First Woodway Care Ministry

First Woodway’s Care Ministry seeks to be a sanctuary of hope and healing for the hopeless and hurting. We do this in a variety of ways, including recovery groups, a special needs ministry, a visitation ministry, an annual event called Care Day (designed to promote mental health awareness), and much more. Explore the groups below and reach out to let us know how we can care for you.

Divorce Care  |  Meets Monday Nights at 6:30 pm  |  Room 204

Healing from divorce is not easy. At DivorceCare groups, people in separation and divorce finds tools, teaching, and support to help them deal with their pain and give them hope for the future. If you are facing this, you know it’s a confusing time when you feel isolated and have lots of questions about issues you’ve never encountered before. DivorceCare groups meet weekly to help you face these challenges and move toward rebuilding your life. This 13-week Christ-centered program includes three main parts—video, group discussion and personal Bible study. Sign up here.

CONTACT
Leon and Jo Williams  |  432.631.5504 | leonandjo94@gmail.com

GriefShare  |  Meets Wednesday Nights at 6:00 pm  |  Room 217/218
GriefShare is for those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. This weekly Wednesday night program is based on the promises of healing and comfort offered in Scripture and is a place where you will find comfort in Christ and support from others on the journey. Please sign-up for this free care group.

Porch Light  |  Meets Monday Nights at 6:30 pm | Glass Room

Many families in our church share the same private struggle: a child or loved one who has wandered from God and fallen into addiction or a pattern of poor choices. Porch Light, a care group that helps families navigate the chaos, was birthed by Brad and Lisa Hyde out of their own experience as parents of a child who struggles with addiction.

Porch Light is a ministry for the loved ones of those struggling with addictions. Whether a child, spouse, sibling, or parent: Porch Light is for any who are suffering along with their addicted loved one. We meet weekly on Mondays, and you are welcome anytime. No need to signup.

CONTACT
Brad Hyde  |  W5BK@live.com
Lisa Hyde  |  lkhyde@hotmail.com

Helping Hands  |  Sunday Classes at 9:15 am + 10:45 am  |  HH Suite

Our Helping Hands special needs ministry is for persons with disabilities (babies through adulthood) and their families. It is our desire that people affected by disabilities and their families come to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Just as God showed His great love and compassion, we want to follow our Lord’s example in reaching out to people who have disabilities. Please take a look at the Helping Hands webpage for all the details.

Care Day

APRIL 21, 2024

DID YOU KNOW?

One in five adults and one in six youth experience mental health challenges every year? And things aren’t getting better. To make matters worse, due to stigma surrounding issues like these, many people (both inside and outside the church) suffer in silence and isolation. As followers of Jesus, how should we respond to this rising mental health crisis? 

Let’s talk about it. 

Care Day is an annual, community-wide event hosted by First Woodway designed to normalize (and therefore destigmatize) the conversation about mental health in the church. At this free event, you will find helpful, hope-filled learning opportunities that address some of the common emotional and mental health challenges you and your loved ones experience. These seminar-style sessions will be led by experts in their field and will include topics such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, caregiving, trauma, and more. If you find yourself or a loved one struggling, please know there is hope! Care Day might be your first step toward help and healing, so grab a friend and register today.

SCHEDULE

4:00 – 5:15 PM  |  Round 1 of Sessions | Throughout FW Campus

5:30 – 6:30 PM |  Meal + Guided Discussion Around Tables | Worship Center

6:45 – 8:00 PM |  Round 2 of Sessions | Throughout FW Campus

REGISTER

Everyone is welcome to attend this event – you don’t have to be a church member! Dinner is provided, and there is no cost to attend.

RSVP is not required, but extremely helpful. Childcare is available for regular First Woodway attenders only.

SESSIONS

Learn more about our breakout sessions and their speakers below.

Led by Kelly Woods  |  Room 210/211  |  Both Sessions

Did you know that 40 million adults suffer from anxiety disorders each year, yet less than 40% receive treatment? If you struggle with anxiety, or are close to someone who does, we invite you to come learn about triggers, treatments, coping strategies, and more. There is help, and this could be the first step.

