BRANCH OUT / Summer Issue / 2019

SUMMER ISSUE / 2019

THE BRANCH CHURCH

BRANCH OUT

HELPING EACH OTHER GROW AS DISCIPLES OF JESUS

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Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s UPCOMING EVENTS................................. 02 A MESSAGE FROM CHRIS...........................04 K I D S C A M P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 6 Y O U T H C A M P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... 0 8 BAPTISM HIGHLIGHTS..............................09 SACK SUMMER HUNGER............................11 WA L K I N G A S J E S U S WA L K E D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 B E Y O N D M E U P D AT E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 O U R M I N I S T R I E S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 B R A N C H C O N N E C T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 5 O U R S TA F F. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 OUR ELDERS............................................ 29

Hello Thanks for picking up the new Branch Out issue! We are so excited to be rolling out so many amazing things at The Branch with you. Together we are moving and shaking the world around us for Christ in a mighty way.

You’ll find that in the issues to follow, we’re going to be focusing more on your stories. How God is refining you, redeeming you and the journey along the way.

We hope you enjoy the Spring Issue as much as we enjoyed putting together all the amazing stories you’ve shared with us.

Women in the Word Bible study at the Farmers Branch campus

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Upcoming Events For more details on these events and more, view the events page on The Branch Church App or visit: thebranch.org/events

DAYS Wed-Thurs

DATES 5/1-2

EVENT

LOCATION & TIMES

National Day of Prayer 24-Hour Prayer Vigil

Farmers Branch 7:00p - 7:00p

Saturday

5/4

Branch Men Baseball Night - Rough Riders

Dr. Pepper Ballpark 7:00p

Sunday

5/5

Graduate Sunday Luncheon

Farmers Branch 12:30p

Sunday

5/5

Cinco De Mayo Neighborhood Grill

Farmers Branch 6:00 - 8:00p

Sunday

5/12

Mother’s Day

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Sunday

5/19

Baby Dedication

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Sunday

5/19

Branch Orientation

Farmers Branch 10:45a Vista Ridge 12:30p

Mondays

6/3-8/19

Women in the Word Summer Study

Vista Ridge 6:30 - 8:30p

Thursdays

6/6-27

Neighborhood Chill

Farmers Branch 7:00 - 8:30p

6/7

Branch Youth Summer Launch Party

TBD

6/8-8/3

Sack Summer Hunger

Both Campuses 9:30a

Branch Youth Promotion Sunday

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Walking as Jesus Walked

Farmers Branch 7:00 - 8:30p

Father’s Day

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Friday Saturdays Sunday Wednesdays

6/9 6/5-7/31

Sunday

6/16

Mon-Fri

6/24-28

Kids Camp

Farmers Branch

Wed-Sun

7/10-14

Youth Camp

Lake Lavon Camp

Tuesday

8/6

Branch Youth End of Summer Party

TBD

Sunday

8/18

Branch Kids Promotion Sunday

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WE ARE HELPING EACH OTHER GROW AS DISCIPLES OF JESUS. EXPERIENCING LIFE BEFORE THE GRAVE, NOT JUST BEYOND IT.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR LEAD MINISTER

As I write, many are reeling from the images out of Paris. The horrific fire consuming much of the Cathedral of Notre Dame has touched the emotions of millions. People are moved by the desolation of sacred spaces in our world. Within 48 hours of the fire, more than a billion dollars in pledges and donations had already been promised for the rebuilding.

As I’ve watched this unfold, I’ve found myself thinking about how sacred people are. While it’s appropriate to be moved by the burning of the cathedral, we should also be moved when we see people being consumed by injustice, addiction, anxiety, depression, illness, or their own sin. By the way, Scripture had something to say about us being a temple.

The good news is that Jesus is in the restoration business. He’s all about restoring what’s been lost. The prophet Isaiah spoke about the Messiah bringing beauty out of the ashes. If you’re dealing with the ashes, follow Him to a life beyond them.

You’ll find others alongside you at The Branch!

