This is going to sound a little bit like a broken record!

I was tempted to simply copy and paste my message from last year, because honestly, the Lord has been kind to our church. Here were the 3 prompts I was given to write this section: (1) What has God done in 2024–2025, (2) Where are we going in 2025–2026, and (3) What’s the biggest win I’d like to share from our ministry this year.

…Okay…!!!

1 Corinthians 1:31 says, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” There’s a lot to boast in. Throughout this entire packet you’ll see this more and more—these booklets end up growing in page count…! The Lord is saving people, sending people, delivering people, covering people, healing people, using people, empowering people, raising up people… He has truly given us a harvest. Unity. His presence. He has been overwhelmingly good to our church. We have MULTIPLE planters, tons of movement in the missions world, a beautiful college ministry, continually growing families, deep friendships, community forming, reconciliation happening… Jesus is being exalted, but is also just being kind! And low-key flexing.

Now, I know individually there can be seasons that feel different than what others are experiencing corporately. We’ll even talk about this this year in a series on Lament. The Well has been in those seasons that are corporately tough, even though individuals are in a joyous space! That is good, honestly. We rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep; both are possible. One reminds us that God isn’t done, and one reminds us that we’re not yet home. So, even if it has been a hard season, my hope is that you’re seeing the redemption and the beauty happening in the church, and can rejoice in this! The Lord could choose to not give us a good church, or to remove His presence, but He’s choosing to move. Praise God! And if you individually are in a likewise good season along with our church, man, praise God! Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. It is His work and His hands giving us good things.

This year, very simply, we still feel like we’re in the harvest season as a church. We sense the Lord saying that this harvest season will last for some time. So we’re hopeful for more baptisms, for more planters, for more community, for more discipleship and development, for deeper worship, for more manifest presence of God, for more Biblical depth, for more unity…

We’re hopeful. And not just for our sake, but for the sake of the nations and those around us. We pray that our church would be blessed that we might be a blessing to others. We’re hopeful that God will move. So, as you read through this packet, be encouraged. Your giving, your serving, your sacrifice is going WAY beyond you. Even me, as the Lead Pastor, I can wonder if certain sacrifices are making a difference. But look around, friend. They are. Even if you’re not feeling it, many, many others are, and God WILL reward you for this. So I pray that these stories would remind you that you’re a part of God’s Kingdom invading this earth, and this city. Pushing back darkness.

Thank you, thank you, sincerely, thank you for being a part of building up one another together. It is such a joy and an honor to do this with you all. I love you each, tremendously. May Christ continue to be exalted, and to decide to show deep presence in our church.

—Tory

Nico Galuban

Remember the wondrous works that He has done, His miracles and the judgments He uttered. Psalm 105:5

This fiscal year, God moved powerfully through The Well in ways that only He could.

“Remember the wondrous works that He has done, His miracles and the judgments He uttered.” Psalm 105:5

This command from Scripture calls us to pause and reflect—not on our own efforts, but on the mighty works of God. As we look back on this fiscal year, we do so with grateful hearts, not because of what we’ve accomplished, but because of what God has done in and through His people. From lives transformed on college campuses to churches planted, from generosity poured out to unreached people groups hearing the gospel—every story is a testimony to His faithfulness and power.

The following wins are wins that were shared throughout the year during our hosting moments before sermons. Not highlights of human achievement, but snapshots of divine grace—evidence that our God is at work, drawing people to Himself in Austin and across the world.

As you read through these snapshots of God’s grace, I pray they build your faith, encourage your heart, and remind you that God is actively working in and through His people. May these stories not only stir gratitude for what He’s done, but also renew your hope for what He will continue to do as we seek to exalt Christ, reproduce disciples, and impact the world together.

September 3 • This week’s win was about new life on the UT campus. As classes started, our college ministry set up a table to connect with students and share the gospel. Over two days, they interacted with more than 950 students. Nearly half filled out a spiritual survey, and over 120 expressed interest in follow-up conversations. Most notably, three students prayed with our team and accepted Christ on the spot. God was clearly moving on campus, and we were humbled to be part of what He was doing at UT.

September 23 • This week’s win was the launch of Valle Church at their new location. Our most recent church planter, Travis Deluna, and his wife, Ixtzel, led Valle Church into their first Sunday gathering at Decker Middle School. This provision was directly from the Lord and marked a major milestone in their mission to reach the lost in a predominantly Latino part of Austin. We celebrated this moment as part of our vision to impact the world through church planting.

October 20 • This week’s win was about financial giving. As we kicked off our new fiscal year, we celebrated the strong start made possible by your generosity. We thanked our church for giving sacrificially and believing in what God was doing through The Well. This win reflected one of our core convictions: we sought to be a church built on the sacrifices of many, not the few. We gave of our time, talents, and treasures so that His name would be known in Austin and around the world. We prayed that God would use these gifts to help us plant 100 churches nationally and 100 churches internationally.

October 27 • This week’s win was about our “How to Love Our Neighbor” class. Sixty people signed up and attended to learn how they could participate in the Great Commission. Whether or not they were sent overseas, we believed everyone had a role in bringing the gospel to every tongue, tribe, people, and culture. This class helped equip them to do just that, and we prayed God would continue using our church to make His name known in Austin and beyond.

November 10 • This week’s win was Celebration Sunday—and it was wild. We baptized 16 people, welcomed 59 new Covenant Members, and dedicated 16 children. We celebrated these milestones because they reflected how Christ had changed lives for His glory.

December 16 • This week’s win was a Vision Fund story of devotion. At The Well, we weren’t built on the generous treasures of a few, but on the generous treasures of many. We sought to give with joy from our heart, with sacrifice from our soul, with thought from our mind, and with obedience from our strength—expecting the Kingdom of God to expand in and through our church. In a special video, one of our Covenant Members, Priya, shared what being fully devoted looked like when using time, talents, and treasures to advance God’s Kingdom. We looked forward with hope as we prepared the way for future ministry through this year’s Vision Fund Campaign.

December 23 • This week’s win was about our Eastside Giving Tree. We gave 184 students from Eastside High School Christmas gifts through our Community Groups. At The Well, we often said that the church wasn’t meant to be a blessing just for itself, but for everyone around us. We sought to bless Austin and Eastside so deeply that if our church were to disappear, the city would feel the loss. This was one way we lived that out—by serving our neighbors tangibly and joyfully during the Christmas season.

January 6 • This week’s win was our prayer point for the new year: that as a church, we would seek to be and make disciples who follow all that Jesus commanded with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Through our people’s obedience, we celebrated that we had already seen over 20 salvations since September. God didn’t need us, but He invited us to partner with Him in the harvest of salvation stories. We believed that every soul was one Jesus longed for, and that being a disciple meant reaching the lost and bringing them into the Kingdom. God called each Christian to reach the lost, and often called individuals to specific groups of people or locations. We prayed that we would be the harvest. As we entered 2025, we prayed for more harvest and that God would use us to see even more come to know Him.

January 13 • This week’s win was about the giving toward our Vision Fund. Through our people’s obedience and generosity, we celebrated that we raised over $114,000 toward the Vision Fund. During our Advent series in November and December, we persistently focused on the idea of devoting our hearts, souls, minds, and strength to everything we do—including our giving. Our church family responded in sacred ways so that we could see more harvest, mission, and vision in and through our church. These funds went toward four areas: supporting our minority residency, blessing Eastside High School, serving the city through our Serve Austin ministry, and sending and raising up more Church Planting Residents to reach people in our city and through international church plants. We were grateful for the generosity that made it possible to expand God’s Kingdom through The Well.

January 20 • This week’s win was a One Place Win from our Braker Community Group. At The Well, “One Places” were spaces where Community Groups dedicated themselves to prayer, presence, and gospel proclamation. Our Braker CG partnered with More Than Welcome, an organization focused on meeting the physical and spiritual needs of refugee and asylum seekers in Austin, and hosted a picnic for four Afghan refugee families. The group prepared both American food and their best attempts at Afghan dishes for the families. The goal of the picnic was to build friendships through presence and eventually be paired with a family to welcome into community. Several connections were made through shared meals and playing soccer with the kids, and a few CG members even attended one of the high schoolers’ basketball games the following week. We continued to say that every soul is one Jesus longs for, and that discipleship includes reaching the lost and bringing them into the Kingdom.

January 27 • This week’s win was a video update from Bryan and Esther Davidson, missionaries sent to Japan in the spring. At The Well, we believed in planting churches and that the local church was God’s means of redeeming the world. We believed the best way to reach the world was to plant churches, and that local churches were uniquely designed to bring gospel vitality to their specific contexts. Bryan and Esther’s story reflected that conviction. Their update helped remind us of the larger vision and encouraged us to be part of reaching the lost through sending, praying, and giving. Click here to watch the video from Bryan and Esther.

February 10 • This week’s win was a One Place Win from our Walnut Creek Community Group. Their One Place was Foundation Communities, a nonprofit they had partnered with for over a year. They served meals to 45 residents and prayed over several of them, and even began keeping a list of residents’ names to continue praying for them regularly. We often said at The Well that every soul was one Jesus longed for, and that discipleship wasn’t just about strengthening the faith of believers but also reaching the lost and bringing them into the Kingdom. Our desire was for every Christian to make disciples wherever they go.

February 17 • This week’s win was about the launch of our new round of Disciple Making Cohorts (DMCs), with over 60 people signed up to start that very day. DMCs were 10-week cohorts of 6–12 people designed to help participants gain confidence in sharing the gospel across any setting. The course involved meeting three times a week and going through curriculum from The Well. We believed that discipleship wasn’t just about strengthening the faith of believers—it was also about reaching the lost and inviting them into God’s Kingdom. DMCs helped make that possible.

February 24 • This week’s win was a One Place Win from our Balcones Village Community Group. Their One Place was Safe Families, a nonprofit that provided practical support for parents and services for their children. When Safe Families moved into a more permanent office space, the Balcones Village CG created an “office warming” care package, gathered supplies, prayed over the new space, and dropped off the gift together. We often said that our church wasn’t meant to be a blessing just for itself but rather for everyone around us. Our desire was to bless Austin so much that if our church disappeared, we would be missed. We longed for every Christian to make disciples wherever they go.

March 4 • This week’s win was the release of a six-part mini-documentary featuring Bryan and Esther Davidson, who were sent as missionaries to Kobe, Japan. In the final week of our Jonah series, we asked the question, “What is our role in the Great Commission?” Bryan and Esther answered that question through their story. They had joined Mustard Seed Network, a church-planting movement aiming to plant 12 churches in 12 major Japanese cities. These church plants would bring 78.6 million people—62% of Japan’s population—within reach of the gospel. Their journey reminded us that God was using The Well to send workers into His harvest.

Watch the documentary at thewellaustin.com/davidsons

March 10 • This week’s win was welcoming a new Church Planting Resident: Mitchell Johnson. Mitchell previously served as the college pastor at Austin Stone and planned to launch a new church with The Well and the Salt Network in 2026. He, his wife Hannah, and their newborn son Tre joined our community to help us advance the vision of planting 100 churches nationally. Mitchell’s arrival marked a joyful step toward fulfilling that mission.

March 17 • This week’s win was the commissioning of our international short-term teams. These teams, made up of Covenant Members, existed to support the long-term missionaries and church planters we had sent around the world. As Tyler preached that Sunday, we wanted to be relentless until every nation hears the gospel of the Kingdom. We prayed for protection, unity, and fruitfulness—and ultimately, for salvation through their efforts.

