A Place for Everyone at the Table
Cypress Creek Christian Church has stood on Cypresswood Drive in Spring, Texas, since 1972, when a dozen families first gathered to begin a church. More than five decades later, the congregation has grown to over 600 active members, but the founding impulse - opening wide the door of welcome - has not changed. The church's tagline, "There's A Place For You At The Table," gives shape to that impulse, and the motto that drives the congregation is drawn from the First Epistle of John: "Putting Love First in ALL Things" (1 John 4:19).
The congregation belongs to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a tradition whose own identity statement reads, "We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord's Table as God has welcomed us." Cypress Creek Christian Church lives that welcome in practical ways, naming it explicitly in an affirmation that says all people are made in the image of God and inviting "people of every race, gender, age, physical and mental ability, sexual orientation, economic circumstance, faith background, and political affiliation to participate fully in the life of our church." That welcome extends to baptism, communion, marriage, ordination, and parent-child dedications. The congregation has also filed an AllianceQ Affirmation, a public statement of inclusion.
What to Expect on Sunday Morning
Two worship services gather in two different rooms on Sunday mornings, both rooted in the same Love First conviction but offering very different musical settings.
The traditional service begins at 10:20 a.m. in the Centrum, with the Chancel Choir under the direction of Dr. Joel Plaag. Dr. Ann Frohbieter serves as organist. Across the campus, a contemporary service begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Forum, led by the Worship Band under the direction of Coulter Brown, with Katelyn Sanders assisting as Assistant Director of Contemporary Music.
For early risers, Holy Grounds - coffee and light snacks - opens at 8:30 a.m. in the Forum Activity Room. Adult Sunday School classes meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Education Building, and children's Sunday School also begins at 9:00 a.m. on the first floor of the Education Building for preschoolers through fifth graders. The church building at 6823 Cypresswood Drive shares its campus with the Cypress Creek Christian Community Center, an affiliated nonprofit that serves the broader neighborhood.
For those unable to attend in person, services are livestreamed on YouTube, and recordings of recent services are also available on the church's Vimeo channel. Online giving is available through a secure giving portal, and a Prayer Portal allows anyone to submit a confidential prayer request that the ministry team will hold in prayer.
Identity, Vision, and Mission
The church frames its life around a small handful of statements that visitors will see posted in print and online.
The Identity Statement reads: "Because God first loved us (1 John 4:19)." The Vision Statement is short: "Putting love first in all things." The Mission Statement distills the work of the congregation into one line: "Leading individuals and families to a Love First Life."
Five core values organize that mission. Hospitality is described as revealing God's love through open doors. Fellowship is experiencing God's love through healthy relationships. Worship centers around God's love made real at the table. Discipleship forms individuals in the ways of God's love. Service shares God's love in tangible ways. Four essential practices give those values traction: weekly worship, intentional spiritual formation in small group settings, sharing spiritual gifts both inside and outside the faith community, and financially supporting the church's mission and ministry.
Sunday School and Discipleship Classes for Adults
The 9:00 a.m. Sunday School hour offers several adult classes designed to match different stages of life and different kinds of curiosity.
The Forum Class meets in Room 201 of the Education Building and reads its way through "the theology, philosophy, and ideas found in great books and great minds." Members share leadership and describe themselves as a class with "accepting hearts and lively discussions." Their stated goal is to expand thinking, continue learning, and, as Disciples of Christ, to gain perspective on the issues of today's world.
Present Word, in Room 202 of the Education Building, uses the "Present Word" adult curriculum alongside the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. The class describes its mission as "to be led by the Holy Spirit as we explore how we can become a more faithful people in our daily walk with Christ." Each week's lesson is a starting point for open discussion that sometimes wanders beyond the printed page.
The Roundtable Class, also in Room 201 of the Education Building, takes a single study book each season. The format is simple: each week the lesson "stands on its own." Members read the selected study, share their reading, and discuss as moved. The class is open to all.
The Friendship Class meets in Room 203 of the Education Building and is shaped by four values - caring, relationships, learning, and service. Members study both Scripture and contemporary Christian authors, care for one another in times of need, and undertake service projects. The class built and still maintains the "Friendship Prayer Garden" on the church campus and sponsors a cottage at Boys and Girls Country. The class skews toward members in their late fifties and up and welcomes new participants warmly.
Young Adults with Children meets in Room 3 of the Forum Building. The class is for parents and is currently led by Pastor Bruce, with leadership rotating from time to time. It is designed as a place to talk through the "highs, lows, and in betweens" of parenting alongside others walking the same road.