Grace and Peace,

Chris Seidman

Lead Minister

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I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. JOHN 14:6

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(NIV)

TRANSFORM CHILDREN’S LIVES + VOLUNTEER CONTACT ALEXIS HALL / AHALL@THEBRANCH.ORG

KIDS

CAMP MON-FRI, JUNE 24-28 9:00a - 1:00p FA R M E R S B R A N C H C A M P U S NEW OPPORTUNITY + OUTREACH Kids Camp is a week-long summer camp for all children who have completed Kindergarten through 4th grade. The camp is free (just bring your lunch) and will be full of learning The Truth about Jesus through service projects, outdoor games, worship, and time alone with God. Campers will learn that Jesus is GOOD, He is our TEACHER, He is our HEALER, and, most importantly, our SAVIOR. Camp will end with a threehour block party on Friday night for family and friends! Sign up today in the Branch App or at: thebranch.org/events Kids Camp is also providing an awesome opportunity for youth (completed 5th-12th grade) to lead small groups of elementary-age students throughout the week. We believe in equipping students to be leaders for the next generation.

If you are interested, email us at: kidscamp@thebranch.org

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THE YOUTH EVENT OF THE SUMMER

YOUTH

CAMP W E D - S U N , J U LY 1 0 - 1 4 L A K E L AV O N

Youth Camp is our week-long summer camp for students who have completed 5th-12th grade. Students will learn about what it means to practically follow The Way of Jesus through teaching, worship, small group times, and outdoor activities. Our hope for students is that they leave with a better understanding of what it means to follow Jesus, and stronger relationships to help them along the way.

EARLY BIRD PRICING is available at $185 until April 24. We strongly encourage you to sign up ASAP, because after April 24, the price will go up to $205; and on June 1st, it will go up to $235. ALSO, if you register before April 25, you will be entered into a drawing to win a $200 Amazon gift card!

There are scholarships available for camp as well. We never want money to be a reason someone can’t go to camp. Please contact Ketch or Morgan if you need help with camp. We want to help, and we want as many students to be there as possible.

Youth Camp is open to all, no matter if they attend The Branch or not.

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A BAPTISM STORY DIANE HILL Diane grew up knowing about Jesus.

declared her pain and longing as

Her mother saw to it that she would.

she reached out to our church

But after suffering tremendously in

leadership. Worship songs like “So

her teens, and a rocky relationship

Will I (100 Billion X)” helped her see

with her childhood church, she

the life she wanted to live, and she

struggled to find her place in God’s

began to pursue it more than ever

family.

before.

She continued to pursue God,

She began to realize that she needed

studying the Bible with her mother

to go back to the beginning by

and seeking pastoral assistance.

following in Jesus’ footsteps. Diane

When she began leading a Bible

attended our Foundations class on

study group, she recalls, “I quickly

April 6th, and at the end of the class,

realized...I was attempting to play the

she was baptized. Praise God!

part of the bride, when I was nothing more than an acquaintance.”

“The timing of the Foundations class and my baptism is not lost on me,

But no sooner had she made this

that they were divinely orchestrated

discovery than the earth dissolved

and I found Him there, at the cross,

beneath her feet.

Her mother

as promised. I have surrendered my

suddenly passed away, and her

shame...not just for my own mess,

position at her beloved job was

but the shame I have felt on behalf

phased out, all within six weeks

of the world.”

time.

In removing that yoke from her

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“I felt myself drowning in shame

shoulders, Diane says she has finally

and the air bled out by the most

allowed herself to feel the embrace

desperate aching I’ve ever known.”

of the Father.

In the midst of this heartache, she

“I have finally been able to truly

stepped out in faith and boldly

deeply feel Him.”

C E L E B R AT I N G NEW BAPTISMS

Anthony Rainey

12/2/18

Payton Shoemaker

12/26/18

Cole Vargas

12/16/18

A'Janae Spivey

1/6/19

Jorge Rodriguez

1/13/19

Zebedee Gonzales

1/13/19

Evelyn Vazquez

1/16/19

Maria Saenz

2/3/19

Susan Perkins

2/3/19

Charles Wethington

2/10/19

Ale Ciniceros

2/16/19

Laynie Davis

3/3/19

Matt Hagood

3/17/19

Emma Bordelon

3/24/19

Shelby Tucker

3/24/19

Jessalynn Tucker

3/24/19

Diane Hill

4/6/19

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SACK SUMMER HUNGER S AT U R D AY S AT 9 : 3 0 a JUNE 8 - AUGUST 3 11

WA L K I N G A S J E S U S WA L K E D W E D N E S D AY N I G H T S

J U N E 5 - J U LY 3 1

FA R M E R S B R A N C H C A M P U S Is it even possible to walk as Jesus walked? Well, there’s only one way to find out!

