20th Anniversary

September 2005

After returning from Bolivia, Kirk & Amanda Craig move back into the OST/South Union area, learning and listening to the community. By September 2005, Agape Development launches our first program called WINGS, offering "jobs & Jesus" for young adults in the neighborhood.

January 2007

Agape expands by hiring David and Melissa Hill as leaders of Adult Discipleship.

September 2008

Agape Development begins renting a duplex in the heart of 77021, which serves as a home to the Young Adults Gateway Residential Program.

June 2010

As the duplex on Perry Street transforms into a community hub, the front and backyard become popular areas for the neighborhood children. In response, Agape interns coordinate field trips for K-5th graders - Agape's first children's programming.

August 2010

As a way to engage the older siblings of the K-5th graders, a volunteer starts a cooking class and Bible study, called Serenity, for teen girls - our first youth ministry.

September 2010

Agape officially launches Backyard Bible Club, an afterschool program for neighborhood children.

June 2011

For $1/square foot, Agape purchases a vacant lot across the street from an old convenience store. With the help of volunteers, this first property acquisition becomes the site of Agape's community garden.

February 2012

With renovations complete, Agape begins leasing the former-convenience store across from the garden. 6401 Calhoun serves as Agape's first commercial officing space in OST/South Union.

February 2012

What started as a cooking class for teen girls grows into Too Hype Teen Night, which meets weekly with middle and high school students from the neighborhood.

January 2013

Agape launches our first Getting Ahead Class and Allies Program for neighbors looking to grow in independence. Ladies from the community begin meeting regularly as a part of Agape's Women's Ministry.

January 2016

Agape launches our first adult social enterprise - Agape Property Repair Team - with two employees. As the program grows, it becomes two separate businesses - Agape Lawn Care and Agape Fencing.

January 2017

The first homegrown leader and program-graduate steps into leadership as the director of Women's Ministry.

October 2018

Agape launches our first capital campaign to expand facilities and develop affordable housing. The capital campaign allows Agape to transform the corner liquor store into a much larger ministry center and to begin working towards the long-time dream of building beautiful, affordable homes in our rapidly gentrifying community.

January 2019

Agape Homes CDC is established as a part of Agape's affordable housing initiative and purchases our 50th vacant lot in the community.

August 2020

After months of renovations, Agape's new, award-winning Ministry Center opens with a COVID-friendly ceremony.

September 2021

After completely transforming the rent-by-the-hour Maxim Motel across from the Ministry Center, Agape celebrates the opening of the Haven of OST, offering clean, affordable, studio-rentals for neighbors in need of housing. Shortly after completion, the Haven welcomes its first resident.

May 2022

BBC, which now offers after-school programing to 75 students, achieves 90% success in reaching grade-level reading benchmarks.

July 2022

Agape Homes sells its first affordable home to long-time neighbors who work and worship in the community.

January 2023

Shortly after Agape acquires its 100th vacant lot, the City of Houston awards Agape Homes a $2.19 million grant to develop 80 affordable homes.

December 2024

By the end of 2024, Agape Homes has sold 40 homes and developed 30 rental spaces.

January 2025

Agape Development kicks off our 20th Anniversary year by constructing duplexes as a part of our Affordable Rental Housing Project.