Every week I either have a phone conversation or an appointment with someone who is interested in learning about what makes us tick at Kingsland. Last week, however, someone framed the question a little differently and asked me what it is I love most about Kingsland. The answer to that question is easy because what I love most about Kingsland is what makes us tick — what makes us who we are as a body of believers seeking “to love God, love people, and equip the generations one home at a time.”
This past Father’s Day I observed thirty-five years in full-time ministry. Next week I will observe eight-years of service as Kingsland’s missions pastor. Without question, my years at Kingsland have been more than adventurous, amazing, enriching, and fulfilling for me. I feel that I am the most blessed guy on the planet because I serve at Kingsland. So, it’s not hard for me to answer the question, “What do you love most about Kingsland.” As I observe my eighth year of service at Kingsland, here are eight of the many reasons why I love our church.
I love that we are committed to growing the kingdom of God. Kingsland has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to extending the rule and reign of God in the hearts and lives of the people in our community all the way to the ends of the earth. We believe that if we will focus on growing the kingdom of God, He will take care of growing Kingsland. We have, and He has!
I love that we care about other churches. We have come to the aid of struggling churches and have assisted them with mortgage payments, making repairs and updates to their facilities, and sending teams to help with community outreach initiatives. We are not just concerned about what happens on our campus because we understand that we are in partnership with the larger body of Christ in Katy and around the globe.
I love that we are leveraging our debt-free dollars to make a difference beyond our campus. We recently paid off the mortgage of our local pregnancy help center thereby enabling them to invest more of their resources in enhancing client services. We have started our third daughter church, Bethel Bible Fellowship, and also continue to set aside funds to bless other ministries in our community. We are committed to strengthening the body and the work of Christ in Katy and beyond.
I love that we care about those in need. Loving and caring for widows and orphans, victims of human trafficking, the homeless, and the least of these is important to us. The people of Kingsland have stepped up in a huge way to help families in the adoption process, in mentoring and providing meals for inner-city kids, in responding to critical needs in times of crisis, and so much more. We are committed to looking for Jesus in the distressing disguise of those in need and then responding accordingly.
I love that the people of Kingsland have developed peripheral compassion. Our members have learned to slow down and to look more intentionally at our community. As a result they have become aware of needs that are easily overlooked and responded compassionately to meet those needs. More than once, people in the community have said to me, “Oh, you’re from that church that cares for people.”
I love that we are a missional community. Over the past several years we have moved from an attractional paradigm (come and see) to a missional or incarnational paradigm (go and serve). That simply means that we are doers of the Word. We don’t just meet to consume Bible calories. We intentionally burn those calories off by living out what we believe. Our metrics have changed from only counting the people who come to our campus to refuel to counting the people who leave our campus to serve.
I love that our kids love God and the nations. Kingsland kids are amazing. Throughout the year, kids stop by my office to drop off money they have received or earned and ask me to use it to help kids in other nations. Our kids understand that they can make a difference now. I am grateful for parents that have taken seriously their responsibility as the primary faith-trainers of their children and who model for their kids what it means to love and serve others.
I love those with whom I serve. I serve with an amazing team of people at Kingsland. Our pastoral and support staff are deeply committed to fulfilling our purpose as a church. Each of our team members serve passionately and compassionately and desire nothing less than making God’s name famous in Katy and beyond. We are not perfect but we are determined to work together to spread God’s glory and advance His purposes.
These are only a few of the many reasons why I love Kingsland. We are by no means a perfect place because we are a community of imperfect but forgiven people who simply desire to make God’s name famous throughout the globe. I am grateful to God for the privilege of being a part of such a wonderful church family. I love our church.
What about you, Kingsland members. Why do you love Kingsland?
Go Beyond 
Ditto all of the above and…I love the people at Kingsland. Our church loves one another really well!
By: Amy Granger on June 27, 2013
at 5:32 PM
I’ve been a member of Kingsland for almost 30 years. I love my church because Kingsland is a house of prayer. Favorite part of the day is praying together as a staff each morning. (And making sure I’m standing by the right person)
By: Patricia on June 27, 2013
at 5:43 PM
Wow, I could not have said it better! I love Kingsland in all the ways you mentioned. I feel so blessed to be a part of this amazing staff and incredible church family! Thanks for sharing these insights and observations. Doyle Lowry
By: Doyle Lowry on June 27, 2013
at 5:49 PM
Well said. I couldn’t agree more!
By: Kimberly Davis Heston on June 27, 2013
at 5:50 PM
Ditto and I love my ABF Faith in Action.
By: Beth Francis on June 27, 2013
at 5:51 PM
I love Kingsland because…
1. The Pastors are REAL! They live what they preach!
2. I have been taught how to love people and and serve in my community and around the world well (and still learning).
3. I have learned from Kingsland believers, who have been followers of Christ a lot longer than I have, how to raise my children to follow our Savior no matter what the world thinks.