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About Kelly

Kelly Woods is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and was a youth pastor at a local church for ten years prior to going into the counseling field. Kelly graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from Baylor University and with her Master’s degree in Counseling and Psychology from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Kelly is an avid podcast-listener, Barre class-attender, and devotee to the band Switchfoot. She has been married to her husband, Chris, for 16 years and is mom to three amazing boys.

Led by Tabitha Corbin, Nicole Everitt , Rachel Fluker, & Melissa SoRelle  |  Room 318/327  |  Both Sessions

The World Health Organization estimates that 322 million people in the world live with depression. More than simply feeling sad, this experience of “antifeeling” effects every area of life. If you find yourself or a loved one struggling with depression, we invite you to come and learn from a team of experts who will provide helpful insights and practical tools so that you can grow in understanding and move forward with hope.

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About Tabitha

Tabitha Corbin lived overseas for five years in Southeast Asia and South America before studying her Masters in Social Work. She has extensive cross-cultural experiences that have shaped the way that she practices today.

She is a Texas native and while understanding the culture in this state, she is able put to practice her other cultural experiences to help clients explore their unique identities. She is a professing Christian who respects the diverse beliefs that she has encountered in her time abroad and here in the state of Texas.

About Nicole

Nicole Everitt has 20 years of counseling experience in many different environments that have helped her meet the individual needs of her clients utilizing different theories, techniques, and solutions. She received her Bachelor’s from Texas A&M and her Master’s from Dallas Baptist University, where she specialized in Marriage and Family Counseling and Christian Counseling.

She has worked in private practice, tele-therapy, in-patient and out-patient hospitalization, and mobile crisis counseling. She offers premarital and marriage testing and counseling utilizing her training with the Prepare/Enrich Program.

Nicole was born and raised in central Texas and has been married to her husband, Brian, for almost 24 years. They have one daughter in her first year of college. She loves to spend time with her family and friends, travel, read, cook, and go dancing with her husband. She is an active member at Fellowship Bible Church and is a leader of their Regeneration group.

About Rachel

Rachel Fluker is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She received her Master of Arts in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University and received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from Texas A&M University. She has experience counseling individuals and leading therapy groups in both partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs as well as nonprofit and university settings. She also has experience counseling families and couples and has training in Marriage and Family Therapy.

When she’s not seeing clients, Rachel enjoys being a mom to three littles still at home and wife to her high school sweetheart. She loves a good cup of coffee, yummy food, and intentional conversations.

About Melissa

Melissa SoRelle offers clients a deep understanding of many life struggles and issues. For many years, she worked in marketing and insurance. During her time in business, she developed skills in collaboration, communication, and social development. After raising two children, Melissa realized she wanted to employ all the skills she had learned from both corporate life and family life to help others maneuver through complicated life experiences.

Her primary therapeutic styles are Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). She is also trained in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prepare Enrich for couples.

In her free time, Melissa enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, reading, and cooking. She values spending time with her parents, two daughters, family, and friends.

Led by Lynette Wilson   |  Room 301/302  |  First Session Only

Experiencing trauma can lead to long-term suffering, a sense of hopelessness, and isolation. Few topics are as difficult to talk about. And yet, for the sake of healing, few topics are also as important. If trauma is in any way a part of your story, or a loved one’s story, we invite you into this safe and supportive space so that you may grow in understanding and the hope of recovery. 

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About Lynette

Lynette Wilson is a marriage and family therapist who has a private practice with Journey Counseling. She enjoys helping teens, individuals, couples, and families. She and her husband have been married for 34 years and have four adult children – two of whom are married and two are in college.

Led by Kim Nesmith   | Choir Room  | Both Sessions

Today’s kids and teens struggle with anxiety more than any generation before them. If you are a parent, you might feel confused and even powerless as to how you can best help your child understand and navigate the complexities of anxiety.

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About Kim

Kim Nesmith is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist; she works in private practice at Waco Child & Adolescent Counseling.

She received her Bachelor’s in Special Education/ Early Childhood from Baylor, her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a specialization in psychology from the University of the Cumberlands. She primarily works with individual children and adolescents but also facilitates group therapy, parent sessions, and parent education groups.

