2022 ANNUAL REPORT
LOOKING BACK
On the first Wednesday of every month our staff does an exercise called, “Looking back, looking forward.” As we gather, we pause our busy schedules and collectively share what God has done over the past month in our areas of ministry. In the midst of our busy lives we too easily forget God’s provision, so we have developed a rhythm of stopping and looking back. In these times we tell stories of God’s work in this church; how lives have been changed, how He has provided and how He has remained faithful in the seemingly ordinary moments of our lives. Pausing to look back and give thanks is necessary for our formation as a people of faith. God has been faithful in 2022 as He has been faithful to GBC for 146 years. Looking at God’s track record of faithfulness gives us hope for the future as well.
As we “look forward” during staff meetings, we share about the projects, programs and people we are investing in. Looking forward develops our creativity, shapes our faith and cultivates hope as we anticipate what great things God might do as we face the future together. This looking back and looking forward is a rhythm that ultimately roots us in the present and forms us as worshippers here and now. Let this annual report serve as a “looking back and looking forward” for GBC. Let us look back and give thanks for all God has done and let us look forward to what God might be up to in the future. Thank you for your partnership in the ministry this past year as we look forward to 2023 together.
In Christ,
“There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call - one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6
BAPTISMS
households that GAVE
FOR THE FIRST TIME
FOR THE FIRST TIME
AVg WEEKLY ATTENDANCE
STUDENTS WHO ATTENDED STUDENT CAMP 2022
TOTAL NUMBER OF EVENTS
ADULTS WHO SERVED AT STUDENT CAMP 2022
our people
463
115
40
2
48
2022 EXPENSEs
January 1 - NOVEMBER 11
$2,301,353
$2,301,353
staff
ministry operations
missions
2021 TOTAL GIVING
January 1 - NOVEMBER 11
TO MY GBC FAMILY,
I know this is the season to get the year end communications with all the “thank you for your partnership” and “we could not do (insert cause) without you” letters. I guess in one sense this is one of those communications but with a little twist. The twist is, in 2023 GBC will take new kingdom ground together as God calls us to love and serve one another and our community.
Paul in praising the church in Thessalonica for their love and devotion tells them, but I urge you to do so more and more. We have had a great year and the metrics you are seeing in this report indicate that but we also have a lot of “do so more and more” moments in our future.
In 2023 we will do so more and more in reaching the next generation. We have seen a lot of exciting growth in children and student ministries this past year and with the addition of some new teammates this exciting growth will continue. We will do so more and more in the area of evangelism and community outreach through preaching, training and serving.
We will do so more and more in worship as we bring our God the sacrifice of our praise and our passion for prayer. We will do so more and more in the pulpit as we pour over God’s word and pursue maturity, unity and transformation. We will do so more and more in creating places for people to connect to one another in small groups as we commit to loving, pastoring and serving one another.
For the past seven and a half years Andrea and I and our family have loved our life here with you and are ready to dream and believe for more and more! Thank you for your faithfulness and partnership in the cause of this kingdom movement. It really is true, we could not do it without you. I love you Grace Bible and believe the best is yet to be.
Learning to Live and Love Like Jesus,
