“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” Acts 4:32

On Sunday, August 23, 2015 the Covenant Family Members of Oikos in Houston agreed to accept the gift of property and facilities by Bethany Lutheran Church. Oikos will host their first worship gathering at their new campus on Sunday, December 6 at 10 a.m.

“It is amazing how the Lord works in mysterious way,” Pastor Aaron Lytle, lead pastor of Oikos, said. “During a prayer walk I was pouring out my desire to the Lord that we need a building and we need it to be free.”

It was shortly after Pastor Lytle’s prayer walk that he received an invitation from Rev. Jon Braunersreuther, mission and ministry facilitator for the Texas District, to a meeting about Bethany donating their property and facilities. The Oikos family was about to start on a new journey! “This could be a possibility,” Pastor Lytle said. “I looked at what people before us had built and it was beautiful. People loved this place. They shared Christ in this place.”

The extreme generosity of Bethany gave life to a new chapter for Oikos. “It is an opportunity to start new things. To see how the Lord is going to stretch us,” said Pastor Lytle. “He will bless what we do in his name.”

 Bethany dates back to 1927 when the Houston Lutheran Mission Society started outreach in the Lindale area. Their outreach focus continues as Oikos is a family on mission to help people experience Jesus. “This must be about discipleship,” Pastor Lytle said about acquiring Bethany.

Oikos first gathered in homes in 2013 and then at Lutheran High North. The new facilities include a gym, cafeteria, sanctuary and a full-size school.

Rev. John L. Thompson was serving at Bethany Lutheran Church until its closing on Sunday, November 1, 2015.