4. I became a believer and a follower of Christ at Kingsland and there is simply no other place to do life in the way our Father expects us to live it out.
My list could go on…
By: Sterling on June 27, 2013
at 6:04 PM
I love that Kingsland aggressively seeks out those who need love.
I love that Kingsland is not just a place to meet but it is a united group of people seeking to serve the Lord.
I love that Kingsland members take care of one another.
I love the vision and the ever growing goals that Kingsland has.
By: Kristen on June 27, 2013
at 6:16 PM
I love Kingsland because I see people I have come to love living out what Christ taught in practical and real ways. Every day I hear about or read about someone from KBC helping someone else in need. Sometimes it is in our neighborhoods, sometimes it is in the Greater Houston area and sometimes it is around the world. The common denominator is people who love God intentionally loving people in need. Thank you Pastor Omar for leading by example. You have challenged me and my family to Go Beyond and get a few blisters and be part of the incredible journey of Life in Christ!
By: Kara Potts on June 27, 2013
at 6:32 PM
Thanks Omar for another wonderful blog. There are so many others things that Traci I love about Kingsland, we do not have room to mention. However, we will add to your reasons…our staff is unbelievable. You guys are awesome. Your love for Jesus, your passion for people, and your ability to lead by example is what makes our church the family that it is. We love you.
By: Gil on June 27, 2013
at 6:35 PM
Kingsland has been a part of my life for over 20 years and I love all the things you have said as well. I also love that this is a place where growing is constantly taking place on so many levels. Most of all I love that this is a place where you will find our Lord God Almighty!
By: kristin dry on June 27, 2013
at 6:51 PM
Generation One and the 3rd Ward community loves Kingsland!!! Kingsland came along side Gen One around 6 years ago and helped us serve the community and grow the ministry. I can’t remember a time when we have not had committed Kingsland members volunteering with us!! We have always been able to count on Kingsland!!
mike malkemes
By: Mike malkemes on June 27, 2013
at 7:06 PM
I love Kingsland because, as can be seen from the above last photograph, I am not the only bald head in the church family (2 Kings 2:23). Believe it or not, I am serious about that comment. Our church is comprised of imperfect people yet we love each other closer than a family. My wife and I have been members of Kingsland for almost 20 years. We have seen many changes in the church during that time but one of the things that doesn’t change is the love that we have with our other brothers and sisters in Christ. We have struggled together, grown together, cried together, shared joy together. We have rejoiced in births and mourned in the passing of some of our family. Despite the changes, we have stayed together. We are excited to see how God uses Kingsland now and in our next phase. Keep rowing Kingsland Family! In all this “family”, God is glorified, Christ is lifted-up, the Holy Spirit is allowed to move; a fruit basket is gathered by our Father’s angels. Thank you Omar for reminding us of our joy, our purpose, our life together.
By: Jeff Work on June 27, 2013
at 7:14 PM
Congratulations on your 8 great years at Kingsland. We (and you) had no idea what God had planned for us under your leadership in missions. It has been life changing for young and old. So grateful for my own personal experiences and the growth of our church.
What I really love about our community is how much is done ‘under the radar’ for people by people who love well.
I am very proud that we are a church who is intentional and committed to the Sanctity of Human Life for the unborn and the women who are affected by abortion.
By: Mary Whittington on June 28, 2013
at 1:05 AM
I love Kingsland because our heart is not about growing the kingdom of Kingsland. I love our vision of loving God, loving people, and equipping each member to serve God, using their God given gifts and passions to add new followers to HIS church. I love Kingsland because of the people I’ve gotten to know and serve with the last 16 years. I am challenged, encouraged and honored to call Kingsland my church family. I love that Kingsland’s is a faithful steward of the gifts God has blessed us with. I love that we are debt free so that we can be generous and give tangible care to the lost and forgotten, point them to Jesus, birth new churches and invest in eternity.
My prayer for Kingsland is that we may continue to : “Let the glory of His name be the passion of our church, let the righteousness of God be the holy flame that burns, let the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives” .
Sandy
By: Sandy Westervelt on June 28, 2013
at 8:11 AM
What do I love about Kingsland – where to start. Kingsland has been a part of my life for almost 35 years now, and I’m only 43 years total! The thing I love the most is that during that time span KBC has been a part of some of the most important events in my life – I accepted Christ as my Savior at Kingsland, Kristin and I were married at Kingsland, both our kids accepted Christ as Savior as a result of KBC (one while at River Bend Baptist – daughter church, one back at Kingsland), mission trips with KBC – expanding our horizons. I also love the passion that our members have for Christ and “Going Beyond”. Thank you to all the staff for loving God and loving people.
