Stories at The Well
WELL STORIES
Faithful Through Every Season
Through grief, discipleship, prayer, and mission, Lola Shores has seen the Lord’s faithfulness deepen over time, proving that His promises may unfold slowly, but never carelessly.
Personal accountability has always been essential in my life, and God placed a mentor named Linda beside me who loved me enough to challenge me and support me with tough love. She never lowered the standard, even in my hardest moments. After my mother passed away, she encouraged me to attend a GriefShare Bible study designed to help people heal from loss. I joined a local class, but Linda believed there was more for me and suggested I retake it at Hill Country Bible Church.
I did, and the difference was remarkable. That experience became a turning point in my healing. I was so blessed by what God did through that study that I later began co-facilitating, longing for others to experience His faithful hand even in the midst of grief.
Not long after, Linda and her husband invited me to join them in the Saturate Austin Bible class, a gathering for pastors and lay leaders taught by several teachers, including Pastor Tory. Each time he taught, I felt like I had been to church and left better than when I came. His teaching stirred something deeper in my faith and hunger for God’s presence.
During the COVID season, when many of us were watching services online, I began streaming different churches, including The Well. On one particular trip to Chicago, I watched the protests following George Floyd’s death unfold right outside our hotel window. In that tense and emotional moment, I streamed a service from Hill Country Bible Church, where Pastor Tory was preaching. Watching a Black man speak with such intimacy, boldness, and love to a predominantly White congregation during such a difficult time deeply moved my heart. I knew then that I needed to hear him again in person.
My first attempt to visit The Well did not go quite as planned. I thought I knew where the church met and showed up, only to realize I had gone to the wrong place. The people there were warm and welcoming and even gifted me a coffee mug, but Pastor Tory was nowhere to be found. Eventually, I discovered the correct location while The Well was worshipping at Campbell Elementary, and I began visiting with my daughter several times. Although I already had a church home, I hoped she and other young people in my family would connect and become covenant members. They have not yet, but I continue to trust God with their journey.
One of the things that has always amazed me about The Well is its willingness to address real-life issues that are often left unspoken in church. I experienced this firsthand during the Purity class. The transparency and hospitality created a safe, Spirit-filled environment where difficult conversations could happen with honesty and grace. That class impacted me so deeply that I later became a discussion group leader for How to Find Freedom from Sexual Brokenness, again desiring for others to encounter the healing power of God as I had.
I also participated in the Unraveled study with a loved one, and I was amazed at how God used that time to strengthen our relationship while building new connections within the church. It reminded me that healing is rarely meant to happen alone. God often works through community to restore what feels broken. For many years, I worked in the Austin Independent School District, primarily serving children, and I loved that work dearly. When my grant-funded position came to an end, I transitioned away from working directly with students, except for mentoring once a week. It was a significant change, and at first, I was unsure what God was doing.
God often works through community to restore what feels broken.
Yet once again, He had a plan. He opened the door for me to serve in Well Kids, and it has been a beautiful privilege. I am deeply grateful for the children, their families, and the opportunity to see firsthand how God continues to answer our daily prayers.
Missions have been on my heart since I first came to know the Lord in my twenties. Now, in my sixties, I have been blessed to participate in two short-term mission trips. God truly is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Sometimes His promises take years to unfold, but they are always worth the wait.
Through mission classes, teachings, and the Disciple Making Intensive and Disciple Making Cohort experiences at our church, I have grown tremendously in my faith. I was even given the honor of co-leading a cohort group and facilitating a missions session. Each opportunity reminded me that discipleship is not just about learning. It is about helping others encounter God and step into His calling for their lives.
Currently, we are nearing the end of our ninth month in the Goer Missional Community commitment, and aside from the nine months I carried my children, this has been one of the most meaningful seasons of my life. My time with God has become more intimate and rich than ever before. I deeply love our GMC family and staff. The sense of community we share is something truly special and worth reflecting to others.
There have been countless moments when God has shown His faithfulness through answered prayer. One morning, I prayed specific requests to God before service. That very evening, during Worship Night, a woman approached me, introduced herself, and asked if she could pray for me. She prayed as if she had known me for years and spoke directly to the very things I had lifted to God that morning.
On another occasion, after a service, I asked a prayer team member to pray for healing from a habitual sin. She prayed faithfully, and by God’s grace, that struggle has never returned. I also experienced inner healing through our prayer team. Their questions, songs, Scriptures, and encouragement created a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit that I will never forget. As we waited for the elevator afterward, I found myself quietly asking, almost in disbelief, “Is this the norm?” I continue to praise God for the work He did in that moment.
Because of the impact the prayer team has had on my life, I have since applied to join them, hoping that others might also experience the mighty hand of God through prayer. God truly has a sense of humor. I used to wonder why some people attended both Hill Country Bible Church and The Well, especially since The Well seemed geared toward younger members. Now, as a covenant member myself, He has shown me exactly why. He has also balanced my walk by surrounding me with a group of women affectionately known as the ‘Seasoned Well Ladies,’ whose wisdom and friendship have been a tremendous blessing.
Today, I continue to rely fully on the Lord, prayerfully discerning whether He is calling me to partner with Him in long-term missions and bring the Gospel to people who have never heard His name. Wherever He leads, I want to follow with obedience and trust. I live and say with confidence the promise found in Scripture:
“And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very great.” — Job 8:7
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