Follow along and study the very model of how to live life – the way Jesus lived – and maybe, just maybe, you’ll start feeling the sand beneath your feet.... More than merely highlighting various aspects of Jesus’ life, ministry veteran Dann Spader examines the broad scope of who He is, helping us understand how the life of Christ should transcend our busy, 21st-century lifestyles. With a practical approach, daily lessons in this seven-week study touch on foundational elements of Jesus’ life, including: • His intentionality in fostering loving relationships • His unwavering obedience and reverent submission to God • A life that was steadfast in prayer • His dependence upon the Holy Spirit • His movement of multiplying disciples

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THE BRANCH CHURCH

When we launched the Vista Ridge Campus in 2007, we knew we would have to eventually expand the facility on that campus if we were to help more people in the immediate vicinity come to know and follow Jesus.

The Beyond Me initiative is aimed at addressing two specific needs:

1. S ignificantly more space needed for our kids and youth ministries.

2. More space needed for showing hospitality and helping people to connect.

In November 2017, we asked the church to confirm our leadership’s belief that the time had come for us to address the limitations of the Vista Ridge facility.

The estimated cost of the project is around $9 million, and when the church responded with commitments of $8.8 million added to the $1.25 million we had already set aside for the project, we knew it was time to get moving. Demolition began in January 2019 with construction commencing in the spring, and we expect project completion in early 2020.

If you’ve recently joined us, it’s not too late to contribute!

The commitment period started in December 2017 and will run through November 2020, but you can give to the Beyond Me fund even if you didn’t make a commitment.

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If you have any questions about this campaign, please contact David Teutsch: dteutsch@thebranch.org

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C E L E B R AT E RECOVERY Encouraging each other to grow spiritually and to express the love of Christ beyond our walls.

Finding freedom from our hurts, habits, and hang-ups in a weekly, Christ-centered gathering.

MARRIAGES Proactively building healthy, Christ-centered marriages that result in strong families.

HOST TEAMS Actively serving at The Branch in Hospitality, Greeting, Safety, Communion, and Kitchen teams.

Walking alongside families to raise the next generation of disciples of Jesus.

Guiding middle school and high school students to follow the practices and person of Jesus Christ.

Empowering and equipping women in their pursuit of connecting with God and one another.

Connecting men to God, His Word, and other men.

Helping the more experienced in life find active involvement and spiritual shepherding.

Caring for people who are in times of trial or despair through prayer, visits, and other messages of love.

Engaging the Spanishspeaking community in Farmers Branch.

GO TEAM Showing the love of Christ to the communities we live in by being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Our Ministries

WORSHIP Leading people to encounter, praise, and worship God with music and media.

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BRANCH GROUPS To experience the most spiritual growth at The Branch, you need to do life with other people. Branch Groups are meant to be gatherings where people, as disciples of Jesus, can learn to listen to God and obey Him.

W H AT A R E BRANCH GROUPS? We want to define Branch Groups in a very simple way. Here are the five things we think make a Branch Group:

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A Branch Group is when three or more people meet. That’s it! Of course, the more, the merrier.

A Branch Group prays together. Praying involves knowing what is happening in each other’s lives. And that leads us to…

A Branch Group meets consistently.

The goal is to meet weekly to create the best opportunity for authentic sharing.

It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the same group format all four weeks. Perhaps your group will meet once a month at a different time on a different day to share a meal with one another, volunteer at a church activity, or serve in your community.

A Branch Group holds each other accountable. If you are praying for your friends, chances are you’re going to want to know more about their lives and what to be praying for. Find the best way to communicate with one another (texting, email, facetime, etc.) in order to build relationships.

A Branch Group utilizes scripture. In some way, the Bible should be opened and God’s Word considered.

Hold each other accountable to these two questions: 1. What is God telling me?

2. What am I going to do about it?

W H AT C O N T E N T I S U S E D B Y BRANCH GROUPS? We provide a few options, but the short answer is, it’s up to you!

As long as scripture is utilized, you’ll allow group members to hear from God. • Every week, we produce a sermonbased Bible study for Branch Groups to use in conjunction with that weekend’s sermon. Anyone can access it through our app or our website:

www.thebranch.org/ recent-posts • You can pick a book of the Bible to read through and discuss.

• You could read through a book by any number of Christian authors to help you study.

• You can use our free subscription to RightNowMedia.com. RightNowMedia is basically the Netflix of Bible Studies.

There are thousands of Bible study videos to help your group engage with the Bible.

