Creekside Christian Fellowship recently added Laura McKnight, a Certified Professional Christian Therapist, to its staff. McKnight will provide personal, couples and family counseling to area residents and insurance is not required. The first session is free, and subsequent sessions are provided for a $25 donation.
Craig and Brandy Rader completed an 8-hour marriage counseling class from Laura McKnight (right) before saying their vows.
“There are a lot of people struggling with depression, economic concerns, marital problems, addictions, abuse or the loss of a loved one,” said Greg Garcia, founding pastor of Creekside. “Many people are unable to afford private counseling. We want to make sure that doesn’t prevent people from getting the professional help they need. Having a professional therapist on staff at Creekside is an important way to strengthen our community.”
McKnight also works with “Twogether in Texas,” a State of Texas program that offers a $60 discount off of the marriage license fee and a waiver of the 72-hour waiting period upon completion of a an 8-hour workshop.
Brandy and Craig Rader completed a marriage-counseling workshop with McKnight before their recent marriage.
“The class really helped us learn to better communicate with each other. Communication has to be a commitment,” said Brandy Rader.
“I highly recommend counseling to anyone thinking of getting married,” said Craig Rader. “This class helped me become more of a listener, and from time to time, I still reference the book that Laura [McKnight] gave to us.”
Located on Hwy 36, across from the new Needville High School, Creekside celebrated its 5-year anniversary this week with more than 700 people calling Creekside their church home. Each Sunday at 9:30 and 11 a.m., more than 100 children attend the Children’s Church activities.
Beginning as a Bible study in a private home just 5 years ago, the church has grown into a 15-acre campus containing lighted softball, soccer and flag football fields, a stocked fishing lake, a prayer garden, an amphitheater used for outdoor concerts and movies, the original church building, and, most recently, a new 18,000-square-foot building to house expanding membership and community support programs.
“Just this last year, Creekside invested tens of thousands of dollars into our community for college scholarships, student athletics, teacher supplies, student academic support, fixing homes and providing community softball and youth soccer leagues,” said Garcia.
Garcia says all Creekside programs, including adult softball and basketball, many children’s sports leagues, the Outdoor Hunting and Fishing Expo as well as the counseling services are open to anyone in the community, not just families attending Creekside.
“Creekside is a great place to meet God, serve God, support your community and create a lot of new lasting friendships,” Garcia said.
Creekside Christian Fellowship is a non-denominational Christian church located at 16628 Hwy 36 at Fritzella Rd. Services are held Sunday mornings at 9:30 and 11a.m. For additional information or to request a counseling appointment, call 979-793-5800 or visit CreeksideFellowship.org.
