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BABIES 

Riley and John Mather welcomed Charles "Charlie" Nathaniel 3/3/26

Melanie and Matthew Lohstroh welcomed Emma 3/3/26

Frances and Billy Rogers welcomed Will 

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NEW 

Marco and Patricia Bernal

Updated 3/6/26

They made it out of the region and are now in Istanbul. They are in a safe place, with a final destination of Houston. Please keep praying for the region and for peace.

3/5/26

Marco and Patricia Bernal along with their daughter Elenalive in Qatar for Marco’s work.  They are evacuating tomorrow.  They are very scared, anxious and worried about safety. They have a very long journey home with a lot of unknowns. Please be praying for their safety, peace, and for God's provision. 

Staff/Elder: Needed 

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FOSTERING FAMILIES

Aaron and Heather Brisendine are fostering Estephany, May 2025

Helen and Bryan Moon adopted Jackson and adopted Dylan 12/17/25

Sarah and Zach Kirk started fostered/adoption Miles (6/23/23, 12/18/25)

Alex & Becky Massey – started fostering Kingsley, 12/2024 

Molly & Jordan Raney – Fostered/adopted Aiden (11/24/21, 3/22/24)

Jill Schoeffler is fostering Dakota

Alexis and Blaine Coutant, in process  8/27/25

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ONGOING

Tricia Gittemeier’s dad, Rick Kruger, 3/3/26

This is somewhat sensitive as Rick's grandkids do not yet know - Rick was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer.  The past two weeks have been difficult with each test bringing somewhat more difficult news and a more challenging prognosis. Rick has an appointment at MD Anderson on March 3rd where they hope to have consensus on a treatment plan.  Please pray that Rick and his wife, Kerry will have clarity and peace with how to move forward.  Also, pray for Tricia and Joel, that they would be able to support her dad and mom well in this difficult time. Rick and his wife often attend GBC.    

Staff/Elder: Fritz 

Danielle and Greg Vincent

Updated 2/19/26

Surgery went well and they are confident they got everything out! She won't need any further treatment! Pray for her recovery, specifically because she won't be able to even pick up their 3 month old, that she would heal completely and quickly. 

2/11/26

Danielle just got diagnosed with salivary gland cancer. They have an 18 month old and 3 month old at home. She sees a specialist today to figure out treatment plan but praying that only surgery will be needed and she won’t have to do radiation. Surgery was Feb 18th, and a treatment plan would be established afterwards. 

Staff/Elder: Andrea, Brandon 

Owen Escarra, son of Jeff and Shannon (former GBC folks, now live in New Orleans)

Updated 2/24/26

Owen started his first of 33 daily (weekdays only) sessions of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) January 28th. Pray for the radiation to be effective at killing cancer cells and preserving good cells to restore Owen's brain and body to complete healing. They praise God for his growing faith in Jesus, his joyful attitude whatever the day may bring, and his increasing tenderness. Pray that the Lord blesses Owen with health (no nausea), strength, balance, and coordination - all of which we have already witnessed returning slowly but steadily. 

1/20/26

6 year old Owen has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor following a hospitalization at the beginning of January. After an initial surgery and weeklong hospital stay, he is back at home with his family. Pray for healing and endurance for Owen. Pray for peace and strength for the Escarra’s as they navigate medical decisions for Owen, and care for their three other sons. 

Staff/Elder: Wes 

Abby Sonnefeld

Updated 2/18/26

Abby’s mom has been hospitalized twice for about a week at a time following chemo. The treatment is aggressive and is definitely taking a toll on her body. Pray her immune system can remain strong and for this week of rest before going back for another round of chemo. Pray for Abby’s dad as primary caregiver and for Abby and her siblings to support in ways that are encouraging.

1/14/26

Several tumors have been found on Abby’s mom’s lungs. They have begun a very aggressive chemo treatment for the next 18 weeks. They are prayerful the treatment can extend life as long as possible; prognosis indicated 2-3 years. Pray for the family as they have just received this news and immediately started treatment. 

Staff/Elder: Ranelle, Fritz

Courtney Hammon

Updated 2/18/26

She hasn't started gaining weight yet, but is feeling better! Prayers that she would start gaining weight and her intestines would continue healing. 

10/1/25

Courtney has a large (but accessible) cyst on her left ovary, which they believe may be stuck to the small intestine. She has lots of scar tissue from previous conditions and surgeries, so a surgery could be risky for her bowels (potentially resulting in her waking up with an ileostomy). The cyst/left ovary and fallopian tube removal went well and the tumor was benign! On Dec 16th she went to the ER where they found small bowel ileus (a slow down of the bowel). They put an NG tube in her nose to help her bowel to start moving again on its own. They started IV nutrition at the hospital and then sent her home with an IV nutrition plan that she was able to wean off of. She appears to be healing well, but struggling to gain weight. 

Staff/Elder: Brandon, Mimi 

Ruthie Lewis

Updated 2/18/26

Ruthie had a tumble on the trampoline where her big sister fell on her. She has a fracture on her shin and another on her femur. She's been in a cast since last Wednesday. Prayers that she will heal quickly! The surgery had to be pushed back until a later date in March. 

10/7/25

Ruthie Lewis (4 years old) was diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, last November. She has completed 42 weeks of frontline chemo, and is in the maintenance phase currently. At this point in her treatment, she has no evidence of disease! The family is continuing to ask the Lord to protect her body from the harsh chemo, and to spare her from any recurrence or long-term side effects. In December, she was in the hospital for a week fighting an infection. Her routine scans in January showed scar tissue, but nothing else! She'll most likely need a surgery soon where they break her leg amongst other things to increase her mobility. Prayers for her and her families endurance throughout all of this, and continued trust in the Lord. 

