In our Celebrate 25 journey of digging through old photos and film, we’ve been filled with nostalgia. Each photo has served as a reminder of God’s faithful hand in relationships every step of the way throughout the last 25 years. All of the memories—high and low—have been made hand-in-hand with his people, a true example of God’s provision here at Watermark. Through community groups, friendships, serving teams, marriages, and discipleship, the Lord has used relationships to draw us closer to him.
We asked 25 members to write notes of gratitude thanking other members who God used to make a significant impact in their lives. You can see the thank you notes in the Town Center through November 10 or read them below. As you read some of the notes, reflect on the ways God has moved in your life with the help of specific people, and consider writing and sending your own personal notes of gratitude!
Scott and Susan Coy,
Many years ago, you told us about this new church called Watermark! There was no building, so they met at a different place each week (SMU, a hotel, or who knows where)! We decided to check it out, and that was one of the best decisions we ever made. Through being a part of Watermark, God has grown me in countless ways! I have had an opportunity to serve in Watermark's Women’s Bible Study, where I've had a front row seat to watch God transform lives, including my own. Y'all have always been a steady source of encouragement; we have gone through so many things together and you are truly friends who rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. I thank God for you!
Ann Holford
Wild Bill! (Bill Roberson)
I want to thank you for all the amazing encouragement you have given me and countless others over the years that we've known each other here at Watermark. Whether it's through the Equipped Disciple ministry or kind words in passing and a friendly face...sometimes even a self-deprecating joke bridges the gap between the times when we haven't talked in a while. I love you brother, and my hat is off to you for all the amazing work you are doing in the name of the Lord.
In the bonds,
Jake Horvath
My Dear Watermark Family,
Thank you. I never cease to be amazed by God's goodness or how His perfect hand orchestrates our lives over the years. In 2005, you invited me to Watermark, but too afraid to attend, I started reading Join The Journey. The honesty and authenticity of your testimonies struck me deeply and led me to the Lord, His Word, and His people.
Humble servants, I am beyond grateful for your encouragement, care, and constant reminders of the God who transforms lives with the eternal Word that never changes.
Grace be with you,
L.K. Ortiz
2 Corinthians 12:9
Dear Debbie Burns,
What a blessed day it was when God dropped you into my life. I had just moved back to the area and knew I would go to Watermark with my daughter and family. Women’s Bible Study was the first thing I jumped into. Not knowing anyone, this big church became very small when you became my small group leader. We learned we knew many of the same people and the friendship took off from there. What a sweet friendship God had planned for us.
Debbie—you have been kind, caring, intentional, and wise for me in our friendship. I love that we can laugh, cry, and talk Jesus together. I thank our Father God for your friendship!
Karla Evans
Kathy Cox and Samantha Blackwood,
You have always been there in community group (the last 11 years) asking good questions that make me think about the Lord and my heart towards Him and others. You encouraged me as I walked through being a good godly wife, a good godly mother and a good godly grandmother. You also encouraged and spurred me on as I walked through re:generation in 2018 while I was also walking my sister through breast cancer. You have been overwhelmingly welcoming to those who have joined our community group in the last two years. You have been transparent and truly iron sharpening iron for everyone in community group. When our community group went through The Prodigal together, you were always affirming and loving to each and every one of us. I love you girls!
Kathy Thomas
Krystal Arias,
Thank you so much for your friendship, guidance, encouragement, example, and love during all these years. When I became a new believer, you encouraged me, mentored me, and were a friend and example from the very beginning. I cherish all our fun memories and the moments we got to sit and talk through life as you always pointed me to Christ with your radiant love. Watching you become a wife and mom has been a true honor as I have gotten to see a Proverbs 31 woman modeled before my eyes. Your love is felt by anyone who meets you, Krystal! The support and care you have shown to my family and I during some of the hardest times of our lives means more than you will ever know. Thank you for the impact you have made Krystal! I love you so much! Keep sharing your warmth and love for the kingdom of God. The world needs it! “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
Nataly Gomez
Dear Bill Roberson,
Thanks to God's grace and discipleship by believers like you, I am more firmly rooted in Christ and equipped to love like Him. Your commitment to teaching how to study Scripture and grow closer to the Lord through the Equipped Disciple ministry transformed my walk when I joined Watermark 5 years ago. You consistently demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit as you pour the love of Christ into others. The enthusiasm, transparency, and joy you bring into every conversation is contagious! Thank you for leading me to a deeper faith through your example and encouragement.
