Rapidly growing Houston church ‘doesn’t see race’

HOUSTON—When members and guests file through the doors of Church at the Cross in Alief, they enter a place where cultural, racial and social barriers fade beneath waves of genuine love and compassion.

People stand laughing, talking and embracing. The Houston-area church’s diversity is seen not only in the 12 nationalities and multiple ethnicities present, but also in dress, socioeconomic status and background.  

African-Americans represent about 70 percent of the congregation, and the average age is 27. The pastor is Anglo, one minister on staff grew up in Nigeria, and another is Hispanic.

A sign outside the church reads: “Come Just as You Are.” And they do— dreadlocks, faded jeans, pressed suits and Sunday best.

In one year, the church has baptized 71 new Christians and experienced a 600 percent increase in membership.

“The Lord has blessed the foundation of our church, which is on his word,” said Pastor Johnny Teague. “We’ve not done anything fancy. We’ve just trusted the Lord. We’ve worshipped him in spirit and in truth.”

Teague derives the most joy from being in a church of loving, happy people who choose to be colorblind, he said.

As people leave a Sunday worship service at the Church at the Cross, a group stops to pray with Pastor Johnny Teague. (PHOTOS/Grace Gaddy)

“Our church doesn’t see race,” he explained. “Race is a non-issue. No one considers us a black church or a white church. We’re just the body of Christ. … I’ve been to a lot of churches over the years, and I think we’re really one of the most diverse churches I’ve ever been in.”

Teague called it a “happy bunch.”

“I walk out of church on Wednesday nights and Sundays, and I think this has got to be one of the happiest groups of people I have ever been apart of,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of people unemployed, a lot of people (going) through marital strife, a lot of people facing huge monetary issues. …We have very little money, but they love God’s word, and they love to worship him.”

Honoring the Scripture is key, Teague said, and he bases everything on it. When he committed to preach through the entire Bible—Genesis to Revelation— he initially was warned against it.

“You’re going to kill your church with Leviticus. Don’t do Leviticus,” he recalled one person cautioning him.

Evelyn Warren cuts and serves cake for church attendants during a holiday celebration. (PHOTOS/Grace Gaddy)

“The first two sermons of Leviticus, we had six saved,” he said. “It just shows there’s not a part of God’s word that’s not applicable and not effective.”

Teague arrived as pastor four years ago when the church was dwindling and almost bankrupt. God was faithful to provide and bring them out of debt, he recounted. Members voted to move to Alief, where they met first in a movie theater and later in a middle school before erecting their own building.

Teague watched church numbers climb exponentially from 65 worshippers to more than 400 in one year—and still growing.

The church launched several outreach ministries, from hospitals to prisons. Members manage and cultivate a community garden and donate produce to needy families, he said.

When a church member wanted to use his technological skills to teach people how to use computers, Teague gave up his office and moved into another one to facilitate space. So, computer classes began.

Another member, Evelyn Warren, goes “door knocking” with a group in local neighborhoods. She also witnesses on busses around town.

“I’ll be all over Houston. You’re liable to see me anywhere talking about the Lord at the bus stop,” she said, adding she just wants “to give them the good news.”

Teague gives God all the glory for his church’s growth and outreach.

“He’s working. He’s moving. He’s changing lives,” he said. “He’s even changing mine—especially mine.”