1 /5 Ashley B: I truly wanted to love Gateway Church we gave it a genuine chance and attended for about two months. The people at the door were warm and welcoming, and our children enjoyed the children’s ministry, which we really appreciated.
However, something always felt off. One particular Sunday stood out: we were at the Plano campus watching a screen of the campus pastor preaching at another location, even though that was his own campus. That moment was unsettling for my family and me. We never actually seen pastor preach at his own location.
Over time, we hoped we’d adjust, but today, we realized we just couldn’t do it anymore. There’s something vital about being in a church where the pastor is present physically preaching , shepherding, and connecting with the people in real time. We believe that when pastors are physically present, it better honors the unique calling and gifts God has placed on their lives.
To be fair, Gateway does preach from the Word, and we respect that. But today, even one of the women pastors humbly acknowledged from the stage that they’ve fallen short in the area of discipleship. That’s the very thing my husband and I are deeply longing for a church that’s intentional about walking with people through spiritual growth, not just great Sunday services.
In short: While Gateway has strengths, especially in hospitality and children’s ministry, it ultimately didn’t align with what our family needs to grow in this season. We’re grateful for the time we spent there, but we’ll be looking for a church where presence, discipleship, and pastoral connection are prioritized.