Love, Angie Talley
Dear Suzanne Hoppers,
Thank you Suzanne for staying committed to teaching God's word to the next generation, the littlest generation. You have set an example and served the youngest kids in our body for many years by teaching them about God's character through Bible stories in storytelling with Starting Blocks and teaching the children of women's Bible study in Flight School. God has given you the gift of creativity in teaching the Bible: from a life-size Goliath statue, to dressing up in Bible characters, to holding up a big letter “P” for Gods Plan, Purpose, and Promise. You live out Psalm 145:4, “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” You are using your wisdom and maturity to continue to serve the Lord. I still say often, “I want to be Suzanne Hoppers when I grow up!”
Love, Lindsey Driscoll
Kim Dickerson,
I am so grateful for God's providence in pairing us to lead together at Bible Study last year. Even though we have a couple decades between us, we have so much in common. He knew what He was doing! Thank you for sharing wisdom and a visible example of loving motherhood, a Christ-centered marriage, open-handed generosity and hospitality, a tender heart for the nations, trust in God's plans during life's trials, and a rich prayer life. It is a gift to be the recipient of godly mentorship from a sister in Christ who has faithfully walked with Jesus for decades. Thank you for playing that role in my life!
Sincerely,
Tara Whitley
Dear Brett and Jan Bruster,
How do you begin to say “thank you” to two individuals who made such an impact in your marriage in the name of Christ? My marriage is thriving today because of the investment you two made by being our reIengage leaders. The transparency, grace, and obedience we witnessed were transforming. Thank you!
Brittany Foster
Kyle Thompson,
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. You have been genuinely concerned for my welfare, and not just mine, but Taylor, Will, and Ellie's. You have modeled for me what it looks like to juxtapose deep and thoughtful orthodoxy with pure and simple orthopraxy.
The Holy Spirit has used your humility and graciousness to speak truth to my heart. You don't overcomplicate what obedience looks like, and you have lovingly guided me on my way. No one has influenced my thinking about investing, money, stewardship, and how to be found faithful with God's resources more than you.
God is glorified by your life, and I love Jesus more because I know and love you.
Mark De La Torre
Dear Joy Kupp,
Thank you for being an example of living out your faith and recovery. You invited me into re:generation leadership which allowed me to grow deeper in understanding Jesus's grace and love. You believed in me and showed me how to trust God to use the gifts He has given me. This has allowed me to share the power of the gospel with the hurting and have a kingdom purpose. When I walked through the valley, your wisdom, care, and love pointed me to the Lord's hope and sovereignty in my life. I'm thankful for you, dear friend—your kindness and faithfulness remind me that my security and joy is in Christ. I love you.
Shoni Tucker
Jeanie Cox!
I was on my back—literally and spiritually—doing sit ups at an early morning Bootcamp when you first invited me to Watermark. I was having a really rough go at life and little did I know that one invitation would change the trajectory of my life.
Soon after, I accepted Christ and I’ve been running hard after Him ever since. In that last 13 years, He has transformed me from a prideful sinner to a humble servant that has seen God work in miraculous ways in my own life and the lives of others.
I thank God every day for your faithfulness and compassion!
Rebecca Winter
Katherine Facundo,
I am so eternally grateful for your faithfulness in serving. When I joined my very first community group years ago, I would have never guessed how big of an impact you would make on my life. Thank you for your willingness to be bold in sharing God's word and challenging me to higher—as Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend”. Over the last couple of years, you have been my CG Shepherd, re:generation mentor, and a faithful sister in Christ. Thank you for making a big church feel small and walking life with me in a way that truly made me feel fully loved and fully seen.
I am so grateful for how you brought me along in your walk with the Lord!
Love, Ashley Romero
Dear Kirk McJunkin,
Thank you for walking with our family through the challenges of Alzheimer's in Doug's life and the subsequent challenges. Thank you for not only spending time with Doug, working out alongside him, but also investing in his driver/helper, CJ. You have faithfully shared from scripture to give Doug hope and to encourage CJ in his manhood.
And, for me, thank you for allowing me to work at TCA in your area of responsibility. Your endorsement helped me to land a much needed full-time job with Doug's inability to work. Thank you for running into the storm and not away from it! Your friendship and encouragement have sustained us both!
Gratefully,
Kelley Maxwell
Larissa Thompson,
You may not know it, but you were a catalyst of change in my life. We met as coworkers connecting over a shared faith, then you invited me to travel with you and your friends, where I witnessed authentic faith, wisdom, and community. Thirteen years later, I'm still walking in community with some of those same sisters in Christ. As a result, I am more rooted in Truth, and I get to live fully known and fully loved. Thank you for loving me enough to invite me in, Larissa!
