Welcome to Waco Life!
We're glad you're here! It is our prayer that after you browse the pages of our website, that we will have the privilege of meeting you in person and fellowshipping together as we worship the Lord.
If you would like to visit us in person, we have several opportunities for you to connect. On Sundays we have Sunday School at 2:00pm and a worship service at 2:30pm. We also hold midweek bible study on Thursday nights at 7pm.
Meet Our Staff
Senior Pastor
Rev. R. Clay Strawn & Sis. Strawn
Rev. R. Clay Strawn: Senior Pastor and Sis. Strawn founded Waco Life daughter work in 2013. They love Waco and are continually striving to connect people with the Savior, Jesus Christ. Pastor's vision for Waco is to see each member of the church a minister in some area of service.
Pastor and Sis. Strawn married in 1987 and immediately moved into ministry. They were both Bible quizzers as teenagers, and they have coached Bible quiz teams at various times throughout their ministry. They have been privileged to preach in many district, national, and international events. They love to teach leadership seminars and work with people of all ages. They have a passion for souls that keeps them continually working to find avenues to help people be bettered.
Brother Strawn sits on UPC Texas district board, serving as the presbyter of section 3, and Sis. Strawn served the UPC Texas District on the Ladies’ Ministries committee for 18 years. Bro. Strawn also serves as a member of the board of directors for Texas Bible College. They enjoy working with ministers in the area. Bro. and Sis. Strawn have served the Texas District as the senior Bible Quiz Coordinators since 1991. As they are both former quizzers, they have a total involvement of 48 years in the Bible quiz ministry.
They both attended Jackson College of Ministries, and Pastor Strawn has a Bachelor of Theology from the college. Brother Strawn also holds a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington, and dual Master's Degree in Education and English from A&M at Commerce. He also holds a principal’s certification from A&M—Commerce. Sis. Kaylynn Strawn has a certificate in Dental assisting from TSTI, and she holds a nursing degree from Hill College. The Strawns have 2 children- Faith, a graduate of TBC currently has a Master's in counseling, and works as a counselor/therapist. Son Noah who serves on staff in Magnolia TX. Both children are actively involved in the work of the Lord. Noah is married to Lindsey, their daughter-in-love! Faith is married to Rev. Brian Chambers, and they serve as pastors of Grace Chapel United Pentecostal Church in Ft. Worth, Texas. Pastor and Sister Strawn enjoy 5 grandchildren: Atticus, Addyson, Annelyse, Anson, and Scout!
Pastor and Sister Strawn are convinced that the study of God's word and involvement in the body of Christ will affect every area of an individual's life. The goal of the church is to equip each person to become highly effective in the work of God’s kingdom. The Holy Ghost desires to evangelize every part of an individual's personality. God will train his will, stir his emotions, and prick his intellect. Because knowing the Word of God makes one free from the bondages of sin, Waco Life United Pentecostal Church will strive to aid the member and visitor in knowing the true meaning of victory in Christ Jesus.
Pastor and Sister Strawn are continually seeking avenues to serve the people of Waco and abroad. They are convinced that the gospel of Jesus Christ will liberate individuals so that each converted person can lead a happy, fulfilled life! In addition to reaching the communities in Waco, they also pastor Waco Life's mother church, Hillsboro United Pentecostal Church.
PASTORAL , OPERATIONS, & MEMBER SUPPORT
Brother. Armando Hernandez
Brother and sister Hernandez are all things, Waco life! In addition to being some of the friendliest people in the church, they work in all ministries of the church. Brother Hernandez is the lead man of our Maintenance, building remodel and repair, and Groundskeeping departments. There are many others that work with him, but he works closely with Pastor to make sure that everything is done with excellence. Brother Hernandez is also a prolific Bible teacher, as he is very well studied in the word of God. Both he and Sis. Hernandez have a great love for our members.
YOUTH LEADERS
Bro. Kyle &
Sis. Danielle Eubanks
Bro. Kyle and Sis. Danielle have been youth leaders at Waco Life since 2019. They are the parents of two boys, Luke and Levi. Bro. Kyle attends Christian Life College online and serves in leadership positions in his profession. He is also pursuing his ministerial license through the United Pentecostal Church. Sis. Danielle is the administrator of our social media pages, and is gifted with graphic design and photography. Both Bro. Kyle and Sis. Danielle served on the board of their youth groups growing up. They are passionate about helping our youth and Hyphen aged young adults to grow and develop spiritually.
