TABLE OF CONTENTS Editor Lesa Morrison
Photographers Cody Hall Nathan Wampler J. R. Linkous
Magazine Layout Nathan Wampler Contributors Allen Jessee Deborah Whitt Lesa Morrison Elizabeth Rush Steven Davidson Amanda Ellis-O’Quinn Lora Fuller Mike Rush J. R. Linkous Jayde Lemons Tim Lemons Anthony Wright Sasha Rosenbalm Jordan Blackson Gary Childers John Rasnick Patti Geesey Maegen Wise Robbie Gaines Brittney Gaines Brad McMillion Bill Mullins Richard Cocilova Pam Johnson
Contributors (Continued) Penny Miller Mary Beth Floyd Cody Hall Gary Sanders Kara Stewart Nathan Magstadt Dylan Johnson Hannah Rader Dez Perry Pastor Tony Marco Jiminez Winston Johnson Paul Simonson Melissa McFarlane Craig Gibson Steve Robinson Alissa Younce Rachel Hogg Victoria Tilson Micki Smith Nancy Eastridge Daniel Thomas Jim Fleming Neal King
JUST ONE MAGA ZINE
hcONE: Cast Vision Welcome Letter from Allen Jessee Upcoming 2016 Series G3 Conference: Global Glory of God JUST ONE Life Change Testimony 2014-’15 Statistics Life Change Testimonies Student Ministries Norton Campus Launch Bluefield Campus Launch Expanding Our Reach Elizabethton Extension Site Launch Creating Space - Bristol Campus Life Change Testimonies HFKidz HFOnline Online Testimonies Baptism Testimony Life Change Testimonies HFResidency HFInternship Life Change Testimonies A Note from Finance
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VOLUME 2
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2015
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AV AILA BLE ON
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“I
n October of 2014, we began dreaming about what could be possible if musicians in our church could write and record worship music for our church. From the beginning, this project has caused us to daily depend on God for all of our needs, and He has been so faithful! God provided the tools, God provided the inspiration, God provided the talent, and hcONE music was born. What is hcONE? We’re so glad you asked! As a church,
our mission is “Changing our communities and the world by reaching JUST ONE for Jesus”. ‘hc’ stands for Highlands - our church, and our goal is that our music would inspire and enable our church to reach more “JUST ONEs” in our communities. Our music is an expression and voicing of our mission, reinforcing the values we stand for as a church, helping us to internalize them so that we can in turn live them out with greater passion.
VI S I O N C AST I N G We are so excited to share the product of our faith that God could do far more than we are able to do on our own. We can’t wait for you to hear the music, and we pray that it empowers and inspires each of you to invite and invest in JUST ONE!” -Steven Davidson
“God reminds me everyday of how blessed our church is with how He has provided us with such an incredible Innovations team! This album will help so many people around the world reach their JUST ONEs. Steve Gregory, the producer of this project said, “This is a faith project” and I couldn’t agree more. As you listen to the songs, my prayer for you is that your faith will grow and you will be reminded to reach your JUST ONE!” -Steven Davidson, Director of Innovations
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WELC OM E L E TTE R F RO M L E A D PA S TO R
“Dear Highlands Family,
Thank you for YOUR dedication to creating a church where imperfect people LOVE to attend! It’s my honor to serve as the pastor of such a giving and loving congregation! You are truly an amazing church! I believe God’s hand of favor is on us during this season and we’ve seen him do some incredible things just this past year. We continue to grow and reach more people for Jesus Christ. By the end of the year we will have started two new campuses. One
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in Bluefield, which opened in September and one in Elizabethton coming in December. We moved our Norton Campus to J.I. Burton High School and we are in the process of relocating our Bristol Campus. God is on the move! And I’m so glad that Highlands Fellowship gets to be a part of it! Everywhere I go people constantly remind me of how coming to Highlands Fellowship has changed their lives! That’s really what we’re all
about. The message of Jesus Christ is the HOPE of the WORLD! We exist to change our communities and the world by reaching JUST ONE more for Jesus!” In Him,
Allen
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UPCOMING 2016 SERIES
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O N
OF LOVE,
SEX
FIRE &
DATING
CREATURE
SKE?TICAL
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G O D
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at HiGhLANds
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F U L F I L L I N G T H E G R E AT C O M M I S S I O N
The G3 Conference is
designed to train and equip leaders from every country in the world. Equipping these leaders in all forms of church leadership, establishing relationships, and bringing awareness of unreached people groups allows Highlands Fellowship to be an active part of fulfilling The Great Commission. Currently, we have trained thousands of leaders from almost
Pastor Tony -South Africa
“I attended G3 in 2006 and
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since then have been constantly communicating with Lesa and Highlands staff. To date I have recommended plus or minus 45 leaders to G3. Firstly I have been overwhelmed by the love that I
have received from all of you and through that I have learned to die to self. I have learned what it is to yield to God’s timing no matter the pressure I might face regarding any situation. Through Highlands I have learned not to ask how much is it going to cost to embark on any anything that is going to need money, because the one that gives vision always provides. I have learned what a healthy church is and and what to do for people to stay in the Lord by taking
100 countries and we will continue until we have trained leaders from every country in the world.
them through classes and sharing Jesus. Highlands Fellowship has impacted my life in many ways. I once told the group that will be coming that most of the things that they like about me I learned them there. Highlands Fellowship Church is truly a great church were imperfect people are doing life together. I have learned how to lead a structured church and will forever thank God for the teachings I received there. You will forever be part of me.� -Pastor Tony
0 0 1 y l r a e n s e i r t Coun ched Rea COUNTRIES REACHED COUNTRIES REMAINING
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Marco Jiminez - Costa Rica
arco Jiminez, director of Word of Life Costa Rica, and his wife Fanny participated in the G3 conference in 2014. Marco had been looking for ways to grow the local church and ministry. He came away with valuable information and an interest in small groups. Before holding a vacation bible school in a new area of town, they were
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.� Matthew 28:19-20
praying for one new small group host family and a new bible club (youth group). After vacation bible school, they were able to start three new small groups and a bible club! The information they learned at the 3G Conference gave them a renewed sense of direction and tools to grow the ministry God has given them.
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our men standing on a dock. It wasn’t a holiday; it wasn’t a celebration of someone’s birthday or a child’s championship ball game picnic. It didn’t even start out as a day that you would think needed to be marked on a calendar as a day that you heard God speak so clearly. But that is really where this story begins. Four men, standing on a dock discussing the future of the Highlands family. “How are we going to reach those far from God?” they wondered, until suddenly, it became clear. In a moment of silence, Allen spoke these two simple words: Just One. “We could change our schools, our community, even our region by each being responsible for just one person.
