2014 was an awesome year at Grace Church! This makes me even more excited about the possibilities in 2015. God desires HIS church to make an impact, and that is exactly what Grace Church is al about. So I want to share what has been on my heart as we head into 2015. Simply, God is calling Grace Church to REACH people for Jesus, RAISE disciples, and RELEASE an army for Gospel impact.

REACH People for Jesus:
1) Implement a block party outreach ministry
2) Serve at the Allen Park Street fair in August
3) Get as many people to commit to the i3 Evangelism Strategy
4) Feeding more people spiritually at the community meals
5) Reaching more people through amazing ministries at Grace like: Celebrate Recovery and Paradise Island.

RAISE Disciples:
1) Get as many people connected in a Connection Group
2) Get as many people to attend the Discovery CLASS
3) Get as many people to attend Financial Peace University
4) Equip more leaders through Leadership Community

RELEAE an Army for Gospel Impact:
1) Continue to take steps in starting a Church in Detroit with other churches
2) Take steps in forming a short term missions ministry (go on a trip)
3) Get as many people to commit to the i3 Evangelism Strategy
4) Get more members to become Kids Hope Mentors

You maybe wondering – “that is so much.” In reality it is not and actually the opposite. We will become more focused for greater impact. Quite a few areas above have a designed start and end dates. So, this is what my prayer is for all of us as we head into 2015. That we are more missional in our lives and that we strive after Jesus Christ like never before, allowing HIM to transform our lives from the inside-out. Commit with me to lean into the following areas:

1) Commit to regular worship attendance
2) Commit to a Connection Group
3) Commit to the i3 Evangelism Strategy
4) Commit to serving in a ministry
5) Commit to finish the Discovery CLASSes (101-501)
6) Commit to follow Jesus as HE calls you into areas that maybe uncomfortable (like a short term mission trip or even the Detroit church plant)

2015 and Beyond:
It says in Ephesians 4: 11-13, “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

From this passage, I am praying for the leaders of leaders at Grace Church that are; apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers so that everyone at Grace will be equipped. This is not just a 2015 thing, but a 2015 and beyond as God supplies these people into these positions. So will you pray with me for these people.

My prayer is that we will start to get ready to go on a short term mission trip in 2015 (or even go). Then Grace Church will then go on at least one sort term mission trip each year following.

This is BIG stuff! This is Kingdom stuff. This is Jesus working in and through us to make an impact for HIM. This is us being a part of Jesus Christ doing mind blowing things that are way beyond our imagination. This is God using YOU to build an Acts 2 Church!

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)