MEN'S MINISTRIES LEADER & FIRST IMPRESSIONS LEADER
Bro. Pat Little & Sis Debbie Little
Bro. Pat Little leads our men's ministries. He is a man's man, enjoys connecting our men with each other for Fellowship. He has been married for 12 years to his wife, sister Debbie Little, who is our First Impressions Leader, heading up our greeting teams. Bro, Pat enjoys deep sea fishing, being in the outdoors, and taking care of their farm animals, and Sis. Little is a talented crafter- she enjoys making custom cups and commercial embroidery. This couple is always willing to step in and "get the job done", whatever that looks like at the time.
SINGLES MINISTRY LEADER
Sis. Teresa Wirtz
Sis. Wirtz leads our Singles ministry, and works in our children's department. She served the Kingdom alongside her husband for over 20 years wherever needed. She has worked with children's ministries for many years, and recently, since the loss of her husband, has served as Singles Ministry leader. Sis. Wirtz loves working for the Kingdom of God, and seeks to follow after the perfect will of God.
CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES/
JUNIOR BIBLE QUIZZING COACH
Sis. Gloria Araujo
Sis. Gloria is a teacher's assistant for children aged 4 to 7 and assists in coaching our Bible quizzing team. Her passion is reaching out to the younger generation, helping them understand who Jesus is, and encouraging them to grow in their relationship with God. She is a parent of 3 children, ages 5, 9, and 11— and she cherishes spending time with her children reading, traveling, and doing other activities centered around them giving them great life experiences. Sis. Gloria has a servant's heart and participates in fundraising projects, among many other church activities.
JUNIOR BIBLE QUIZZING COACH
Sis. Jessica Webb
Sis. Jessica serves as the lead coach for our Junior Bible Quizzing team. She was a quizzer for 8 years, herself. She serves in the music department as a drummer at Waco Life and Hillsboro UPC, and serves as the Children's Church director at Hillsboro UPC.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Stay in the Loop! Waco Life always has great events happening for everyone!
MUSIC
Waco Life has dynamic Spirit-filled worship services, with diverse worship music- from traditional worship to progressive, contemporary worship- we foster an atmosphere which invites the King of Kings to work in our midst. Our music teams bring a diverse set of songs that minister to people of all ages. Our music ministry is led by pastor's wife, Sis. Kaylynn Strawn, and our dedicated singers and musicians.
CHILDREN & STUDENT MINISTRIES
Waco Life provides fun, lively programs for children and young adults. Our Sunday School teachers believe the future of our children is bright. They teach engaging lessons, provide fun and games, and other age-appropriate activities. Our youth group, led by Bro. Kyle and Sis. Danielle Eubanks, is constantly engaging in fun activities, youth services, devotionals, and connecting within the church. We believe that our children and youth are not only the future church, but they are the current church as well! There is no doubt- there is a safe place for your child/youth at Waco Life. We believe every young person has a purpose in the Kingdom, and we are here to help them find that purpose.
ABOUT US
Waco Life United Pentecostal Church is a friendly and welcoming congregation! Our multi-cultural assembly celebrates diversity, embracing individuals of all ages and backgrounds with open arms. Come connect with the Lord in our life-changing dynamic worship services and allow God to speak to your heart through sound Biblical teaching. We have programs for all ages, and many opportunities for fellowship and growth.
Waco Life loves our community and strives to be a mission-based church in which our community can come to for growth, encouragement, healing, and salvation.
We encourage you to be our guest, plug in, find your purpose in the Kingdom of God, and grow with us!
WE BELIEVE
We believe that Jesus Christ is the one true God (Deut. 6:4 & Titus 2;13), manifested in the flesh (I Tim 3:15-16). We believe that the Bible is God’s Holy Word (John 1:1), meant to be taken seriously, and used as a guide in how Christians should live their lives. (Proverbs 2 & 3:1-5) We believe in the great commission and are endeavoring to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with love, mercy, and compassion.
We believe that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the saving gospel that gives the opportunity to anyone entrance into the Kingdom of God. (Luke 9:24) We believe that the only way a person can obtain eternal life is to repent of their sins (Luke 13:5, II Peter 3:9, & Acts 3:19), be baptized in the precious name of Jesus (Romans 3:22-28), and to be filled with His Spirit. (John 3:3-6 & Acts 2:38)
What to Expect
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People who raise their hands in the air, "Because Your loving kindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name." (Psalm 63:3-4)
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People who pray aloud, "I cry out to the Lord with my voice, With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication."(Psalm 142:1)
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Lots of singing, Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the Earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day." (Psalm 96:1-2)
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Clapping of hands, "Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!" (Psalm 47:1)
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Spiritual dancing, "Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp."(Psalm 149:3)
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People who speak in other tongues, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4) "Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order." (I Corinthians 14:39-40)
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Anointing of the sick with oil, "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." (James 5:14-15