To get your free login to our subscription, type this into your web browser:

www.rightnowmedia.org/ account/Invite/thebranch

W H AT O T H E R R E S O U R C E S A R E AVA I L A B L E T O B R A N C H G R O U P S ?

Besides the content-related resources we have listed, we’ve also made some financial resources available.

• We want to make it easier for you to interact without distractions. We will help you pay for childcare. We’ve set aside resources to help every Branch Group pay for their own childcare provider by reimbursing them for a set amount.

Tim Ketchersid Farmers Branch Minister tketchersid@thebranch.org

• We believe in meeting the needs of others.

So we’ve also dedicated a benevolence fund to each Branch Group that is replenished annually. As your group spends time together, we believe you will start to feel led by God to do things for people and help those in need.

Derek Robinson Visat Ridge Connections Minister drobinson@thebranch.org

If you’d like to start a group or if you’re already in one, let us know! We want to help resource your Branch Group. We also want to celebrate what God is doing in your life and support you in any way we can.

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Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered recovery program that meets EVERY week — rain or shine! We all have hurts, habits, and hang-ups, and CR is a program designed to help you find freedom. Come hear testimonies, find encouragement, and step forward in faith THIS WEEK!

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Celebrate Recovery (or CR)

CR emphasizes personal

the New Testament principle that

is based on God’s Word,

responsibility.

cannot

we don’t get well by ourselves. We

the Bible. When Jesus taught

control all that happens to us. But

need each other. Fellowship and

the Sermon on the Mount, he

we can control how we respond

accountability are two important

began by stating “Eight Ways to

to everything. That is a secret

components of spiritual growth.

Be Happy.” Today we call them the

of happiness. When we stop

CR addresses all types of

Beatitudes. From a conventional

wasting time fixing the blame,

habits, hurts, and hang-

viewpoint,

these

we have more energy to fix the

ups. Some recovery programs

statements didn’t make sense.

problem. When we stop hiding

deal only with alcohol or drugs

They sounded like contradictions.

our own faults and stop hurling

or another single problem. But

But when we fully understand

accusations at others, then the

Celebrate Recovery is a “large

what Jesus is saying, we’ll realize

healing power of Christ can begin

umbrella” program under which a

that these eight principles are

working in our minds, wills, and

limitless number of issues can be

God’s road to recovery, wholeness,

emotions.

dealt with.

growth, and spiritual maturity.

CR utilizes the biblical truth

We are seeing hopeless

CR

forward-looking.

that we need each other in

marriages

Rather than wallowing in the past,

order to grow spiritually

people set free from all

or dredging up and rehearsing

and emotionally. It is built

kinds

painful memories over and over,

around small group interaction

hang-ups, and hurts as

Celebrate Recovery focuses on

and the fellowship of a caring

they allow Jesus to be Lord

the future. Regardless of what has

community. There are many

in every area of their lives.

already happened, the solution is

therapies, growth programs, and

To God be the glory! We’ll

to start making wise choices now

counselors today that are built

be praying for you.

and depend on Christ’s power to

around one-on-one interaction.

help us make those changes.

But Celebrate Recovery is built on

is

most

of

We

of

restored sinful

and

habits,

JOIN US AT CELEBRATE RECOVERY TUESDAYS • 7:00P THE BRANCH CHURCH - VISTA RIDGE 3601 HUFFINES BLVD. C A R R O L LTO N, T X 7 5 0 1 0

“… Celebrate Recovery is for ALL people. One thing I have learned is that everyone needs this program. I am proud to be one of ‘those people’ because we are ALL ‘those people.’ We are broken people, sinners of the deepest kind, who have experienced the worst things we have ever felt and need God and this program to give us the strength to push through it. It is a blessing every day that I have this program to go to and help me through the hard times I face....”

NICOLE “Here’s the thing about CR: I not only need to be here, I want to be here. I love it here. Through recovery, I have also been able to become involved with an amazing church family. The old me hated church greeters and people who played in praise bands, but now I do both of those things and love it. God has changed my priorities and goals, and through that has come more contentment and joy and peace than I ever thought possible. ”God is truly good. I can’t say that God has restored to me what I lost. Instead, He has given me so much more than I could have possibly imagined. Getting sober from alcohol kept me alive, but it’s the Christ-centered recovery that I’ve found here in CR that has given my life meaning and brought me to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because of Him, I have found joy, peace, and learned to love myself again.”