Kim has been married to her husband, Billy, for 27 years and is currently blessed to work next door to him at his practice, Lighthouse Pediatrics. Together they have two children, Mackenzie (22) and Liam (18).

Led by Alice Fry (MCH)   | Room 322/323   | Both Sessions

Depression in kids and teens is on the rise. The digital revolution (social media, online gaming, etc.) and the ripple effects of COVID are causing youth to isolate themselves more than ever. If you think your child might be suffering from depression, we invite you to come and learn about how you can help your child better understand and navigate this mental health crisis. 

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About Alice

Alice Fry is a licensed social worker who received her undergraduate degree in Studio Art and her Master’s of Theological Studies and Master’s Degree in Social Work from Baylor University.

She works for MCH Family Outreach as a case manager and counselor working within the community to strengthen and support families. Alice teaches parents to utilize tools such as TBRI in their homes to improve their attachment and strengthen their family system. In her role as a counselor, Alice provides therapeutic interventions for parents, children, and families who are experiencing difficulty in their relationships or are facing some sort of hardship in their lives.

Her journey as a child through foster care and adoption, abuse, loss, and grief has shaped her understanding of what it means to be with others empathetically. In her work with clients, Alice hopes to provide a safe base as they set goals and direct the therapeutic work to see real change in their lives and in their families.

Led by Bill Hoy  | Room 217/218  | Second Session Only

Loss is an inevitable part of life. Whatever the nature of your loss – the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a miscarriage, or something else entirely – the experience of grief can be a confusing and lonely journey. And yet, there’s hope. This session will provide expert instruction and practical help for navigating loss and mourning. 

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About Bill

For the last 40 years, William G. Hoy has been walking alongside the dying and bereaved in various settings – from congregation and hospice to bereavement center and university. Since 2012, Dr. Hoy has been a Clinical Professor of Medical Humanities at Baylor, a position from which he will retire from this coming May. He and his wife, Debbie, are active members at First Baptist Crawford.

Liderado por Cintia Aguilar | MAC Parlor |  Solo La Primera Sesión 

Durante esta sesión exploraremos lo que significa ser una congregación sensible al trauma y cómo podemos vivir con éxito la sensibilidad al trauma dentro y fuera de la iglesia. 

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About Cintia

Cintia Augilar lives with her husband and two daughters in Waco where she serves as the Associate Pastor of Community and Mission Ministries at Primera Iglesia Bautista de Waco.

Pastor Aguilar is originally from Nicaragua. She is a pastor’s daughter and the youngest of three. She graduated with a dual degree in Divinity and Social Work from Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary and Diana Garland School of Social Work.

Her work includes her ministry with the community at Primera Iglesia Bautista and facilitation of Social Work 101 trainings for pastors working at the US-Mexico border with Fellowship Southwest. Her passions and ministry are focused on the intersection of faith and practice, uniting both her Social Work and Ministry degrees. She loves community and finds joy in spending time with family and friends.

Led by Dr. Dennis Myers | Room 217/218 | First Session Only

Are you a caregiver who wants to understand how to faithfully and meaningfully walk alongside a loved one when memory loss makes it hard to know the right thing to do? If so, this session is for you. As a participant, you will deepen your understanding of how memory troubles are affecting your loved one’s relationships and reactions. We will also consider how caregiving is an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. Most of all, you will take away practical caregiving tools. Please join us! 

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About Dennis

Dennis Myers, Ph.D., M.S.S.W, L.C.S.W, is a professor, Outstanding Teacher, and The Danny and Lenn Prince Chair in the Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University.

He is also the Gerontology Initiative Chair and principal investigator for the Prince Endowment that provides research, evidence-based practice models, educational programs, and practical resources to strengthen care environments and enrich the personal, spiritual, and family life of older persons.

At First Woodway, he was a past Deacon Chair and currently volunteers in ministries to enrich the emotional well-being of the congregation and to inform and support family caregivers.

Led by Brad & Lisa Hyde | Room 301/302 | Second Session Only

You had always heard stories of “wayward children,” and then one day your own child went astray. Maybe your adult child is struggling with drugs, alcohol, mental illness, or has simply become estranged. Whatever the situation, you are not alone. Join other parents in similar situations and receive support and practical advice as you navigate this difficult family dynamic. 

