Month: May 2025

Worth – Annual Appeal

Jerry Wirtley

Fighting Texas Aggie class of 25, Trevor, a Construction Science major, will be working for a commercial construction company in Austin after graduation. Trevor collects vinyl records and has a small collection at this point, he also can play guitar and has played for summer camps at Cross Trails. He also hopes to one day own a boat.

“Matt told me to check out Treehouse,” Trevor remembered. “I met Matt at Cross Trials the summer before I started A&M and they said I should go.” So, Trevor found Treehouse. “I went to the Welcome BBQ and just kept going back.”

“I would have had a completely different set of friends, a different community,” Trevor stated. “I don’t know how I would have made friends without Treehouse. I don’t talk to the people in my major.” For Trevor, Treehouse is the people. People who are community, who give space to be friends. “The people. Being able to have friends. Everyone there is your friend,” affirmed Trevor. “You don’t have to prove your worth. Everyone is automatically your friend and no one has to prove they are worthy.”

“The participants at Treehouse come from many different places and they like to share so we hear about many different things,” commenter Trevor. “The participants are interesting and wanted to be connected to something faith related and Treehouse seemed like a good place to do that.”

When asked what moment stood out as having the most impact on Trevor, he stated, “The whole of the community. The community is a place I know I am accepted and belong. I really enjoy it and will miss.” Treehouse is a place where you are welcome, accepted, and have a place. It is a community that allows you to know love and worth. Trevor found this community and it made all the difference to him.

Weird

Jerry Wirtley

Texas Fighting Aggie class of 27, Marley is an ECCB, Ecology, Conservation, and Biology, Major who hopes to work for Texas Wildlife or the National Parks Service or something to do with ecology and nature. They love camping, tent camping and has also worked at many summer camps over their lifetime, which has led to their major, they share a birthday with their roommate and their favorite color is green.

Marley first discovered Treehouse through a roommate. “My freshman year I was looking for a church that is more accepting,” Marley remembered, “My roommate told me about a church at the rainbow resource fair and I found Treehouse’s table at the MSC Open House, and I was invited to a gathering.” Marley was looking for “acceptance for people who aren’t sure about things.” Marley continued, “Treehouse is a space where everyone is welcome. People who don’t know if they believe in God or people who don’t know who we are are always welcome and how we start service really shows that.”

They attended the gathering they were invited to and remember being greeted by Natalie, the then president of Treehouse. “Natalie introduced herself, asked my name and what my pronouns are,” Marley stated, “I don’t have to feel weird about that at Treehouse where a lot of other churches made me feel weird about pronouns.”

Treehouse is a place where questions are ok. “The ability to question things and not understand things is commonplace at Treehouse.” Marley asserted. “Growing up if I didn’t understand I was doing something wrong. When I didn’t understand or disagree, I felt wrong. Treehouse gave me a place to know I cannot understand and still be ok. Treehouse is a safe space.”