Thank You High Pointe!
Jeanine and I were overwhelmed on Sunday by your love, encouragement, and generosity. As you can imagine, celebrating 20 years of anything is quite a milestone. And, as our guests pointed out, 20 years in one church is unusual. However, from my perspective, our 20 years at High Pointe have been like a good marriage. In one sense, it seems like just yesterday, Jeanine and I arrived with our five little girls. As we drove up the drive and under the portico, little smiling faces and excited hands awaited us on the other side of the glass doors. Those five little girls are now adults and four of them are married. In another sense, I cannot remember life before High Pointe. It’s as if this is all we’ve known. And that’s how a good marriage is supposed to be.
It is one of my great joys, second only to marriage and parenting, to enjoy the privilege of being one of your pastors. As we rehearsed the history of High Pointe before and after my arrival, it is humbling to see how the Lord’s hand has been upon us. The Lord has answered many of our prayers, and he continues to do so. I look forward to seeing how he will guide us in this next season of our life and ministry together.
On behalf of Jeanine and our family, we want to say, THANK YOU, High Pointe! You have loved us much and cared for us well. Your kind encouragements and generous displays of love overwhelmed us. We want you to know, our love for you is great, and we have no greater joy than to be at High Pointe with you, our family.
Specifically, I want to thank our elders. They are godly men united in heart, mind, and voice. There is nothing in my mind that encourages pastoral longevity than to have faithful men standing side by side, leading the church together. These men have cared well for me and my family, just as they have cared for you.
I also want to thank our staff. In particular, Brenda Kerlin, Erin Wyman, and Arielle Horton put a lot of time and effort into what you were able to experience on Sunday night. It was beautiful, and the food was bountiful. If you enjoyed that, please thank them. Matt Rolfe has also been an invaluable help. Not only did he serve as point person for our Spanish conference on Saturday where about 400 people attended. But he also helped out on Sunday, making sure everything was in place.
I owe a special word of thanks to Robert Cline. He has been an invaluable ministry partner over this last year, and he was a gracious host for Sunday night. His kind words and encouragement mean the world to me, and I look forward to working together as long as the Lord allows.
Though my life and ministry verse is Acts 20:24, the passage that comes to mind when I think of you, High Pointe, is Philippians 1:3-6. I truly thank God for you, High Pointe! Everything I think of you. And I pray the Lord will allow us to serve together for many more years to come.
Opportunities to Serve
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)
Volunteering in nursery or children’s ministry is a great way to get to know others at High Pointe and to serve our parents on Sunday mornings and other church gatherings. Reach out to Erin at erin@highpointeaustin.org.
God has blessed each of us with unique gifts and talents, and at High Pointe, we believe serving is how we use those gifts to bless others and advance His kingdom.
Whether you have 30 minutes a week or several hours, there's a place for you to serve in our children's ministry, as greeters, with the hospitality team, media/tech support, building and grounds, safety, community outreach efforts, and through administrative support. Reach out to find out more today: info@highpointeaustin.org.
Resources of the Week
Pastoral Longevity Through the Local Church – a word to Pastors
Last week’s resources
If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments – a sermon by Dr. Ligon Duncan
Song of the Month: Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right
Life at High Pointe
UT International Friendship Program
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at the University of Texas is proud to sponsor the Friendship Program to connect members of the Austin community with our international students and scholars. Hosts have the opportunity to meet people from across the world and help them feel welcome in their new home. Applications must be completed by August 29th. If you'd like more information about the Friendship Program, please contact Sunila Levi (sunilalevi@yahoo.com), Suzanne Capo (suzannecapo@gmail.com), or Marilyn Waters (majowaters@gmail.com). Click here to register and view more details.
High Pointe Institute Begins August 27
The High Pointe Institute (HPI) is a one-year training program meant to offer a pathway for growing disciples to be equipped for ministry both in the church and the world. The goal is to form mature disciples who are growing in their knowledge and love for God, who are committed to the church’s mission, and who are devoted to helping others follow Christ. Click here to register.
