Life at The Vine - July 2026
Life at the Vine is a ministry partner update from Tim Williams, church planter at The Vine Church in Mount Pleasant, TX.
Life at the Vine is a ministry partner update from Tim Williams, church planter at The Vine Church in Mount Pleasant, TX.
Thank you for praying, encouraging, and investing in what God is doing through The Vine Church in Mount Pleasant. We often say that church planting is watching God do what only He can do, and these past few months have been another reminder of His faithfulness.
Building Spaces for Ministry
We've spent much of this spring and summer finishing facilities that will serve our community for years to come. Our former fellowship hall has been transformed into The Lodge thanks to FBC Springtown. The Lodge is an inviting gathering space designed for ministry throughout the week. All that remains are the bathroom remodel, furniture, and finishing touches on the kitchen/apartment. The Lodge will become home to community groups, parenting classes, student ministry, fellowships, leadership training, and countless gospel conversations. Instead of sitting empty six days a week, this building will become a place where disciples are made.
Another exciting project has been the completion of our Bill Benton Community Center which includes a Food Pantry. Through a partnership with We Are Mount Pleasant and Child Protective Services, one room has been designated specifically for children in crisis. Families will be able to receive essentials such as:
Even with only a small inventory, they've already been able to serve several local families. We look forward to seeing how the Lord uses this ministry as it continues to grow. We're also nearing completion of another long-awaited project... the gym air conditioning. We can't wait for this space to become an even greater Kingdom asset for children's ministry, youth events, community outreach, sports, and fellowship.
Celebrating New Life
On Father's Day our church celebrated another baptism! A man who has been an active part of the church for 18 months came to faith in Christ through intentional discipleship and publicly professed that faith through believer's baptism.
Moments like these remind us why we do this work.
The Vine Church en Español
The Vine Church en Español will begin Sunday morning worship gatherings on July 19. Over the past several months we've intentionally reached out to our Spanish-speaking community. During a recent neighborhood outreach in partnership with Mobberly Baptist Church, we met numerous Spanish-speaking families who have little connection to a gospel-preaching church. The need is tremendous. Pastor Paco has been investing in this ministry, and we're praying that these new Sunday gatherings will become a thriving church family where many come to know Christ and grow as disciples.
Please pray for:
Two New Ministries
God has also opened doors for two ministries we never imagined would begin this year.
Beginning this September, The Vine will host Families Count, a parenting ministry designed specifically for parents who have been ordered by the court to complete parenting classes. These parents will receive biblical discipleship, practical parenting instruction, and genuine care from our church family. We're REALLY excited about this opportunity to meet families during difficult seasons and introduce them to the hope of the gospel. If your church has ever considered serving vulnerable families, I'd love to tell you more about this ministry.
Another burden we've become aware of is the number of children entering foster care without a bed of their own. Over 20% of foster children in our area are placed into homes where they sleep on couches, air mattresses, or even the floor. So we're starting a bed-building ministry. Our goal is to enter homes, build relationships, pray with families, identify other needs, and share the gospel.
We're launching both of these ministries before we have all the funding because we believe God is the One who has called us to them. He has never failed us, so we trust He won't start now.
Looking Ahead and Financial Partnership
As we prepare for our August budget review, I'd ask you to begin praying about your partnership with The Vine for the coming year. Church planting follows a unique financial curve. While the church continues to grow, year three is often one of the most challenging financially as outside support begins to decrease before internal giving has fully matured.
Here is a brief giving summary from this fiscal year to date. These numbers include both the church's giving and the financial support provided through ministry partners for Pastor Paco and me.
| Giving Source | Fiscal Year to Date (Oct-Jul) |
| Church Giving | $41,102.87 |
| Ministry Partner Support (both Paco and I) | $66,850.41 |
| Total Gifts | $107,953.28 |
The Vine is growing in generosity, but we're not yet able to fully sustain the work God has entrusted to us. If you've already decided what your financial partnership will look like next year, it would be incredibly helpful to let us know as we prepare our ministry budget.
More than anything, thank you for praying. Everything we've shared over the past two years, every baptism, every family served, every ministry launched, is fruit that God has produced through the prayers and generosity of people like you.
Thank you for believing in church planting and in us!
We are loving being foster parents. K is growing, and we are learning.
A Personal Update
Finally, I wanted to share a personal ministry update. After five years serving as the Director of the Northeast Texas Community College Baptist Student Ministry through the Harmony-Pittsburg Baptist Association, I have stepped away from that role to accept a new calling as the East Texas Church Planting Catalyst with Send Network SBTC.
Leaving the BSM was not an easy decision. God used those years to shape me as a pastor and leader, and I will always be grateful for the students, churches, volunteers, and friendships He allowed me to be a part of. Watching college students come to Christ and grow into mature disciples has been one of the great joys of my ministry.
As I prayed through this transition, it became clear that the Lord was opening a new door. In this new role, I'll have the privilege of encouraging pastors, strengthening churches, and helping plant more healthy, gospel-centered churches across East Texas while continuing to serve at The Vine. I'm humbled by the opportunity and excited to see what the Lord has in store in the years ahead. Please pray that I would serve these churches well, remain faithful to God's Word, and continue to lead The Vine with wisdom and joy.
Pray With Us
Thank you for believing in me.
Gracias a Dios,
TW
3John2