It will take heart and it will take prayer, but I believe God will honor the endeavors of the people whose life was changed because someone committed to them being their Just One.” The men nodded in amazement. This was more than just an idea; this was a movement which would change the course of the Highlands story. Just like the early church that Paul wrote about in Acts, the church was called in the Greek language ekklésia. It meant brick and mortar wasn’t a requirement for church or a large building for people to gather in. Paul referred to the church in its purest form - a movement of people passionately coming together, believing and worshiping God. That’s why we
believe that the church is the hope of the world. We would never want to miss our chance to be a movement in our communities. Just One is a simple name, but the vision behind this movement is the fuel that will bring thousands of people into a relationship with Jesus in the days ahead. Our prayer is that imperfect people come through the doors of Highlands and find a warm welcome, a safe place, and hope in a world that is so broken. Our challenge to the congregation is to never give up. Keep praying! Keep believing that we are in the midst of an ekklésia in our region and the world. Let's never stop inviting and investing in our next Just One.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” G A L A T I A N S
6 : 9
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LIF E C HA N G E V I C TOR I A TI L S O N
“I
was one of those church-goers who came in and out every Sunday with little notice from anyone. That’s how I had lived most of my life —quietly and without being noticed. I began attending Highlands Fellowship in the fall of 2012. I looked forward to coming to church and Pastor Allen’s messages always seemed to be written just for me. But still, I came in and out of the doors with little notice. Church was a Sunday thing for me. That’s how I grew up. That’s what I was supposed to do. In the summer of 2013, I sank into a deep depression. I closed myself off to the people around me and those who loved me. I was sinking fast and I knew that if I didn’t do something, I might take the selfish way out of this world. I completed Sessions ONE01 through FOUR01, was baptized, and I poured myself into my faith and into the belief that God had a plan for me. I held on strongly to Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Church became something different for me then. It became my lifeline. I couldn’t wait for Sundays to come and be renewed and spiritually fed. The following March, I joined a Run for God group in Chilhowie with one of my best friends. I had been running for several months on my own and, initially, I didn’t really know what Run for God was, but I thought I’d get some motivation from the group and maybe make a friend or two along the way. Not only did those things happen, but I was amazed by seeing God work and move in so many lives…and in MY life, giving strength and endurance where there was very little. Fast forward to January 2015 when I began serving at Highlands. For
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“I am Victoria, and I am JUST ONE.” the first time in a long time, I was at home. I had a place…I belonged. A fire started inside me that I had never felt before---I was on fire for God! I can’t even begin to explain that feeling! It was overwhelming and exciting all at once. But it wasn’t about me. It was about serving Him. There are so many people that walk in and out of the doors every week like I used to, longing for a sense of belonging and hope, searching for their place in the world. If I can welcome JUST ONE of them with a smile…that may be what they need to open their hearts and minds to the Lord. To know that it’s okay not to be perfect. A short time later, I saw a slide for Run for God. I was so excited! It couldn’t get any better than a Run for God group at Highlands Fellowship. I signed up at the Small Group desk and waited. That’s when God opened a door that I never could have foreseen. I was asked to lead the group! Leading was miles out of my comfort zone, but I knew that if He had opened that door, he would certainly give me the means
to do it. The first meeting brought 24 people! Over the next 12 weeks, God worked in the group and many of the men and women completed their first 5K race. It was absolutely amazing and those men and women amazed me in their dedication and strength! It was only by His power that that could have happened. God has, yet again, opened another door for me. In 2016, GodFit is coming to Highlands! I am so thankful and still in awe that God has given me the opportunity to help people develop strong, healthier, bodies, hearts and lives and to serve Him through loving Him, others, and themselves. Two years after the lowest valley of my life, here I am, at my highest. I didn’t ever think I would have such hope in my future as I do. Highlands helped me have the faith to surrender my life to Christ and he has worked in me in ways that I never imagined. I can’t wait to see what comes next! I am Victoria, and I am JUST ONE.”
S T AT I S T I C S 2 0 1 4 - ’ 1 5
1,585PEOPLE ACCEPTED CHRIST
800
629 BAPTISMS 30,000
MEMBERS IMPACTING PEOPLE IN LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMMUNITIES
4,200 142 1,813
CURRENT AVERAGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ATTENDING WORSHIP SERVICES
COUNTRIES VISITED HIGHLANDSFELLOWSHIP.COM IN ‘14-’15
CONNECTED IN SMALL GROUPS IN ‘14-’15
9,067,541
TOTAL NUMBER OF HITS IN ‘14-’15 ON HIGHLANDSFELLOWSHIP.COM
1,233
NEXT STEPS TAKEN THROUGH SESSIONS ONE01–FOUR01 IN ‘14-’15
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“U
pon arriving we noticed there was enthusiasm in every aspect of the church. From the parking lot attendees, the smiling greeters, the ushers, the music and the invigorating message, we felt the church was alive. We decided to attend again the following Sunday. After our second Sunday we signed up for the Session ONE01 to learn more about the church. When the first session was over Glo knew this was the church for her, however; I still had doubts. I had doubts mainly due to rumors I had heard about the church. Upon discussing these questions I had with a ministry leader and recognizing what the church was doing on a weekly basis, I realized they were in fact just rumors. We decided to complete all four sessions and also attend the small group classes to meet other new attendees. We realized that the small groups would play an important roll in being part of such a large church and would help us to have fellowship with other Christians. After reading the weekly program one Sunday, Glo
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noticed the church was looking for volunteers to help with the Food Pantry. She started volunteering soon after turning in a response card and was welcomed with open arms. The fellowship and love that comes from that group is overwhelming. Not long after completing the sessions, Glo became a member of HFC and for the first time ever I attended a men’s retreat and then decided to be baptized by immersion so I could join the church as well. There again being baptized at the lake and having total strangers come out to support and bless you was very humbling. We found there is something for everyone at Highlands. The Just One program has made us stop and think about others attending church. It’s such a great avenue to invite unchurched family and friends for fellowship. The Childrens area is amazing! Taking my grandson there was scary at first for him and me but soon he was excited to join his new friends on Sundays. The more we were attending, the
closer we felt to God and what he wanted us to do with our life. Suddenly Friday wasn’t the best day of our week, Sunday was, as we looked forward to attending the HFC service. At times it seemed (and still does) as if Pastor Allen was peeking in our windows as his messages hit home with our daily life. After attending Highlands for a while, to our surprise we were asked to help with First Impressions on Sunday mornings. We never thought a church this large would have a need for volunteers. We thought people would be standing in line to volunteer but we soon found that this was not the case. First Impressions has helped us become a part of the Highlands Family. Over the past year Highlands Fellowship Church has been the most influential part of our daily life in helping us to learn more about Jesus Christ and fellowship with others. When we follow Jesus all our needs are met.” -Richard Cocilova
L IF E C H A N G E
“I
MA R Y B E TH FLOY D
taught school for 35 years. Before I retired I prayed and asked God if it was the right time and I felt like he was telling me that it was. Within about a month of my retirement I was asked to work with our Kids Small Group program. I feel like God used my career to prepare me
for the ministry that I’m doing now. It’s so exciting to see the kids grow in their faith, and seeing God through the eyes of a child keeps my faith fresh as well. I get so much more from the kids than I give, and I think anytime you step out in obedience there’s always a blessing waiting.”
