(John 1:14 MSG)
If there's a theme verse for us this Christmas and New Year season, this is it!
We planted Branches Church to help every person connect with Jesus, the source of life - and we're experiencing it every week! This year, the awareness of Jesus is present in our neighborhoods like never before. Your giving and support has helped make that happen! THANK YOU!
"The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood."
...a couple quotes from the last two months, notes we get regularly - reminders of God at work changing lives!
"I've never really felt worthy of love, relationships, or true friendships because I'm not sure I've ever experienced what the healthy versions of those things are - until Branches and growing in my faith. Being a part of Branches has been and always will be one of the best experiences of my life."
"We had gone to a few different churches, randomly, but our first time at Branches was the first time I felt at home and not rigid and uncomfortable at church. So I started coming every Sunday..."
We are so grateful for your support throughout this year, which has helped Branches Church make a meaningful impact. As we approach the end of 2024, we wanted to share that our estimated expenses for the year are $304,000, and there has been $264,400 donated so far. This leaves a projected shortfall of around $40,000, which is normal and expected for a new, start-up church like ours. But, through a year-end gift toward our General Fund, you can help us launch strong into this new season!
We bring intention, prayer, and strategy to every dollar used so that our resources are leveraged toward the vision of reaching people with the gospel. Balancing our books will help us lead strong into this next year. It will help us continue to step out courageously in outreach, worship, discipleship, and a bold declaration of the good news of Jesus! If you’re able and feel led to contribute, we’d be deeply grateful. Regardless, your ongoing generosity and prayers mean the world to us!
In the two years since we started Branches, 39 people have been baptized! It's a number that reflects hundreds of others who've taken brand new steps in their spiritual journey toward Jesus. With over a hundred people donating regularly to this mission, we've been able to give away more than $30,000 to partner organizations like Teen Challenge, Young Life, InterVarsity, Church Planting around the world, and those working in foreign missions and local homelessness initiatives. Our managing Board of Directors has helped us craft and implement a strategic budget from the very beginning, allocated in these ways...
"The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."
(John 1:4-5 NLT)
This holiday season, we pray the light of Jesus opens eyes and captures hearts! We're planning a new year sermon series designed to help those with questions and skepticism about faith, entitled "Reason To Believe". We'll be connecting science, creation, and the Bible to help strengthen belief and remove barriers that hold so many back from trusting their lives to a God of love.
Your support has made such a difference in 2024, and we can't wait to see what God has ahead for this community!