This September marks 10 years since the Revs. Drs. Dawn and Joe Weaks moved to the Permian Basin to serve as co-pastors of Connection Christian Church in Odessa. The church is celebrating with “A Connection Jubilee,” at the former Willows Event Center, 11200 W County Rd. 127, from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, September 27, including dinner and a “roast” of the ministers by church members. The pastors asked for no anniversary gifts; instead, they challenged the church to make a one-time donation to the church in their honor to finish paying off their building mortgage.
During the Weaks’ tenure, the congregation has relocated, renovated a medical office building, renamed themselves from First Christian to Connection Christian, and relaunched at 4241 Tanglewood Lane. The church’s current campus includes the Connection Center, a hub for non-profits in the community, as well as sanctuary and education space for the congregation. A debt of $400,000 remains on the church mortgage, and the church leadership is aiming to pay that off in one night as they celebrate the Weaks’ decade of service to the church and the Odessa community. They will “burn the note” in a large fireplace if they reach their goal. Stay tuned!