Stories at The Well
WELL STORIES
Known, Loved, & Rooted
During the pandemic, Avi Ernest and her husband felt restless. Their search for a deeper, authentic faith community led them to The Well—a place where being known, loved, and rooted in Christ is real.
During the uncertainty of the pandemic, Avi Ernest and her husband felt a restlessness they couldn’t ignore. They had been attending another church in the Austin area, but in that season sensed God calling them toward something deeper—a community that looked more like the kingdom Jesus is building. They longed for a body that reflected diversity of background, age, and perspective, yet was united by grace and truth. That search led them to The Well in the spring of 2021.
Since then, Avi has become a covenant member, joined a community group in the Balcones Village area, and served as part of the hosting team. Yet what shaped her most wasn’t a program or a role but the ordinary rhythms of life together in Christ. She shared how being part of a spiritual family helped her remember that God is present in every sphere—work, friendships, family, even in the way she views and cares for herself.
One of the clearest expressions of that community has come through The Well’s retreats. Avi reflected on how restful it was to step away—to sit with Scripture, to worship without distraction, and to be surrounded by women who are learning to follow Jesus together. It was a chance to slow down and remember what matters most. She described how encouraging it was to hear women speak from the stage and share honestly from their walks with God, a reminder of the richness God has placed within His church.
The teaching was strong, but just as strong was the sight of women pouring truth into one another with grace. And then, she added with a laugh, it was simply fun—game nights, late conversations, laughter, and the chance to be herself outside the daily routine. As a mom with young children, she said, “It was a great opportunity to get out and let loose a little.”
But retreats, Avi emphasized, are not the whole story. Community takes root in the everyday. When asked about covenant membership, she spoke of the value of being known. “There’s a difference in being a covenant member at The Well,” she said. “You’re pursued, prayed for, and genuinely loved by the people who lead this church.”
She described moments when others reached out unprompted to ask about her family, to pray, and to follow up with care. That kind of intentional connection is what makes The Well more than a Sunday gathering—it feels like family. It echoes Paul’s charge in Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Community takes root in the everyday.
Asked to describe The Well in three words, Avi chose hungry, familiar, and genuine. Hungry—for the Word of God and the presence of Jesus. Familiar—because even on their first Sunday back in 2021, it felt like coming home. Genuine—because what you see on Sundays is what you see throughout the week.
Her reflections point back to a simple but profound truth of Jesus’s ministry: He never walked alone. He invited others to journey with Him, to pray with Him, and to serve alongside Him. The same call continues today. As Hebrews 10:24–25 reminds us, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…but encouraging one another.” At The Well, that call is answered—in community groups, in Sunday gatherings, and in quiet moments of retreat—where being known and loved in Christ is no longer a hope, but a reality.
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