March 24 • This week’s win was about our Kids Ministry serving team. Every Sunday, over 120 kids participated in our Well Kids ministry, made possible by 124 dedicated volunteers. That week, we celebrated the addition of 16 new volunteers who stepped in to help teach kids about Jesus. We reminded our church that we’re not built on the talents of a few, but the sacrifices of many. We believed that generosity is worship, and through the commitment of these volunteers, generations could be shaped for God’s Kingdom.

March 31 • This week’s win was about Community Groups. Across Austin, over 31 CGs met regularly to share meals, study Scripture, and pray. In the previous two months alone, we launched 3 new groups. We often said that community doesn’t just happen—we have to fight for it. We encouraged everyone who called The Well home to join a CG and pursue deeper discipleship alongside others.

April 7 • This week’s win was about our Kids Ministry Buddy Program. The Buddy Team helped every child—regardless of ability—feel included and safe on Sundays. Volunteers served kids with special needs so they could engage in worship and Scripture just like everyone else. As our church grew, so did this team, and we looked for more volunteers to join them. We invited those who considered The Well home to be part of this growing ministry.

April 21 • This week’s win was about our One Place partnership with The Other Ones Foundation (TOOF), a nonprofit serving our unhoused neighbors. Our Southeast CG served meals to 45 residents and lived out the compassion of Jesus by showing up consistently. We didn’t do it to earn points—we did it because every person mattered deeply to God. This kind of presence demonstrated what it looked like to follow Jesus outside of Sunday gatherings.

April 28 • This week’s win was about Easter Sunday. We had 1,319 people—not including kids—join us to hear the good news that Jesus Christ is risen. Even more significantly, nearly 10 people placed their faith in Christ for the first time. We called it an adoption Sunday, as new brothers and sisters entered God’s family. We had been praying for a year of harvest, and this was God answering in real time.

May 5 • This week’s win was about our Covenant Community Class. Over 60 people took a step toward becoming covenant members, joining our mission to exalt Christ, reproduce disciples, and impact the world. Behind each of those numbers were stories of deeper commitment—people saying “yes” to being well-known, challenged, and sent for the Kingdom.

May 12 • This week’s win was about our Short-Term Trip to North Africa. Before the team returned to Austin, they had 105 spiritual conversations, offered prayer 25 times, and shared the gospel 80 times with people who had little or no exposure to Jesus. This was what it meant to impact the world. God’s plan had always been to redeem people from every nation—and we were grateful to play a part.

May 19 • This week’s win was about our Sunday serving teams. Over 100 volunteers arrived early to set up for worship and stayed late to tear down, regardless of weather. Every banner, chair, and cable made room for people to encounter Jesus. We reminded our church that this wasn’t just logistics—it was legacy.

May 26 • This week’s win was about our Disciple Making Cohorts. Forty-two people went through our DMC class, spending over 300 hours in prayer, sharing the gospel over 75 times, leading 20+ Bible studies with non-believers, and celebrating 2 salvations. DMCs weren’t just about going deeper—they were about going outward.

June 16 • This week’s win was about our Celebration Sunday. We celebrated 15 people being baptized, each one boldly declaring that they had gone from death to life in Christ. We also celebrated 60 people completing our Covenant Membership class, choosing to join the mission of planting 100 churches nationally and 100 internationally. Six new Community Group Shepherds were commissioned, stepping into the call of spiritual leadership, and over 14 children were dedicated alongside their parents, who entrusted their families to Jesus as our church committed to walk with them in faith. We also commissioned our seventh international missionary, who is taking the gospel to North Africa to reach the unreached. At The Well, we often say discipleship isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about formation, transformation, and multiplication. Every baptism was a soul reached, every new member a disciple sent, and every shepherd and dedication a sign of a community growing in Christ. We don’t just disciple believers—we reproduce disciples who love, follow, and serve Jesus with all of themselves.

June 30 • This week’s win was about our mission to Reach the Nations. We celebrated the incredible news that four individuals came to faith in Jesus Christ through the witness of a short-term team in Southeast Asia. In a culture where evangelism is illegal and socially taboo, these new believers encountered the power of Christ in profound ways: through a deep theological conversation with a college student, a child being freed from spiritual oppression, and a shopkeeper recalling a prayer in Jesus’ name that changed their life. As we’ve been learning in 1 Corinthians, God gives the growth and invites us into the harvest—and our team is now praying that the seeds sown would take root. Part of our mission at The Well is to Reach the Nations, because we believe every tongue, tribe, and culture should have the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus—and that we are called to be part of that work. These wins are not just about short-term impact; they are glimpses of long-term transformation and partnerships for the glory of God.

July 7 • This week’s win was about Well Kids Bible Camp. We celebrated over 75 kids coming together—not just for fun and creativity, but for deep spiritual growth. Parents shared how their kids were talking about sharing the gospel, memorizing Scripture, writing songs and prayers, and even catching a vision for the nations. That’s not just camp hype—that’s discipleship. WKBC pointed kids to Jesus and His Word, planting seeds that the Spirit will grow into lives rooted in Christ. We’re also incredibly grateful for every volunteer who taught, served, prayed, cleaned, and led—you didn’t just run a camp, you created space for lasting Kingdom impact. This is what we mean when we talk about making disciples: helping the next generation love, follow, and serve Jesus with all of themselves.

This year we introduced the song in the Toddler and PreK classrooms that goes, “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do.” Maybe you’ve heard it… and that feels appropriate to sing as a declaration for us in Kids Ministry. Our God is so BIG and He is so MIGHTY, and we’ve seen over and over again—there is NOTHING He cannot do! I hope you hear them when they sing that, because they are talking about the same God you and I serve, pray to, and follow with our whole hearts.

I fully believe that the future promises for these kids—your children—is the continued work of pushing back darkness in this city, in the United States, and to the ends of the earth.

There’s been nothing shy of HARVEST in our church—and specifically, it has marked our Kids Ministry! As some will recall, there was a week in March that, in a 7-day span, five babies were born. WHAT!? But not only are we having babies left and right, we have had countless new kids and families join us as they make The Well their home! This year, we started our New Parent Orientation class to help parents transition well into Kids Ministry. We also had our park hangs this summer to invite new families to join us in community throughout the summer. There is a deep desire for our kids to know what true biblical community is and why it’s so important to believers, and as we start them so young, I believe the Lord has—and will continue to do—so much beautiful work within our church. Speaking of community, we’ve also started our Family Bingo Nights, which were such a blast, and we were able to welcome some folks from the neighborhood to join us! The Lord is moving around Eastside, and we want to be diligent to continue partnering with Him.

I have to tell you, we’ve started a new part of our Sunday morning huddle as volunteers: we spend time praying over each classroom together before we set up. That has been some of my favorite moments on Sunday morning. I want you to know your kids are being prayed for week in and week out by their faithful volunteers. We are going to Jesus to ask Him to create a space that your child truly loves, that they feel safe in, and that the Spirit of God would flood with peace—and we see that actually happening each week!

Thank you for entrusting us with your children—they are very precious to us. We will keep doing whatever is necessary to help these children flourish in Christlikeness now, because I fully believe that the future promises for these kids—your children—is the continued work of pushing back darkness in this city, in the United States, and to the ends of the earth. I believe that Jesus has such important work now and in the long run for each of our kids to play a part in ushering in His return. This was a major theme of Well Kids Bible Camp this year, and if I can say… to put it lightly, it was a huge success. Not only did we have a blast all three days, but kids were going home and recounting stories from their “time on the farm” about Jesus healing people, about His compassion for everyone, about the work He invites us into, and about the ways that we can worship Him wherever we are! I believe the foundations that were laid for them by incredible volunteers are exactly what God uses to create mighty warriors for His kingdom. We want to equip our kids to love others deeply, through words and actions. We want them to know that their friend Jesus longs for every soul to know Him—including their own. We do everything we do, on Sundays and throughout the year, to plant Gospel seeds. And like Mark writes, “the smallest of all seeds (a mustard seed) is planted and it grows and becomes the largest of all the garden plants” (Mark 4:30–32).

Some more highlights: 35 children dedicated, multiplication of classrooms, Trunk or Treat, increase in attendance by 23% on Sunday mornings, more and more incredible volunteers joining (we are slowly keeping pace with our growth!), multiple professions of faith, Bingo Night, Movie Night, and so many more connections made with new and old friends!

It is a privilege to witness the Lord grasp the hearts of these little ones—to listen to their prayers, to hear your stories about them worshiping, quoting Scripture, to ponder their amazing questions with them, and to watch them place their faith in the One True God and proclaim who Jesus Christ is on a Celebration Sunday in front of hundreds and hundreds of people. The Lord lets us be a part of these miracles week in and week out. The “wins,” which I am meant to share here, are endless. Who is God but the Lord!!!!

We look forward to all that the Lord will do in our Kids Ministry this upcoming year. We will keep bringing them to His feet. We will point to Jesus Christ, the founder and perfecter of our faith. And their worship unto Him will fill the hallway. We will constantly be reminded when Jesus says, “Do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:15)

This year, our biggest win has been establishing a consistent and engaging weekly rhythm for student ministry that’s forming students not just into disciples—but into disciple-makers.

Each Sunday at 11 a.m. in the Eastside upstairs lobby, we’ve created a space where students can be known, connected, and spiritually formed. We’ve developed a meeting flow that our students look forward to: starting with games to build community, engaging in interactive Discovery Bible Studies, breaking into small groups for deeper discussion, and closing with encouragement and prayer.

Through the Discovery Bible Study method, students are learning how to engage directly with Scripture, ask good questions, and respond with personal obedience. They’re growing in their ability to articulate what God’s Word says, how it shapes our understanding of people, and how the Spirit is leading them to respond. We’ve also begun practicing Family Sundays once a month, where students join the main gathering alongside their families. This has helped reinforce the importance of being formed in both age-specific and intergenerational environments.

Over the past year, God has brought us clarity, consistency, and strong foundations. We’ve seen middle and high school students grow in confidence and faith, and we’ve begun to see glimpses of leadership and ownership take root. What’s most encouraging is that our students are starting to see their role in the Kingdom—not just as recipients of truth, but as carriers of it into their homes, schools, and friend circles.

Parents are beginning to see the fruit of spiritual growth in their kids. We’ve built momentum relationally and structurally, and the culture being cultivated is one of joy, curiosity, and obedience.

Looking ahead, our focus is on depth and multiplication. We want to continue to refine our gatherings so they are more accessible for newcomers, more impactful for regulars, and more empowering for students ready to lead.

We’re also laying the groundwork for student leadership pathways—inviting older students to take ownership in planning, leading, and discipling. Additionally, we hope to host several key touchpoints throughout the year—like student hangouts, retreats, and service opportunities—to continue deepening relationships and faith. We’ll also strengthen parent partnerships—offering more communication, resources, and alignment—because we know that discipleship thrives when the church and home work together.

Our prayer is simple: that every 6th–12th grade student at The Well would be shaped by the gospel, rooted in biblical truth, and sent out with confidence to lead others to Jesus.

Our students are starting to see their role in the Kingdom—not just as recipients of truth, but as carriers of it into their homes, schools, and friend circles.

As we reflect on this past quarter, we’re celebrating the many wins God is giving us in our college ministry. In the past, there have been seasons of planting and watering, and now God has brought us into a joy-filled season of harvesting and seeing visible fruit. Students are not only showing up—they’re truly getting involved. Where we once encouraged them to pursue covenant membership, join Community Groups, and serve, they are now doing those things with ownership and joy, often without any prompting.

College students are now helping carry the vision—not just follow it.

This school year, over 50 students have either become covenant members or participated in our membership class. Over 20 of those students are consistently attending Community Groups and serving regularly on Sundays. We see these numbers as a movement toward a deeper love for the local church and growth in spiritual maturity.

