J.A.M.

10/30/2022

Psalms 46:10

10/26/2022

09/08/2022

On Sunday, Dr. Young continued our sermon series - The Church Awake. We encourage you to listen and share this week's message: The Sexualization of Our Children. youtube.com/watch?v=Df9vja32zHs

09/06/2022

Calling all engaged, seriously dating or newly married couples! We'd love for you to join us for Marriage Prep. A workshop open to couples of all ages and denominations. Join us Saturday, Sept. 17 by registering at second.org/events.

09/04/2022

Dear Second Family,
One thing I think we can all agree on is, “Houston, we have a problem.” Last week, we tackled the hard truth that, as Christians, we are called to pe*****te the culture. Jesus used six metaphors to challenge His followers not just to observe but to permeate the world. He called us to be leaven, light, salt, water, bread, and a key. My heart is that collectively, we will heed the call to action: to pray, serve, lead, pe*****te, and wake up!

For accuracy, I would like to clarify two numbers I stated last week. 182 violent offenders released on bail went on to commit murder over the course of the last 2.5 years. Also, I believe the latest number for the backlog of criminal cases awaiting trial is 44,369.

Let me address some specific issues. The crime index ranges from 1(low crime) to 100 (high crime) based on collected FBI data. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible r**e, robbery, and aggravated assault.1 The following violent crime numbers are of note:

The national average for a US city is 22.7
Chicago is 49.9
Houston is 50.4

Based on those numbers, I believe it is safe to say that violent crime in Houston is two times the national average.

Next, we addressed property crime as follows:

The national average for a US city is 35.4
Chicago is 46.3
Houston is 63.2

These statistics form part of the basis for my belief that Houston has become one of the most dangerous large cities in America.

Houston Police Department Crisis Analysis statistics, Harris County crime stats, the FBI’s unified crime report (UCR), bestplaces.net, and Crime Stoppers all provide the public with access to detailed statistics.

Law enforcement remains overwhelmed and understaffed. I stand by my assessment that this must be addressed. We have many capable leaders in law enforcement who are desperately trying to stem the tide of rising crime that affect the people of Metropolitan Houston. Pray for them, pray for our city, and pray for answers.

I love our city and pray for Houston to be a beacon of light in a dark world. When the Allen Brothers founded Houston, they stated, “We want to establish a city ‘which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.’” My earnest prayer is that we return to that foundation!

"For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." -Hebrews 11:10

His and yours,
H. Edwin Young

https://www.bestplaces.net/crime/?city1=54835000&city2=51714000

09/03/2022

Amos, Jonah, Hosea, Micah – four ordinary men whom the Lord used in extraordinary ways in the 8th century B.C. to remind His people that though He takes sin seriously, no one is beyond repentance and forgiveness if they will turn back to Him. Join us beginning September 4th as we journey through these four books of minor prophets this quarter and study their timeless messages for then and for now.

08/27/2022

This weekend we'll dive into a new sermon series, The Church Awake! Scripture is timely, relevant, and full of wisdom that we can apply to our lives today. Many of us know Scripture well, but have been lulled into groggy awareness without being fully awake to the exciting call to action that Jesus gives us in His Word. Five times, Jesus calls His followers to fulfill the Great Commission. If Jesus repeats something, it must be important!

Invite friends and family to join you as you make plans to attend Worship and Bible Study this weekend!

08/20/2022

Dear Second Family,
The end of summer is always bittersweet for me. I love the sunshine, time with friends and family, and seeing lives changed through our church’s exciting summer programs. However, I must confess that I am excited to be back with you and eager to dive into our thrilling new sermon series, The Church Woke Awake! Scripture is timely, relevant, and full of wisdom that we can apply to our lives today! Many of us know Scripture well, but have been lulled into groggy awareness without being fully awake to the exciting call to action that Jesus gives us in His Word. Five times, Jesus calls His followers to fulfill the Great Commission. If Jesus repeats something, it must be important!

Invite friends and family to join you as you make plans to attend Worship and Bible Study this weekend on your campus. I believe we will experience an awakening together as a church family as we pore over the timeless truths of the Bible this fall.

The Holy Land trip in November is almost full. There are a few spaces available. This trip is an amazing opportunity to give your family a Christmas gift to the land of the first Christmas. Prayerfully consider if the spots we have left are meant for you!

In His will,
The best is yet to be.

H. Edwin Young

08/14/2022

Dear Second Family,
Summer is flying by! As college students prepare to leave home and our younger students gear up to head back to school, let’s be intentional about covering our students, teachers, and administrators in prayer. Our new sermon series, The Church Woke Awake will begin in a few weeks, and we will be delving into the Christian’s role in a dark and increasingly godless culture. As our students and educators head back to many different learning institutions, I pray they will be ambassadors of light wherever they are!

