Nacogdoches faith coalition marks Holy Week with daily services, donations

The Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance is hosting 30-minute worship services at different churches and raising money for local nonprofits.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:20am

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An abstract, blurred image of a church interior with warm, hazy lighting, evoking the contemplative and communal spirit of the Holy Week services in Nacogdoches.The Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance's Holy Week services bring the community together in worship and service, supporting local charities while fostering a sense of spiritual renewal.Nacogdoches Today

The Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance, a coalition of local faith leaders, is marking Holy Week with daily worship services at different churches across the city. The group is also collecting offerings during the services to distribute to five local nonprofit organizations, including Stone Soup, a community group that uses surplus food to make and share free nutritious meals.

Why it matters

The Holy Week services provide an opportunity for the Nacogdoches community to come together in worship and also support local charities and ministries that serve those in need. By highlighting lesser-known nonprofits, the alliance aims to increase awareness and support for their work.

The details

The Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance has hosted the Holy Week services for nearly three decades. Each day through Good Friday, a different church hosts a 30-minute service led by a visiting pastor. About 50 people attended the first service on Monday at Austin Heights Church. The offerings collected will be distributed to five local nonprofits, with the first day's donations going to Stone Soup, a group that makes and shares free meals using surplus food.

  • The Holy Week services run from March 31 to April 3, with services held daily at 12:00 p.m.
  • The first service was held on Monday, March 31 at Austin Heights Church.

The players

Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance

A coalition of local faith leaders in Nacogdoches, Texas that has hosted Holy Week services for nearly three decades.

Shirley Watts

A member of the Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance who says the services help remind the community of what God has done for them.

Matt Johnson

The interim pastor of Austin Heights Church, which hosted the first Holy Week service on Monday.

Stone Soup

A Nacogdoches community group that uses surplus food to make and share free nutritious meals.

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What they’re saying

“It's to help remind us of all that He has done for us and what He continues to do for us.”

— Shirley Watts, Member, Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance

“People from all over the city came here and wanted to be together during this week.”

— Matt Johnson, Interim Pastor, Austin Heights Church

“We want to give to them. To help them as much as we can. We also want to make the Nacogdoches community more aware of ministries they may not know about.”

— Shirley Watts, Member, Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance

“We gather to worship God and love God, but we're serving others because of our love.”

— Matt Johnson, Interim Pastor, Austin Heights Church

What’s next

The Holy Week services will continue through Good Friday, April 3, with offerings collected each day going to support local nonprofits.

The takeaway

The Nacogdoches Ministerial Alliance's Holy Week services demonstrate how a faith community can come together not only in worship, but also in service to support local charities and increase awareness of their work. This collaborative approach helps strengthen the bonds within the Nacogdoches community.