Students are now helping carry the vision—not just follow it. They’re leading Bible studies, inviting friends to church, and stepping boldly into their “one places” with the hope of Jesus. The following are some examples of these praise-worthy wins with students:

Elliot L. (senior), a UT student in NROTC, began to view his military program not just as a place of work but as a mission field. By building intentional friendships, inviting classmates to church, and sharing meals and spiritual conversations, he watched a small biblical community form within his cohort. By the end of the semester, peers were seeking him out for prayer and guidance.

Emma H. (junior) says her involvement in Well College has reshaped her view of evangelism and community. She’s seen her peers actively use their gifts and passions to reach others on campus. From Wednesday Morning Prayer to packed covenant membership classes, she’s witnessed a growing hunger for God and a deep commitment to the mission.

Brady G. (junior) shared how his discipleship relationship with Yusuf equipped him to step into an interfaith dialogue group at UT, where he engaged Muslim students with the love of Jesus. The experience challenged his faith and deepened his trust in God’s calling on his life.

Karina J. (freshman) says she’s been drawn into “deeper, more vibrant, more vulnerable, and more Heaven-like community through CGs and Well College.” She felt a sense of belonging that gave her the confidence to invite others in. God is clearly building something lasting. The mission of Well College Ministry is to equip college students to be faithful disciples who highly value the local church and multiply their faith by reaching the lost on UT’s campus. Our vision is to raise up a diverse group of future residents, missionaries, staff members, church planters, and faithful leaders within The Well. Praise God that He is allowing us to see this come to life in such a powerful way in this season!

The Well Said Podcast launched in 2023 with the goal of equipping listeners with the knowledge and confidence to apply a biblical perspective to current topics. Over two impactful seasons, the podcast has achieved just that—tackling topics such as the power and dangers of the tongue, spiritual gifts, why we commonly misinterpret Scripture, and more. We’ve explored handling theological differences among Christians, the role of faith in voting, identity as defined by culture versus Christ, and countless other relevant subjects. This podcast has been a meaningful resource and blessing for many in our church community.

Here’s what some of our listeners have said: “I feel like I’m a part of the conversation each episode and encouraged to ponder on topics that I don’t normally consider. Thank you for continuing to share your wisdom with the church and giving us things that we can access whenever, for years to come!” “Thank you for tackling hard topics that apply to the difficult times in our city, country, and world.”

This year, we were humbled and overjoyed to see the podcast help change the life of a woman in Pennsylvania. Aislinn, through divine intervention, discovered our church’s podcasts and began listening. Over several years, she was discipled through our sermons and Well Said. In March 2025, she came to faith, accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She courageously reached out via email to share her gratitude and her desire to visit the church that introduced her to her Savior. Tory responded quickly, and in June, Aislinn joined us for Celebration Sunday, where she was baptized by Mary and Tory. Her testimony is a powerful reminder of God’s abundant grace and the ways He uses our faithful offerings to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue the journey. Through December 2025, we’ll release new episodes of Season 3 every other Wednesday, and Season 4 will launch in April 2026. We invite you to tune in and join the conversation! You can find Well Said on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

“Well Said always leaves me feeling encouraged, sparks curiosity and makes me want to discuss with friends! It’s given me a lot to think and pray about. Thank you!”

This past year, The Well’s worship ministry has experienced the glory of His presence in ways that still leave us in awe. From stories of salvation and miraculous healings to people hearing the Lord for the first time, the simple but powerful responses of obedience through worship have marked this ministry and shown that the Lord is on the move!

For so many of our volunteers, being in the worship ministry has been a refining and edifying experience.

Every Thursday, we meet to prepare for our Sunday gatherings—growing in our musical expression and being in community. In the past year, we made it our mission to pray for things that only the Lord could do. So we prayed for healing, restoration, deliverance, freedom, and for lost persons to accept Christ. During our rehearsal time, we were able to minister to some of my neighbors who hadn’t stepped foot in a church in years.

What we saw was the Lord being faithful to His word and acting in accordance with His perfect will. Those who ask, receive. Those who seek, find. To the one who knocks, the door will be opened! Every Sunday, we visibly saw more and more people engaging with the Lord through the music. Hands that were once weighed down by fear were being lifted. Feet that were once shackled by shame were now freely dancing. We saw vulnerability and a hunger for more of God as we joined together in worship.

We believe that a new sound is coming from all that God has done. There is more celebration to be had! We can’t wait to see what God has next for our ministry as we welcome a worship resident and continue to lean into the Lord’s heart for our church. To God be the glory!

Recently someone asked me what I love about our church and Community Groups, and the Lord brought to mind a story. Over the past handful of years, I’ve had the privilege to witness and participate in a journey of transformation that can only be described as the powerful and gracious work of the Holy Spirit in partnership with a willing community of faithful saints.

Many of you may know Ryan Banks and be somewhat familiar with his background. He started coming to our church as an atheist—albeit a curious one! For years, he attended our Community Groups (yes, at one point he was in two different groups!) and listened quietly to what others had to say about this Jesus (and I mean, he really didn’t speak up during discussions!). Yet during those years, he was met with understanding, gentleness, and a spirit of humility when he did ask questions about the Bible and faith. And even more, he found belonging in a loving community that welcomed him and walked with him, encouraging him to take that next step in loving, following, and serving Jesus. This was over the course of years, involving countless of you (CG Shepherds, faithful friends, Sunday serving team leaders, etc.). And in that time, I’ve had the joy of witnessing Ryan accept Christ and get baptized, show up each Sunday to faithfully serve our church week in and week out, and—most recently—join our team of CG Shepherds, leading Braker CG alongside Rachael Stephens and his wife, Anna-Marie.

This is why we do community! And this is my answer. I love our church and our CGs because we get the incredible privilege to watch in awe and wonder as Jesus completely transforms lives from the inside out, breathing life into dry bones, shaping and equipping people, and sending them out to do kingdom work. Thank you, Jesus, for Ryan!

That was one story—there are so many more. I know this because our God is in the business of redeeming the world to Himself, and He is not done! I know this because there are over 750 (and counting!) women and men participating in our CGs each month, choosing to show up and grow toward Christ in community with others. If you are reading this and are part of our CGs—invite the “Ryans” in your life to CG next week! If you are reading this and there is someone new in your CG—say hi to them, even when they are quiet! If you are reading this and not a part of our CGs, this is your invitation. Our desire is that each person feels welcomed into our family, as Christ welcomes us into His (Romans 15:7). We just don’t know what kind of eternal transformation God has in mind for each one of us.

All of this is at the heart of what motivates us as a church to be relentless as we fight for community and encourage you to do the same! Community Groups continue to be the backbone—or lifeblood—of our church and the main way we do life together. And by the grace of God, we are in a season of a lot of growth and health—a true harvest. At all levels, from the individual to the corporate, we see evidence of this! Some key callouts include:

This year our Elder couples stepped in alongside CG Coaches to provide long-term support and development for our Shepherds, creating a lot of felt care, stability, and relational wins.

Year after year, we continue to focus on discipleship pipelines for future leaders, growing in us a culture of multiplication that seems to really be taking root (we launched 6 new CGs this year)! This will only continue to be a big focus next year.

Community Groups continue to be the backbone—or lifeblood—of our church and the main way we do life together. And by the grace of God, we are in a season of a lot of growth and health—a true harvest.

Finally, each week our CGs have discussed and prayed over their personal and CG One Place, leading to many beautiful stories of our people being the hands and feet of Jesus in our city. This is a great start—yet another area we hope to see lots of movement in the year to come…until the whole world hears!

We prayerfully expect this momentum to continue into this new fiscal year, as we humbly submit our plans for CGs before the Lord. Please join with us in praying for every CG Coach, Shepherd, and Member…that everyone who walks through the doors of our CGs would genuinely seek to grow more and more in intimacy with Christ, tasting more of His goodness (Psalm 34:8)!

Our biggest achievement this year has been the launch of our One Place Ambassadors. The messaging from the leadership at The Well has begun to resonate within our Community Groups (CGs). Some CGs are wholeheartedly embracing the idea of selecting a place in the city where they can serve on a committed basis. While not every CG has appointed a One Place Ambassador yet, those that have are experiencing excitement and focus around serving in the areas to which God has called them.

One Place Ambassadors have also led to meaningful stories of impact across our city. Our Braker Community Group partnered with More Than Welcome to host a picnic for four Afghan refugee families. They prepared both American and Afghan dishes, built relationships through shared meals and soccer, and continued the connection by attending one of the student’s basketball games the following week. Our Walnut Creek CG served meals to 45 residents through their One Place, Foundation Communities. Beyond the meal, they began keeping a list of residents’ names so they could continue praying for them by name throughout the week. The Balcones Village CG, whose One Place is Safe Families, gathered supplies and created an “office warming” care package for the nonprofit’s new space. They prayed over the location and dropped off the gift together as a group. Most recently, our Southeast CG showed consistent presence and compassion by serving meals to 45 residents through our One Place partnership with The Other Ones Foundation, a nonprofit serving our unhoused neighbors.

One of the most rewarding aspects of this initiative is the organic nature of serving that is occurring outside of formal group efforts. Individuals within these CGs are stepping up to do extra things for their chosen “One Place”—including running errands, providing financial support, sponsoring events, purchasing necessary items, and offering rides.

In the coming months, we will announce new Serve Austin partners. These partners have been selected based on where our members are already serving. We are committing to consistent volunteer efforts with these partners, providing essential funds for their ministries, and encouraging them to share their needs as they arise.

We look forward to introducing these partners to The Well and celebrating their work in serving the chronically homeless, refugees, orphans, and families in crisis.

We are excited to share stories from covenant members like Jasmine and Jessi, who have done the hard work of going through Recovery.

Recovery at The Well was created to help anyone hurting from their own sin, the sin of others, or the brokenness of life. We hope that through Recovery—like Jasmine and Jessi—you will experience healing and hope in Christ through confession, repentance, and celebration—all in the context of weekly meetings.

We start each night together by hearing a personal story of healing and walking through one of the 12 steps of recovery, which is our curriculum that helps keep us accountable to each other. Then we split into gender-specific groups to share honestly, reflect on that week’s step, and commit to one simple action for the week ahead.

Our leaders want this ministry to be a safe space for everyone, no matter their background. This is a community of brave people who realize that it’s okay not to be okay, and that being well-known by others changes everything. Thanks for being here, and we look forward to walking alongside you as you get the help you need.

Since the Fall of 2023, over 50 people have participated in our 15-week step study through Recovery at the Well. We’re also beginning to see individuals from outside The Well joining our recovery program. These newcomers have come through invitations from others, with some hearing about us from past participants and others learning about us through word of mouth.

This year, we introduced summer training for our leaders and organized enjoyable gatherings for participants to connect and support one another in their recovery journey.

Recovery at The Well runs from the last week of August to the last week of May, and you can sign up at thewellaustin.com/events.

I’m Jessi—I’m a new creation in Christ, recovering from the idols of acceptance, control, and body dysmorphia.

I came to Recovery in February 2024, mostly out of desperation. Despite years of counseling, I still found myself stuck in sin cycles and thought patterns that therapy alone couldn’t break. I had recently lost my mom and was slipping deeper into isolation and depression. When I heard Recovery mentioned during Sunday announcements, I felt a gentle tug from the Lord to check it out.

I showed up with minimal expectations, but the Lord met me right where I was. From night one, the leaders led with vulnerability, creating a safe space where I could begin to name the fears, doubts, and shame I had carried for so long. I remember thinking, “Is it really okay to say these things out loud?” Up until that point, my only experience with confession had been with a counselor—never among peers.

I had been craving real, honest community for years—people who weren’t afraid to talk about the hard things. It was that authenticity that drew me in and ultimately led me to commit to a step study. That journey invited me to dig deep into the roots of my pain and the distorted beliefs I held about myself and about God.

