Shepherds

Larry Watson

Studying the Bible and worshiping God with an open mind and heart best characterizes Larry Watson. “I believe that God works in greater ways than we let Him,” he says. “We refuse to let God bless us the way He can if we would only let Him out of our box. Let’s not be limiting to God.”

Larry and Martha met at the Central church in the 1970s, where they were in the singles group and have been active members of Southwest Central since the merger in 1983. They have two grown children, Daniel and Stephanie. The family is committed to their church home and it is evident by their involvement.

Larry retired from his job a few years ago but stays vitally active in the life of the congregation. He leads singing on occasion and regularly teaches an adult Bible Class.  He is also the primary organizer for the Care Groups, preparing lesson plans for these meetings each month.  Martha is a leader on the Children’s Ministry Team, and has been active on mission trips, directing VBS and teaching Thursday Bible Class.

Dee Pipes

Dee and Bryan, her husband, have been members of Central (since their college days in the 70s), Southwest, and now Southwest Central congregations for 45 years. She has taught Sunday School most of that time, beginning with kindergarten classes and for the last 20 years, an adult class. Her class, the Faith Explorers, meets in her favorite kind of room, the Library, and concentrates on finding previously unseen passages in familiar Bible passages. They continue making a trek through the Word, beginning in Genesis, stopping to consider many surprises and entertain questions of all sorts (like how Solomon’s Temple would have fit inside our auditorium with room to spare).

Dee sews for, gives time to, and generally supports our mission to Sunny Glen Children’s Home near Harlingen. She loves to travel, but even more so, to come home.

The Gospel of John is the foundation of her growing faith: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” And then more miracles: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” And those so familiar verses in chapter 3 round out her theology. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

Her central focus: “A strong community of believers supports us in our trials and sadness, lifts us higher in our joys and triumphs, and centers us in the turbulence of life in the twenty-first century in Houston, Texas. What unites us is not a mission statement or robust programs or worship styles but our common willingness to follow Jesus the Christ, wherever he may lead us. Come join the community of believers at Southwest Central.”

Brent Spivy

(information forthcoming)