Brazos Fellowship

On Sunday night December 5, 2004 the first launch team meeting of Brazos Fellowship was held in Will and Leslie Lewis' living room. It was in that small meeting of twelve people that the vision that God had given pastor Will for Brazos Fellowship was shared, "We will exist to reach the seeker and challenge the believer to become fully-devoted followers of Jesus Christ."

Over the next ten weeks, the launch team grew to about 30. On February 13, 2005 we officially launched our first public service at the College Station Middle School on Rock Prairie Road. God blessed us so much that first year that we had to add a second Sunday morning service on September 18, 2005.

In 2006 we began praying for a building. That Summer God provided a great location for us. On August 1, 2006 we purchased and started renovations on 226 Southwest Parkway East, formerly the Time Square night club. We had our first services in our new building on November 5, 2006.

In four short years we have seen God take us from twelve people in a living room to a church of 600+ in our weekend services. More importantly, we continue to see hundreds of lives that are being transformed by the life-changing power and message of Jesus Christ.

We want to invite you to be a part of the next chapter in our story here at Brazos Fellowship! Come join us this Sunday at one of our uplifting services!

OUR MISSION

We are reaching seekers and challenging believers to become fully-devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

OUR PURPOSES:

To reach up (worship), reach out (evangelism) and reach in (discipleship).

TO REACH UP: WORSHIP

We express our love to God. [Matthew 22:36-38; Rom. 12:1-2]

TO REACH OUT: EVANGELISM

We share the love of God. [Acts 1:8; Matthew 22:39-40; 28:18-20]

TO REACH IN: DISCIPLESHIP

We follow the lead of God. [Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:45]

OUR BELIEFS

The Bible is the record of God's self-disclosure and forms the basis for our belief and understanding about who God is and how He works. Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32

GOD

We believe there exists only one living and true God who is revealed to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.Gen. 1:1; Ps. 90:2; Mt. 28:19

JESUS

We believe the eternal Son of God was born of a virgin as fully God and fully man. He became a man in order to be the sinless sacrifice for humanity's waywardness from God. He was put to death on a cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day of his death. He ascended to heaven and lives forevermore as the Savior of the world. He will one day return to earth with His followers, to reign over His Kingdom. Heb. 9:28; Phil. 2:6-11

HOLY SPIRIT

We believe the Holy Spirit is a person who helps, comforts, convicts, and teaches. He is the supernatural agent who dwells in and seals the believer in Christ. His work is to reveal Christ, convict of sin, lead to repentance, guide believers, comfort, strengthen, and lead. Eph. 5:18; Eph. 1:13-14; John 15:1-5

SCRIPTURE

We believe the Bible is God's Word. It is the inspired Word of God, which is the final authority for faith and living. The Word of God is without error and entirely God breathed. It is by the Word of God that we can know and understand who God is. 2 Tim.3:16

HUMANITY

We believe that all of mankind is God's special and loved creation. Man has not been created by chance or mistake, but intentionally in God’s image. Each person is valued and known by God. Every person has chosen to rebel against God, which the Bible calls sin, resulting in separation from Him. Our separation from God is an eternal division that is impossible to bridge without Christ. Rom.6:23

SALVATION

We believe God loved each person so much that he provided a way to remedy our eternal separation from Him. The solution is Jesus Christ. He is the only way to God. This connection is freely offered to each person. The free gift is through belief in Christ's completed work on the cross and resurrection from the dead. This belief results in forgiveness of sin and following God's leadership rather than our own. 1 Tim.2:4-6; Eph.2:8-9,13; Rom.10:9,13

THE CHURCH

We believe the Body of Christ exists as a community of followers of Christ. The Church exists globally and locally. God has given the Church a mission to live in unity and spread the story of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Acts 2; John 17:20-26; Eph.4

BAPTISM

We believe baptism is an act of obedience shared in the context of the church to symbolize the change Jesus Christ has made in the new believer's life. Baptism was modeled by Jesus for all believers to follow as a testimony to the world that He is their Savior and Lord. Baptism is by completely immersing the professing believer underwater. Mt.3:13-17; Rom.6; Col.2:12