L I F E C H A NGE G A RY S A N D E R S
“M
y name is Gary Sanders and I began attending Highlands Fellowship four years ago. My “Just One” had invited me, and I went to Bristol Campus for one year. I moved to the Johnson City Campus after it opened. Once at my new home campus, I began volunteering and getting involved with First Impressions. I started Sessions ONE01 – FOUR01; it was during Session FOUR01 I felt a nudge to go abroad and help spread the gospel. I began researching the various mission trips that Highlands is a part of and decided that my first mission trip would be to Costa Rica in the summer of 2014. Highlands has been going to the Word of Life Camp in Las Juntas, Costa Rica for five years. The Word of Life mission team in Costa Rica is led by Marco and Fanny Jimenez. Our 16-person team objective for the week was to host a morning Vacation Bible School for the children
in one particular area of Las Juntas. During that week, over 150 children attended VBS, and we had 73 total salvations. One particular salvation I was very privileged to be a part of. One afternoon we went into the neighboring town of San Juan to hand out candy and soccer balls to the children. We used the candy and balls as a way to break the ice and begin leading both the children and their parents into salvation. As we walked through the town a couple of times, I noticed a couple standing on their porch watching us. I felt a prompting to speak with them; though my Spanish is very limited I decided to walk over to their house. I asked them if they had children, to which they replied ‘no’. As I thanked them and turned to walk away, Fanny took my arm and said that she wanted to speak with them. To watch Fanny spread the gospel is a thing of beauty! She spoke with the wife, but the husband seemed uninterested. After a bit, she asked them if they would like to accept Christ as their Savior. The husband said no, but the wife said yes!!! As Fanny was about to lead her in prayer, we heard a frail voice coming from inside the house. It was their 90 year old grandmother! She had been
listening, and wanted to accept Christ! She joined us outside, and Fanny led both ladies in the Salvation Prayer. We all shed tears of joy at this glorious sight! Thinking about everything that had to take place, from my Just One, to Sessions, to this mission trip, and a prompting that led these two ladies into a relationship with Christ still brings tears to my eyes to this day. On that day, all of heaven rejoiced! It was worth every bit of sacrifice I made to go on this trip.
I was lucky enough to hug, and have my picture taken with the grandmother. I will cherish it forever! Thank you to my “Just One”! The grandmother and I will hug again one day!”
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63 3 H I G H S C H O O L M I N I S T RY
633
is the venue for high school students at Highlands Fellowship. In the fall of 2014, 633 was birthed out of a desire to create a church where imperfect high school students would love to attend. We meet weekly on Wednesday evenings at 6:33 pm. This ministry is more than a weekly event with bands and speakers; it’s about a generation. It’s a movement where tudents feel loved, inspired, and informed. It’s an attractive, relational
“...you can follow Jesus and still be a teenager and still have fun.” -Kara Stewart
Kara Stewart, 633 Student
Kara Stewart, a senior at Patrick Henry High School, is one of those
high school students who became a follower of Jesus and found a new direction for her life. Her story is a little unusual. She was asked by one of the Highlands Fellowship student coordinators to teach the “Thriller” dance to a group of students to perform during an October series. Kara said her first impression when she walked in was, “This is a church? It felt really different than any church I’d ever been in. The first guy I saw that
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morning was the guy running sound. He had a mile high blue Mohawk and he made me feel welcome.” After performing the dance on that Sunday, she sat through the message in high school ministry and her life changed forever. “I just sat there and cried. It was the first service I’d ever understood. I told God, ‘I don’t know where I’ve been but I’m here now and I want to know you.’ During that message I realized that I thought I was good with God but I really wasn’t.” She accepted Christ that morning
community for high school students to belong and stick. As a result, high school students are becoming followers of Jesus who know that God’s unfailing love is better than anything else. 633 will continue to help students develop their own faith in Jesus, give them the ability to make better decisions, create positive friendships, and provide growth that will prepare them for the rest of their lives. and never looked back. Other than a few exceptions, she’s not missed church since then. Her life took another turn when she attended Amplify, HFSM’s summer camp. While attending camp, Kara listened to a message by Mark Estepp (Next Generations Pastor) and she knew God was calling her into ministry. As soon as Amplify was over, she started serving in The Edge (Highlands Middle School ministry). Kara knew God was asking her to take her next step, “I love serving in the Edge. I feel at home here.” Even though Kara has found a home at Highlands, her life hasn’t been easy over the last few years. Her cousin passed away and then shortly after that, her father passed away suddenly. Friends in 633 and the Edge made the difference when she was feeling alone and devastated. They came alongside her during the tough times. “I love the people in the Edge and 633. I’m surrounded by people who love Jesus and care about me. I don’t feel judged about anything. You learn so much about being a Christian. One of the things I found out is you can follow Jesus and still be a teenager and still have fun. It’s hard to believe Thriller started this whole journey but I’m really glad it did.”
T HE ED GE MIDD L E S C HOOL M I N I S T RY
The Edge is the Middle
School Ministry at Highlands Fellowship. It’s most definitely the place middle school students want to be on Sunday mornings with games, food, and messages just for them! We want students to have fun,
be challenged, feel accepted, find answers to life’s questions… and, most importantly, we want them to start a relationship with Jesus that continues long after they leave our space! Our goal is for students to develop their own faith, for it to stick and, in turn, for them to help
other students start their journey with Jesus. At the end of their experience, we hope that not only are student’s lives changed but families and generations of families are changed because of what’s happening in the Edge!
