Baptisms

 

Awesome! That’s the word that comes to mind when I think about the 1^st Baptism Service of Commons Church. It was held on March 6, 2011 @ Ryan Family YMCA in Fort Worth, Tx. Around 100 people came from all over that Sunday evening to watch as Bethany, Abby, Olivia, and Audry gave their lives to Christ and were reborn. We all watched and shed tears of joy as Steve, Thomas, and Scott assisted in the baptism of four amazing ladies! There was a peaceful feeling in the air that day! Everyone had bright shining faces and looked like a kid again, free and ready for what God had in store for the day! We didn’t know how things were going to go, all we knew is that we were going to put on the best Baptism Service that we could, and then we were going to celebrate!!! It was truly an Awesome day that will be cherished in our hearts forever!

Emily Rider

Missions Meals

In October 2010, Commons Church began a monthly tradition called “Mission Meal.”  On Mission Meal Sunday, one of our church members hosts everyone at their home for a simple meal, but we all donate money as though we’d gone out to lunch.  The money is collected and given toward a local mission project.  

During this first year together, a majority of our Mission Meal money has gone to projects at Cornerstone Assistance Network.  At Thanksgiving, we provided meal baskets for five families enrolled in Cornerstone programs.  At Christmas, we adopted and purchased gifts for children whose parents are part of Cornerstone’s housing programs for the homeless.  And, in the Spring of 2011, we used Mission Meal money to purchase a bed for a formerly homeless graduate of Cornerstone’s Christian Women’s Job Corps. 

Coby and Amy Bird: Real People

A few months after Amy and I were married in the summer of 2010 she expressed a desire to look at a smaller church where she felt more comfortable.  At the time we were attending a really large church in Fort Worth.  We enjoyed and we felt surrounded by a lot great people, however it was not a place we felt comfortable asking the questions we had.  One concern we had about leaving was finding another church that would provide for our children.  I had kept up with Steve and Thomas on facebook, and I had started seeing posts about them starting work in South Fort Worth.  We text and emailed a couple of times about finding a time to chat about what this church plant was all about, but life seemed to get in the way, and I did not pursue it.


Finally in the Spring of 2011, I found we had a teaching position coming open in our Bible department at Southwest Christian School, and I immediately thought of Steve.  I called him to see if he was interested, and he was.  So things worked out and he was hired on to teach, and we now had a chance to sit and talk about the Commons Church.  Amy, the girls, and I finally got over to visit one Sunday.  When we got in the car after that first visit, Amy declared, "I really like it there, the people seem real."  We then started attending the community group at the Bezner's house on Wednesday evenings and for the first time in many years I found a place where I was really spending quality time in the Word, and Amy felt very much at ease to participate without feeling judged.  It seemed we had found a fit.


Now a little over three months later we consider The Commons to be our home and we look forward to connecting with so many new friends each week and we look forward to seeing how God uses us as part of this community. 


~ Coby, Amy, Aza, and Elena Bird

Casey Chappell: Tasting the Riches

After driving for over a hour to go to church for the past two years, Dan and I were ready to find a church home closer to home. So when he mentioned visiting the Commons I was up for it, but really was looking for something bigger and one that honestly, I could blend in a little at. So, I asked him as we pulled up to the church that morning if it would be weird if we didn't come back after that day since it was so small, he said no.  So, we went in and for the next 10 minutes we were really showered with kindness and welcoming people. Then the service started and God used the worship and the preaching that morning to convict my heart and move me to a place where all of the sudden blending in wasn't what was important and comfort wasn't a need, I was tasting the richness of God's word and communing with Him.... that was what mattered most and that's what my heart was longing for, and that is what this small group of believers were experiencing together.  


So, here we are.  And in a short amount of time I have come to truly love this church and already have been blessed by them. I've already shared with several in my life a few things that have meant a lot to me about the Commons are, they love my children and serve them everytime they see them, they provide an environment for transparency and openness, and they have a passion for missional living in the community they are in.

May God get all the glory for this growing church as we strive to make much of HIM..... and may we in return, get so much joy in this journey together! 

