Church Family Budget 2019 — Pie Chart

Hi.  I’m so glad you’re part of our College Heights family!  We have a lot to be thankful for…

We’re thankful for changed lives.  We thank God for the people who are finding healing through ministries such as our Divorce Care, Bereavement, and Depression Recovery ministries.  We thank God for the children who are growing in their relationship with Jesus through Sabbath School, Adventurers, Pathfinders, and College Heights Christian School.  We’re thankful for the people who are being blessed by our ministries of compassion – the Lacombe Foodbank, and Adventist Community Services.

We’re thankful that the number of Burman University students engaging in our worship services has increased over the past few years, as has our overall worship attendance. Our Ignite service has been gaining momentum. The majority of our young families with children now worship at Ignite. Over the past three months, September through November, our combined worship attendance has averaged 616. A number of our church members invited friends to attend our “Stigma” sermon series on mental health. It’s so encouraging to see new faces in worship!

We’re thankful for the opportunity to support two new church plants in Lacombe – The Friendship Company, and Oikos.  These new congregations will reach people for Christ who would not be reached by the College Heights Church.  Kevin Burrell and his “Friendship Company” team are now welcoming about 30 people to worship each Sabbath in the Burman Gym.  They plan to formally launch this new church in the spring. Lyle Notice and his “Oikos” core team have now been meeting for over a year.  Their focus is reaching unchurched young adults.  There are currently 15 people meeting each week.

We’re thankful for what God is doing in our small groups.  This fall, over 430 people participated regularly! In no less than 41 groups, our people have been connecting with God and with each other.  Hurting people have been cared for and prayed for.  People having been growing in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.  I dream of the day when every one of our active members will experience Authentic Biblical Community in a Life Group.  I dream of the day when all our groups will include former members, and secular people who are not yet Christ-followers.

We’re thankful for the 56 precious individuals who have been baptized at College Heights in the last 3 years.  Our mission is to make disciples who act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with their God.  This means we must be committed to help people continue to mature in their relationship with Christ following baptism.  To help accomplish this mandate, we’ll be launching a series of discipleship classes in the new year.  Each Tuesday evening in January, February and March there will be 90-minute classes (Christian Life Seminars) on topics like how to study your Bible, how to pray, how to discover a ministry that is just right for you, how to share your faith, and how to experience optimal health.

I’m especially thankful for the faithfulness and generosity of our church members! In November we received over $46,000 in Church Family Budget offerings. This brings our total for the first 11 months of 2019 to $248,143.  I’ve attached a pie chart to help you visualize how your Church Family Budget Offerings are allocated. To make our $305,000 budget, we need to receive $57,000 in December.  By way of comparison, in December of 2018 we received $60,000 in Church Family Budget offerings.

Because of your generosity, scores of people are being helped in practical ways. Families are being reunited. Refugees are being sponsored. People in crisis are receiving free counselling.  The homeless are being provided with shelter. Students are being cared for.  And individuals who can’t make rent or pay utilities are being assisted.

Thanks so much for your generosity!  Thanks for being part of our College Heights family!

Pastor Jeff