COMMUNION

We believe the church is to share a meal of remembrance of Christ as a community. The meal is a symbol of the body and blood of Christ that was broken and spilled out in love and for the forgiveness of our sins. 1 Cor.11:23-26

	About Senior Pastor Will Lewis: I am so thankful that God has allowed me to live out my passion for leading people to Him through ministry for almost 20 years now. My wife Leslie, and I, moved to College Station in 2004 as an answer to God's call for starting Brazos Fellowship. Our first public service was held in February of 2005 and it has been the most amazing ministry experience of our lives. We are so excited about the wonderful team that God has put in place here and the lives that are being changed each week. Education: MASTERS OF DIVINITY, Southwestern Theological Seminary (1997) BA in SPEECH COMMUNICATIONS, Texas State University (1993)
	About Executive Pastor Shawn Parish: My family has been a part of Brazos Fellowship since February 2005.  We started as members, and by the end of the church's first year I felt God's calling to serve on staff.  I left a career in coaching and teaching to become the Children's and Small Groups Pastor.  As the church has grown, my role has evolved into helping run the day-to-day operations as Executive Pastor. Kim and I have been married for 13 years, and we have two daughters, Elizabeth and Caroline.  We love to spend part of our summer at Disneyworld and the beach.  I also enjoy watching football, playing golf and reading.
	About Youth Director Kevin Glenn: I love disc golf and playing the drums. I graduated from Texas A&M University in 2009 with a degree in Communication. Eventually, I plan on pursuing a graduate degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. Serving as the Youth Director at Brazos Fellowship gives me the opportunity to speak truth into the lives of many youth. My prayer is that every student leaves this place feeling connected and challenged to become a fully devoted follower of Christ. I enjoy music, sports, the outdoors and airplanes!
	About Small Groups/ Ministry Teams/ Discover Ministry Pastor Brian Linder: Here's the 411: I'm married to the love of my life, Stephanie. Our little family consists of our kids Bryce, Grace, and Campbell. I was home-grown here in College Station where I haved lived most of my life. Oh, and me, I go by Brian, Brian Jeffrey Linder (usually if I'm in trouble) The Big Cat, and I'll answer to "Dude", "Man", or "Hey You!" My personal passion is teaching and helping others discover and fulfill their God-given purpose. Words cannot describe how rewarding it is to see a life transformed by the grace and love of Jesus!
	About Childrens & Administrative Director Rebecca McCarty: Each day, I get to witness the real life-change happening in the people of this church body and it deeply touches my heart. I've been a member of the Brazos Fellowship staff since February of 2006 and am currently pursuing a degree in Biblical Counseling. My passion is to reach out to the broken and nurture them into a relationship with Jesus and eventually, spiritual maturity. I hope to share the importance of serving in the family of Brazos Fellowship by reaching out to those who are on a journey with Christ, challenging them to find their place in the body, and using the ministry He has purposely created in each of us. My husband and two daughters keep me very busy and my hobby of choice is working out and being fit - I LOVE it!
	About Technical Arts Pastor Corey Ging: My wife, Amy, and I attended the first public service at Brazos Fellowship and began volunteering the next week. I began by playing bass, then became the part-time Technical Coordinator, and now on staff as the Technical Arts Pastor. Before realizing the call God placed on my life of being in ministry, I worked as a fisheries biologist. Mark 1:17 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." My goal is to facilitate an interesting and culturally relevant experience for seekers, while at the same time provide an engaging, meaningful worship experience for believers. My little girl, Ella is a huge blessing in my life. I also enjoy spending time outdoors, especially fishing, hiking and kayaking.
	About Worship Arts Director Dawson Skow: Some of the best years of my life have been spent at Brazos Fellowship with my wife, Michelle, and our three children. My passion is music, and I am so blessed that God has placed me here as the Music Director, to use that passion for His purposes. It is truly an honor to be able to serve in this amazing body of believers and in this community. My other passion is my family; they are the most precious gifts God has given me here on earth, and they are my number one ministry above all else. In my spare time, I watch movies, play sports, and change diapers :)