Children's Ministry: CyCreek Kids
The children's ministry at Cypress Creek Christian Church is called CyCreek Kids and serves independent three-year-olds through fifth-graders. Its mission statement reads, "CyCreek Kids Ministry creates an environment where children know they are created by an ALL LOVING God. Kid's Ministry is intentional in helping our youngest disciples identify God's presence all around them." The program reaches that goal through Bible narratives, art, culinary crafts, and even yoga.
On Sunday mornings, children's Sunday School begins at 9:00 a.m. on the first floor of the Education Building, with classrooms divided by age. The nursery serves infants six weeks to thirty-six months in Room 103. Preschool through second grade meets in Room 104, and third through fifth grade meets in Room 106. A Sunday School teacher checks each family in and walks children to their classrooms.
During both the 10:20 and 10:30 services, children's bulletins are available at the entrance to the worship space. When the sermon begins, children are invited to a nearby room to hear and explore a Bible story with a background-checked adult, then return to the sanctuary to close the service with their families. Nursery care is available throughout the worship hour.
Mary Kay Bradbury serves as Director of Children's Ministry.
C4 Youth Ministry
Middle and high school students at Cypress Creek are part of C4 Youth Ministry, which gathers in the Education Building Loft.
The ministry divides students by grade. Chi Rho is for middle schoolers in sixth through eighth grade, and CYF (Christian Youth Fellowship) is for high schoolers in ninth through twelfth grade. The mission of C4 is "to create a spiritual and safe community for our C4 youth so they can explore their faith and relationship with God." The program prepares youth to lead a "Love First Life" through biblical study, service, and fellowship, and opens its doors with the phrase, "All are welcome-and that means ALL."
The youth meet twice a week. On Wednesday evenings, Chi Rho and CYF gather from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Education Building Loft. On Sunday nights, both groups also meet from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the same space. Rev. Graham Watson, Associate Minister of Family Life, oversees the ministry.
Women's Ministry
Women's Ministry at Cypress Creek is built around a church-wide ministry called The Gathering, which meets on the third Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in Room 101 of the Education Building. The Gathering offers Bible study, book studies, devotionals, and discussion, with coffee, tea, and light refreshments alongside great conversation.
The Craft Crowd meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in Room 205 of the Education Building. Open to women in the community as well as members, the group makes DIY projects including floral arrangements, jewelry, seasonal decorations, and prayer blankets. No particular talent or skill is required. The group's main projects are the Dickens Market and church boutiques, with all proceeds going to local and community charities.
Celebration of Life Ministry provides cookie and punch receptions after memorial services held at the church and helps coordinate larger receptions or meals when families wish for them. These gatherings offer refreshments and a time of fellowship and hospitality with friends and family.
Sisters at Heart is a ministry for women without a partner. The group meets for lunch at 1:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month, rotating among various local restaurants, with a reminder sent the week before each luncheon.
Open Art meets every Thursday at 9:00 a.m. in the Education Building, offering a place for community members and church members to express their artistic talent. Beginners and experts are welcome; participants bring their own supplies and enjoy the fellowship.
The Disciple Women's Retreat is hosted by the Christian Church Southwest Region, which plans numerous retreats that Cypress Creek members are encouraged to attend. These are usually two-day events at a retreat center with other Christian churches in the region, a time for fellowship, worship, discipleship, and service. Cypress Creek plans its own retreat at least every other year.
Additional volunteer opportunities include helping with Holy Grounds on Sunday mornings, the Blessing of the Animals, Vacation Bible School, and church-wide lunches. Rev. Becky Winders serves as Minister of Women's Programs.
Men's Ministry
The men's ministry centers on a weekly prayer group that meets every Wednesday at noon in the Activity Room in the Forum. The Men's Prayer Group lifts up the prayer concerns of the church individually and then shares fellowship. Jesse Holster coordinates the group.
Stephen Ministry
For anyone in the congregation or community going through a difficult time, Cypress Creek offers Stephen Ministry, a one-to-one care ministry in which trained laypeople listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support during a crisis or a difficult time. Stephen Ministers are members of the congregation who receive special training to provide one-to-one Christian care to people dealing with grief, loneliness, divorce, hospitalization, disability, job loss, and many other life difficulties. The ministry is led by Rev. Paula Gembala, Senior Associate Minister, along with Nathan Higginbotham and Keith Rawlinson.