It helped me recognize that while my childhood was marked by addiction, mental illness, and generational trauma, it didn’t have to define me. The Lord wanted to free me from my old coping mechanisms—over-functioning, perfectionism, and chasing validation through achievement, image, and relationships—so I could finally rest in His love, feel safe, and know I am worthy.

Through Recovery, the Lord gently revealed that I didn’t just need healing from what was done to me—I also needed to repent and be restored from what was coming from me: my pride, my need for control, and my self-reliance.

For a long time, I found identity in my pain. I used my story to justify my sin. But the Lord showed me that the purpose of my testimony isn’t to define who I am—it’s to declare whose I am. Through weekly confession and vulnerability, the Lord began to rewrite the lies I had believed for so long.

James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.” That’s what Recovery gave me—healing through honesty, grace, and prayer. The community I’ve found here has become like family and was the catalyst for me becoming a covenant member at The Well.

Recovery has been so impactful that I’ve now stepped into leadership, walking alongside other women in their journeys. It’s a sacred honor to witness their healing and see the redemptive work of God unfold in their lives.

Week after week, I’m reminded that I’m not alone—and I’m continually encouraged by the vulnerability and courage I see around me. Recovery is where we share the “last 10%”—the parts we usually keep hidden—and are met not with shame, but with, “Thank you for sharing.” It’s where God meets us in our full humanity and chooses to partner with us again and again.

It’s a sacred honor to witness their healing and see the redemptive work of God unfold in their lives.

Joel 2:25 says, “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” I’ve seen Him do just that—restoring what was lost, what was stolen, and what once felt too broken to fix.

Freedom, I’ve learned, isn’t the absence of struggle. It’s the ability to follow Jesus even in our weakness. It’s knowing that when I fall back into old patterns, I’m still covered by grace. Healing is a process—but one that always leads us closer to the heart of God. And that’s where true freedom lives.

I’m Jasmine, and I’m a new creation in Christ recovering from an opiate addiction and generational trauma.

I grew up in a Christian household with loving parents, regularly attending church, but I wasn’t aware of the depth that a true relationship with Christ entailed. I was simply taught that if you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then eternity in heaven is guaranteed. Although this is a great concept, it simply brushed the surface. And as a child, I knew very few individuals who served as true examples of what living for Christ looked like. Beginning at the age of 3 and in my earliest childhood memory, I was exposed to infidelity within my parents’ marriage.

Christ-centered and faithful marriages were almost never modeled for me, which led to crippling anxiety, resentment, and major abandonment issues later in life. I grew up believing that all men will either leave or cheat on you at some point, and that remaining faithful is nearly impossible. You basically had to do whatever you could to “keep” a man—even if it meant sacrificing your values and well-being. This lie became true in my mind, as I had seen it modeled from generation to generation in my family. I started drinking alcohol at 15 and developed a dependency for pretty much any and every social situation. I never really felt comfortable with who I was, out of the fear that I would never be truly accepted—especially by men. Alcohol abuse became the norm in order to numb pain, disappointment, and ultimately, reality.

My drinking became such an issue that I ended up in the hospital with alcohol poisoning at 17, damaged relationships, and deeply diminished self-worth. I was chasing something that I thought was going to rescue me and fill a void. But in June of 2022, at 26 years old, I moved to Austin, started going back to church, and officially gave my life to Christ—for what I believe to be the first time as an adult. I felt convicted to give up alcohol entirely, as it was a constant barrier between me and the Lord. I was nervous but really excited to experience what life was like without it. At the beginning of my newfound sobriety from alcohol, I got really into making different mocktails and trying alcohol alternatives in order to live a more clear-minded and healthier lifestyle.

During that summer of 2022, I came across a specific alcohol alternative marketed on one of my favorite wellness podcasts and targeted toward sober individuals. Little did I know that this trendy, new wellness tonic contained an ingredient that is essentially a legal opiate but was not properly labeled or regulated. At the time, there was little to no research on this tonic, so the effects were often compared to that of caffeine—but that was far from the truth. Over a year and a half, I developed a severe addiction to this substance—to the point of being physically dependent, developing health issues, and spending every last dime to be able to dose at all times of the day. I felt so much shame that I had fallen prey to a product marketed as a harmless wellness supplement. I was actively lying about being sober at the time and felt trapped by darkness.

When I felt like I had overcome alcohol, this transfer addiction quickly snuck up on me. In March of 2024, this past year, I once again felt convicted by the Holy Spirit to open up to those closest to me about this complex addiction and was met with so much compassion, love, and grace. I then began my second journey to full sobriety, the detox process—and am one year sober to date. I had tried different programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, but there was the missing Christ-centered element that my heart was craving. When I came across Recovery at the Well, I had no idea the way it would transform my soul and allow me to face parts of myself I didn’t even realize needed to be addressed and set free. Recovery at the Well has not only offered a place for community and accountability, but has begun to heal my inner child. It has allowed the Lord to actively break the chains of codependency, trauma, and addiction. My husband and I got married in May of 2024, and God is working to set a new foundation of trust, oneness, and unconditional love that will carry on for generations to come.

For the first time in my life, I’m learning how to set healthy and loving boundaries with family members in order to protect those future generations. I have met so many amazing individuals throughout my journey of recovery and will continue to work the program in the future. I’ve realized that recovery is a lifelong journey that serves as a part of the sanctification process.

One of the biggest wins from this past year has been watching the Lord deepen and expand our prayer ministry as we’ve followed His voice in faith and obedience.

This has been a year marked by building, growth, and encountering His presence in powerful ways. We’ve seen significant momentum in 2025. Our prayer ministry has grown to include 46 committed team members. Through ministering to others through prayer, we’ve seen people physically, emotionally, and spiritually healed by the power of Jesus during Sunday gatherings and prayer appointments. We’ve hosted over 30 prayer appointments, where individuals have powerfully encountered Jesus as Healer, Comforter, and Deliverer.

Our Prayer Team has specifically seen multiple wins on Sundays specifically—moments where people have encountered the living God in transformative ways. We’ve witnessed individuals place their faith in Christ for the first time, receive healing, experience deep comfort, and grow in their confidence to hear from the Lord. Many came forward burdened and left with peace; another came doubting and left believing.

These stories remind us of the invitation in Jeremiah 33:3: “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Sunday after Sunday, as our team responds in prayer, we’ve seen this verse come to life—God answering, revealing, healing, and saving.

We also released our position paper, Empowered by the Spirit. This position paper was meant to bring clarity regarding The Well’s distinctive “Spirit-Empowered.” We highlighted what The Well believes about certain spiritual gifts, especially those that can be confusing due to different church backgrounds and theological traditions, and how we desire to operate in and practice these gifts as a church community. As part of this clarity, we believe it is important to teach on how God speaks to His people today. We believe that God is a speaking God who desires relationship with His children. He communicates in a variety of ways, all of which must be tested against Scripture and wise counsel. The Bible is the clearest and most foundational way God speaks. It reveals His character and serves as the filter for all other voices. As we approach Him in prayer, the Holy Spirit often speaks to us—sometimes through stillness, impressions, or by bringing clarity and peace. God may also speak through others, using people to affirm, guide, or correct us.

We’ve seen people physically, emotionally, and spiritually healed by the power of Jesus during Sunday gatherings and prayer appointments.

Looking ahead, we are committed to continuing to train, equip, and mobilize people to minister to others through Spirit-led prayer. We believe prayer ministry is one of the key ways The Well lives out its mission and vision. Our focus will remain on Jesus and His Word.

Our prayer ministry is foundational to all that we do. We believe everything we do as a church must be rooted in the presence of God and communion with Him. We are committed as a ministry to earnestly seek His presence, and prayer will remain a central pillar as we move forward into 2026.

This past year has been a blend of recalibration and remarkable fruit in our pursuit of the Great Commission. As a missions team, we’ve taken intentional time to reflect, realign, and renew our approach to international missions—and God has been incredibly faithful in the process.

Early in the year, we recognized a need to refocus our strategy, clarify roles, and rebuild some foundational structures on our missions team. This recalibration was not just about systems, but about re-centering our hearts on the presence of Jesus, the urgency of the unreached, and the importance of Spirit-filled obedience. We asked hard questions, sought wisdom, and made necessary shifts—and the result has been a fresh sense of unity and forward momentum.

One of the clearest moments of celebration came during our Missions Intensive, where 45 people from across our church gathered to center on God’s heart for the nations. It wasn’t just informational—it felt deeply like The Well: Spirit-led, presence-centered, and grounded in the Word. There was a tangible sense of hunger, clarity, and joy. Many left with new direction, fresh zeal, and a deeper understanding of their role in the story God is writing among the nations.

We are preparing to send out two families long term to plant churches among unreached peoples in the coming months. These families have been walking faithfully with our community for years, and we are honored to send them as extensions of our church, to see Jesus worshiped where He is not yet named. Their courage and obedience are inspiring others to consider how God may be calling them to go, too.

Alongside that, our missions team has grown, and God is knitting together a team that is unified in our sending efforts. We’re seeing a culture of missions take deeper root—where evangelism isn’t just for “out there,” but also for here and now. More people are stepping out to share the gospel in Austin, recognizing that the mission field starts at their workplaces, campuses, coffee shops, etc. We’re seeing increasing numbers of members engage their neighbors, coworkers, and international students with boldness and love.

Perhaps most encouraging of all: people are seeing their place in the Great Commission. Whether it’s through praying, sending, giving, or going, individuals and families at The Well are embracing the truth that every follower of Jesus has a role to play in God’s global story. What once may have felt distant or abstract is now becoming tangible and personal.

As we look ahead, we’re filled with expectancy. We believe God is forming a sending culture that will stretch far beyond this year—into the planting of churches, the training of laborers, and the worship of Jesus among the nations. We hope the following stories encourage you.

From The Robbins in Brazil

As we reflect on 2025, our hearts are full of gratitude for all that God has done in and through Sampa Church. This year has been marked by growth, provision, and deep encouragement as we’ve watched God move in the lives of those around us.

Two years ago, the Lord brought Matthew and Jemimah to São Paulo as missionaries. They quickly became part of our community at Sampa and have since stepped in as volunteer associate pastors. Together, we’ve prayed, planned, and pastored side by side—and in the process, we’ve gained dear soul friends. We’ve seen our church family grow not just in number but in willingness to serve.

This year, we welcomed new volunteers across several teams, including Sampa Kids, the visual team, hospitality, and setup/sound. God also led us to start a prayer team that offers prayer after worship in both English and Portuguese, as well as ongoing intercession throughout the week for submitted requests. In May, we launched monthly women’s and men’s gatherings, which have been well attended and deeply impactful. These simple rhythms have helped cultivate discipleship and connection.

One of the most unexpected blessings this year came through a short pastors’ retreat with friends from our college years. They were in Brazil with their church and stayed a little longer so we could step away together. It had been years since we’d spent time with other pastors and their spouses, and this time of rest was full of holy moments.

This June marks nine years of living and serving in São Paulo. And in August, Sampa will celebrate baptisms—six people are already signed up! Meanwhile, Bob has been discipling Thiago, who will preach his first sermon later this year. Watching God grow and call leaders like Thiago reminds us why we love ministry so much.

We’ve also been encouraged by the ways God is providing for Sampa, both spiritually and financially. Faith is growing across generations—among kids, teens, and adults—and we’re seeing the fruit of God’s work in real time. Through conversations at Graded School with students, parents, and staff like Dave, Olive, Joyce, and Manu, and through ongoing relationships with friends like Yara, our 82-year-old Jewish neighbor, and Katia, the woman who sells fruit on our street, God continues to open doors for gospel witness.

