Challenges and Joys: Summer Sabbatical 2026
This summer, while Pastor Gregg is on sabbatical, we are excited to welcome four dynamic guest speakers to The Loop for a powerful message series titled Challenges and Joys!
Each of these speakers has experienced challenges, but those hardships have not held them back from living joyful and fulfilling lives. The way God has moved in each of their lives is a powerful testament to His faithfulness, grace, and redeeming love.
Gather with us each Sunday in June to hear their stories and be inspired that even through trials and uncertainty, God works in meaningful ways, bringing hope, strength, and purpose to every season of life.
Sun, June 7
The Loop Campus
9:15a, 11a & 4p (The4)
Dr. William “Bill” Blocker - President of the College of Biblical Studies in Houston, Texas
Dr. Bill Blocker is a respected Bible teacher, speaker, and leader in Christian higher education. Prior to serving at the College of Biblical Studies, he held leadership roles at Moody Bible Institute and served as a pastor in Chicago. Dr. Blocker teaches on biblical leadership, discipleship, marriage, and family, and has spoken internationally in places including India and Israel. He and his wife, Zelda, have five children and several grandchildren. Learn more about Dr. Blocker here.
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Sun, June 14
The Loop Campus
9:15a, 11a & 4p (The4)
John Wethington - Elder, New Day Church
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Sun, June 21
The Loop Campus
9:15a & 11a
O.S. Hawkins - Chancellor of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas
O.S. Hawkins is an author, pastor, and ministry leader who currently serves as Chancellor of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He previously pastored the historic First Baptist Dallas and served for 25 years as President and CEO of GuideStone Financial Resources. Dr. Hawkins has written more than 50 books, including the best-selling “Code” devotional series, with more than three million copies sold. A native of Fort Worth, he and his wife, Susie, have two daughters and six grandchildren. Learn more about O.S. Hawkins here.
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Sun, June 28
The Loop Campus
9:15a, 11a & 4p (The4)
Daniel Ritchie - Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention
Daniel Ritchie is a Christian speaker, author, and evangelist who shares the hope of Jesus Christ through his powerful testimony of being born without arms. Each year, Daniel speaks to thousands across churches, schools, conferences, and organizations, encouraging people to find their identity and purpose in Christ rather than their circumstances. Based in Raleigh, NC, Daniel and his wife, Heather, have two children and enjoy family movie nights, football, the outdoors, and time at the beach. Learn more about Daniel Ritchie here.
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"Challenges and Joys" Messages
You will find links to each week's message from The Loop Campus and online here once they are available online for on-demand viewing:
Series Speakers
Discover service times and who is speaking at each campus during the "Challenges and Joys" series.
The Loop
You can gather at The Loop Campus for the "Challenges and Joys" series each Sunday at 9:15a, 11a, or 4p, or join in online at the same times via our livestream. Explore our
Plan Your Visit page for more information about how to connect with Houston's First on Sundays!
Here's who is speaking at The Loop each Sunday during the series:
Sun, June 7
Dr. William “Bill” Blocker - President of the College of Biblical Studies in Houston, Texas
(9:15a, 11a & 4p)
Sun, June 14
John Wethington - Elder, New Day Church
(9:15a, 11a & 4p)
Sun, June 21
O.S. Hawkins - Chancellor of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas
(9:15a & 11a)
Chad Chambers - Executive Director - CHARM Prison Ministry
(4p)
Sun, June 28
Daniel Ritchie - Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention
(9:15a, 11a & 4p)
Cypress
You can gather at the Cypress Campus for the "Challenges and Joys" series each Sunday at 9:30a, 11a or 4p. You can also join in online via our livestream. Explore our
Plan Your Visit page for more information about how to connect with Houston's First on Sundays!
Here's who is speaking at Cypress each Sunday during the series:
Sun, June 7
Patrick Simpson - Minister to Children, Houston's First – Cypress
(9:30a, 11a & 4p)
Sun, June 14
Tommy Kersten - Director of Student Ministries, Houston's First – Cypress
(9:30a, 11a & 4p)
Sun, June 21
Jason Swiggart - Campus Pastor, Houston's First – Cypress
(9:30a, 11a & 4p)
Sun, June 28
Daniel Ritchie - Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention
(Streaming from The Loop - 9:30a, 11a & 4p)
Downtown
You can gather at the Downtown Campus for the "Challenges and Joys" series each Sunday at 9:30a or 11a. You can also join in online via our livestream. Explore our
Plan Your Visit page for more information about how to connect with Houston's First on Sundays!
Here's who is speaking at Downtown each Sunday during the series:
Sun, June 7
Peter Lee - Minister of Campus Development
(9:30a & 11a)
Sun, June 14
John Wethington - Elder, New Day Church
(Streaming from The Loop - 9:30a & 11a)
Sun, June 21
Leon Brooks III - Campus Pastor, Houston's First – Downtown
(9:30a & 11a)
Sun, June 28
Leon Brooks III - Campus Pastor, Houston's First – Downtown
(9:30a & 11a)
Sienna
You can gather at the Sienna Campus for the "Challenges and Joys" series each Sunday at 8a, 9:30a or 11a. You can also join in online via our livestream. Explore our
Plan Your Visit page for more information about how to connect with Houston's First on Sundays!
Here's who is speaking at the Sienna each Sunday during the series:
Sun, June 7
Leon Brooks III - Campus Pastor, Houston's First – Downtown
(8a & 9:30a)
Dr. William “Bill” Blocker - President of the College of Biblical Studies in Houston, Texas
(Streaming from The Loop - 11a)
Sun, June 14
Malcolm Marshall – Campus Pastor, Houston's First – Sienna
(8a, 9:30a, 11a)
Sun, June 21
Malcolm Marshall – Campus Pastor, Houston's First – Sienna
(8a & 9:30)
O.S. Hawkins - Chancellor of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas
(Streaming from The Loop - 11a)
Sun, June 28
Todd Rapp - Minister of Discipleship - Sienna
(8a & 9:30)
Daniel Ritchie - Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention
(Streaming from The Loop - 11a)
En Español
You can gather at The Loop Campus (Worship Ctr) for "Domingos de Mundial," a Message Series by Pastor Kike Puig, each Sunday at 1p. You can also join in online via our livestream. Explore our Plan Your Visit page for more information about how to connect with Houston's First on Sundays!
Here's who is speaking at Houston's First en Español each Sunday during the series:
Sun, June 7
Kike Puig - Ministro en Español
(1p)
Sun, June 14
Kike Puig - Ministro en Español
(1p)
Sun, June 21
Kike Puig - Ministro en Español
(1p)
Sun, June 28
Kike Puig - Ministro en Español
(1p)