A Choir, a Band, and a Long-Standing Bell Choir
Music is woven through every part of the church's life. The Cypress Creek Community Chorale and the Chancel Choir are directed by Dr. Joel Plaag. Chancel Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. in the Youth Education Building on the second floor, and the Community Chorale follows at 8:00 p.m. in the same space.
The Cypress Creek Disci-Bells, the church's hand bell choir, has performed both locally and internationally. The group accompanied the Community Chorale on a trip to Vienna and Salzburg and plans to perform overseas again when travel is safe. The choir draws musicians from both the contemporary and traditional services, along with non-church goers who simply love music, and is conducted by Dr. Plaag.
On the contemporary side, the Worship Band performs at the 10:30 a.m. service in the Forum under the direction of Coulter Brown, with Katelyn Sanders assisting.
Hands and Feet in the Community
Service beyond the church walls is built into the congregation's identity. Cypress Creek Christian Church was one of the ten founding churches of Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) in 1983, and the congregation is still actively involved in NAM's mission of providing food, clinic visits, job assistance, a resale shop, and Meals on Wheels for those struggling in the Northwest Houston area.
The Friendship Sunday School class sponsors a cabin at Boys and Girls Country, an organization that provides a home for children from families in crisis. The class plans monthly birthday parties and special events and forms relationships with the youth who live at Boys and Girls Country. Boys and Girls Country aims to ensure the care, welfare, safety, and security of each child while helping them set and achieve realistic short- and long-term goals with behavioral health support and remedial academic tutoring.
The congregation also partners with Sleep In Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit with the motto "No kid sleeps on the floor in our town." Once a month, usually on Saturday mornings, a team from Cypress Creek builds beds, while other volunteers deliver and assemble them in the homes and apartments of those who have requested a bed. The Houston North chapter of Sleep In Heavenly Peace covers eighty-three zip codes across Houston and the surrounding area, as part of more than three hundred chapters across the United States, Canada, and Bermuda.
Ecclesiological Etchings: A Daily Devotional Habit
Senior Minister Rev. Bruce Frogge writes a daily devotional series called Ecclesiological Etchings, posted every day. The brief reflections pair a moment from daily life with a scripture, a meditation, and a short prayer, treating ordinary events as occasions for theological reflection. Visitors can read recent etchings, follow links back through past entries, or subscribe to receive them by email. An archive stretches back dozens of entries, each anchored in the same Love First conviction that shapes the rest of the church.
The Ministry Team
The Senior Minister is Rev. Bruce Frogge, who also authors the daily devotionals. The Senior Associate Minister is Rev. Paula Gembala, who also oversees Stephen Ministry. The Associate Minister of Family Life is Rev. Graham Watson, who oversees youth ministry. Rev. Becky Winders is Minister of Women's Programs. Mary Kay Bradbury is Director of Children's Ministry. Dr. Joel Plaag serves as Traditional Worship Director and leads the choirs and hand bells. Coulter Brown is Contemporary Worship Director, with Katelyn Sanders as Assistant Director of Contemporary Music. Dr. Ann Frohbieter serves as organist. Ginni Whitten is the Executive Director of the Cypress Creek Christian Community Center.
How to Connect
The church building is at 6823 Cypresswood Drive, Spring, Texas 77379. The main phone number is (281) 376-7113, and the office can be reached by email. Visitors can sign up for the weekly Highlights newsletter to receive schedules, reflections, and announcements in their inbox. A Prayer Portal allows anyone to submit confidential prayer requests. Online giving is available through the church's secure giving portal, and a Church Directory is available through an online member directory platform.
Cypress Creek Christian Church also maintains a presence on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Vimeo. Recorded services and recent sermons can be found on both YouTube and Vimeo.
For those wanting to serve, the church offers many opportunities. Greeters welcome visitors one Sunday a month at either the 10:00 or 10:10 a.m. service. Media volunteers run projection during worship services, and no experience is required beyond basic computing skills. Children's or Youth Sunday School teachers are always welcome, with lessons and supplies prepared for them and a background check required. Choir and hand bell membership is open to musicians from the community as well as members.
A Family Minister position is currently open, with a job description posted online.
From its founding in 1972 by a dozen families to its present life as a six-hundred-member congregation, Cypress Creek Christian Church has described itself with a single, simple phrase: "Putting love first in all things." Whether through a traditional service in the Centrum, a contemporary service in the Forum, a Wednesday night youth gathering in the Loft, a Saturday morning bed-build with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, or a daily Ecclesiological Etching read over morning coffee, the church aims to make that phrase real.