New Sherwood Church of Christ Minister Taylor Robles says there is a great deal more commonality among people than they are often able to see, and he wants them to understand that the answer to all their difficulties is in obedience to Jesus Christ and his teachings.

Having preached his first sermon at the 4900 N. Dixie Blvd. church on March 4, the 32-year-old Lubbock native said he often draws from his favorite book, the book of Philippians. “Philippians has so much encouragement about being joyful and overcoming trials,” Robles said.

“It has a joyful, encouraging message about finding strength in Christ. We all have issues in our lives and problems to deal with, but when we put our faith and trust in God, he can get us through those troublesome times. He loves us in spite of all our issues and failures.”

Robles attended Lubbock Christian College, graduated from Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock and took a bachelor’s degree in Bible and ministry from Amridge University in Montgomery, Ala. He served a church internship in Wichita, Kan., and was the youth minister and associate preacher at Hermosa Church of Christ in Artesia, N.M., for eight years until coming to Odessa. He and his wife Sarah have four children.

Robles’ dad, Edwin, is a barber and his mom, Tonda, a hairdresser in Lubbock. He has a brother and two sisters and is the only minister in his family.

“God just called me this way,” said Robles, whose church averages 275 to 300 people at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. “I could not deny it when I finally understood the Gospel and understood that God loved me and accepted me in spite of the sins in my past. I had to tell people that message and say how encouraging it is.

“Our country is completely divided. We have so many moral and spiritual issues, and if we all became submissive to the word of God and obedient to the Gospel, all these problems would go away. This church is very welcoming and accepting. They go above and beyond to show love and support for people who come into their worship.”

Taylor Robles, Sherwood Church of Christ Minister

Our country is completely divided. We have so many moral and spiritual issues, and if we all became submissive to the word of God and obedient to the Gospel, all these problems would go away.

Hermosa Church of Christ Elder Mike Prude said Robles was a good youth minister who worked well with children and youth, but he always wanted to become a pulpit preacher and is even better in that role. “Taylor is a mature young man who has a great outlook on life,” Prude said.

“He is strong in his beliefs and has a great future. His faith in God is evident in everything he does. He always brings the lesson home in his preaching and makes it where you can apply it to your life and how you are living today.”