Jesus described his kingdom using a story of a great banquet. In the story there were two groups of people invited to the banquet. The first group had opportunities and options. Their calendars were full of business and social opportunities. This group declined the banquet invitation. The second group was located in the streets and alleys, along the roads and country lanes. They were poor, crippled, blind and lame. They accepted the invitation.
Impact Temple is a church plant aligning with God’s heart and the reality of his kingdom as seen in this story. We want those who are wealthy in the eyes of the world to prioritize the banquet and live simple lives that are not too busy for the kingdom. We want the banquet invitation extended to the poor, crippled, blind and lame. We want to remove barriers to the kingdom by planting a church that is accessible and reflects the diverse people God has placed in the East Temple community.
Impact Temple is a non-denominational church plant in the East Temple community. Our focus is on God’s expanding Kingdom in marginal places.
Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) We believe the life of a disciple will be marked by great sacrifices in comfort, wealth, power and fame to embrace a simple mission.
Love anticipates, plans and creates space for others to occupy. in our relationship Jesus demonstrated hospitality leaving heaven entering the homes of the marginalized, boats of fishermen, and gathering places for the sick. Hospitality sacrifices our comfort to create physical and relational space for others.
We believe our inner circle of friends and our church as a whole should reflect God’s diverse family. Jesus modeled relational diversity in the disciples he chose and the places he went. At Impact Temple we believe that when Jesus is lifted up a diverse church will be drawn together.
Jesus took the very nature of a servant and he said that the greatest among you will be the servant of all (Mt 23:11). We are intent on serving and sharing our lives with those who are most vulnerable. Our goal is to serve our neighbors in the Temple community in two ways:
Bringing or serving a meal is a great way of showing God’s love for each other. At Impact, we believe that the strongest relationships and community are built through fellowship. Join us for Sunday Church, and then afterward, let’s eat together and get to know each other!
In October of 2013, Brandon and Heidi announced their call to begin planting a church in East Temple that reaches across socio-economic and cultural barriers. Brandon and Heidi met in the summer of 1997 working with the Impact Houston congregation, a formative congregation with a similar mission.
Heidi graduated from Harding University (’96) with a degree in Elementary Education and Special Ed K-12. She taught at Sugar Grove Christian, Small Steps Nurturing Center, and is currently teaching kindergarten at Chisholm Trail Elementary.
Brandon and Heidi have three children, Emma, Mason and Esther.
Sarah and Caleb bought a house in East Temple in the fall of 2011. At that time, they felt God calling them to be intentional about the location of a home. It wasn’t until almost 4 years later that God presented the Drake’s with Impact Temple.
Sarah and Caleb are UMHB alumni. Sarah graduated from Baylor with a Master’s of Social Work in 2010 and is currently working as a clinical oncology social worker through the Cancer Center at Baylor Scott & White.
Sarah and Caleb are passionate about seeing the Church live out its mission to the most marginalized within our community. They are excited to join in the work and vision of Impact Temple.
They have 2 beautiful girls, Drew and Blair.