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About Brad & Lisa

Bradley Hyde worked for seven years as a Youth Minister in Killeen, TX as well as Calgary, Alberta. He also worked for 29 years as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology in Killeen ISD and as an Assistant Special Education Director/LSSP in Big Spring ISD. He has his Associate Degrees in General Studies from Central Texas College and in Applied Science in Electronics Technology from Temple College. He received his Bachelor of Science in Religious Education from Southern Nazarene University and received his Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Texas A&M University. Lisa Hyde has taught in Special Education for 25 years.

Their son has struggled with a drug addiction for the last 22 years. Together, they birthed PorchLight – one of First Woodway’s Care Ministry care groups that supports anyone who is suffering alongside a loved one – whether a child, spouse, sibling, or parent – who has wandered from God and fallen into addiction or a pattern of poor choices.

Led by Bob Thrift | Room 224/225 | Second Session Only

Let’s face it, marriage can be hard. And often, marriage is made more difficult by emotionally unhealthy patterns of thought and communication. But what if things could be better? Whether your marriage is in serious trouble or you’re just looking for a tune-up, this session will offer thoughtful insights and practical guidance toward one simple goal: cultivating an emotionally healthy marriage. 

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About Bob

Dr. Robert Thrift grew up in San Antonio, TX and received his B.A. in Theatre and M.Ed. in Counseling from TX Tech University. He then moved to Austin and attended Austin Presbyterian Seminary and Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. In his next move to Miami, Florida, he received his Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Miami.

Bob has served as a Baptist Campus Minister, a College and Single Adult Minister, and a Director of Counseling Ministry. He used his initial theater training to write and direct programs for the Southern Baptist Convention and the Baptist World Alliance. In 1985, he opened the Center for Marriage and Family Counseling in Waco, and in 1990, he co-founded the Waco Psychological Associates.

He loves the outdoors, and he calls a ranch in China Spring home where he lives with his wife, Traci, and their many animals.

Led by Emily Burrow | Room 116 | First Session Only

Any parent of a child or teen with ADHD knows that simple tasks like getting ready for school or eating at a restaurant can feel overwhelming – both for the child and for the parent. Thankfully, there’s hope! Come and hear from our expert to find out more. 

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About Emily

Emily Burrow received her Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Abilene Christian University. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in working with children and their parents in establishing the foundational tools necessary to move through each developmental stage. Before pursuing a degree in MFT, she was an educator, and has vast knowledge in developing a creative math curriculum for middle and high school students.

She currently serves as the Interim Director at the Crestview Christian Counseling Center in Waco and as the Director of Operations for Envisioned Counseling and Consulting. Emily and her husband, Shaun, have been married for 28 years and have four children.

Led by Shaun & Ashley Burrow | Room 205/206 | First Session Only

Since 2011, there has been an unprecedented rise in mental health challenges among teenage girls. As parents, how do we raise our daughters to grow up emotionally strong and resilient? Come and learn as a father and his (adult) daughter share from their clinical expertise and personal experience. 

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About Ashley

Ashley Burrow graduated with her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Howard Payne University.She is deeply committed to volunteering and giving back to her community. She has advocated for non-profits, served on leadership boards for service within her community, and empowered and guided youth as an outdoor camp counselor.

Ashley enjoys hiking and exploring nature, and her love for the outdoors extends to her interest in teaching others about the importance of outdoor recreation. With a blend of academic knowledge, practical experience, and a heart for service, Ashley brings a unique perspective and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of those around her.

About Shaun

Shaun Burrow received his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from TWU. He earned his Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy along with his undergraduate degree in Biblical Studies from Abilene Christian University.

Shaun is an LMFT-Supervisor and LPC-Supervisor and serves as the Clinical Director of A&M Christian Counseling Center in College Station, Texas. He is the CEO of Envisioned Counseling and Consulting and has opened counseling centers in College Station, Houston, and Waco. Shaun has a passion for improving family dynamics and relationships through therapy, retreats, and workshops in the community.

He and his wife Emily have been married for 28 years and have four children – three adults and one in high school.

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