February/March 2007 Issue

When Prestonwood moved to Plano, the cross that once stood at the Hillcrest and Arapaho location came, too. The white cross stands majestically on the shore of the lake on the west side of the campus. It is only fitting, Pastor Jack Graham said, that the late Bill Weber, the founding pastor of Prestonwood, be honored here as well.

When a lovely Prayer Garden was developed on the site last fall, a granite stone was included. It reads: Bill Weber, Founding Pastor, Prestonwood Church, 1977-1988. Also etched in the stone is what was Pastor Weber’s favorite verse, Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice.

“Bill Weber stated when he resigned, ‘Please remember me when I was at my best.’ And we remember him when he was at his best and we honor the work that he did here at Prestonwood,” Pastor Graham said.

Pastor Weber led the church from conception to 1988. During those years, Prestonwood grew to become one of the fastest growing churches in America.

“His vision and his leadership in those days were critical to its birth and expansion and the blessing of God that came upon this church,” Pastor Graham said.

When the decision was made to move to Plano, Pastor Graham spoke to him about it. “He was thrilled by the decision and felt it was the right one and was something of a ful llment of his own dream and vision for the church,” Pastor Graham recalled.

The Prayer Garden also honors Tippy Weber, Bill’s mother.

“She had an incredibly joyous spirit in the midst of some great tragedy in her life, including the death of her son, and she became very active under my leadership at the church and embraced me and loved me and encouraged me,” Pastor Graham said. “Tippy Weber is one of the most outstanding people I’ve ever known.”

Mrs. Weber, who now lives out of state, attended a dedication of the Prayer Garden last fall with her extended family, some of whom attend Prestonwood.

The Prayer Garden, which includes a gazebo with seating, is an appropriate physical remembrance of Pastor Weber and a peaceful site for prayer.

“It is a quiet place in the middle of a busy church and community,” Pastor Graham said. “We pray that the lake and the garden and the serenity of that little island in the midst of all of this will encourage people to get alone with God, to use it as a personal retreat.”