For the past 20 summers, thousands of college students, singles, and married young adults from the 20-30s generation from all over the greater Houston area gathered together weekly seeking to connect with God and with each other through relevant Bible teaching and dynamic worship at MetroLIVE.

This summer we welcomed Jonathan “JP” Pokluda from Watermark Community Church and The Porch Dallas, where he serves as Director of Young Adults. JPs teaching was extremely candid and straightforward on topics ranging from sex addiction to the love of money and possessions, but always pointed back to Jesus with each message.

It was direct, sometimes uncomfortable to hear, and teaching you won’t likely hear on any given Sunday. Attendees responded with their regular attendance, giving, and some seeking prayer and counseling afterwards about these topics.

Worship was also exciting as we welcomed well known artists including Rend Collective, Jonathan Thulin, Sixteen Cities, All Sons & Daughters, and others.

And speaking of worship, we were very thankful for our volunteers — over 100 of them — who gave of their time and talents and made MetroLIVE happen each week!

MetroLIVE would not happen effectively if not for the smiling Welcome team who met people at the doors, the Hospitality team who took care of our guest artists and speaker, our Missions team who sorted through donations, and th Production team who made each evening come alive through sound, lights, and images.

Each week, local food trucks were invited to park outside the Main Foyer doors so folks could grab a bite to eat and hang out after we dismissed!

This summer, MetroLIVE continued to serve our community. In recent years we’ve worked to supply organizations with needed funds or materials — groups such as Star of Hope, C.H.A.R.M. Prison Ministries, As Our Own, and others.

Our focus this year was the Freedom Church Alliance (FCA) and their quest to end human trafficking locally. Unfortunately, Houston has become a hub for this kind of slavery and this summer MetroLIVE attendees raised $54,255.97 for efforts including medical support, counseling, and shelter for these victims.

Also, FCA offered a rolling Human Trafficking 101 tour and hundreds of MetroLIVE attendees participated in order to learn where trafficking is taking place in our city and to visit buildings once home to brothels that have been busted up.

Metro Bible Study was birthed in 1994 from a simple vision. A few young single adults dreamed of a place that young single adults from all over the Houston area could come weekly to hear and participate in live and relevant worship music and be challenged with life-application Bible study in a setting that was safe, casual and enjoyable.

This summer marked our 20th season and it was fantastic to welcome back three of the founders, including Mark Palmer, Marc Kohler, and Steve Seelig. They shared stories and photos on how this grassroots effort became a seasonal event thousands attend each year.

Here’s what some attendees said:

We’re already making plans for 2015! If you’re in the 20-30s generation, or you know someone who is, save the date and join us June 4, 2015 as we look forward to seeing what God will do thru MetroLIVE next summer!