JAY

“This experience has definitely drawn me closer to the Lord, His people, and my family, and it’s given me so many good relationships with new friends at CR. My personal relationship with Christ is constantly growing; I pray that He gives me the desire and discipline not to sin.

“He has kept me alive through some major accidents, so I know he has a plan for me which is greater than the one I have for myself.”

JOHN 20

Renaissance Dallas Plano at Legacy

THEBRANCH

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Rebekah Pitts

June 7-9

rpitts@thebranch.org

BRANCH MARRIAGES A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO BUILDING HEALTHY, CHRISTCENTERED MARRIAGES THAT RESULT IN STRONG FAMILIES.

MARRIAGE CLASS

MARRIAGE MENTORING

PREMARITAL COUNSELING

We frequently offer a nineweek course that will help you discover how your marriage can thrive and be more fulfilling than you ever thought possible.

Marriage mentoring identifies, equips, and empowers couples to disciple other married couples by consistently spending time together as couples, sharing life experiences, and learning more about God and His design for marriage together.

A biblically based premarital mentorship program designed to help dating or engaged couples prepare for marriage.

Each participant is engaged individually and as a couple.

Based on the “Love Bank” model from the book, His Needs, Her Needs by Dr. Willard Harley, you’ll learn how communication and behavior styles affect the way you and your spouse act and react to each other.

Through an interactive learning process, you’ll identify behaviors that may be damaging your marriage, develop healthy ways to deal with marital conflict, and take concrete steps to meet each other’s needs better than you ever have before. This class is limited to 12 couples, and is first-come, first-served.

One of the most effective ways to make a good marriage great, and a struggling marriage strong, is by getting involved in marriage mentoring. Here, mentors and mentees consistently spend time together as couples, sharing each other’s life experiences and learning more about God and His design for marriage. Both mentors and mentees that have completed the mentoring process give powerful testimonies of how meeting regularly with another couple completely enriched or restored their marriage.

I Promise is our mentoring program for pre-marriage couples.

It is designed to help dating or engaged couples prepare for marriage. Each participant is engaged individually and as a couple with thought-provoking questions about biblical truth and their life experiences.

This program helps couples better understand each other’s unique personalities, strengths, and communication keys and barriers. The result is a couple better prepared for all God has in store for them in marriage.

Sessions include the topics of covenant commitment, roles in marriage, communication, conflict resolution, forgiveness, sexuality, and finances.

FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET STARTED, EMAIL JANICE INGRAM: JINGRAM@THEBRANCH.ORG 22

BRANCH KIDS

We Believe Children have access to the same God as adults, and because of this, our Sunday morning program walks kids through a Christ-centered, chronological journey through Scripture with the help of incredible volunteers.

The Bible is an amazing book. It’s not just a collection

We are privileged to share Jesus with kids every

of stories, it’s one BIG story where everything points

weekend.

to Jesus. Every weekend, Branch Kids is connecting

season at The Branch Church, we’re looking forward

the dots pointing to Jesus throughout the Old and

to the new stories, new faces, and new life that will

New Testament in meaningful ways. Our journey is

come as more and more of these young people grow

even dealing with the “tough stuff” in the Bible.

to know Jesus. We’re seeing children making their

As we move into a new and exciting

own decisions to follow Him, sharing their faith with Jesus’ friends carried His message to the ends of the

everyone they meet, and living differently because

earth. Faithful followers like Peter, Paul, and others

of Jesus. We are striving to equip both our teacher

shared the Good News wherever they went. You

volunteers and, more importantly, families for this

and I have the same calling. We are to share Jesus

mission.

wherever we go until one day when He returns to make everything right again.

If you’re interested in seeing this mission carried out at The Branch, get in touch with us and be part of our ministry to children. We want to hear from you.

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B R A N C H YO U T H

G r o w i n g To g e t h e r Branch Youth (6th - 12th grade) is guiding middle school and high school students to follow the practices and person of Jesus Christ.

Most of us remember what it was like in middle

follow Jesus in our everyday lives. We don’t want

school and high school. It’s a trying time of change,

our relationship with Jesus or church to be a hobby;

where our identities begin to form, and our beliefs

we want it to be all of life and something we filter

are put to the test. In many ways, it’s the most critical

everything through.

time in a person’s development. It’s often also looked upon as the time we had the most fun.

We also do events throughout the year such as Youth Camp, overnighters, and campouts for students to have

Branch Youth meets weekly at both campuses for

fun while growing closer to each other and to God.

games, worship, teaching, and small group time. We are presenting to students the story and practices of

V I S TA R I D G E :

Jesus of Nazareth that lead to a new way of living.