By: Jim Dry on June 28, 2013
at 8:21 AM
As I mentioned in one of our conversations when I was there at Kingsland a couple of weeks ago Omar; I knew you were blessed to be able to serve the Lord in such a bold, passionate, and adventurous way. But what really touched me was how blessed you are by the people around you in the Kingsland community. God is pouring out blessings into and through Kingsland in very special and loving ways.
By: Chad Prigmore on June 28, 2013
at 10:31 AM
O,
I love Kingsland for so many reasons. If I had to sum it up it would be to say I love how Kingsland loves people and meets their needs where they are.
I love that Kingsland walks along side parents in discipling our kids. I love that Kingsland has a great missions program to reach Katy Tx, Tx in general, The US, and the entire world and share the Gospel of Jesus. I love how the pastors all get along and work together for God’s glory. I love that we are a church that doesn’t want to build the name of Kingsland, but we want to give glory to God and build the name of Jesus!
By: Herschel on June 28, 2013
at 10:52 AM
I love Kingsland people. Our people come to Kingsland, it seems, because of a common goal….to make GOD famous and not Kingsland. I love how being at Kingsland has stretched me and continues to challenge me in my walk with the Lord.
I love the real people at Kingsland. I love the intensity with which they love God. Kingsland has been a blessing and an answer to prayer. It is my home and has been for the last 7 years.
By: Kay on June 28, 2013
at 1:31 PM
Why I LOVE Kingsland. . . . Because we care about the ORPHANS. I have three beautiful children all adopted and was foster mom to two more. Kingsland has walked that path with me on our journey. I LOVE the awesome staff and I LOVE the people who poured their love and the love of Christ into my three kiddos who all accepted Christ at Kingsland. Kingsland will always have my heart!
By: Robin Espey on June 28, 2013
at 2:56 PM
I, too, love serving the Lord at Kingsland! I have been on staff at Kingsland for over six years now, and I can honestly say I have seen the Lord at work through every season. I love that we are a generous church. I love that parents seek to be intentional in training their kids spiritually. I love that we are a church committed to discipleship. I love that we are a church that seeks to serve the least of these. I love our heart to share the Good News of Jesus to the lost in our neighborhoods and our world. I love that we are committed to helping families work through tragedy and find healing through Jesus. I love that our church is a house of prayer. I could go on and on, but ultimately I love that the body of Christ at Kingsland loves Jesus. It is evident that God has done and is doing a great work here. I feel so privileged to be a part of this body!
By: Trisha Stevens on June 28, 2013
at 3:05 PM
There are so many reasons to love Kingsland! Being on staff, there is so much work that goes on behind the scenes of every Sunday as well as… Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. From worship/ABF to all events that occur on any given day, week, month or year; Kingsland draws everyone closer as a family and more importantly our faith in God. I am so fortunate and blessed to be a part of the Kingsland Family for the past 7 years and can’t wait for what is ahead and to be a part of the future at Kingsland enriching lives “to love God, love people, and equip the generations one home at a time.”
By: Dan Bradshaw on June 28, 2013
at 11:54 PM
When I moved to Katy eight years ago, I started attending Kingsland because two of my children were very involved in this church. I joined the church and the ABF, Christian Fellowship. I’ve never before had such a sense of community. Kingsland people are so welcoming, loving and truly care for their own, others and the nations. I’m so happy to be a part of this place of Christ followers. I love Kingsland Baptist Church!
By: Ann Harris on June 29, 2013
at 1:51 PM
Kingsland is an amazing church! I am thankful to God for so many reasons for using this precious church in my life. Here are a few:
1. Faithful people who serve and herald the gospel to preschool, children and adults. God used people from Kingsland to give me clear understanding of salvation and discipleship. I am and will be forever grateful!
2. For the incredible financial stewardship of becoming a church that is debt free in order to invest more financially into the kingdom.
3. I am thankful for Kingsland’s vision to plant churches. As the pastor of the newest daughter church, I am so grateful that Kingsland is committed to growing the kingdom in Katy and among the nations through church planting efforts.
4. For the prayer warriors that tirelessly cry out to God for His work in the lives of staff and their families, the church body, and for his work among the nations.
These are just a few of the reasons I am thankful for Kingsland. I love this church!!!
By: Paul Cockrell on June 30, 2013
at 7:28 AM
I love Kingsland as our heart is outwardly focused beyond its walls and to hurting people and those that need Jesus. As Jesus put his feet to work and always walked towards those in need, so does Kingsalnd. It’s not just a concept, we do it at Kingsland as He leads. That makes Kingsland special to me and many others around the world.
By: Bill Crenshaw on July 3, 2013
at 9:52 AM