This weekend, we have a thrilling opportunity to hear Fox News contributor and former congressman Trey Gowdy speak to our church family on several of our campuses. As a personal friend and a friend of our church family, I am always delighted to hear his honest and engaging take on faith, family, and freedom. Check second.org for times and campus information. An invitation to hear Congressman Gowdy speak may be just the nudge some of your colleagues and friends need to come to church!

Thank you for your continued faithfulness and stewardship this summer. Your giving changed lives and changed lives change the world. Make plans to attend Worship and Bible Study this weekend and bring someone new!

His and yours,
H. Edwin Young

08/06/2022

Dear Second Family,
In 1967, Louis Armstrong recorded one of my favorite songs, “What a Wonderful World.” The song set records, sold millions and provided the soundtrack to movies, weddings, anniversaries, and more. Lyrics like, “I see skies of blue and clouds of white. The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night, and I think to myself, what a wonderful world,” pull at the heartstrings of every age and every walk of life.

Interestingly, making the song was less than “wonderful.” Armstrong finished performing a late show and arrived at the studio to begin recording around 2.a.m. The record label president arrived at the studio and immediately tried to shut down the session when he heard the slow, emotional sound of the song! “Hello Dolly” had just become a national hit, and the studio exec wanted a fun, boisterous number like that. Armstrong had him locked out. Louis began to record again, but two freight trains started to rumble past the studio, back-to-back. As the story goes, Armstrong never lost his cool and kept a smile on his face throughout the night. He walked out of the studio as the sun came up, still smiling. He believed in the song. He believed the lyrics.

This week I have been watching videos our staff has posted from 6th Grade Camp. Seeing kids of every size, shape, and color walking arm and arm, laughing, worshiping, and loving each other reaffirms to me that it really is a wonderful world. The news outlets would have us believe all is lost. The faces of our children tell a different story. The Message translates Psalm 104:24 this way, “What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations!”

Your continued giving throughout the summer has made all of our wonderful kids’ programs and mission projects possible. Thank you for your continued stewardship. This week, let’s give thanks for God’s Wonderful World. Bring friends and family with you to Worship and Bible Study to experience the fellowship and fun of worshiping together at your church home!

In His Will,
H. Edwin Young

The best is yet to be!

07/30/2022

Dear Second Family,
6th Grade Camp begins this Sunday! Please join me in praying for these precious kids, volunteers, and staff as they embark on an adventure of a lifetime! Through the fellowship and crazy-fun activities, boys and girls will experience meaningful worship and learn more about Jesus. Over the years, many kids say 6th Grade Camp really solidified a personal walk with Jesus. I look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store!

This November, I am taking a group to the Holy Land. Slots are filling up quickly, but there is still room. I personally believe that visiting the Holy Land makes Scripture come alive in an incomparable way. On the first morning, you will wake up overlooking the Sea of Galilee, an image that looks very much the way Scripture describes. Fishing boats that have changed very little from biblical times sail across the horizon. From Mount Carmel to the Dead Sea, we will traverse the land where Jesus walked, taught, and healed. We will experience the colorful marketplace in the Old City and the quiet holiness of the Garden Tomb. Prayerfully consider joining us November 19-28, 2022, for this once-in-a-lifetime trip that truly brings the Bible to life. Click here for more details and to register. You may also contact Dawn Lostak at 713-465-3408, [email protected], or contact Discovery Tours at 817-595-2700, [email protected]. This could be the perfect Christmas present for the entire family!

Make plans to bring friends and family this Sunday to Worship and Bible Study on your campus!

His and yours,
H. Edwin Young

07/09/2022

Dear Second Family,
Second loves kids, and kids love Second! I believe our motto is never more apparent than during VBS/VBX! Laughter, singing, fellowship, and fun ring out from every hall on each campus. Everywhere you look, children are having fun, learning about Jesus, and making new friends. We have the most amazing volunteers who serve tirelessly, pouring time and attention into our precious children. Over the years, many of you have shared that it was VBS/VBX where you first made a public commitment to Christ. We take the verse from Proverbs 22:6 very seriously, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Through the years, following VBS/VBX countless parents have said, “My child is totally different!”

VBS/VBX is a wonderful way to invite unchurched friends and neighbors to an action-packed summer event. Make your list and invite those kiddos from your sphere of influence. Your gesture may have an eternal impact!

Sunday evening we will have a VBS/VBX Preview Night beginning at 4 p.m. Our JUMP Team will lead us in Worship at 5 p.m. in the Worship Center with a commissioning of our VBS leaders and volunteers. At 4 p.m. you can check out your classroom and meet your teachers! We will also have free Kona Ice and a Second Students Dodgeball Tournament. Following Worship, join us for a Second Family dinner of chicken tenders and sides from Demeris in the Fellowship Hall for $5.

For more information about VBS/VBX, go to second.org. Please join Lisa and me in praying for this most important week in the life of our church.

His and yours,
H. Edwin Young