Faith Leader Gathering on Ministry, Community, and Collaboration

You are invited to join Houston Responds for a Collaborative Lunch with Buckner International—bringing together pastors, priests, and ministry leaders from all denominations for a time of fellowship, inspiration, and strategic partnership, united by a shared call to serve.

We are thrilled to feature Dr. Natalie Wood as our guest speaker.  Dr. Wood served as the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Oregon and former Sr. VP Programs of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Recognized as one of the Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business, Dr. Wood is a national voice in faith-based service and community transformation.

In a time when our neighborhoods face great need—and our churches are needed more than ever—this gathering will provide a sacred space for connection, reflection, and practical partnership. Together, we will:

• Explore collaboration opportunities between churches and nonprofit ministries

• Learn how to access federal and state resources that support mission-driven outreach

• Strengthen congregational engagement and spiritual renewal

• Foster new fellowship and evangelism opportunities

• Share openly about the challenges and hopes facing our faith communities today

• Hear about Buckner’s Family Hope Center, a model for holistic family ministry

Lunch will be served. Whether you shepherd a church, lead a ministry, or oversee a diocesan or district region, your voice and presence are deeply valued in this conversation.