Gervais Family
West Houston, TX
Who are the Gervais?
I was born in west Houston and was raised by my mother and grandma. My brother and I watched my mom work hard as an immigrant to raise us, and much of her work ethic and resilience in the face of pressure shaped my own drive to be successful. God called me into ministry when I was 14 years old. I began working in full-time ministry in the missions department of Houston’s First Baptist Church after my freshman year of college.
Grace and I met at Houston Christian University, but didn't begin really "talking" until 4 years later while Grace was a senior. I double majored in Christianity and Political Science, and then got my MA in Apologetics (Philosophy) from there as well. I became the first person in my family to graduate college and receive a graduate degree. Grace double majored in Psychology and Child Development, and loves teaching children. God has blessed our marriage over the tears, and we have 4 kids (Jayden, Aria, Judah, & Mila).
In 2018, God began to stir a new calling for me and made it clear that He had called our family to church plant. As we’ve prayed, God has continually drawn us back to where I grew up. I came to faith when missionaries moved to my apartment complex and started an apartment church. We are excited to build on that legacy of faith and raise up house church pastors to minister the gospel on this side of the city.
Partnership with Church Project Network
Why West Houston?
When people talk about the diversity of Houston, west Houston embodies that reality. We are a diverse place that has gated communities sharing a fence with low-income apartments with refugees. We have the Energy Corridor where many of the largest oil and gas companies office. Just a few miles south we have one of the epicenters of human trafficking in the city of Houston. In Alief-ISD there are more than 85 languages spoken in the homes. There are mosques, Tau Temples, and other religious temples everywhere.
When we talk about making disciples of all nations, west Houston is vital in achieving that end here in Houston. God has brought the poor, rich, expatriate, religious seeker, and refugees to this part of Houston. We believe that God is calling us to raise up House Churches to reach this part of the city with the gospel.