1) 2016 was a GREAT year!
We saw a 10% increase in small group involvement, launched our 5th campus in Hixson, moved into a permanent facility in Chatsworth debt free(!), served our communities through HOPE, and continued to grow in Christ-likeness and faithfulness.
2) The BOLD Initiative continues …
After the Chatsworth building was completed, we began to design the “ministry platforms” (buildings) in Ringgold & Calhoun. The initial cost estimates came back higher than we expected. The Directional Elders “pushed pause” to look at all options for reducing the overall price of these projects. This process continues, but should result in moving forward in wisdom and good stewardship in 2017.
BOLD giving continues to go well. We have brought in 36% of what our church pledged and we are roughly 33% finished with the 3-year period.
Please know how much any gift to BOLD matters and helps us move the ball downfield to connect more people to life in Christ!!
3) 2017 Budget
In all likelihood, we will present the 2017 Budget for members to review and affirm online as we have in years past. Expect a budget in the range of $5.6-$5.7 million, which is roughly an 8-10% increase from 2016’s budget.
4) Our Executive Pastor (XP) search is entering the final phase.
We have reached the final stages of this search where we are connecting and interviewing specific people for this very important role in our church. Please pray for wisdom, discernment, and clarity as we move forward.
5) 2017 …
- We have a possible opportunity to launch a Rock Bridge campus in Rome, GA/Floyd County! Our initial goals are two-fold: saturate this in prayer and start a small group in Rome within the first few months of 2017.
- We are doing very intentional outreach to Spanish-only speakers in Whitfield County with a target goal of launching a worship service in Spanish in 2017.
- Disciple-making, disciple-making, disciple-making.
- I want to learn more from and become more like Jesus in 2017, and I pray that over all our church members and attenders too!
- Connect, connect, connect.
- Would you boldly pray that God would use YOU to connect at least one person to Christ and into church community in 2017?!?
- THE BEST IS YET TO COME … !!
I Corinthians 2:9 — But as it is written: “What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind—God prepared this for those who love Him.”