As a church, we are driven to reach people, locally and globally.  Below are updates on how we are pursuing that vision as a church, and how you can be involved!

September 2015, began a new budget year, and with it, we increased our missions giving from 15% to 16% of our weekly offerings!  Thank you for giving generously, and saying YES to the Lord and His call to store up treasure in Heaven.

Brad and Erika Leman, and their family are in the process of raising support in preparation for serving with Isaiah 55 Ministries full time.  You can read an update on how they are doing, and how you can be a part of their mission and adventure!  You can also watch our service from October 18, where Brad and Erika gave an update (begins at the 55:51 mark).  As a church, we are excited to begin our monthly support of them in March 2016.

Crosspointer, Jon Watts is serving with Juvenile Justice Ministry in Peoria, and we’ve been supporting him since May 2015.  Right now, a financial supporter associated with JJM is helping Jon raise his monthly support.  For any new pledge or increase on current monthly giving, it will be matched for 10 months. Ex) If someone decides to make a new pledge to JJM at $25.00 a month there will be a match of $250.00 made to JJM. If someone who is currently giving $25.00 a month raises their gift to $50.00 the increased amount ($25) will be matched at $250.00.  If you have questions about how to financially support and pray for Jon, contact him.

This past Sunday, SonChasers packed up lots of boxes for Operation Christmas Child.  If you packed your own shoeboxes, you can bring those with you this Sunday (11/22).  We’ll also be taking a special offering this Sunday to cover the shipping costs ($7/box) of boxes to children around the world. 

Two local opportunities to serve and impact others this Christmas season:

• Sign up to ring the Salvation Army bell with your community group, friends, or family.
• The Tree of Hearts program provides Christmas gifts to children that reside in low-income households in Woodford County. Gifts are donated by individuals and businesses. Last year 1628 gifts were given out.  The goal this year is to give out 1700 gifts.  Shop and collect new and unwrapped gifts for children ages 0-17 years. All gifts should be delivered to Woodford County Heartline/Heart House no later than December 11. Volunteers are also needed to come wrap presents! Day and evening hours available on December 14, 15 and 16.

This summer, our missionary Jeff Hegstrom broke his elbow which has led to significant medical expenses.  Find out more about Jeff’s progress, and details about how you can help them financially.

Congratulations to Nate and Ruth Reutter, missionaries to Japan who we support.  They found out recently they are expecting a little boy!