When Samuel and Elizabeth Oliver moved into their neighborhood, they were intentional about finding a church that was deeply embedded in their community and accessible throughout the week, not just on Sundays. They had young kids at the time and prioritized a place that could be interactive and engaged with their lives outside of the main Sunday service.

A Heart Fed by the Word

What truly rooted the Olivers at CityRise West U Baptist was the quality of the teaching. They were immediately drawn in because the pastors preach from the Bible, going straight into scripture without “trying to be a poet.” This commitment to the Word convinced them that the leaders "genuinely care about Jesus in our lives".

The Olivers witnessed God moving powerfully during and after the challenges of COVID, during which they were actively engaged, helping welcome people to services.

The Generous Life: Time and Treasure

For the Olivers, generosity is centered on the principle of giving their "first fruits" to the church. Samuel encourages anyone "on the fence" or hesitant about giving to remember that God is faithful and will "multiply that resource tenfold," whether it's money or time.

Their life of service illustrates this belief. After spending five fulfilling years as directors of their community group—reveling in the joy of seeing connections made—they now volunteer as teachers in the first and second-grade classrooms. The joy they receive is palpable: seeing the kids come in smiling, singing the books of the Bible, retaining lessons, and truly wanting to be there is a blessing. They emphasize that the church, the kids, and the people need volunteers to be generous not only with their treasures but also with their time.