As we look toward 2026, we’re excited about the new doors God may be opening. We’ve been in conversation with some newer folks at Sampa who have connections in Paraisópolis, a favela nearby, and are exploring how we can begin meaningful service projects in that community.

August will also mark Bob’s ninth year teaching at Graded School. Each school year brings fresh opportunities to love students, parents, and staff well—and to be a faithful presence that points to Jesus. And this October, we’ll celebrate ten years of serving with Communitas International. It’s a joy to continue working with both the Latin America team and the People Care team.

God is moving across the region, and we feel honored to support and coach missional leaders in Ecuador, Honduras, Peru, and across Brazil.

We move forward with hope and joy, thankful for all God has done—and expectant for all He still plans to do.

As of May 2025, we’ve been in Kobe, Japan for a year now! God has been incredibly faithful through many hard things. He’s blessed us with strong Christian fellowship and with many friendships with non-Christians. We’re excited to share more with you.

One thing God has really been teaching us is the extreme goodness He offers to those who follow Christ. It’s only through the joy of that goodness that we’re sustained to continue the work He’s given us here. Although things can be difficult—and spiritual attack is no joke—we rejoice in our Savior for who He is and what He’s done. In a highly developed country like Japan, we often feel like the only thing we can offer is the hope of the gospel—and what a treasure it is. Our prayer is that Japanese people will come to recognize Jesus as the supreme treasure He truly is.

This year has been marked by growth, provision, and deep encouragement as we’ve watched God move in the lives of those around us.

Our team has been so supportive as Bryan finished language school and began working as full-time staff at our church. They’ve been generous and gracious as we’ve worked to get our feet planted here. We’ve also participated in network-wide retreats with churches from across Japan. Each time, we’ve been encouraged to keep seeking Jesus and reminded of God’s goodness.

We’ve had many opportunities to share Jesus—both in conversations and in Bible studies with language school classmates, and through a group of young adults our friend L invited us to. Through that group, we’ve made many connections and are hopeful that the Spirit will open hearts to hear the gospel clearly and see Jesus for who He is. We’ve been going through an intro-to-the-gospel series called First Steps with several Japanese friends, and we’re praying that God would move them to be baptized.

Esther has been serving in kids’ ministry at our church—creating bilingual lessons each week, hosting community events, and even illustrating a Christian children’s book. Several non-Christian parents have been able to hear the gospel through these lessons. Our church also launched a prayer partner ministry, where members call each other weekly to pray. It’s been a gift to care for our brothers and sisters and be encouraged by their faith—some of whom have spouses opposed to Christianity, yet continue to pray that God would soften their hearts.

Being a multicultural and multilingual church presents challenges, but we’ve seen the Spirit break down those barriers. We regularly witness people loving and serving each other despite communication difficulties and cultural differences. We also sent our former pastor, another couple, and our Japanese intern to plant a new church in Saitama. Bryan preached his first sermon there, which several non-Christians were able to hear.

As of June 2025, three people have been baptized—one Japanese, one Indian, and one Australian—and two more Japanese friends are getting close! We also relaunched our English outreach ministry, English Connect, and have met many people who’ve since come to church and heard the gospel. With the help of three short-term teams this summer, we hosted our first college student events. These have led to a good relationship with a student-run café, and we’ve even had a few students over to our apartment. Bryan was invited to play tennis with some of them! In Japan, where it takes time to build trust, having people in our home is a huge step.

It’s only through the joy of that goodness that we’re sustained to continue the work He’s given us here.

Looking ahead to 2026, we’re praying for continued sanctification and growth among our church members, as well as healing in struggling marriages. We hope to deepen relationships with our non-Christian friends and have further conversations with them about Jesus. We’re also praying for a bigger gathering space—our church now averages around 120 people each week, and we’re nearly out of room.

Mustard Seed Network’s vision is to plant 12 churches in Japan’s 12 largest cities by the end of 2025. Eleven have been planted, with one more to go in Chiba. We’re still gathering a team for that plant. More workers are needed, both to continue planting and to revitalize many old and dying churches across Japan.

But our biggest goal remains the same: to enjoy God for who He is and to share that joy with everyone around us. He has given us the best news in the world—may it fill our hearts and overflow into the lives of others.

Thank you, and we miss you all at The Well!

—Bryan and Esther Davidson

While living in the Middle East for the past two years, I’ve needed to reflect on and challenge my presuppositions of what the Gospel is. If, by definition, it is the “Good News”, then the good news of what? That God exists? That it’s possible to maybe be with Him in Heaven if we follow certain steps? That’s exactly what my Muslim friends believe already – and they follow it with conviction. The difference between our beliefs can’t be as small as a difference in rules. So what is it?

Jesus and others frequently proclaimed: “The Kingdom of God has come near to you!”. This idea populates the New Testament, fulfilling prophecies from the Old. Revelation states that “the dwelling place of God is with man.” So it seems the difference, the beautiful Good News, the same that the Angels proclaimed in Luke 2: “Do not be afraid! The Savior has come to you.”

God comes to us. Not just in the form of Christ, but in Spirit as He seeks out those harassed and helpless, far from Him. In that confidence, I’ve led many devout Muslims in prayer to Jesus, telling them He is listening and near. And that He wants to speak to them, and He has. I’ve stood by as He’s told my dear friend that He calls her “Freedom”. I’ve heard countless accounts of dreams where He proclaims to my friends that there is hope, a treasure worth seeking, or peace unimaginable within their reach.

This is life in the Kingdom of God – nothing to lose, nothing to be afraid of, but freedom to run in and joy to be found. This is why it’s Good News. We’ve seen several Muslim women decide to walk with Jesus, trusting Him with their freedom, both now and for eternity. Many more are on the path, learning slowly to trust Him and hear His voice. Muslims inevitably draw close and run back, making the “salvation” process far from linear. One-time verbal confessions don’t mean much in the long run, but endurant, freedom, joy-filled faith that walks with Jesus; that’s the gold we seek and pray for.

I’ve joined a new team which seeks to always invite Muslims into encounters with Jesus through prayer and Scripture study, all while pointing out the themes of freedom and life to the fullest in the Kingdom of God. Telling people that “Eternal Life” can start now has been hard for many to believe. But as they’ve stepped out in faith and I get to see Him catch them has been the most fun I’ve ever had.

God comes to us. Not just in the form of Christ, but in Spirit as He seeks out those harassed and helpless, far from Him.

By God’s grace, I will stay in my city for another year or longer, walking increasingly in this posture with Jesus in my own heart and in overflow to others. This will also mean another full year of language study. Our team will lead regional training for Muslim and Christian background believers on how to resist fear and embrace true freedom. This brings me into circles of poetry clubs in trendy cafes, impoverished areas with Sudanese refugees, the homes of conservative village families, and of course, coffee shops with my best Arab friends. Wherever I go and however long I stay, as long as Jesus stays near me and the Spirit guides me, it’s going to be an adventure.

What is it about the Gospel that drew you in? We’d be surprised if “the death and resurrection of Jesus” made it into the top five answers to that question for most. Over the past few years—and especially this past year—we’ve been seeing how the Gospel is so much more than just Jesus’ final days.

As we’ve focused on language and culture learning this past year, we’ve had many chances to see this question answered in different ways. Yes, the whole story of the Bible points forward to the ultimate sacrifice that reconciles us to God—but how does God draw people to Himself before and after that often-unknown moment of salvation?

Recently, we’ve seen how God has used seeds of love to draw F toward Himself. One day in language class, F shared how a local worker tried to explain Jesus’ death and resurrection to him. His response was powerful: “I want to know you love me before you share your beliefs with me.” Being loved by a friend—and then hearing that Jesus also loves and desires him—speaks more deeply to his heart than any argument.

And what about H? She’s 21, has three kids, is seven months pregnant with her fourth, and limps around the house in debilitating sciatic pain while still cooking and cleaning for her family. They don’t believe she’s truly in pain and won’t let her go to the doctor. Yes, she needs someone to pay her sin debts. But maybe the mic-drop moment of the Gospel for H is this: “God hears me and believes my cries of pain.” The God who sees her and cares about her suffering is good news. We begin to bring the Light into her life simply by believing her when others don’t (and yes, with a bit of covert physical therapy too).

Or consider Dila, H’s six-year-old daughter. Maybe for her, it’s hearing that God the Father is kind and present—slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. A Father who chases after her, wants to be with her, and comforts her in distress.

And what about our sons? Maybe for them, the Gospel is knowing Jesus as someone who understands what it’s like to change countries and languages as a kid. Someone who is steady. Someone who delights in their uniqueness and walks with them in the unknown—a friend.

Jesus’ death and resurrection is our salvation. But there are so many other pieces that are also the Gospel—the Light, the Kingdom breaking in.

As we continue to grow in language and cultural understanding, we’ll keep discovering the specific aspects of God that individuals and the wider society hunger for. Often, it’s not first and foremost atonement for sin. What was it for you? Was it healing? Acceptance? Freedom from addiction or abuse? The assurance that Jesus won’t condemn you? Hope? Being seen? Being loved? Or maybe it was simply a small act of kindness when life felt lacking in it.

This next year, we’ll shift from primarily language learning to relationship-building and healthcare development. But we’ll always be learning—learning what pieces of the Kingdom, of Jesus and the Father, are most needed here. And as the hands and feet of Christ, we’ll do our best to bring those pieces to our new friends.

Acts 4:12 declares that “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Our short-term trip to Southeast Asia was a walking testament to this very thing—that salvation is found in Christ alone. My hope as you read this is that it stirs your heart to worship and spurs you on as much as it has spurred our team on.

This one particular story is simply one display of the power in the name of Jesus. There was a village our team visited in Southeast Asia where we engaged with a Hindu couple whose son was possessed by a demon. For context, this demon had been with the family for generations. In the past, Hindu priests would come and try to cast the demon out, but they ended up running away themselves. After a few minutes of searching, the team found the son in a corner, rocking back and forth, showing physical manifestations of a demonic presence. After praying and trying to cast the spirit out in Jesus’ name, the son ended up running away. How powerful is the name of Jesus.

Fast forward—the team proceeds to have a conversation with the couple, in which the leader of the long-term team shared that in order for their son to see deliverance, they needed to turn to Christ. After some time, the couple received Jesus and got baptized THAT day!! CMON LORD!!

Side note: a ministry barrier in Indonesia is people pretending to receive Christ so that they can be left alone. But out of God’s kindness, mercy, and power, the team saw true transformation and fruit. Before they received Christ, there was a sense of uneasiness. After they received Christ, the parents seemed more lighthearted. In fact, they expressed gratitude for the team sharing about Jesus and said they felt a peace they had never experienced before. PUJI TUHAN (praise God)!!! They even went on to say that they reject all other gods and proclaim Jesus as Lord.

What a declaration—that you can call out to any “god,” but unless it is Christ Himself, nothing happens. But in the name of Jesus, there is healing to be had. There is deliverance, peace, freedom, and life to be had. There is power, power, power in the name of Jesus. What a declaration. How kind of God to let us witness Him soften hearts in front of our very own eyes on this trip—to see the curse of hell broken.

Though the team did not see the deliverance of the son that day, join us in praying for his deliverance, now that his parents have professed faith in the Lord. What if God moves? What if God delivers this man? What if the entire village professes Jesus as Lord after hearing of their neighbors’ son receiving deliverance? Unless it is the Lord who is saving or moving in power, nothing happens. For it is the power of God that brings salvation (Romans 1:16)! Praise God!