Staff/Elder: Travis

Jessica Marshall's mom

Updated 2/81/26

They saw a new specialist yesterday. They will move forward with brachytherapy (specified radiation treatment). She'll come back n a few weeks to get the treatment done - 5 treatments, each treatment spread out with a few days in between. She should be in Houston for about 2 weeks for this. They are grateful to have an option, and are praying this works! 

10/29/25

Jessica's mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 anal cancer in September. They are thankful for Jessica's aunt who is a radiologist and has been hosting Jessica's mom while she's getting treatment here in Houston. The chemo took a lot out of her, so prayers that her body would recover. After radiation she was able to head home mid-November, and was waiting 2-3 months to see if the tumor shrunk. The treatment did initially shrink the tumor, but now it's back to where it was. She seems to be feeling even worse compared to before treatment. She is in a lot of pain and discomfort, and not eating or sleeping much. Please pray for God's nearness in all of this, for doctor's wisdom, and for Jessica's moms healing. 

Staff/Elder: Stacie, Amy, Travis 

Tori Beckham's sister, Adrienne Ebersole, 2/4/26

Please pray for Tori's sister Adrienne after she was admitted to the hospital for lost vision. She was sent home a few days later with a steroid taper for 10 days. She will follow up with neurology soon, and expects results in 5 weeks for whether or not she has multiple sclerosis. Pray for rest (she's very fatigued), wisdom of medical team with diagnosis and next steps, and for her kids (4 and 6). 

Staff/Elder: Wes, Stacie 

Lis Purdy

Updated 1/29/26

Surgery went really well! She is sleeping well, the pain is well managed, and she is overall feeling very grateful. 

1/28/26

Lis was recently diagnosed with breast cancer right before the holidays. She had surgery on Monday, January 26th. She is thankful for her doctor and her care plan. Prayers for surgery, recovery, wisdom for the doctors, and carrying out her care plan. 

Staff/Elder: Ranelle, Kyle

Baumgarten Family

Updated 1/21/26

The surgery was successful but not the outcome they were hoping for. The surgeon found a small tear in his retina. It had to be repaired and then stabilized with a silicon oil that will be in his eye for 3-4 months, then surgically removed. The hardest part in the interim is that Beau is not allowed to be on his back at all.  Please pray for Stephen and Meg as they care for Beau, and pray for Beau as he is restricted and cannot understand why. Pray for full recovery for his eyes. 

9/3/25

Stephen and Meg just had their baby, Beau, and found out he has a significant sight threatening issue with his left eye. The cataract was so dense in his eye they couldn't see behind it to figure out what's going on. He had surgery October 13th to remove the cataract, and everything went well! Thankfully the retina in the left eye was not detached. They also found some abnormal blood vessels in his right eye, and did a laser procedure to help dissipate these. Initially MRI's showed the blood vessels gone and everything stable. Unfortunately a while later, what they repaired had grown back and he needs another surgery on January 16th. 

Staff/Elder: Lunden

Braden and McCray Fletcher, 1/13/26

Braden and McCray have been struggling with infertility for almost 2 years now. They have been working with doctors to get pregnant naturally and Braden recently had two surgeries to remove endometriosis. They would love prayers to get pregnant and sustain a healthy pregnancy soon so they can grow their family. Pray for peace in the waiting, strength to endure, and trust in the Lord's timing. 

Staff/Elder: Stacie, Brandon

Benno and Jan Bauer

Updated 12/16/25

Jan was at Methodist ER on San Felipe this week. She has been experiencing weakness in her legs and trouble with her gait. Imaging showed a blockage in her neck, so she was transferred by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center for a brain MRI to rule out any brain damage. They discovered she has had several mini small strokes, and believe its related to her cholesterol. She is back home now and on a new medication. Please pray for peace for Jan and their family, and for complete healing.

8/24/25

Benno has been diagnosed with Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy. It’s a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, balance & speech.  There is no cure and more tests are scheduled. Prayers for peace for him and his wife Jan as they process and move forward with testing. Mid November he was diagnosed with Parkinsons. Pray as he and Jan seek further medical evaluation, clarity on the diagnosis, and a wise treatment plan. Please lift up Benno’s healing, strength for Jan as she cares for him, and that the Lord would use this season to draw their hearts closer to Christ. 

Staff/Elder: Lucas, Bobby 

Autumn Hugo's dad, John

Updated 12/3/25

The scans showed that the treatment is working! The lung lesions are shrinking and some of the lymph nodes in his chest that were affected are completely healed. He will have his next treatment in January! 

12/18/24

Autumn's dad had several small strokes and found lung cancer, which they think must be the source of the strokes. Prayers for healing from the stroke damage, and strength as he starts PT and OT. He was working with a functional oncologist who was treating his lung cancer with some some alternative therapies, but have now decided to go ahead and start with chemo. Pray for John’s body to endure the chemo and doctors’ wisdom on any changes needed in protocol. Prayers for effective treatment, for his comfort, and for peace over him and the family. Prayers for wisdom and unity for Autumn and Heather and their mom (Suzann) as they discuss how to best manage his care.  John had scans on Saturday Nov 15th, and they are now waiting results. 

Staff/Elder: Kristin, Lunden

Car Rides for Barbara

Barbara, an elderly woman who lives near the church, is in a wheelchair, and depends on others to get her to the 10:45 service to worship on Sundays. For the past few months, Mike Tosoni has been the only person signing up. Wes and Stacie have been trying to recruit people, but come up short with every attempt to find people willing to consistently do this. Please pray we could find 8 people or couples who would be able to joyfully do this!