Luke and Carrie McKenzie: Worship with Neighbors

One hot morning last summer I was out watering my yard and my good friend and neighbor Scott Haxel came down to say hello. Scott had been talking about this new church that he and his family were attending that he was excited about. Scott first told me about the bounce house for the kids and how the families worshiped together…in someone’s living room. Needless to say I was a little skeptical about going to someone’s house for worship, but I trust Scott, so I thought why not. Our family had been irregular attendees at one of the large worship churches here in Fort Worth. As a family of believers we always felt lukewarm about our previous church home. It was always a little too easy to sneak in and sneak out…and it was never noticed if we were absent.

The very next Sunday J.J. and I went to church with Scott and Kathy and their kids. I sat in Ben’s bedroom while Thomas and Kimberly taught Commons Kids. I was afraid to let J.J. go behind closed doors without me! The worship in the living room was friendly and warm and I couldn’t believe how normal everyone was. I went home to tell Luke that it really was something he should come check out with us next time. After that, as was our habit, we did not return to church for several weeks or even months?! I think Steve had lost hope that he would ever see me again or meet Luke, but the Lord had different plans for our family! Once Luke came to Commons Church with us his heart opened to all of the friendly Commoners and we became regular (or as regular as our family can seem to be) attendees.

Each week we look forward to worship with our old friends, new friends, and neighbors. Thank you to Steve and Joy and Thomas and Kimberly for welcoming the McKenzie family into the Common family and helping us to grow in our relationship with the Lord!

~ Luke, Carrie, and J.J. McKenzie

“Everybody there is very nice and the kids are all very friendly. I like how they have a bounce house for the kids!” J.J. McKenzie

Scott and Kathy Haxel: We Have Found a Home

For many years I marched through my life going through the motions of church. Whatever church I was attending at the time I would usually sit in the pew counting the minutes to lunch.  Eventually I married and began to lead my family down the same path. Church became a chore and usually a fight with the kids ending in us being very late or not going at all.  For years God would call and I would give a tiny effort or ignore Him all together.

Eventually my family started falling apart. I was not leading them, and it was evident in every aspect of our lives.  Finally in a desperate attempt to patch my family back together I turned to God to help me "fix things." After several months of chasing God for the wrong reason, there was a revelation in my life, and for the first time I saw God for the glory that He is.  From that point on I wanted to follow Him because He is worthy.  After that my life changed, and it had to do with listening to God and wanting His will instead of mine.

At this point we were looking for a church we could get INVOLVED in and were having no success.  The one day we were at a neighborhood pool function called "Dive In Movie" when we noticed it wasn't the usual  suspects running it.  Instead, it was a group of people wearing Commons Church tee shirts - so I inquired about who they were.  I talked at length to a man named Thomas about a new church in our neighborhood led by Pastor Steve Bezner.  After several failed attempts at finding a church on my own I realized God was leading me and my family to a church we could serve.  So, we let God take the reins and we followed Him to the Commons.  It was there that Godly men showed me how to lead a family in Christ, and what it is to truly submit in obedience to God.  After a year at the Commons, and growing closer to God, I have seen my family united, my marriage healed, my daughter baptized, and my children have grown in their love for God and their church.  I'll never forget what my wife said after a sermon Steve gave on Grace within the Church, "We have found a home."  Everything the people of this church does points to God and not themselves.  The Commons is truly a church of Disciples.

~ Scott, Kathy, Abby, Rob, and Steve Haxel

Why do you love going to the Commons Church?
"I like how it is so small and we get to know everyone.  It's like a second family." - Abby
"To hear the Word of God, and be with my friends and family." - Rob
"I love everything about it." - Steve

Carla Bryant: Enjoying the Journey

The Lord brought me to Commons Church through Kimberly Law. Because she is one of the most genuine and kindest ladies I know, I decided to give it a try.

After meeting Steve and Joy, I quickly recognized that they are also good people with genuine hearts and a strong desire to bring God's love and purpose to all people.

I had been out of church for approximately 5 years and was hesitant to get back in. However, after meeting this group of people and experiencing God's love and grace at this church, I decided this is where I'd like to stay. These are also the kind of Christians I want my daughter to experience. Kind, warm and loving.