Even as we were with some of the folks on the long-term team, I remember one particular moment that was incredibly worshipful. The call to prayer was blaring in the streets of this neighborhood. As it sounded and people began to worship a false god who could not save them, our team was actively fellowshipping and worshipping right next to that very mosque. Thank You, Jesus, that there are places of worship in the midst of spiritual darkness—that You are actively pushing back the dominion of darkness even right now!

You can call out to any ‘god,’ but unless it is Christ Himself, nothing happens. But in the name of Jesus, there is healing to be had. There is deliverance, peace, freedom, and life to be had.

We met two teenagers who attended an Islamic boarding school, and they shared that they wake up around 3 a.m. for the call to prayer. Man, there are millions of people in Southeast Asia who are desperately trying to earn their way to heaven with no knowledge that there is a perfect and holy God who came, lived, died, and rose for them. Millions who have no idea that this Messiah paved the way to eternal salvation—that anyone who believes and repents would receive the free gift of salvation. The Gospel is GOOD news. Thank You, Lord.

What a beautiful thing that one day, we will see our Southeast Asian brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of God (Revelation 7:9), worshipping alongside us before the throne and before the Lamb of God. Salvation belongs to our God. Puji Tuhan!

Church planting is the idea of starting a brand new church, particularly in places where churches are needed. It has been long studied and proven that church plants are the most effective way to reach those who do not know Christ. Why? Because church plants are rooted in their local communities. They understand the culture, build trust, and carry gospel vitality into places that established churches often can’t reach.

It isn’t just strategic though—it is biblical. The New Testament simply assumes that churches will be formed to reach different areas, and as areas are being reached, that churches will form. Virtually every single NT epistle is written to church plants or to pastors leading local churches. God cares about the multiplication of His church. It is God’s means of redeeming the world to Himself.

So, The Well has a vision to plant 100 churches nationally by 2062, 50 years after we first launched, in hopes of seeing more and more people have an opportunity to hear about—and grow deeper into—the love of Christ.

Practically, we help plant churches by having a residency program designed to raise up future church planters and pastors. This is an immersive 18–36 month residency. Residents join our staff team. They’re trained in theology, leadership, ministry skills, character, and all the unglamorous stuff—like budgets and backend logistics. They’re strengthened in important skills like providing pastoral care, or preaching and teaching. They walk with us, work with us, and learn what it really takes to plant a gospel-centered church—especially in an urban context. And toward the end of their residency, we host interest sessions right here at The Well. That’s where we invite people from our church to consider joining the church plant as part of the launch team. Because again—we celebrate going, not just growing.

Meaning, we give planters money, time, resources, and ultimately cast high vision—and therefore “give” even people—in hopes that more and more people will see the beauty of Christ in different ways. This may seem regular, but only 7% of U.S. churches have ever planted a church, only 1% of churches have planted more than two churches, less than 1% of churches have planted churches globally, and even those who do plant, many don’t give the whole gambit of money, training, resources, and people. So, this is a big deal that you’re a part of!

Church planting is about multiplying expressions of the gospel so that Christ would be as exalted as possible.

So, the vision is simple: How can we plant as many expressions of the gospel as possible, to reach as many people as possible, and help as many people grow as possible—that Christ would be as exalted as possible?

Next, you will see some of these stories of our plants. Though you won’t hear from every past planter or even every current resident, we hope these few highlighted stories will help you see just how important it is to multiply not just disciples, but churches, for the glory of God.

Here at Austin Bridge, we are so thankful for everything God has been doing. This year, we celebrated our 3-year anniversary as a church and have been overwhelmed by God’s provision every step of the way.

Austin Bridge’s vision is to expand God’s Kingdom in the city of Austin and beyond by glorifying God, building community, and reproducing disciples through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We’ve seen powerful growth in each of these three distinctives:

Glorify God • This year, God provided a permanent space for us to gather. It’s become a place of prayer, worship, and fellowship. We were able to host our first Good Friday and Christmas Eve gatherings, as well as a Vacation Bible School where children learned what it means to be Kingdom-minded.

We also partnered with The Branch Network to host a conference where five partnering churches and their staff came together to pray and encourage one another. We are hopeful that this space will continue to be a refuge where many can come to worship God.

Build Community • We multiplied a community group and saw tremendous growth in people committing to Austin Bridge as their home church. We welcomed 15 new members, celebrated three child dedications, and launched new Men’s and Women’s Fellowship gatherings.

We are praying that God continues to grow our community through more group multiplication and deeper relationships rooted in Christ.

Reproduce Disciples • We’ve seen increased engagement with our partners in foster care, adoption, and Safe Families. We also hosted our first missionary impact report before sending a couple back to Guatemala.

One powerful story this year was of a brother who had never stepped foot in a church until he received a flyer in the mail. Our community surrounded him with the love of Jesus, and we had the joy of baptizing him in April!

We are deeply grateful for the ways God has blessed Austin Bridge in this season and for His continued faithfulness. Please pray with us as we continue to cast vision and bridge the gap between the city and the Church.

As we look back on 2025, our hearts are full of gratitude! Praise Jesus! The Lord has been so faithful to Valle. After officially launching our public services in September 2024, God has continued to provide and guide us in so many ways. Our services are fully bilingual.

Every Sunday, we worship through songs in both Spanish and English, and all of our content and communication reflect that. The sermon is preached in English and translated live into Spanish. Lord willing, in September 2025, I (Travis) plan to preach my first full message entirely in Spanish! The Lord has provided for every one of our needs, including a place to meet. We gather each week at Decker Middle School and have been blessed with on-site storage, which means we don’t have to set up and tear down from a trailer each Sunday.

This is an enormous gift to our team! This year, we’ve celebrated five baptisms—people publicly declaring their faith in Jesus for the first time! We’ve also welcomed seven new covenant members and installed two elders to serve alongside me in shepherding the church. Week by week, we’ve walked through the Gospel of John, just finishing up chapter 11.

Again and again, Jesus reminds us that just as He was sent, so we are sent—to go and make disciples. One cool story is of a young man who came to our very first public service last September. Without speaking any Spanish himself, he stayed—coming back every week. Before this, he wasn’t pursuing God and didn’t have much spiritual interest, but because one of our members personally invited him, he came. Since then, the Lord has been working powerfully in his heart. He was baptized in January, began serving in ministry, and officially became a covenant member in June.

We also have multiple stories of how the Lord has used the uniqueness of our church being bilingual to give those in the Latino community a place to feel at home and worship in both languages. In 2025, we participated in seven local community events, partnering with schools and community centers to serve our neighbors through crafts for kids, giveaways, and invitations to church. These events have also opened the door for us to pray with people.

As we look to 2026, we want to be even more rooted in our community. The area east of 183 is still developing, which means there aren’t many natural gathering spaces yet. But we’re committed to continuing to partner with others to be a light in the darkness. We’re also excited to announce that, Lord willing, we will take our first mission trip as a church!

In 2026, we plan to send a team to Guatemala to minister among unreached people groups. This trip would be a huge step in our desire to be a church that not only reaches our neighbors but also the nations—to see more Latinos mobilized to reach the nations. We’re praying that the Lord will use this trip to grow our hearts for global missions.

Please pray for souls to be saved. We’ve planted seeds through community events and personal conversations, so please implore the Lord to bring the harvest forth! As we continue to seek to be a missional church, pray that we might find more ways to engage our community, love our neighbors, and be a faithful witness in a growing area. Thank you, Well Family, for praying, supporting, and walking with us. We are grateful for your partnership in the gospel and can’t wait to see what God will do in 2026!

“A church plant is a new community pioneering the gospel,” says Zach Silver. “It’s like fresh water breaking into dry ground.”

That imagery is more than metaphor; it echoes the final vision in Revelation 22, where “the angel showed John the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” For Zach, planting a church is about creating a place where the presence of Jesus flows freely—healing, restoring, and giving life to a weary world.

Zach and his wife, Rachel, are planting The Garden in South Austin, Texas. Their vision is a church for prodigals—those disillusioned by religion or burned out by culture, yet still aching for beauty, truth, and belonging. “We want to be a future-facing church rooted in ancient truth,” Zach says. “A place of presence, beauty, and mission.” The name draws from Eden, the first garden, the first home—a place where humanity walked with God in the cool of the day. The Garden represents a reclaiming of that union with God—where broken hearts are bound up, ashes become beauty, and weary souls are replanted in hope.

Zach’s call to plant wasn’t born in strength—it was born in need. Raised in a rigid church culture, he walked away from faith. But at his lowest point in college, he cried out—and God answered through two church planters who welcomed him into their lives. “They told me they were planting a church for prodigals, and I knew God was speaking directly to me.” That community restored Zach’s faith and unearthed a buried calling. Over the next decade, he served as a missionary and pastor, but the dream to plant never left. Even before their marriage, Zach and Rachel envisioned a church “for the disillusioned, the lost, the forgotten”—a church that could be, in the language of Isaiah, “a planting of the Lord” for His glory.

“Jesus reads Isaiah 61 when He begins His ministry,” Zach says. “‘The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.’ That calling is still ours—to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty, to comfort those who mourn. The Garden exists for that promise.”

The Garden is Christ-centered and presence-driven. Its rhythms reflect a hunger for deep spiritual renewal, not just attendance. “We believe the Holy Spirit is active and present,” Zach says. “He doesn’t just dwell in doctrine—He dwells in us.” This is also a community shaped by spiritual depth and mutual love. Drawing from Ephesians 3, Zach prays the church would be “rooted and grounded in love,” empowered to grasp “the breadth and length and height and depth” of Christ’s love—a love that surpasses knowledge and fills us with “all the fullness of God.”

Community is not a supplement but the soil. “We’re cultivating a way of life that echoes the Trinity: mutuality, joy, and sacrificial love,” Zach says. Prayer, fasting, and Scripture are not religious duties but sacred rhythms that align the church with God’s heart.

Austin, TX is spiritual—but also deeply post-Christian. “It’s a city full of people who’ve experienced religion but turned away,” Zach says. “They’re not always hostile—they’re just done.” Many Austinites are spiritually curious but institutionally cautious. “We want The Garden to be a home—a place where people formed by secular culture can rediscover the sacred—where they’re known, healed, and reintroduced to the real Jesus.”

“We ask, ‘What is God already doing in Austin, and how can we join Him?’” Zach says. Their leadership values are drawn from prayer, joy, and unity—the kind that flows from kneeling before the Father.

Want to get involved? Financial support also matters as The Garden prepares to serve Austin in word and deed. “God is already at work,” Zach says. “And we’re honored to join Him in planting beauty in the wilderness.”

Zach’s invitation is simple: start with prayer. “It’s the most powerful thing anyone can do,” he says. Then ask God if you’re called to join this planting. “Live fully for Jesus. Let your life be rooted and grounded in love. Live with the desire to hear the words, ‘Well done.’”

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” Psalm 127:1

As Sage moves toward planting a church, the words of Psalm 127 have become the anchor for every step. The psalm’s reminder—that no effort, no strategy, no vision is fruitful unless the Lord is the one building—has shaped not only the mission but the very name: Church 127.

Church planting is, at its heart, an act of trust. It’s the birth of a local expression of the Church, rooted in the belief that God moves powerfully through His people as they gather in worship, community, and mission. For Sage, Church 127 isn’t about launching a project—it’s about joining in what God is already building in the city of Tampa.

Sage and his wife both met Christ in Tampa. Over time, they began to sense God calling them back—not just as former residents, but as builders of a new spiritual home. Tampa is the most unchurched city in Florida, a place with immense need and untapped potential for revival. But Sage is clear: Church 127 won’t be built on charisma or cleverness.

“The Lord placed in me a deep love for people and for His Word,” he says. “Preaching and discipling were passions He stirred in me early. But over time, that passion became a call—to trust Him as the builder, and simply follow.” That trust lies at the core of everything. Church 127 was born not out of ambition, but out of prayer.