A MINISTRY FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS Open. Honest. Conversation. IF IT’S TRENDING... WE’RE TALKING ABOUT IT
#SpeakWeListen
articulates the vision behind The Listening Company. The Listening Company is a ministry for college students and young adults. We are people who value the company of one another in community, conversation, and biblical content. This is why we have designed an
interactive experience that can happen at virtually any location. It’s an open, honest, non-judgmental conversation about relevant content and trending topics. This is allowing us to engage culture with the gospel of Jesus, empower leaders, and make disciples. We want to be humble enough to listen to one another and,
most importantly, to what God wants to say to us. Visit thelistening.co for information about locating or leading a community group or join the conversation live on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. at live.thelistening.co. This is The Listening Company. Speak. We’re Listening.
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N OR TON CAMPUS LAUNC H
“We are searching for JUST ONEs because we are desperate to see God move in our community.” “W
Robbie Gaines, Campus Pastor (left) & his wife Brittney (right)
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e have an incredible opportunity as a church to serve the City of Norton and Wise County, VA. While there is hurt in our community, there is peace. Even though there is struggle in our community, there is hope. So when we say, “Changing Our Communities…” we do not take that lightly. It is not just a slogan to hang on the refrigerator - it is a commitment to honor what God has entrusted to us as a church. Proverbs 31:8-9 says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
and see that they get justice.” There is a giant of poverty in our world and in our community, but wouldn’t it be just like God to bring hope to the hopeless, peace to the hurting through Highlands Fellowship? We are Creating a Church Where Imperfect People Love to Attend because it is more than just a building. We are searching for JUST ONEs because we are desperate to see God move in our community and in our lives. We are eager to invite and welcome all who come because we have a hope in Jesus Christ that lasts for eternity and we want to share it with our friends and neighbors!”
BLUEF IELD CAMPUS LAUNC H
“F
ourteen years ago, Renee and I were married and very young in our faith - just beginning our relationship with Christ. At that time, we thought God was calling us to Youth Ministry and we boldly stepped up to that challenge. We led our youth group for five years, taking them to conference after conference, participating in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine and even took our teens on a “True Love Waits” retreat. We saw lives changed in our youth ministry but still felt that something was missing. Although our faith was continuing to grow, our spiritual health was not getting nourished. We searched for a place that would help us grow in our walk with the Lord. We found a small church and immediately felt that we fit in. The small church rapidly grew, spreading the gospel and serving the community, and as it grew, so did our faith. I enrolled in Biblical Studies classes through GGBTS, Renee and I served on the leadership and mission
teams and I would present a Sunday message on occasion. In the Spring of 2015, Highlands Fellowship contacted us about leading the new Bluefield Extension Site. As daunting a task as it seemed, we knew that this was the direction God was leading us.
Brad McMillion, Campus Pastor (right) & his wife Renee (left)
Looking back over the course of the last 14 years, we can now see how God was grooming us for this exact season in our lives. He established the leadership skills we would need, both personally and scripturally, to do the job the Lord has asked us to do with
Highlands. In three short months, from the organization of the volunteer and lead teams, to the subsequent launch and succeeding services, we have witnessed lives being changed. The Bluefield Extension Site provided over 600 backpacks and school supplies were delivered to local school. We serve 1,000 donuts to area teachers in nine schools as they went back to work for the new school year. In the first three weekends of our campus, we have seen close to 10 salvations and two baptisms. Our community, both local and college, has embraced the Bluefield Extension Site of Highlands Fellowship. Several folks have expressed interest in Small Groups and the volunteer teams have grown from just a few people to well over 50 volunteers serving weekly. Our Vision of “Changing Communities by Reaching Just One for Jesus” is very evident in the Bluefield area and we are excited to see what the Lord has planned for us!”
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G N i d N a ExP uR ReacH O
Highlands Fellowship – Creating a Church Where Imperfect People Love to Attend. And this includes towns, cities and communities up and down the Appalachian Corridor. Our goal in the coming years is to reach JUST ONE with a location near our friends, family and neighbors that call the Appalachian Mountains home.
Current Highlands Fellowship Locations
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ELI ZABE THTON EXTE N SI ON SI TE LAUNC H
“W
Bill Mullins, Campus Pastor
e are so excited to launch our newest Campus Extension in Elizabethton Tennessee! Elizabethton is an All-American city with a small town feel. It’s a close-knit community centered around faith, family, and its beloved ‘Cyclones’. We know Highlands Fellowship and Elizabethton/Carter County area are going to be an awesome fit! What a great opportunity we’ve been given to reach our Just Ones. We are excited to meet at the T.A. Dugger Junior High School – they have welcomed us and will be our new Campus Extension Site. We believe our presence at T. A. Dugger will both Impact and Empower the Next Generation for Christ. Our goal is to become an active part of the community by supporting local businesses, charitable organizations,
and the area school system. How will do we do this? By Serving our Neighbors! “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NLT We are eager to begin this new chapter and are honored to call Elizabethton our new home; we’re excited to see what God has planned for all of us! Highlands Fellowship at Elizabethton - “Creating A Church Where Imperfect People Love to Attend” -Bill Mullins
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C r e a t i n g s p a c e fo r L I F E C H A N G E t o h a p p e n
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or a decade now the Bristol Campus has seen numerous lives changed, with hundreds of salvations and hundreds of baptisms being the foundation of our church. Our mission is to change our communities and the world by reaching JUST ONE for Jesus. That mission has become our life here, which is why we have seen our little church grow to over 1500 folks calling this campus home. Five years ago our attendance became so great that we had to add an additional service to Saturday. Even after that, the last three years our 11:15 service has consistently reached over 80% capacity. In 2012 we began searching for where God might take this campus on the next phase of our
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journey. During this journey we have had many highs and lows. Every time we think ‘this might be it’, something wouldn’t allow us to have peace about it. We’ve even remodeled our space, trying to extend our ability to serve our community that God kept sending. In the last six months we had finally decided to remodel just one more time to give us a couple more years to find that right place. A group from the church came together to pray for the remodeling to be God’s will, but if it wasn’t then whatever His will was that He would revel it to us and we would follow. The gentleman over this project showed up with his stack of lumber on a Monday morning, ready to begin. He decided to
call one of our directors to double check the layout before he started. Our Director said, “Wait, something has come up, it would take a miracle, but wait”. Two months later, on October 1, 2015 Pastor Allen signed the contract for the New Bristol Campus at the former Sprint Building at Exit 7, only a mile down the road from us. With this new site, we will be able to reach even more in our community. Loving on the lonely, giving hope to the hopeless, a place for the broken to heal and a place for those the world has given up on. Our God is a Big God and we have faith in Him that the mountains in front of us can be moved. We were told it would take a miracle – a miracle is what He gave us.