With love in Christ,
Julie Kwan
Linda Green,
Words cannot express how thankful I am for you! I am incredibly grateful for your love and kindness shown to me and Kevin over the years. Your unwavering encouragement, constant prayers, and compassionate heart have truly been a source of strength and comfort in the many years I have known you. You have a gift of loving people well, and it shines in every interaction you have! You are a sweet reflection of God's love and I am honored to call you friend. "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body." Proverbs 16:24
I love you sweet friend,
Kelli Mainz
Chris Knight, my brother!
On Watermark’s 25th anniversary, I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for being such a big part of my early faith journey. I'll never forget when you, along with the original group, welcomed me into Watermark, and made me feel loved, accepted, and showed me how to be vulnerable and trust God. You all were the first ones to extend a hand of friendship and encouraging me to attend services and helping me understand not just the importance of community, but also the depth of Jesus’s love. It was an honor to attend your wedding and now be a part of your kids’ lives in kids ministry. It all has come full circle.
I love you brother,
Cecil Blanton
Zig,
You love people so well, not only by making them feel comfortable and cared for. Your genuine love for people leads you to ask thoughtful questions. Thank you so much for your patience towards me, and being a constant reminder of the implications of the Gospel. I appreciate your faithfulness on how to lead in re:generation. You empower your leaders and are so quick to provide support. The Lord has grown so much fruit in your life. I'm so glad I am one of many people who have been impacted by you and your love.
Love, Joe/Jose Garcia
Dear Joyce Burk,
I want to write and tell you how thankful I am for our friendship. I appreciate your openness to share how the Lord is working in your life. I am grateful for your eagerness to hear from me, sharing Biblical wisdom, and the prayerfulness of your life. Thank You, for encouraging me in my life as we minister together through reIengage alongside of our husbands.
Colossians 3:23-24 reminds me of you.
In Christ's love,
Marsha Dunn
Gordon and Jaynelle Ip,
When Michel and I first visited Watermark, we chatted with you both after reIengage one evening as you shared your story with us. Your hospitality, wisdom, and encouragement were exactly what we needed. I was anxious about attending a new church, not knowing what it would look like to enter a new place of worship with all my questions, doubts and struggles. But you both made us feel right at home, and more importantly, you were a tangible expression of the presence of God. I still reflect on that meeting with joy and gratitude.
Thank you both so much!
Alli Clements
John Wingfield,
Thank you for being a super good friend, leader, disciple, and disciple maker. It has been a privilege to experience the thrill of victory and occasional agony of defeat together. You ask the tough questions with sincerity and grace. Thank you for being steadfast and immovable! You are loved and repsected—grace to you—now and forever my brother!
Shawn Foster
Katie McJunkin,
When I got to Watermark in the fall of 2023, I was new to faith and uncertain what it looked like to serve. At Grouplink we met, and you pursued me. What was it like 6 months of following up to see if I would be interested in shepherding? I didn’t trust myself to be any good at it, but your encouragement prompted me to see how I could grow in faith by serving others. Book studies, huddles, and insights spurred my affection for the Lord. When I look back now, the roles I had over the last 10 years and opportunities in leadership whether work or personal, are a direct correlation to your discipleship. Thank you for the way you pursued and care deeply. It makes a huge difference!
Mel Hastings
Dear Larry Miller,
This note is to sincerely thank you for how God has used you, Gwen, George and our community group to influence my spiritual growth! You have been our CG leader since 2011. I appreciate how you have led with biblical knowledge and spiritual wisdom and that has had an immense impact on my growth. The fact that George and I have known you since high school is such a gift and one of the things that brought us to Watermark. I am looking forward to seeing how God can continue using our relationships, our CG, and our church to impact His Kingdom! All glory to Him!
In His Amazing Love,
Lisa Dalton
Samantha Parsons,
Goodness, friend. I couldn't think of a sweeter time to write you this. As I was thinking about who to write to, our first Unashamed came to mind. Then the Lord kept crossing our paths through mutual friends and Watermark Health, and now it has been just over a year of full-time ministry together. So wild. Over the years Sam, you have always modeled for me what it looks like to serve humbly and care gently and compassionately with and for people. Thank you for modeling what it looks like to share the grace you have been shown in Christ with others. It is a joy to get to walk alongside you and follow Jesus together.
Love you friend,
Anna Hughes
We hope these 25 thank yous have encouraged you with the way the Lord is using Watermark members in the lives of other members. If someone came to mind that you would like to thank for the ways the Lord has used them to impact your life, don’t wait to share this with that person. Grab a pen and paper or pull out your phone and send them your thank you note.
Look back and celebrate all 25 stories of God's faithfulness. New stories revealed weekly.
