One theme is clear as we’ve taken a walk down memory lane with Celebrate 25: the Lord has continued to transform lives through the many different ministries hosted on Watermark’s campus. Our faithful members are integral to doing the work of those ministries. And some of those same faithful members are the very ones who created the ministries, often as an overflow of their personal struggles. This is a small thank you to the members who listened, acted, and selflessly served when God called them to build programs to provide care to our church body and the surrounding city.
As our church grew, faithful members realized that the Lord could step into the lives of people in Dallas just as he had stepped into their own suffering. These members surrendered their stories to God with a prayer that their testimonies might offer hope and healing through Christ. The result has been several ministries launched through the faithfulness of Watermark members.
Take Jay and Ginny Burns, who, in 2003, were walking through a painful season with their son. Feeling the weight of their own struggle, they realized God was calling them to love their son like the father in Jesus’s parable of the Prodigal Son—a love that pursues, forgives, and welcomes. While they weren’t certain of what they were committing to at first, Jay and Ginny faithfully started meeting with other parents who were walking a similar journey with their children. They quickly realized that there were many families experiencing the same hurt, pain, and chaos and who also needed to be reminded of the Lord’s goodness, grace, and mercy.
Reflecting on their own journey, Jay said, “God uses suffering to grow us. And we are living examples of just what that means. Through intense pain and sleepless nights, Ginny and I have grown in our knowledge, intimacy, and trust in Him. God’s blessing has allowed us to see God change hundreds of lives and save families through The Prodigal ministry over the last sixteen years.”
Nearly two decades later, The Prodigal continues to meet weekly on Tuesday evenings to offer hope, healing, and practical tools for families of loved ones who are wandering from the Lord.
Then there’s Shiloh, Watermark’s ministry for women experiencing infertility and miscarriage, which began in 2000. Julie Fowler, having personally experienced a season of infertility and miscarriage, knew the profound isolation that comes with grief. She felt like the Lord was calling her to create a place in the church where women could share their pain and suffering with other believers. After a year of writing curriculum and meeting with leaders, Shiloh held its first meeting in 2001.
As Julie reflects on those early days, she noted, “I’ve always felt like God put this on my heart, and God brought people like Martin Massinger, Julie Anders, Shannon Copeland, and more to steward their gifts to help create this ministry.”
Fast-forward 24 years, and Shiloh continues to offer support to women during grief and loss through support groups, panel discussions, and other events throughout the year. Julie’s curriculum is also being published and distributed to other churches and organizations around the country, expanding the reach of this ministry.
In 2006, Mark and Julie Nicolson’s lives were turned upside down when they lost their triplets at 21 weeks into pregnancy. Surrounded by the care and love of their church community, they recognized the need for a space where others facing similar losses could find comfort and healing. This led to the creation of Watermark’s Grief Recovery Ministry.
Mark recalls, “Over the years we’ve served together, we had the opportunity of offering about 50 semesters. Every time, the Lord sent enough shepherds to meet the demand. Each year, many of the attendees either put their trust in Christ for the first time or grew in their understanding of God’s grace.”
“Grief and loss are uncomfortable, and it’s hard to know what to say, but the Lord taught me that you don’t need the perfect Bible verse or words to say; you just need to be present. The Lord has built in me a strength that I would not naturally have to show compassion and mercy to others,” said Julie in reflection.
As we look back on these ministries, we can’t help but be filled with gratitude for the faithfulness of leaders like the Burns, the Fowlers, and the Nicholsons. Their courage, perseverance, and trust in the Lord have not only shaped our church but have continued to bear fruit—bringing healing, hope, and restoration to families in Dallas and beyond.
Look back and celebrate all 25 stories of God's faithfulness. New stories revealed weekly.