#FORBRISTOL Bristol Campus Preliminary Floor Plans
C r e a t i n g s p a c e fo r L I F E C H A N G E t o h a p p e n
Bristol Campus Staff
After seeking God and asking
“Where do we go from here?”, He has answered. God has given us the opportunity to purchase prime property at Exit 7. We are investing $2.3 million to buy the land & building and renovate the space to meet the ministry needs of the church. This is our greatest opportunity and our greatest need as a church.
The Abingdon Campus invested in Bristol to start our second location in January 2006. God has blessed the Bristol Campus as it has grown. The Bristol Campus has been able to help and financially support every new location that followed: Marion, Johnson City, Norton and Bluefield. Now God is giving all of us a new opportunity to invest in
Bristol to double their capacity to reach people. We invite you to be a part of what God is doing by giving a Special Offering on Celebration Weekend. We ask that the gifts be over and above your tithe or regular giving. Prayerfully consider what God would have you give…… #ForBristol is creating space to reach the unchurched in the community. We need to raise $800,000 of this $2.3 million investment. The special offering, Just One – For Bristol, will be December 19 & 20. We are one church, with one mission, one vision. Let’s unite as a church and give generously and sacrificially to this opportunity for our church to grow.
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L IF E C H A N G E H OL LY R UTHE R F O RD
Holly Rutherford
“W
hen I was eight years old, I was saved. I went to church with my Mamaw when I was younger but didn’t go as much as I got older. My mom got a promotion at her workplace and her boss, Shelly Wiseman, invited us to Highlands Fellowship. When I first walked through the doors of Highlands Fellowship it caught me by surprise. I could tell something was different. I was greeted by so many people; people I had never met before were talking to me like they knew me; they didn’t care what I looked like or anything. I soon learned why Imperfect People Love to
Attend. I started going to The Edge (the Middle School service) with my friend, Drake. That’s when I met Jordan Blackson. I had only been attending Highlands for two weeks when I discovered a lump on my leg. My mom took me to the doctor, they did a biopsy and found out that I had cancer. I felt all alone and thought there was nothing to do. I cried and so did my parents. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I went to church that next weekend and as soon as I stepped in it seemed like my worries were gone. My church
L I F E C H A NGE
A
most unusual friendship was formed one night at a Campus Small Group Study. Henry Watkins and Darren Berkley became best buddies and a bond was formed. Henry is quiet, reserved, and a businessman. Darren is big, bald, a biker, and loud. They became co-leaders of a Small Group
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family prayed for me. I soon had to go to Memphis, TN to St. Jude’s Research Hospital where I was diagnosed with Myxoid Liposarcoma. I underwent surgery to have to lump removed and to find out if it had spread to my lungs. While we were waiting for the doctor, the room was silent and I remember feeling a heaviness in my shoulders. Finally, the doctor came in and said it hasn’t spread - I began to feel hopeful. I had to wait for additional test results to come in the next day. If my tumor had round cells I would have to have chemo. But if it didn’t I would finally get to go home. I had no round cells! I was shocked, I was crying and I was thanking God. It was a miracle! On June 3, 2014 I was diagnosed cancer-free! The doctors told me they didn’t get to share good news like that very often. I know I have a second chance at life. This journey not only made me more grateful but it brought me closer to God. I am all healed up but have to go back every six months for MRIs and CT Scans to make certain I remain healthy. My family and I still attend Highlands Fellowship on Sundays and I also attend 633 (High School Ministry) on Wednesdays. I have been baptized. Psalms 34:18 is my life verse - “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” When I’m having a sad day, it’s always nice knowing our God is always there for us even when we’re having trouble feeling close to Him. -Holly Rutherford. 14 Years Old
HE N RY & D A RRE N that included their wives and other couples with a wide age range. Their love for the Lord and for their families became central to this group. Henry’s and Darren’s Small Group became regulars at Blackbird Bakery. Sickness, hospital visits, and deaths have affected their Small Group, but they have loved and supported one another. They sit
together during the worship services and fellowship in the mall until the lights are turned out and it’s time to go home. They are always on the lookout for couples that don’t belong to a group, they understand the importance of Small Groups. Only God could have brought together two guys as opposite as Henry and Darren.
L IF E C H A N G E M I C KI S M I TH
“Jesus has changed my life!
Highlands has provided a place and a community in which I have been able to learn about Jesus and what it means to grow and mature as a Christ follower. Highlands has provided a place that I have been able to serve in many different capacities and when I felt like I wanted to try something different, it was okay! The biggest change in my life has happened through the ministry of Celebrate Recovery. I had been a member of Highlands, attended and served faithfully, and been in Bible studies and small groups for many years before the
ministry started at Highlands. But even with all the good things I was involved in, I always felt like an outsider looking in. At Celebrate Recovery I found a place where I felt safe and could begin to open up to others about my struggles and face the pain and shame from the past. I now have a deeper faith and a closer walk Jesus than I ever thought possible. I also have a real sense of belonging and a forever family that I do life with! I will be forever grateful to my church for providing such an amazing place to serve, grow, learn and worship.”
LI F E C H A NGE N A N C Y E AS T RI D G E
“A
s an adult, I moved to the Abingdon area, heard about Highlands Fellowship Church and decided to give it a try. I was blown away by how friendly and welcoming everyone was and I immediately knew that I had found my home church; a church where everyone is welcome and no one is
judged. Before long, I got involved and started serving. For the first time in my life, I understood that serving is a necessary part of worship and it was important for me to give back to God because he gives to me; he provides for all my needs. As a member of First Impressions, I have the opportunity
to help others feel welcome, loved and accepted just as I was. What a blessing it is to see faces light up when someone takes a moment to greet them, smile with them and let them know we are glad they came to Highlands! I have had the opportunity to meet and get to know amazing volunteers who are always so uplifting on Sunday mornings. I love the opportunity to reach out to others; to recognize faces as they return the following week; and be able to help new guests feel more comfortable and at ease when they walk in. I love the feeling of reward that serving in First Impressions brings and I cannot imagine beginning my week any other way!”
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HFKIDZ
W
e know that the world is fighting for our children and would love to distract them from a faith that will change their lives. It is our job to boldly stand beside families and partner with them in
“Connecting Kids to Christ.” We might only get one opportunity to introduce a child to Jesus, it is imperative that we make the most of each weekend!
