Jerome & Dora

Jerome and Dora’s story is one of heartbreak, redemption, and the unmistakable faithfulness of God.

They met while serving in the military and began building a blended family together, navigating the normal challenges of early marriage with eight children between them. Life was full, busy, and hopeful. But everything changed the very day they moved into their new home in Texas.

That afternoon, their young son Zy'Air slipped into the backyard and drowned in the pool.

The loss shattered their world.

In a single moment, their future felt erased. Their hearts were broken. Their marriage was strained. Their faith was tested in ways they never imagined.

For Dora, the tragedy came just as she was beginning to understand what it meant to follow Jesus. In the depths of her grief, she stood at a crossroads. She could return to the life she once knew, or she could cling to Christ with everything she had left.

She chose Christ.

God did not save her son, but He gave her a peace that carried her through the darkest season of her life. A peace that did not make sense. A peace that could only come from Him.

Jerome, however, was unraveling.

Burdened by childhood wounds and deep anger toward God, he withdrew emotionally. Grief turned into frustration. Pain turned into distance. Their marriage was on the brink of collapse, and the pressure only grew when twins arrived just eleven months later.

They were exhausted. Overwhelmed. Hurting.

And unsure where to turn.

In the midst of their pain, God led Dora to the Champion Forest North Klein Campus. She began attending alone, searching for hope and healing. One Sunday, Jerome came with her. As they sat in the service, something stirred in his heart. He leaned over and quietly said, “That’s what we need.”

Soon after, they walked into ReEngage.

They arrived wounded and unsure of what to expect, but they were met with honesty, Scripture, testimony, and people who walked with them through their brokenness. Week after week, God peeled back layers of anger, hurt, and fear.

For Jerome, ReEngage revealed a painful truth. He had been measuring himself against his earthly father, not his Heavenly Father. God began reshaping his understanding of love, leadership, and manhood. He learned what it meant to build a real relationship with God and discovered that he was worthy of love, grace, and restoration.

For Dora, the church became a place where she could truly grow. A place where she learned God’s Word, found community, and experienced healing through the support of small groups and faithful friends.

What once felt impossible slowly became reality.

Their marriage was restored. Their faith was strengthened. Their family was rebuilt on a foundation of Christ.

Today, Jerome and Dora serve side by side in the children’s ministry, pouring into the next generation with joy and purpose. They are deeply thankful for the way God used Champion Forest and ReEngage to save their marriage and reshape their future.

As they look ahead, Jerome and Dora are passionate about helping other hurting families find the same hope they did. That is why the future of the North Klein Campus means so much to them.

They believe in making room for more families who are walking through pain. They believe in creating space for more children who need a safe place to learn about Jesus. They believe in a church where marriages can be restored, faith can be rebuilt, and lives can be changed.

The expansion of the North Klein Campus is not just about more square footage. It is about more stories. More families finding healing. More kids discovering they are loved by God. More marriages being rescued. More people walking through the doors who feel broken and leaving with hope.

“This church reaches them at a very young age,” Jerome says. “That makes me excited for what’s to come.”

Through the Next Initiative, Jerome and Dora see a future where even more families like theirs will find the same grace, restoration, and new beginning they did. A future where no one has to walk through their darkest season alone.

Their story is a powerful reminder that God is still writing redemption. And through the Church, He continues to bring healing, hope, and new life.

Because no story is beyond His reach.

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