More Than Conquerors

Baptized: January 7, 1988 (Todd) & October 26, 1988 (Debbie)

When Debbie Banks decided to relocate to Austin, Texas in 2003, many feared that she was making a grave mistake. An outgoing, much loved Women’s Ministry Leader in the Boston Church of Christ, Debbie devoted her compassionate heart and soul into guiding its single women for many years. She also found joy in a dating relationship, which exhibited many of the right signs of a promising future. Dating a godly man was beyond any fairy tale she could imagine coming true. Prior to becoming a Christian, Debbie’s romantic selections were mandated by her chameleon nature, always changing to fit the crowd. When that didn’t work, manipulation was her second choice means of getting what she wanted. As a perennial “good girl” attracted to “bad boys,” she paid the handsome price of a repeatedly broken heart and decimated self-esteem.

On what began as an ordinary day, the apple cart seemingly toppled out of nowhere. An explosive, church-wide upheaval, the product of an infamous letter, unraveled congregations around the world, and Debbie found herself among many who became casualties of ministry downsizing. Her dating relationship abruptly ended after 2 years. While Debbie mourned the loss of life-long dreams, her younger sister in Austin began to be in dire straits. Desiring to help her sister regain solid ground and move her toward Christ, Debbie decided to move to Austin. Boston boasted a sizeable dating pool, whereas the fledgling Austin fellowship was largely married with children. Her sister’s needs were at the forefront of Debbie’s mind. Dating had no priority. Closing her ears to gloom and doom warnings of “You’ll never date in that town!” Debbie headed to Austin.

It was supposed to be happily ever after when Todd Hughes said “I do.” A tall, athletic “man’s man,” he was a quiet romantic and a pushover for enchanted endings. He and his wife were pillars of the mission team planting of the Austin church. Marriage revealed that Todd’s spiritual commitment was much greater than his wife’s, and now, 14 years and 3 children later, he teetered on the threshold of divorce. “How could this be?” Todd grieved. “We’re disciples.” He’d become a Christian at a time when divorce in the kingdom was non-existent. It was the darkest nightmare for a man struggling to believe his worth to God. Growing up in a broken family where drug and alcohol use was routine, Todd became a user as well. The premature death of his 20-year-old sister rekindled a buried desire in Todd’s heart to know God and become drug-free. It was brought to fruition when he was baptized in January of 1988 in the San Francisco church. With mammoth difficulty, he accepted his wife’s decision to leave him and the church. Convinced that meeting the needs of others was his heart’s best medicine, Todd re-entered the singles ministry in 2005.

God’s blessings were evident to Debbie in the lives of others, and she relished in celebrating their successes. However, several romantic disappointments and being removed from the Boston ministry staff, especially left Debbie wrestling to believe that God still had good plans for her. Over time, her dashed dreams had grown into crippling bitter roots. While she struggled to redevelop a soft heart and spiritual perspective, God busily orchestrated His expert choreography behind the scenes. The Austin church wanted to cultivate a thriving singles ministry and desperately needed leaders! With overflowing gratitude for God’s restoration of her dream, Debbie accepted the opportunity to lead single women, diving joyfully into the fresh waters of evangelizing Texas singles.

Having witnessed and experienced emotional pain with friends who’d gone through divorce, Debbie made every effort to make Todd feel at home with the Austin singles. Known for her compassion, she empathized as Todd endeavored through the painful process of rebuilding his life. A natural friendship developed as a result of great conversations and shared activities. Debbie was awed by Todd’s active pursuit of discipling, friendships, and how completely he served the church despite his personal misery. After listening to him share at a singles devotional some 2 years later, Debbie felt a flutter in heart. Her former manipulative nature began trying to rear its ugly head. She refrained from inventing ways to spend more time with Todd, relying on prayer and God’s leading of their friendship. One year later, Todd acknowledged mutual feelings for Debbie. Her patience, caring, and unwavering commitment to God attracted him the most. On February 4, 2009, Todd Hughes and Debbie Banks were officially dating. And the Austin church said “Amen!!”

Todd and Debbie now lead a small group together. They have dating time, but remained devoted to their purpose of moving others towards Christ. “Our relationship isn’t just about us, but about what we give to other people,” says Debbie. Todd concurs, “I’m blessed to be dating a deeply spiritual woman. I won’t compromise my relationship with God to have a relationship in this world.” Between Todd and Debbie are more than 40 years of discipleship. Their spiritual and personal examples continually refresh the Austin church. Both maintain exemplary bible study habits and prayer lives, agreeing that daily meditation is essential. Todd enjoys long-term topical studies that pique his interest, while Debbie delves headlong into character changing lessons.

In addition to leading the single women, and co-leading a small group with Todd, Debbie serves on the Austin Church Board of Directors, helping to oversee their financial and legal direction. She received a Masters of Science in Elementary and Special Education from Wheelock College, and works as a District Transition Facilitator, training teachers in providing life direction to middle school children. She ran and completed the 2000 San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon, and spent 3 weeks helping our sister congregation in Riga, Latvia in 2008. “I even got to swim in the Baltic Sea!” exclaims Debbie. She enjoys cooking and trying new recipes, much to the benefit of the Austin church!

Todd has found career fulfillment in the mortgage industry as a loan processor and quality control specialist. His love of sports, especially basketball and volleyball, provides job stress relieving comfort as well as camaraderie and physical fitness. An active, devoted leader, he assists in Kids Kingdom, the music ministry, and anywhere he hears the word “help!” Todd now supports his elderly Mom and also celebrates the joy of being a new grandfather. He looks forward to the days ahead with renewed vigor and hope for the future. His primary daily prayer is that his mother, children and granddaughter become disciples. Todd and Debbie pray for purity in their relationship, assuring younger generations that temptation isn’t age related. More than conquerors in every detail of their lives, they embrace doing it God’s way.