“I left a career in higher education to lead HFKidz because of the verse “Let the little children come to me.” In HFKidz, we create an opportunity for children to come to Jesus on a weekly basis and form a personal relationship with Him. There is no greater investment to make or legacy to leave behind!” -Amanda Ellis-O’Quinn, Director of Childrens Ministry
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J O I N T H E C O N V E R S AT I O N . . . “HFOnline is the best tool we have to reach our JUST ONEs since most people will check us out online before attending a service. If you have been trying to get your Just One to come and have been unsuccessful, invite them to watch an online service.“ -Tim Lemons, Online Campus Pastor
l i ve . h i g h land s fe llow s h i p.c om
SUN D AY S at 10: 00 a m , 11: 1 5 a m & 7 :0 0 p m • MON D AY S at N o o n
Watch the ser vice LIVE online, watch previous ser vices, chat with the Online Campus Pastor, request prayer and more!
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L IF E C HA N G E P AT TI & TE R R I
“I
n July of 2011, I played Farmville on Facebook like it was the only thing in the world to do with my time. I added random people to my friends list so I could have more land, earn more Farmville money, and cool animals and trees. I didn’t know then, but God apparently didn’t want one of those people to stay random. Adding Terri McCormick as a Farmville friend allowed me to plant not only crops, trees, and flowers, but also a seed of friendship. That little seed flourished and we’ve watched each other budding into beautiful souls for several years now. We encourage, support, and listen
Patti
Terri
to each other. Terri lives in a part of Tennessee where my heart has always resided, even though I physically live in Pennsylvania. I started to attend Highlands Fellowship Online because I saw a post Terri made on her Facebook wall on August 3, 2014. In May of this year, I traveled to Tennessee to spend time with Terri and her family. Not only was I happy
to be back in the hills of Tennessee but I enjoyed every moment spent with my friend. We ate pancakes, attended Highlands’ Bristol campus, and visited Tim Lemons at the ‘way cool’ Abingdon campus. I may have planted a bunch of crops on Farmville, but the best thing that grew will always be that one simple seed of Terri’s friendship.” -Patti Geesey
LI F E C H A NGE M AEG E N WI S E
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BAPTISM
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“Chandler told me he believed God created him without eyes so that he could better hear God’s voice.”
“L et me introduce you to
Chandler, a sophomore at Patrick Henry High School that attends 633 and serves in The Edge. Chandler is not one to take compliments, any time one is given, he lays the kind words at the foot of God’s throne. Whenever folks are around him, their conversations turn into a bible study. His view of scripture is fresh and different as Chandler has never viewed
anything, born without eyes so that God’s power and glory may be revealed. Often those around Chandler get to be his eyes, describing events or objects in front of him, but he doesn’t really need us – we need him. When it appears others are helping him, it’s always the other way around. Last spring, Chandler shared that he believed God had made him without eyes so that he could
better hear God’s voice. A few weeks later, Chandler was baptized and shared with the world his love for Christ. I remember saying a prayer of blessing for Chandler that day – that God would replace Chandler’s eyesight with God’s vision. I wish I could tell you what my heart felt that day but I believe God keeps those words in heaven.”
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L I F E C H A NGE
“I
P AU L S I M O N S O N
remember the first time I came to Highlands Fellowship - I wasn’t here for church, I was here to skate.When I first came to Highlands I was skating out back on a Wednesday night. I actually thought it was a grocery store. Then, Jake Miracolo came out and said, “Hey, do you want to come in? We have food!” So I went in and thought, what is this place? People just came up to me and were talking to me. Asking questions about how I was doing, did I have a good day and such. I was wondering why they were asking me questions and what did they want? Then we went into the service and I just followed along. The live band started and it was cool! That night we had 15 minutes of alone time
to pray. Dakota saw me and he came up to me and asked to pray with me so we sat and prayed for me and my mom. I thought that was awesome. After that, I decided I liked this place. Listening to Mark speak really hit me hard and one of the best things I ever decided to do was to come inside. Ever since then I was hooked!! I love it!! I accepted Christ a week before Easter on a Sunday. I never believed in God before, I was one of those people that only believed what I could see. I listened to both Allen and Lexi’s messages and decided it was time to accept Christ as my Savior. I did believe. I made my faith public by baptism on a Wednesday night shortly after.”
LIF E C H A N G E M E L I S S A M C FA R LA N E
“O
ne day, I was getting groceries in Walmart and not paying much attention to anyone around me because I was trying to get out of there as fast as I could. I was wearing a Highlands Fellowship T-shirt even though I didn’t realize it. A lady put her hand on my buggy and said, “Highlands Fellowship. Do you go there?” I said, “Yes, and I also work there.” She then broke down in tears as she told me her story about her husband dying suddenly a few years back and how she was utterly devastated emotionally and financially. She was struggling to pay bills and provide for her children when someone told her about our Food Pantry. She said that had it not been for the Food Pantry she really doesn’t know what she
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would have done. Not only did we meet her physical need but she said the love she was given when she came to the Pantry was what meant the most to her. She reached across my buggy, held my
hand and whispered, “Thank you for all your church does. I will never forget it.” She said she attends a small church in Bristol, but will never forget the love she received at Highlands Fellowship.”
LI F E C H A NGE
“T
he moment I stepped into Highland Fellowship at Wise, I knew I belonged! I loved it from the very first second and the people are so welcoming. Since that first moment, I’ve attended countless Wednesday and Sunday services, I’ve sang on the worship team, and I’ve even helped with the move from Camp Bethel to Norton. I continue to learn about my Savior and life lessons every single time
A LI S S A Y O U N C E I’m at the campus. I’ve met some great friends there and I’ve improved my relationship with my best friend since we started going together. I knew from that first day that Highlands was MY church. There are no cliques, there are no groups; everyone just talks to each other and that’s what it should be. I got saved and was baptized - Highlands Fellowship changed my life and I’ll be forever thankful.”