Women’s Evening Bible Study Begins August 27
Time: Wednesdays 6:30pm - 8:00pm, August 27th - December 3rd. Ladies, you are invited to join us for an in-depth study of the Book of Hebrews. Each weekly lesson includes home study questions, interactive group discussion, and teaching by study leaders. You do not need to be a member of High Pointe to attend. Contact Susan Horton or Marilyn Waters for more information. Click here to register.
College Ministry Interest Meeting | THIS Sunday August 31
This Sunday, immediately after the morning service, we will hold a short meeting at the front of the auditorium right by the platform to discuss interest in High Pointe’s college ministry.
Women’s Morning Bible Study Begins September 10
Time: Wednesdays 10:00am – 11:30am, September 10 - November 19. Join us for an inductive study of the Gospel of John! We will cover chapters 1-9 this fall and chapters 10-21 in the spring. You do not need to be a member of High Pointe to attend. Contact Mary Delk or Jeanette Helfin to register. Contact Erin Wyman for childcare needs.
Meaningful Membership Class | September 14
Join us for our next Meaningful Membership class to learn more about becoming a member of High Pointe Baptist Church. For more information and to register, click here.
Women’s Fall Retreat | September 19-20
All women 16 years and up are invited to join us for a sweet time of fellowship and encouragement as we reflect on the God who meets us in every trial with His presence and His comfort. The theme this year is "Resting In the God of All Comfort" | 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. Register here.
Fall Life Classes | 9AM on Sundays
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us! During the fall semester, we have the following Life Classes:
Psalms Life Class
Habits of Grace
Spanish Life Class | La doctrina de Cristo
Student Life Class (6th-12th grade) | Knowing God
Kids Life Class (K-5th) | The Gospel Project
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:
August 31 | Luke 9:37-50 | Adventures in Missing the Point | Pastor Juan Sanchez
FIFTH SUNDAY GATHERING | 5:00 PM | Vision Night & Budget Vote
Join us as we gather for food and fellowship to kick off the new church year and to ask the Lord to guide us and guard our steps in the coming year of ministry together. We will also have a SPECIAL CALLED MEMBERS’ MEETING to vote on the October 2025-September 2026 budget.
September 7 | Luke 9:51-62 | Wholehearted Followers of Jesus
September 14 | Luke 10:1-24 | The Nature of Mission
September 21 | Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline
September 28 | Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline
October 5 | Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline
October 12 | Luke 10:25-37 | Love Your Neighbor | Pastor Juan Sanchez
October 19| Luke 10:38-42 | Learn from Jesus | Pastor Juan Sanchez
October 26 | Luke 11:1-13 | Learn to Pray from Jesus | Pastor Juan Sanchez
November 2 | Luke 11:14-36 | Jewish Opposition to Jesus | Pastor Juan Sanchez
November 9 | Luke 11:37-54 | Six Woes to the Religious Leaders | Pastor Juan Sanchez
November 16 | Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline
November 23 | Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline
November 30 | Luke 12:1-12 | Don’t Fear Man. Fear God | Pastor Juan Sanchez
December 7 | Luke 12:13-34 | Don’t Worry. Trust God | Pastor Juan Sanchez
December 14 | Luke 12:35-59 | Don’t Waste Your Life. Be Ready | Pastor Juan Sanchez
December 21 | Luke 13:1-9 | Now is the Time to Repent | Pastor Juan Sanchez
December 28 | Isaiah | Pastor Robert Cline
Begin praying as you prepare to join us this Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Gospel Partner of the Month: North Africa – Team Expansion
We are privileged to partner with the K family in North Africa. For 15 years, the Ks have been reaching unbelievers in a predominantly Muslim country (99%). And yet, the body of Christ is growing in that nation.
Some ways you may be praying:
1. Pray for a healthy, fruitful church led by godly, growing, local leaders.
2. Pray for these believers/leaders, especially as they face unique opportunities and challenges.
3. Pray for the K family – for a Jesus-centered home and joyful hearts.
4. Pray for the K family’s financial provision.
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours.To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1.
