Jesse and Jessica Wood loaded their stuff into a Penske moving truck in the Lone Star State and embarked on a 30-hour-drive to Stepney Baptist Church in Monroe, encountering snow along the way. They arrived on Jan. 14.

"We were welcomed by the police department wondering why we were on church property at one in the morning," Jesse recalled with a smile. "It was funny."

Jesse Wood, 24, is the new youth minister at Stepney Baptist Church. He will run the programs with the help of his wife, Jessica, 29. The couple now lives above the church office with their dog, Fiona.

The Woods were last living in Dallas and Jesse said they are used to life in the city.

"We felt welcome here," he said of the congregation and the town. "It's a very loving community. Here there is a bit more of a small town feel. We like living on the main street here with the lights. I'll walk across the parking lot to Last Drop Coffee Shop for a cup of coffee and go to People's United Bank. It's a little more personal service at the stores we've been to. People remember you."

The Rev. Kevin Merritt, senior pastor of Stepney Baptist, had advertised the opening of youth minister online when Jesse Wood expressed an interest in filling the position. The Woods spoke to the church council while in the Northeast to attend a wedding and visit Jesse's parents in Orleans, Mass., and the church later flew them up for a week stay in November. A favorable vote by the congregation made the hiring official.

"We're delighted to have them here and we love the multicultural aspect they bring," said Rev. Merritt. "A lot of people come from Ecuador to use the food pantry here and both speak Spanish. We're glad they're here."

Stepney Baptist Church has the Salt & Light Food Pantry, open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jessica Wood is from Monterrey, Mexico, and Jesse first met her while on a mission trip organized through Time Ministries and his church, Cape Cod Bible Alliance in Brewster, Mass. They have been married for three years.

Faith, Fun and Hot Wings

The Woods taught Sunday School at El Pueblo De Dios church in Dallas over the past three years, held classes on Wednesday nights and took youths to social events such as bowling and concerts on Fridays. They had also gone on camping trips on the coast of Texas.

At Stepney Baptist, the couple will teach the Senior High Group (9th through 12th grade), which has 10 to 15 teens in it and the first Junior High Group for middle school age children, with classes on Sunday.

"We're getting to know the kids and finding out what sort of things will be positive for them," said Jesse, who had already met with the Senior High Group. "Apparentally the youth here like hot wings, so I'll have to find places for that."

Jesse said he will not try to copy what he did with the youth in Texas, but added they may do some of the same things with camping and mission trips.

While growing up in Mexico, Jessica was raised in a religious family and had thought that church was for older people before realizing it could play an important role in her life. Jesse said it is a common feeling among many teenagers.

"There's a lot at church and that God has to offer you as a teenager," Jesse said. "We're trying to help people connect with God, who loves them."

Though he went on to earn an undergraduate and a Master's degree in Biblical Studies from Criswell College, Jesse said he once wrestled with religious questions.

"I struggled as a teenager with, 'Who is God. What does he want to do with me?'" Jesse said. "As you find answers to these questions, it impacts how you want to live and how you view others, not just wanting to live for yourself."

Often times, Jesse said young people believe in God because of their parents, adding as they get older they need to discover who God is and what he wants for them on their own.

"They do have a lot of questions, so we want to create an environment where they can ask those questions," Jesse said. "The youth ministry at my church helped me to work through those questions."

Stepney Baptist Church's new youth minister said he benefited from participating in youth groups at his church.

"It was an important and powerful experience in my life, and I hope to share that with others," Jesse said. "It's a way to give back what we received — a sense of calling God puts in your heart. This is what we thought we should do."

On his decision to move to Monroe, Jesse said he believes "there's a greater need for people to see the relevance of the Christian message in New England."

Speaking of New England ...

Jesse and Jessica describe life among the Merritts as a family atmosphere, but that sense of hospitality may be tested on Super Bowl Sunday.

"We really like it," Jesse said. "My only complaint is they're Giants fans and we're Patriot fans."

Rev. Merritt's wife Liz overheard Jesse and chimed in, "Yeah, Super Bowl Sunday is gonna be pretty tense around here."