LIF E C HA N G E R AC HE L HOGG
“O
ne of the most powerful ministries I have personally witnessed lives being changed through at Highlands is Celebrate Recovery. I get the opportunity to lead worship monthly in CR, and there are so many people that come up to me and tell me how the Lord has used a certain song or the worship set as a whole that day to speak into their hearts and lives what they need to hear. That is why we do what we do in the worship ministry, both on the weekends and in Celebrate Recovery, so that lives will be changed for eternity as the Lord speaks through music. God always shows up powerfully every time I am able to go to CR, but below is a specific God story I’d like to share with you: There was one particular Tuesday night when life was especially chaotic. My car was in the shop being worked on and my husband and I were between rental cars. We also had a mix-up with the FOH Mixer Schedule that night. It was one of those days when I was experiencing so many battles that I knew God was up to
something - He had to be because the enemy was fighting so hard! After the first worship set, before the testimony that night, I went out to the parking lot to transfer our belongings from one rental car to the other, what seemed to be a major inconvenience at the time, so my husband could return the other rental. It just so happened that as I was moving things from one vehicle to the other, a young couple pulled in the parking lot. We ended up walking into the Bristol campus at the same time. They were there for Celebrate Recovery for the first time! They didn’t know where to go, and the young lady had on shorts and was self-conscious, worried if it was okay to come in with them on. I reassured her that she
was welcome and did not need to worry about that. I showed them to the sanctuary, and they were able to come in and hear the rest of a very powerful testimony that night. I led the last worship song that night, “Oceans”, as well. I told Johnny Greene, our CR Pastor, that they were there and he announced about the meeting for first time guests after the group meeting. I do not know what happened in their lives after that, but I know that God brought them there and divinely appointed us to meet in the parking lot that day. It’s so amazing how God can use the interruptions in our lives as God-appointed opportunities to touch lives for eternity.”
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HFRESIDENCY
T
he Highlands Fellowship Residency, is a two-year leadership training program designed to equip men and women who know that God has called them to lead in a pastoral role of the local church. Residents
gain hands on experience with one of the staff teams of the church, personal mentoring and leadership training to equip them as emerging church leaders for a lifetime of ministry significance. Highlands Fellowship Residency
“I
Brittney Gaines, Resident
“The residency has presented me with many unique opportunities.
These opportunities have led to spiritual growth in my life, that couldn’t have been attained any other way. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone, and challenged me to be bolder and dream bigger. From conferences to leadership training, the residency is helping me develop into the pastor God has called me to be. ” -Nathan Magstadt, Resident
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program is a perfect place for emerging leaders to discover their long-term ministry potential, which enables the local church to reach their redemptive purpose.
have always loved Highlands. I love the church, the atmosphere, and the leadership. During my senior year at Emory, I asked myself, “What’s Next?” After a bit, I then asked myself the question, “Why not Highlands?” I love everything about it. After much prayer and guidance I took a leap of faith and began my journey to start the Residency Program at Highlands. At the time I didn’t know it but I can definitely say now it’s been one of the best decisions of my life. Not only was I learning about how to serve in a pastoral role, but I was developing real leadership qualities through practical experiences. Being mentored and loved from numerous individuals week in and week out is what I needed. I was challenged to be the very best leader I could be through the residency and I’m forever grateful.” -Brittney Gaines, Resident Nathan Magstadt, Resident
HFINTERNSHIP
T
he Highlands Fellowship Summer Internship Program is an awesome opportunity for College students to experience hands-on training in a fun, fast-paced and God-honoring church leadership
environment. This eight-week volunteer based program is designed for students who have a heart to make a difference in the lives of others through the local church. The purpose is to equip students to excel in their skills,
“I
would say the ultimate thing that I learned from my internship experience this past summer was that no matter what career field I decide to go into, ministry can be a part of that and it can be a huge way in how I interact with people. About 90% of ministry happens outside of church walls, and I think it’s easy to overlook that. It’s also easy to not talk to people
knowledge, and passion in making disciples within the local church. While not all students feel the call to vocational ministry, some students have sensed God confirm their calling into ministry via the HFSI. about Jesus and about what he’s done for us when we are in an uncomfortable setting. However, Jesus calls us all to be disciples and we need to leave our comfort zone and reach out to those who need a Savior. So wherever I go I now have this renewed faith and strength about me that Jesus is with me wherever I go and that I’m called to be his disciple.” -Dylan Johnson, Intern
Summer intern Hannah Rader on getting the opportunity to baptize others: “I remember feeling a lot of love for the people I baptized. I was like, these people are worth dying for. I’m glad they realize how loved they are.”
“D
uring my time as an intern at Highlands Fellowship I feel like I grew in knowledge, wisdom, and spiritual matters in a short span of two months. I feel like the time spent with the creative team gave me priceless hands-on experiences. Before I started
my first day of work I had received a little equipment training with the creative team. I thought that I would not be doing a lot of hands-on camera work, but boy was I wrong. The first day I showed up to work Elizabeth Rush (Creative Director) let me loose on a project. She had scheduled me to interview and video a Chilhowie middle school kid for another organization. I was eager and a little nervous at that time because I thought that I would forget how to set up the cameras and lighting, but to sum it all up, you can say I nailed it. I was also blessed to have the opportunity to work with Camp Supersonic. At Camp Supersonic all of the interns
built relationships with the children. We taught the gospel to them in simple and fun way. One of my workshops I taught with the kids was “Dance Party; this workshop was based on how the great king David danced for Christ when he and his army brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. This story lets us know that in everything we do, including partying and dancing, we do it for the Kingdom of God. I also believed that it showed children that being a Christian is not boring, but it is fun and the best decision anyone can make. This internship was well worth my summer!” -Dez Perry, Intern
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L I F E C H A NGE A N T H O N Y & S H A N E WRI G H T
“I
started serving at the Highlands Johnson City campus with the goal of becoming a sort of “jack of all trades”, so I could fill in wherever I was needed. I started with First Impressions in the parking lot and
various greeter positions, then began working with the elementary classes and with The Edge. Before long I was helping with security and in the tech booth as an assistant producer, working with the teens at 633, and I even spent some time as Iron Man and the Easter Bunny for special events! One of the greatest things I love about my church is that I can serve in so many areas and help so many people. It wasn’t long
before my nine year old son took notice and began serving as well! He works in the elementary class tech station for the first service, and helps out with the toddlers during the second service - he says his favorite part of church is helping with the little ones. I’m so proud of the young man he has become, and that he follows his heart to serve our awesome God! I can’t wait to see the roles he takes as he grows and matures in his walk with Christ!”