Sage’s family is planting not for their own name, but for the sake of God’s Kingdom—because unless He watches over the city, all our effort is in vain. As the vision for Church 127 has taken shape, the verses of Psalm 127 have not only guided their convictions but have become a kind of scaffolding—each line offering insight into what it means to plant a church that is wholly dependent on the Lord.

What follows is Sage’s reflection on that psalm and how its truths have formed the foundation of this work: “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”  Psalm 127:2

In an age of hustle, isolation, and exhaustion, Sage hopes Church 127 will offer a different rhythm—one of rest, belonging, and holy purpose. “We want people to walk into Church 127 and feel like they’ve come home,” he shares. “I come from a big family. That shaped me. We want everyone—no matter their story—to know they are welcome, seen, and deeply loved.” Church 127 exists to make disciples of all nations, to teach the words and ways of Jesus, and to live out the gospel not just in word, but in deed. In a restless world, this church longs to be a place of peace and purpose—a reminder that God gives rest to His beloved.

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”  Psalm 127:3 Just as children are a gift to be nurtured and raised, Sage believes leaders in the church must be formed with the same care, love, and responsibility. His vision for leadership is shaped by the example of Christ—serving rather than ruling, giving rather than grasping. “I want to lead like Jesus led,” Sage says. “And I want to disciple others to do the same—to lay down their lives in service to others. To be shepherds, not CEOs.”

At Church 127, leadership development isn’t about influence—it’s about inheritance: raising up spiritual sons and daughters who will carry the gospel forward and build a legacy that lasts beyond one generation. “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.”  Psalm 127:4

Sage’s vision extends beyond one church. Over the next five years, he hopes Church 127 will send out another church plant nationally and launch an international team to the nations. It’s about raising up and releasing people like arrows—equipped, guided, and sent to proclaim the gospel where it hasn’t yet taken root.

“We want to be a church that multiplies disciples,” Sage says. “A place where people who didn’t even know they needed Jesus find Him—and where those who’ve known Him for years grow deeper and go further.”

As Church 127 prepares to open its doors, Sage and the team know this is a work far bigger than any one family or city. It’s a story God is writing—and they’re inviting others to help shape the next chapters.

Some may be called to join the launch team in Tampa, laying a foundation of worship, community, and mission. Others may give generously, fueling the work of a gospel-centered church. And still others will commit to pray boldly—for protection, for wisdom, and for hearts ready to receive the good news.

Because when the Lord builds the house, the possibilities are endless—and this story is just getting started.

“Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them… But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:26, 33

In a city driven by ambition and reinvention, Mitchell Johnson is doing something unexpected: planting a church not with a blueprint but with open hands. The Way Church, set to launch in 2026, is being formed not around a brand or platform but around a simple hope—that people in Austin might find their way back to God.

The seed of this vision took root long before Mitchell and his wife, Hannah, arrived in Austin. It began during his own college years at Texas Tech, where God stirred in him a desire to shepherd others toward Christ. After nearly a decade of campus ministry and a move to Austin in 2019, that call resurfaced—this time not as a whisper, but with clarity and weight. In a sabbatical season marked by weariness and renewal, God’s invitation came not through a strategy session or a send-off team but through a familiar passage from the Sermon on the Mount.

“The whole point of Matthew 6 is that we’re not in control,” Mitchell reflects. “And that’s exactly how we’re approaching this church plant. With dependence, not ambition.”

The Way Church will begin on Austin’s East Side—an area teeming with students, creatives, and young professionals. But beneath the buzz of the city lies something deeper: disconnection. Austin is spiritually curious but often church-averse. It’s full of those burned by religion or drifting in deconstruction, longing for truth but unsure where to find it. That’s where Mitchell sees the door opening.

“We’re planting The Way to meet people where they are,” he says. “We want to bring the presence of Jesus into dorm rooms and alleyways, not just invite people into a building.”

The name “The Way” is more than a nod to early Christianity—it’s a declaration. In a world full of paths, Christ alone is the way. John 14:6 remains at the heart of the vision, not just as theology but as direction. This is not a plant trying to be trendy. It’s a work grounded in the gospel and shaped by the slow, steady commitment of discipleship.

Mitchell and Hannah know firsthand the cost of this kind of work. The past year has brought both joy and hardship—the birth of their son, the strain of a complicated pregnancy, and the ache of ministry transition. But even in exhaustion, God has used Matthew 6:26 to remind them that His care is not conditional.

“If He feeds the birds,” Mitchell says, “He’ll provide for His Church.”

The Way Church exists to make disciples, not build a crowd. The vision is clear: by 2030, they hope to see 100 community groups rooted across Austin, teams sent both locally and globally, and a culture where every member is formed in the Word and sent on mission. It’s not about expanding influence—it’s about multiplying faithfulness.

And as they prepare for the work ahead, Mitchell isn’t asking others to spectate. He’s inviting them to join—through prayer, generosity, or presence. The team is looking for those who will sow into the soil of Austin, trusting that God will grow what only He can build.

Because church planting is never about the planter—it’s about the One who promises to provide. And if Jesus can clothe the lilies and feed the birds, He can surely raise up a church that points the city to Him.

Whether you’re following the Christian faith and have dedicated your life to Christ, or you’re on the opposite end of the spectrum, chances are you’ve heard that Christ calls His followers to love others and share the Gospel (or good news). Because people are broken, the idea of sharing your faith—or the Gospel—can feel like a strategy or an agenda, both to those sharing and those receiving. If you’re like me and have experienced that, we’ve missed the whole point. God’s sacrifice for us is something I’m still learning and growing in as I spend more and more time with Him.

Now, if anyone has learned to do it the wrong way, it’s me. Thankfully, through those experiences, I’ve found a way to integrate it as an outpouring rather than a forced checklist. First and foremost, it’s about remembering your story with Christ and what He has done for you. The Lord gave me a safe space to be, feel, react, and learn—something I didn’t have elsewhere. Because of that, I want to create space for others to do the same.

In college, I joined the Collegiate Navigators program—which, for me, was a disaster. I learned you had to look, act, and be a certain type of person to fit into that community. It made me wonder how people who didn’t fit the “criteria” could ever experience the love of Christ. I walked away from that experience disheartened by the brokenness of people and knowing I couldn’t support an organization that was supposed to represent Christ’s love.

When I moved to Austin in 2021, I was encouraged to meet with the Navigators City Leaders for people in their 20s and 30s. I was apprehensive—hurt, honestly—but I pursued it anyway. I ended up finding the most lovely group of people who poured more into my early twenties than I ever anticipated. They took me in just as I was and loved all of me—the good, the bad, and the ugly. The Navigators helped equip me to pour out Christ’s love for others.

Back to the beginning of this article: we often get stuck on the idea of Reaching the Lost because we think it has to look a certain way. But all the Lord is truly asking is that we stop dividing our lives into separate compartments—work, church, community, family, friends—and instead see it all as one integrated life. One place. One story. One witness. That you get to share with every person you encounter.

It’s scary because it requires vulnerability and the sacrifice of personal comfort. But when you remember what Christ has done for you—and stop treating your life as separate “you’s” in different settings—sharing the good news becomes natural. It becomes the overflow of your soul, because it’s coming from your whole self.

Don’t believe me? I wouldn’t either—unless you knew me. Here’s a quick example and fun fact: I strongly dislike planning events or anything that requires organizing people. Nothing stresses me out more than logistics. And yet, by the grace of God, I plan bimonthly volunteer events for our community group that involve more logistics than I’d like to admit. Why do I do it? Because I love people, and I know that showing up for the Esperanza Community is bigger than me. I know the smiles we share, the conversations we have, the food we serve, and the safe space we create are far more important than my borderline hatred for planning. I trust that Jesus’ plan is greater than mine, and I’ve seen—both in Scripture and in my own life—how Jesus redeems and uses even the smallest things for the good and love of others.

When you begin integrating all parts of your life with the present moment you’re living in, the Lord will surprise you.

If you’re still unsure, I challenge you: take just one day. Start it with the Lord—remembering what He has done for you. Then go about your normal day (work, coffee with a friend, grocery shopping), pausing in small moments to remember what you spoke with Him about that morning.

It is both easier and harder. Easier, because the Lord uses His infinite strength through you. Harder, because it requires you to remember. But that’s what makes the day more joy-filled and more purposeful.

It’s not about us having the perfect words or doing everything right. It’s about remembering what Christ has already done—and trusting that He’ll do the rest. It’s not what you think, but it’s both easier and harder.

In April of 2022, I quit my corporate job with no other job lined up. After moving to Austin during the pandemic in 2020, I found myself completely burned out—mentally drained to the point that I was ready to sell the house I had bought just a year earlier if I couldn’t find new work within four to six months. The “work/career” part of my life was not in a good place.

I had been following Jesus for most of my life—more seriously since being baptized in 2015—but this particular area of my life always felt separate from my walk with Him.

Around that time, I took a class at The Well called Repurpose and Awakening to help find some faith-rooted direction in my life. It was the first time I truly acknowledged that I’ve been given a unique mission and vision from God. In parallel, I felt a deep conviction to learn how to be a disciple of Christ, which is why I chose The Well as my home church—with its distinctives to exalt, disciple, and send. I didn’t fully understand what that meant at the time. I also didn’t understand much about the Great Commission—that we are called to make disciples of all nations—nor how that applied to me when I didn’t feel “called” to go to the nations. Still, I knew it mattered, because Jesus says it does.

Toward the end of 2022, I joined a Disciple Making Cohort (DMC) out of a deep conviction: If I believe Jesus is as good as I say He is, why wouldn’t I want to share that good news with those around me? Despite serious reservations—so intense they brought me to tears at the thought of evangelizing to strangers—the DMC opened my eyes to how I could participate in what God is already doing in people around me. It actually eased my fears and helped me grow more confident in what I believe: the simple gospel of Jesus.

A friend once said that all Christians have the same calling: to love God and love others. The way that gets lived out will look different from person to person. These simple yet profound truths began to shape how I understood my purpose in God’s Kingdom.

Until recently, much of my identity was wrapped up in what I did for work—my salary, my title, and the prestige of where I worked. I had been part of teams that produced mega-concerts and special events for 20,000+ attendees. I brought hundreds of people to bucket-list experiences like the Kentucky Derby and the Indy 500. I traveled all over the U.S. and genuinely enjoyed it—until, out of nowhere, I started experiencing extreme anxiety.

I confided in a mentor, who helped me understand why I might be feeling that way. She pointed out that the environments I was creating were built on excessive spending, alcohol, infidelity, and shady business practices. Nothing I was doing was illegal, but she challenged me with a question I’ll never forget: Does your work smell good? She was right—millions of dollars were passing through my hands to secure business deals built on debauchery and quiet bribery. And it stank.

So I pivoted. I landed a job at Google on the Chrome Enterprise team in Silicon Valley. The timing was perfect—just three months before the pandemic hit. I was able to work remotely while most of my former colleagues lost their jobs. The work felt more meaningful—we were helping companies keep their workforces securely online at an unprecedented time. The work smelled better. And yet, I still found myself drained—more stressed than ever.

Sure, the pandemic played a part. But more than that, I believe it was tied to how I viewed my identity in Christ.

When I became fun-employed by choice, I began to dig deep into what it means to work faithfully, sustainably, and responsibly—and, ultimately, what God says about work. I quickly realized that to understand God’s view of work, we first need to understand who we are and why we’re here in the first place.

That answer is found in Genesis 1 and 2—before sin entered the picture, before the Great Commission was even necessary. The first commission God gives humanity isn’t to make disciples—it’s to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, subdue it, and rule over it. As image-bearers of God, we’re meant to reflect the loving unity of the Trinity and cultivate the raw materials of creation for human flourishing. In other words: work.

