Annual Report 2015-2016
Letter from the Pastor:
Doing What Matters
There are few things that the Bible tells the church to do. These are, worship God, make disciples (which includes sharing the gospel in word and deed and teaching believers to truly follow Jesus), care for the flock, and use our gifts (spiritual and monetary) to build up the body and advance the Kingdom of God. Everything we do as a church should somehow serve these purposes and anything we do that does not do these things gets us off track. Our annual reports serve the purpose of letting us all know how we are doing at the things that truly matter. When I say the church is to be doing these things, the church is you. Are you worshipping the Lord? Are you being discipled in relationship with other Christians, are you caring for your fellow members, are you using your spiritual gifts or giving your monetary gifts? Of course, all this is done in love and truth, and the power of the Spirit. We all are the church, and all of us are called to do those things that truly matter. Pastor Stan Van Den Berg
Discipleship at Eastminster One of Eastminster’s core purposes is to make disciples of Jesus. This simply means that if you’re a part of our church family we want to help you become more like Jesus so you can help others become more like him. The most effective way to become a faithful and obedient disciple of Jesus is to interact with other believers in the Word of God. Along with Sunday and weekday groups and women’s studies, there are also small groups meeting in homes across the city, so contact me (634.0337, ext. 211, or bmarquez@eastminster.org) to join a group or if you’re interested in launching a group. We are not asking you to do it all, but to simply find one group that is the best fit for you as you follow Jesus in community with others. If you are new here or haven’t yet connected outside of worship, the best place to begin is in one of our Starting Point groups led by Pastor Stan or myself. It is my greatest desire to help every person at Eastminster become an authentic follower of Jesus, so please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or to help get you plugged in to a discipleship track.
Ben Marquez Director of Discipleship
Our hope is to see 60% of Eastminster’s attendance in a discipleship track by August 2019.
3
Comments from Connect Cards: “Excellent message! I like the way you clarified this difficut concept through Scripture and practical examples!”
WOrship
872
“Praise! So thankful for truth! So thankful for today’s message. Praise be to God!”
Average Weekly Attendance
20
Baptisms
2939
Christmas Eve Attendance
543
Maundy Thursday & Good Friday
1808
Easter Attendance
749
Independence Celebration Attendance
817
Chili Christmas Attendance
847
GO Sunday Attendance
50
Percentage of Session meetings spent in prayer
4
Students 140
Weekly Student Youth Group Attendees (HS & MS)
40
High school students in seven D-Groups
33
Confirmation graduates
14
High School graduates honored
65
Youth volunteers
105
Weekly Sunday school attendance (HS & MS)
98
Average High School Retreat Attendance (Fall: 81, Winter: 95, Summer: 118)
91
Average Middle School Retreat Attendance (Fall: 63, Winter: 106, Summer: 105)
5
Children's 35
+
70
Families + Volunteers at Family Fest
140
+
33
+
3,000+
Volunteers + Trunk Hosts + Attendees at Trunk or Treat
100+
Volunteers Sunday mornings & Wednesday nights
50
Weekly Wednesday Night Attendance
153
Kids Day Out (75 Fall/Winter + 78 Summer)
“I had the opportunity to spend Sunday school with Abby in her classroom [for a Faith Journey Event]. We were given a workbook to complete together about how to be better stewards of our money. Abby even asked if we can do a chapter each day and make a special trip to turn it in for a prize. Not only does this provide a wonderful lesson, but encouraged positive together time. Then Abby and I spent an hour just discussing God. What a great reminder of the true “value” of my time.” -Wendy Stevens
6
Congregational Life 8
Weddings
150
Average Equipping Night Attendance
27
Average Equipping Night Volunteers
31
Chili Christmas Volunteers
32
Independence Celebration Volunteers
200
Women in Bible studies
260
Women in other groups
115
Women’s Christmas Tea Attendance
$1,402
Raised at Women’s Christmas Tea (Youth Horizons)
38
Women’s Spring Event, Flourish, Attendance
72
Hygiene kits packaged for Urban Young Life Campers at Flourish
7
DEACON BOARD 257
Hospital Visits
328
Homebound Visits
183
College Student & Military Care Packages
50
Members Served (Meal ministry, widow(er) follow up, house work, etc.)
Membership Development 59
New members
283
First-Time Guests
1,498
Total Members
31 + 20
Guests + Congregants at Discover Eastminster
30-36
Ushers & Greeters serving on Sunday mornings
8
Missions
Local and U.S. 34
Missions Partners
10,400
Spanish Language Bulletins Prepared for Nueva Jerusalén Church Yearly (200 Weekly) We wanted to thank the many people who worked hard this year to help our family be able to prepare a Christmas meal. My family will be able to enjoy a beautiful day, not having to worry about being hungry. So once again I’d like to say “thank you” and have a very beautiful Christmas, and a Happy New Year! - Christmas food box recipient
221
+
60
Families who received food boxes + volunteers (165 Thanksgiving boxes + 130 Christmas boxes)
11
Boys Sent to Youth Horizons Summer Camp
510 + 760 + 30 + 90 Dinners + Snacks + Lunches + Breakfasts provided by members for Young Life kids
20
+ 36
Volunteers + Urban Young Life meetings
20
Young Life students partial scholarships funded
55 + 10
Bibles + Languages provided for WSU students through ISI
15
+
10
Students + Families help with international students through ISI
4
Mentors helping with Central Kansas Prison Ministry’s Match 2 program
9
12
College students supported at Urbana 2015
Missions World 7
World Regions
29
Supported missionary families
14
Supported agencies
1,004
Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child
40
People commissioned to GO!
$15,575
Support raised for members to GO! (missions trips + Urbana 2015)
$26,733.95
Raised through Christmas Eve Offering to support Yazidi women of Iraq
23 + 6
Youth + Adults to Joplin & Nicaragua “We built relationships and made memories and friends I know I will remember for my entire life.” “We left with a new appreciation for what we have and a better understanding of the Nicaraguan culture.” “We were able to show them love and tell them about Jesus. Getting to know these children has opened our eyes to the problems that we often complain about, and made us realize our issues are nothing compared to the poverty we have seen.” - Nicaragua mission trip participants
10
Prayer
15 +
Hours spent per week praying through House of Prayer
190
Individuals on Daily Prayer List
903
Connect Card prayer requests
58
Individuals from Wichita who attended Franklin Graham prayer rally in Topeka
As a mom I recognize that college students have a lot going on right now, they have a lot on their plate with jobs and working and studying and being responsible. And it just makes me feel good to know that other people also are praying for our students. - Pam Van Bebber
11
Administration/ Financial $4,157,306 Total Giving
$257,306
Worth It Challenge
$3,650,585 Total Expenses
$3,781,838 Total Assets
$498,812 (December 2015) $107,000 (end of FY2016) Long Term Debt
$245,000
New Roof paid in full
$793,120
Given to missions partners
61
Percentage increase of online giving
FY16 Financial Statements and FY17 Budget are available in the office.
12
communications 11,582
Average weekly Facebook reach
1,047
Facebook likes
168
Twitter followers
122
Instagram followers
1,786
e-newsletter distribution list
January 2016 Live streaming services available
25 - 30
Unique views of each online service archive (available for two months)
25,610
Visitors to the website
13
see more of what's happening at eastminster /eastminsterwichita eastminsterwichita eastminsterICT
eastminster.org
14
1958 N. Webb Road • Wichita, Kansas 67206-3404 p 316.634.0337 f 316.634.1496 • www.eastminster.org