Dana Thomas: Generational Thinking, the Power of One Child, Faith and Family

In this week’s conversation, I had the honor of sitting down with a man after God’s own heart — Dana Thomas, Executive Director of The Forge, a Christ-centered urban ministry in Houston, Texas. For over a decade, Dana and his team have been working to strengthen families through faith, leadership, and love. The Forge’s mission is rooted in the belief that when one child is nurtured, an entire family can be transformed — and when families are strengthened, communities thrive. Dana shared how their approach focuses on the “whole child” and the “whole family,” blending spiritual growth, life skills, and mentorship in a space where God’s love is the foundation of everything they do.

What struck me most was how intentionally The Forge integrates soft skills, spiritual discipline, and leadership training from kindergarten through high school — even employing many of their own graduates as summer staff. From simple lessons like eye contact and greeting visitors, to deep conversations about faith, family, and purpose, Dana’s ministry is planting seeds that last generations. He believes that family transformation can happen in one generation — and he’s seen it firsthand. Through consistent guidance and Christ-centered mentorship, students grow into confident young adults who understand their God-given gifts and go on to build families and futures grounded in faith and integrity.

Our conversation was full of stories that revealed how The Forge truly lives out “love your neighbor as yourself.” Dana shared a moving example of a mother in crisis whose life was turned around through the support and compassion of The Forge community — a powerful reminder that God moves through the hands and hearts of His people. Each act of giving, mentoring, and caring creates ripples that reach far beyond the walls of their Houston campus. As Dana said, it’s not about titles or positions — it’s about serving where God calls you. The Forge is living proof that with faith at the center, we can transform pain into purpose, one family, one generation, and one act of love at a time.

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