I tell people that at Commons Church there is no criticism or no legalistic judgements. The people are warm and friendly, seeking after God's will and purpose. There is grace, joy and laughter. One of the things that I most enjoy is that we seem to enjoy the journey. Not that the journey is always easy, but there is a togetherness through it all.

Olivia says that she likes the bounce house and the nice people the best.

Audry Rider: Friends for Life

As I sit down to write this, tears are already forming.  It is so reassuring and grounding when things line up in ways you never thought possible because there is a plan for us. The Commons Church is definitely an essential part of God’s plan for me.


In November 2009, I found the courage with the support of my family and friends to leave a destructive abusive situation.  They were there for me even after I had isolated myself from them over the years.  I had ping-ponged between atheist and agnostic.  Being surrounded with so much love from friends and family, I was starting to question the true existence of God again but still didn’t feel that certainty.


After my participation in a leadership workshop; on December 4, 2010 I broke through all of the hurt and darkness that kept me from seeing and forgiving, and I felt God’s presence surround me with love and He let me know He had been with me the whole time. My heart was full and open to receive love. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before in my life.  God placed some very loving people in front of me that listened to all my questions.  Then I was ready for that next step of finding a church.


The night before the first Sunday of the New Year 2011, I was sitting in the living room with my mom and sister.  Emily said, “Alright it is the New Year, where are we going to church tomorrow?” I remembered my Cousin Amy had mentioned a church that some dear friends of hers were starting in Fort Worth; so, we checked out the Commons Church website.  The vision of the church lined up with our visions in each of our lives.  Then we looked at the location; I believe my jaw dropped when we discovered it was half a mile from our house.  We knew this was a God thing, and we would be attending the next day.


When we arrived at Pastor Steve’s house, I think they were a little surprised to see us and definitely excited.  Everyone was all smiles and a little giggly including me.  After talking with Steve, I found a friend for life.  I love the people at Commons Church, and I have found many dear friends here.  The community groups are so casual yet intimate and truly a joy to be apart of each week.  I knew I was ready to be baptized and give my life to God.  Since then I have been pouring myself into the word and walking with God facing each struggle one at a time and praising all the many blessings in my life.


Commons Church is a huge blessing in my life.  Thank you for being common people with an uncommon goal.

Emily Rider: It's A God Thing!

My Commons Church story is truly amazing!!! 

I had been attending another church off and on for a couple of years, but never really felt like I belonged there. My sister was talking to our cousin Amy about my situation, the next thing I knew Amy had sent us a message on Facebook. She said that she had noticed how several of her friends had “liked” a church in Fort Worth. She said that when she checked it out she saw that the pastor used to be the associate pastor of the church she used to attend in Kaufman. She said “ I love this sweet family… hope you girls check it out!”. She sent this message on August 24, 2010. At that time my sister had turned away from Christ and I was lost and didn’t want to go to a new church by myself. In December 2010 my sister accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and savior. It was truly heart lifting for my family and I who had been praying for that day.

Then on January 1, 2011 I was sitting around the living room with my mom and sister when I said “ Ok ladies tomorrow is the first Sunday of the year, where are we going to church?”. We talked about a few churches around the area, then we remembered the message that our cousin had sent us. We looked up the site and started learning about Commons Church. When we looked up where services were held and mapped it out we were amazed to find out it was only half a mile from our house. We said “It’s a God thing!” and went with it! So on January 2, 2011 we all showed up at 4601 Cannas Court on the steps of Steve and Joy Bezner’s house. We were welcomed with open arms and have been attending Commons Church ever since!

When people ask me what I love about my church I say “I <3 EVERTHING!!!” The biggest blessing of being a part of Commons Church is the fact that its not perfect, and better then that its not trying to be! It truly is common people coming together for an uncommon goal! I’m truly amazed at how the Lord works threw the lives of all the people at Commons Church! I pray that our church keeps growing and serving the community, spreading the joy of the Lord! I couldn’t have asked for a better church family! All I can say is I’m truly, truly blessed!