That first commission still holds true today, though now it’s complicated by the curse of sin in the world and in us. While we’re still called to co-create with God, we’re now also called to bring healing, justice, and beauty to a broken world. We make disciples so that all people—every tongue, tribe, and nation—can return to their original identity and calling. The Great Commission exists to restore us to the First Commission.

After reading countless books, listening to sermons and podcasts, and joining a cohort of others asking the same questions, I came across the idea of the “unabridged gospel”—a phrase used by author and podcast host Jordan Raynor. This is where I began to rest my identity and find deep, holistic meaning in my work. Jordan says it like this:

“The good news of the gospel is not just that I get to go to heaven when I die, but that I get to partner with God in revealing heaven on earth until I die.”

That idea unlocked something for me—and it was just the beginning.

Later, I had the opportunity—along with two friends—to teach what we had learned to others at The Well through a class called How to Bring the Kingdom of God to Work. This class isn’t a roadmap for evangelism, nor a pitch to go into vocational ministry. Instead, it’s a comprehensive vision for work within the greater story of the gospel.

We aim to challenge the idea that a truly spiritual calling must involve full-time ministry, missions, or working at a church. Our hope is that people leave the class with a better understanding of God’s First Commission, how it connects to the Great Commission, and how their unique position fits into that calling.

We want to help people gain a conviction of God’s heart for their vocational work, understand their identity as image-bearers, and see how that identity informs their calling and purpose—here and now.

“The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29–31

In 2022, my wife and I joined Refuge Community Church after seeing a sign in our neighborhood. Refuge had just moved locations—now only a ten-minute walk from our front door. At the time, we were attending The Well, a faithful and formative church family. But over time, God began stirring a conviction in me: to localize my life. I didn’t just want to live in a neighborhood—I wanted to be known there, to serve there, and to see the gospel take root there.

Refuge wasn’t just nearby—it was focused. It existed to proclaim the gospel and serve “the 44,” our zip code. That kind of neighborhood-level ministry captured my heart. I began to believe this is what church planting is uniquely positioned to do: not just create more churches, but plant them where people actually live and are known. I didn’t want to simply attend a church in my city—I wanted to be part of one in my neighborhood.

Of course, that shift came with a cost. We left deep friendships and a Community Group we had led. It was painful to step away from something so good. But the fruit has surprised us. Some from our group went on to join other church plants, and those threads began to form new ties across the city. The time with old friends may be less—but the mission is stronger. We’ve seen the gospel advance not in spite of our scattering, but because of it.

Church planting calls for a different kind of commitment. It asks you to show up—not because the event is big, but because your absence is felt. With only 50 people, it’s hard to hide. It invites you to serve—not because the need is desperate, but because the work is shared. At Refuge, nearly everyone plays a role. And while that can stretch you, it also forms you. It reminds me that the call to serve isn’t reserved for the elite or the eager—it’s for every believer who belongs to Jesus.

And that’s the point: no one is just attending. We are the church. Together, we gather to worship, to encourage one another, and to serve the people around us. The gospel calls us to that life whether our church has 50 people or 5,000. But in a church plant, you can’t assume someone else will do it. You either respond in obedience—or you don’t. In the end, that’s what makes church planting beautiful. It’s the gospel on the move. A new neighborhood hears the good news. A new outpost of the Kingdom is formed. For us, it was an easy decision—because the mission field was our street.

We came to Austin to settle down—not to start something new.

Like many others during the COVID-era great migration, my wife, Alex, and I moved here in 2021 with a deep longing for community. After helping plant a church in North Carolina, we were certain of one thing: we were done with church plants.

We had left that experience confused and disoriented. It was the middle of COVID, we were isolated from the physical body of believers, and life didn’t look or feel any different. The church had never become the kind of community we felt called into.

Finding The Well was a breath of fresh air. We loved the teaching and the classes. We loved the diversity. We loved the focus on justice and mercy. We loved the vision for building community. The emphasis on church planting felt like the fine print—technically there, but easy to skip over.

We were just beginning to get rooted at The Well when a few subtle nudges started to interrupt our comfort. Conversations with our Community Group shepherds pushed us to consider where God might be calling us to deeper faithfulness. They saw something in us that we couldn’t yet see. Around the same time, our friend and fellow Southeast CG member, Nick Garza, introduced us to Juhan Kim, who was preparing to plant a new church called Austin Bridge.

During our Well membership interview with the Kims, it became clear to me that God was calling us to join Austin Bridge. Alex was, understandably, more cautious. We had been through a lot at our last church plant, and we were finally experiencing the kind of community we had prayed for throughout seven years of marriage. Leaving that behind to join a group of people we barely knew felt crazy.

We wrestled. We prayed: God, what are You doing? Why bring us to Austin only to lead us away from the church we thought You had called us to?

And yet, through all our questions, we heard a quieter one from God: Where are you needed?

Then, things started to unfold. When our CG shepherds encouraged us to consider shepherding one day, we laughed it off. Months later, Juhan asked us to do exactly that. When we wondered how we could possibly afford to live near the Domain, where the church was planting, God provided. A friend had a rental home in the target area and offered it to us at a discount. It was just minutes from the Domain. Every step we took in faith, God met with provision.

If we had any doubts about where we were needed, God made it abundantly clear. Joining Bridge wasn’t part of a grand life plan—it was an act of reluctant obedience. The Holy Spirit stirred something in both Alex and me. We still struggle to put it into words, but the prompting was unmistakable: Go. Be faithful. Trust Me.

Thankfully, we had a great community at The Well that affirmed and supported the call. Still, the ups and downs were real. Leaving The Well was painful. Church planting is hard. It’s slower. It demands more of you. The community we found so quickly at The Well came much more slowly at Bridge. The shepherds who had poured into us were no longer nearby, and suddenly, we felt the weight of becoming for others what they had been for us.

At The Well, we could fade into the background. At Austin Bridge, we couldn’t hide.

And yet again, God met us.

Not everyone is called to join a church plant. But I wonder if more of us are than we think. How often do we miss out on what God wants to do in us—and through us—because we assume someone else will say yes? Or because we believe we’re not enough?

Church planting isn’t just The Well’s mission. It’s Jesus’ mission. The call to “go” didn’t end in Acts, and the Holy Spirit didn’t stop moving or empowering. He’s still working today.

As it turns out, that part of The Well’s vision we once glossed over? It’s become the very place where God has sanctified us and taught us to trust in His goodness.

Our faith, our marriage, and our relationships are stronger now than ever. The burdens we thought we’d carry alone have been shared by a small community earnestly seeking the Lord. And the more we stepped out in obedience, the more strength God gave us—not just to keep going, but to help build something that will outlast us.

This year, the words of Paul from Colossians 4:3–6 have stood out to me:

“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ…that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt…”

Do you ever think about who you share the gospel with, and with that, how you share it with them? If we read through Acts, we see that Paul would share the gospel in different (but non-compromising!) ways that led to different groups being persuaded by the gospel message (Acts 17:4; Acts 18:4). So we see this reiterated in Colossians 4:3–6. Paul is asking us to be intentional in our speech toward outsiders, being sure that we “make the best use of our time,” “letting our speech…be seasoned with salt,” with the ultimate goal of “knowing how we ought to answer each person.”

Awareness Campaign

To that end, we made major strides in how we shared about what God is doing at The Well. One of the categories in our Vision Fund campaign from December 2023 was the “Largest Need: Outreach,” in which we focused 40% of giving toward this initiative. This led to a 9-month focus—from June 2024 to March 2025—to build long-term awareness of The Well toward the lost—“outsiders,” as Paul would say in Colossians.

With that in mind, we ran our first awareness campaign—a city-facing initiative to introduce The Well to more people in Austin. Our objective was to increase our aided awareness of The Well among the City of Austin from 7.8% to 8.5% (16,800 people) by March 2025.

We mainly did this through OOH (out-of-home) channels—billboards and buses—with the campaign “Community Done Well.” We went with the message of “Community Done Well”—one of the things we all know and love about our church is that the barrier to entry to get connected into community is low—this is something we have heard time and time again over the years.

The campaign was wildly successful—we increased our awareness from 7.8% to 19% (268,000 people) in the city of Austin. We’ve again been calling this fiscal year one of harvest, and we saw immense harvest among the lost. Of course, someone might ask, “If 268,000 more people have heard of The Well, why isn’t our church suddenly that much bigger?” That’s a great question—and the answer is that points gospel impact works over time. Just like in farming, some seeds take root quickly, while others grow slowly beneath the surface. This campaign wasn’t about instant growth—it was about planting for the future. The goal was to make The Well more known in our city, so that when someone in Austin starts to seek God, or look for community, we’re on their radar. That kind of awareness makes the good news of Jesus more accessible when people are finally ready to hear it.

Website

Another big milestone was the launch of our brand-new website. This was a two-year project with the following goal: everything can be done on the website.

Want to listen to a sermon? Website. Want to listen to Well Said? Website. Want to see where we’ve sent our missionaries? Website. Want to see where we’ve sent our national church plants? Website. Want to read stories from our people in our church community? Website. Want to find CGs (with a better filter)? Website. Want to read nerdy-resource articles from our staff and leaders on topics like marriage, community, or justice? Website. Want to join a serving team? Website. Have a prayer from our staff? Website. Questions about an event? Website.

Everything can be done on the website.

Our website was designed for more clarity, more mission alignment, and we think it will be easy for every person to find what they need.

Both the campaign and the website were built with the same heart: to remove barriers and make it easier for people in Austin—and within our church—to encounter Jesus. Whether it’s someone seeing a bus ad during a hard season or someone finding a gospel resource online at midnight, we want The Well to be there when God opens the door. These tools are just the beginning of how we prepare the soil for gospel conversations, trusting that God will bring the growth in His timing.

Wow, once again I get to come to you with great news about our financial status as a church. We have completed 10 months of our fiscal year—with 8 of those months being our highest ever in giving! I don’t feel like it’s possible for this reality to fully sink in, but as some of you remember, less than two years ago we were unsure where we would be financially. But look at God! Eight months of highest-ever giving in FY25 is truly incredible!

I’ve been reflecting on how evident the harvest has been in our church holistically, and how our giving has reinforced that again and again. Thank you for serving your church by giving of your time, talents, and treasures. We could not do this work without your generous and sacrificial giving. It has put us in a great position to continue dreaming and praying big for God to keep moving in our church and city.

In FY25, we supported 14 missionaries in the field, sent a family on a vision trip and commissioned them to be sent to the nations in just a few weeks, and sent six short-term mission teams. We hired three different church planting residents and will commission them in the coming year(s). We had five college students complete our Summer Discipleship Program, over 80 children attend our Well Kids Bible Camp, countless people come to faith, and many more gospel conversations happen—here in Austin  through our awareness campaign and across the world. The things we have to celebrate could go on and on. God has been so good to us and has given us victory after victory!

Looking ahead to this next year, we are anticipating the same kind of harvest to continue—and far more to celebrate together. We were able to increase our budget to support our vision, and will be giving even more of our giving to church planting, both nationally and internationally. We will see a 1% increase in each area, bringing us to a total of 17% of our budget going toward our vision of planting 100 and 100. This is very significant, and it makes me so thankful to be a part of this team and the work God is doing through The Well!

I’ll share more details about this past year, along with some additional celebrations and where we’re heading next, on Sunday, August 21. I’d also love to talk more or answer any questions—so feel free to reach out to me anytime at
chandler@thewellaustin.com.

Thanks again for partnering with us. I love this church, and it’s my great joy to do ministry alongside each one of you!