaterhoustonchurch.com
I
I Need A Hero!
t is probably safe to say that most of us, had at least one favorite superhero we pretended or imagined being during our childhood. Many of us can recall scenes in which we ran through our
houses catapulting from couches, while our parents were in another room, pretending to fly
through the air as our makeshift towel tied around our necks choked us and we screamed the favorite
verbal anthem of our superhero at the top of our lungs. Whether it was Batman’s “To the Bat Mobile!,”
Superman’s “Up, up, and away!” or Wonder Woman’s, “I am Diana, princess of…,” we felt in that
moment empowered and invincible against our imaginary foes. (On a personal note, I loved He Man
and the Wonder Twins. I definitely shouted my fair share of He Man’s “By the power of Greyskull!”
and The Wonder Twins’ “Wonder Twins Activate! Form of…,”).
With so many characters who possessed a wide variety of incredible skills, we had the wonderful
luxury of trying on several different “capes for size.” No matter who might have been your favorite
superhero, there were several traits that were universal among them. Whether male or female, these
superheroes wanted to help and intercede for their fellow man. This sounds very familiar to a Lord
we all know and love, doesn’t it?
We know that Jesus was not fictional, but very much real and human like us (Hebrews 2:14). With
that humanity, He became our ultimate example and the most relatable “superhero” we could ever
imagine. Even more so, with Him as our Lord, we aren’t limited to only impersonate him as we did
with our childhood fictional heroes, we get to become like him; transformed into his likeness (2
Corinthians 3:18). Amen!
According to the article, “What Makes a Superhero? Batman, Superman, Spiderman” by Terry
Pruyne, there are 6 criteria that need to be met for one to be labeled a “superhero.” After reading
through them, I was intrigued at how they relate to us as Christians.
1. The Superhero Starts as an Ordinary Person
Usually, the superhero is an ordinary person who has become, through something extraordinary
event or circumstances, a superhero.
1 Peter 2:9—”But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s…possession,
that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Before we become Christians, we all were in the dark and separated from God. It is through our
faith at baptism that we were forgiven, saved and given eternal life.
2. The Clothes Make a Superhero
A superhero usually wears a costume. Sometimes the costume is just that -- a costume, but sometimes it is more like a uniform. Many times this costume or uniform conceals their ordinary identity.
Colossians 3:12 —”Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
“Wearing” these Christ-like qualities as well as many others listed in the Bible as our daily attire
makes us recognizable as His disciple.
3. Fighting the Villains
A superhero fights injustices of the world and willingly confronts the destructive villians.
Ephesians 6:12—”For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly
places.”
...continued on the back
Regional Worship—Jan. 25th
• The North will be meeting at the
Sheraton North, 15700 John F. Kennedy
Blvd., Houston, Texas 77032 at 10:00 a.m.
• The Gulf Coast will be meeting at the
Hilton Garden Inn, 12101 Shadow Creek
Parkway, Pearland, TX 77584, at 10:00 a.m.
• The Central, Campus, and Southwest
will meet at the Westchase Marriott, 2900
Briarpark Drive, Houston, TX 77042, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Regional Worship—Feb. 1st
• The North will be meeting at the M.
O. Campbell Center, 1865 Aldine Bender,
Houston, Texas 77032, at 10:00 a.m.
• The Gulf Coast, Central, Campus, and
Southwest will meet at the Westchase
Marriott, 2900 Briarpark Drive, Houston,
TX 77042, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Parenting Workshop—Jan. 31st
• There will be a parenting workshop
on Saturday, Jan. 31st. It will take place
at the Hilton Westchase Hotel, 9999
Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77042.
Todd and Patty Asaad will be teaching.
New Website—Late February
A new website for the GHC is under
construction and will be launched in
late February. In addition to the website,
there will be a mobile app. Stay tuned
for exciting details.
Please Be Praying
Pray for Lorena Velasco. She is in Hermen Memorial Hospital in the Woodlands. She continued to battle cancer.
Pray for her family and the doctors.
“They devoted themselves...” Acts 2:42
01.11.2015: Workshops
482
Budget:$29,000
Giving:$17,515
I Need A Hero!...continued from the front
Although circumstances or people may be what we see, disciples know that Satan is
busy behind the scenes creating obstacles and deterrents to damage our faith in the one true
God. We fight a spiritual battle, not a physical one.
4.Motivation
Superheroes are usually motivated to fight the good fight for some reason that they do
not fully understand.
1 Corinthians 9:19—”Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave
to everyone, to win as many as possible.”
Although fictional superheroes, may not understand why they fight, Christians are fully
aware of why. We love God and want as many as possible become reconciled to Him.
5. How Superhereos Fight the Good Fight
Superheroes usually achieve power(s) from an epiphany or divine manner.
2 Timothy 1:7—”For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power,
love and self-discipline.”
At baptism, we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Being equipped with the Holy Spirit,
gives us the ability to withstand any trial or struggle we encounter.
6. Most Superheroes Have a Weakness
Superheroes are not perfect. They have a weakness that makes them vulnerable to their
enemies.
2 Corinthians 12:9 —”And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power
is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so
that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”
If becoming a Christian meant we would never have to deal with our sinful natures ever
again, how amazing life would be for all of us! Daily we still must deal with character weaknesses that make us vulnerable to Satan. Fortunately, God sees this as an opportune time to
display His great power in our lives and makes us truly “strong” and capable of victory.
Praise be to God for having the vision for each of us to be more than we ever thought
we could be! We were given a “superhero” in Jesus and He passed on that same legacy and
identity to us. Let’s continue to fight the good fight and help others become “superheroes”
for Christ too!
—Misha Wooten
Teen Events—January 24th
Teen will have an early morning session of A.P. Discipleship followed by our
College Prep Day which is for freshman
through seniors and parents. This event
will give direction on choosing a college,
important financial aid tips and more.
Students/parents will hear directly from
current campus students and the GHC
campus minister, Tommy Thang. Details
on location and times will be confirmed
and communicated by next week. We
anticipate AP Discipleship time frame to
be 8:30-10:00 a.m. and College Prep Day
time frame to be 10:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Mentorship Program
Consider mentoring a male, age 14-18 in
you area for only 4-6 hours per month.
We’ll host an info/training session:
Date: Sunday January 18, 2015
Time: 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Location: 2825 Wilcrest Dr. #172,
Houston, Texas 77042
Golden Rule Membership
by Dr. John M. Oakes
2825 Wilcrest Dr., Suite 172, Houston, TX 77042
Office: (713) 487-7020; Fax: (713) 456-2073
© 2015. The Greater Houston Church and
Illumination Publishers, 01/18/2015, No. 3
Leadership of the GHC is asking every disciple to
read this book. It retails for $12.00, but the church
is making it available for $5.00. You can pick up a
copy at the workshops. Golden Rule Leadership (by
Gordon Ferguson) will also be made available for
only $2.00 each (both books, $7.00). Make sure you
pick up GRM today! Make checks payable to: GHC.