L I F E C H A NGE S A S H A RO S E N B A LM
“B
efore getting involved with Highlands and beginning a relationship with Jesus Christ I was pretty much lost and broken from childhood experiences. I then did whatever made me feel good at the time; all which were very short lived. Behaviors ranging from chemical dependency to promiscuity at a very young age. But after getting saved and step by step becoming more involved in groups and activities at Highlands God worked through the groups to walk me through my issues. First, I started attending CR about three-four years ago which really helped me as God worked through that ministry and I was able to stop smoking. My health was at a very critical point as I was
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then only 22 years old and on a CPAP machine and oxygen at night. Step-by-step, I began getting even more involved with people, a daunting task for me. Our family moved and we started attending the Bristol Campus. There I got plugged in with the Run for God group. In that process I lost a total of 80lbs and I no longer had to take diabetes medication. At this point in my life, I’m learning that socializing and getting to know people with serving and joining groups didn’t have to be so daunting and scary – both times I put myself out there, I lost addictions and weight. I have now kept the 80lbs off for a year now. I always had a deep desire to go on a mission trip but that was a desire I stuffed down by telling myself ‘you’re too overweight, you’re not healthy enough to go and help others’. But what I didn’t realize was that as I was stuffing my deepest desires down, God was preparing to pluck them out of me and hand them back to me showing me just how much he loved me. It’s funny how God finds the most hidden desires in your heart that he placed there long ago and starts to
mold and shape you for them. He was preparing me for the trip with getting my health in order and getting me to open up to others by getting involved with small groups and activities with in the church. All this taught me to have compassion for others and opened my heart a little more with every activity from serving to groups. I am now preparing for a mission trip that I never in a million years dreamed would come true. The ability to travel to another country and show others the love that Christ has showed me blows my mind every time I think about it. Through my journey so far, God has used what scared me the most getting close to people and forming intimate relationships with others – to grow me and prepare my heart for one of my deepest desires – a mission trip. He is still healing broken parts of me through my small group. God will certainly pick those rough spots on you and help smooth them out if you let him. I still have a way to go but right now I am 80lbs lighter with no chemical addictions and heading to Haiti. I am JUST ONE.”
LI F E C H A NGE NEAL & JANN KING
“O
ur story begins with relocating to southwest Virginia a few years ago. We wanted to leave the ‘big city’ environment, find a better school system for our children and return to our small town roots. The timing for the move seemed right in that my wife had recently inherited her family home giving us the perfect opportunity to make our transition. I was also in a period of unemployment having been one of the many people to lose their job due to an economy gone south. A couple of months after our move, on one of her visits to the local bank, Jann began to hear about Highlands Fellowship from one of the bankers. We had not yet found a church family so we decided to check it out. This proved to be one of the biggest and most unprecedented blessings thus far. We immediately experienced a body of believers that exuded a spirit and love unlike any we had known before. More importantly we witnessed a devotion to Jesus Christ and a teaching of God’s word that caused our hopes to soar. As new members at Highlands, we began to find occasions to serve as volunteers. Jann was perfectly gifted to join the First Impressions team and loved
helping in this capacity. I worked in the Food Pantry and was amazed by the breadth of ministry that reached so many in need. Then one Sunday I was presented with the possibility of serving as Stage Manager. For more than a year I thrived in this volunteer role and was tremendously blessed by the acceptance and enthusiasm of my contributions. Only God could have led us to these special niches in his church. So why was it that employment had not yet come to me? It was the last missing piece and it was becoming extremely critical. Finally I received a call in response to an application I had submitted months earlier. Even though the job would require me to be away from my family for extended periods of time I would be able to stay with my parents who lived near my new workplace. The work was challenging and the work schedule was anything but a schedule. My workdays began at any hour of the day (or night), my sleep cycle changed almost daily. The work was extremely laborious and I was subjected to whatever outdoor elements Mother Nature desired. I was in a perpetual state of exhaustion and constantly fighting discouragement. The pain and agony of missing my family and
of being homesick was at times overwhelming. And so it was for the next two years and four months. How we coped with this segment of our lives had everything to do with God, God’s people, and His church. For Jann, daily phone calls and her continuing involvement in the Church became her primary source of strength. For me, nearly all Sundays were consumed by work assignments so the physical Church was not accessible - God’s word and prayer became my remedy. I also drew much resurgence from phone conversations with the kids and knowing that despite everything they were doing well. And once in a while our family would be reunited for a day or so which was monumental in strengthening us for the next separation. So much of these circumstances we did not understand. Our hopes were clearly in another direction. Was this the best God could do for us? Had we, or more to the point, I, done something that prevented the realization of the job we were praying for in the beginning of our relocation? In the end, it was best dealt with day to day and with the focus on the many blessings that were still in our lives. God molds and prunes all of us in unique ways so that we can become more Christ-like. We have learned and we have grown. We would have never volunteered for this teaching methodology, but God was always with us and we were always there for each other. Our marriage, our family, and our faith have never been stronger. Just recently a job did become available back home with my family. It was easy to see how God’s timing made it all possible. Someone said that God has three answers to prayer: “OK”,“not yet”, and “I have a better idea”. How can we go wrong with our eyes firmly affixed to such a loving and holy heavenly Father?” -Neal King
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A N OT E FR OM F I N A NC E
Thank you for giving to
God’s work here at Highlands. What you give makes a difference now and for eternity. Through your obedience and generosity, God continues to build his church. We strive to maintain the highest level of integrity with the resources God gives us through your tithes and offerings. We honor your gifts with faithful stewardship, ethical business practices and full accountability. Here are some steps we’ve taken to ensure financial integrity:
YOU!
$430,000 Given to
JUST ONE
Because YOU gave . . . .
• Secure processing of offerings, online and mobile giving • Providing contribution statements to contributors quarterly • Reviewing financial reports monthly • Conducting an audit by an independent CPA to review all financial records and controls yearly
God has called us to fulfill a mission, “Changing our communities and the world by reaching JUST ONE for Jesus.” It’s based on the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Your contributions go directly to fund this mission. There is no greater purpose or pursuit. Thank you for being a part of this great adventure and for your support. With Gratitude,
Dr. Michael Rush Executive Director of Staff
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CelebRaTinG What GoD Did thRough
Lora Fuller Director of Finance
• Over 500 kids at Camp SuperSonic, 81 Salvations & 16 Baptisms • 122 students, 13 Salvations, 11 Recommitments, 10 Baptisms at M-Pact Mission Camp • Hundreds of students reached at Amped Up Youth Summer Events in our communities • 12 college students in the Summer Intern Program serving ministry • Four young adults in our Residency Program for ministry leadership development • Launched “The Listening Company” a College/Young Adult Ministry • Make-over for HFKidz environment at the Abingdon campus • Trained 39 Pastors & Leaders from 16 countries at our G3 Conference • Launched our first extension site in Bluefield, VA
THANK YOU for your IRRATIONAL GENEROSITY!
WHEN YOU GIVE TO JUST ONE, YOU INVEST IN REACHING OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE WORLD.
#FORBRISTOL