Sundays – 9:15a (Middle School)

We want Sundays and Wednesdays to be a place

Wednesdays – 7:00-8:30p (High School)

where students want to be, where they feel like they belong, and where they learn about Jesus and how

FARMERS BRANCH:

much He loves them. This summer and throughout

Sundays – 9:00a (Middle School)

the year, we will be focusing on how to practically

Wednesdays – 7:00-9:00p (Middle School and High School)

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Create your login at:

CONNECT

THEBRANCH.ORG/CONNECT

Branch Connect is what we call our online database.

Using the powerful Church Community Builder platform, Branch Connect enables you to: Update your own information Interact with Branch Groups you belong to Set up a recurring gift, and see your giving statement

Once you’ve signed up, you will receive an activation email from The Branch Church <notifications@ccbchurch.com> with the subject line “New Login Created.” This email has a green button that you will use to activate your profile, set a password, and log in.

Control the way the church communicates with you ...and much more!

NEXT STEPS...

When you go home today, take a few minutes to:

1 Log in The first step is to simply “get your foot in the door.” It doesn’t sound like much, but this is a HUGE accomplishment. Congratulations!

You can log in anytime from THEBRANCH.ORG by clicking the link at the bottom right corner of any page.

2 Update your information If you’ve filled out a communication card, that information is already loaded in Branch Connect, but it’s up to YOU to make sure it’s correct and up-to-date. Help us have accurate info about you! Just go to your profile icon at the top right of the screen and then select the EDIT PROFILE button.

3 Add your photo How cool would it be if your name had a face to match it? Upload an individual picture of yourself on your profile, and don’t forget to upload a group photo of your family by choosing the camera icon in your family section.

4 Set your preferences 25

Do you want to allow other church goers to contact you? How about church emails? With Branch Connect, you can use the ACTIONS button to subscribe or unsubscribe from various lists, and control your overall privacy settings.

Confused?

Have a question or concern?

Contact Jaron Pitts: jpitts@thebranch.org

PROFILE PICTURE T I P S It’s important for you to use a clear and current picture of yourself. Here are a few examples of what NOT to do:

Too out of date

Too far away

Too close

No groups

Not your kids

No couples

Not your pet

Not your car

Can’t see your face

Yes! The real you.

BRANCH CONNECT QUICK FACTS • For security reasons, addresses and phone numbers for church members will not be given out by staff. Please use Branch Connect to look up someone’s information. If they haven’t made it available to you, you can send them an email and ask for it.

• You can customize your Privacy Settings for each field in your profile: Church Leadership Only - Fields with this setting can only be viewed by appropriate church leadership.

Your Branch Group Leaders are considered Church Leadership.

My Groups Members - Fields with this setting can be viewed by members of your groups if the group is set up to allow member interaction. Appropriate church leadership can view the information as well.

Everybody - Fields with this setting can be viewed by anyone who has a login and password to use our system.

Note - We recommend that you do NOT set every field to Church Leadership Only, but instead decide on a mix that will encourage others to engage with you.

• See your giving record online. It is, of course, completely private, but you’ll be able to log in and print your own giving report.

• The more you complete your My Fit selections, the more we can identify opportunities for you to serve in the church.

Click on your photo (or initials) in the top

right, then hit the ‘Actions’ button beneath your name, and choose ‘My Fit’ to select your Spiritual Gifts, Passions, and Abilities.

• If your child has food allergies or other special instructions, you can indicate so on his/her profile, and that information will be included on their Kids Branch name tag.

• Branch Connect customizes your calendar based on which groups you’re in. Your ‘My Calendar’ shows events you’ve registered for, your groups’ events, and needs you’ve chosen to provide.

• Log in regularly! Check the message boards for all your groups, and share burdens, praises, and prayer requests. You can post a comment using the link in the email you receive when a message or comment is posted.

• The Branch Connect site provides tools for surveys and event registration. If your group needs one of these tools, contact Jaron Pitts and ask how to create it.

• The Branch Connect site provides attendance tracking. We encourage our groups and classes to log attendance. If you need help setting up your group, contact Jaron Pitts.

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T H E B R A N C H S TA F F

Chris Seidman

Executive Minister Governance Council dteutsch@thebranch.org

James Asplund

Sarah Asplund

Worship Ministry Director jasplund@thebranch.org

Alexis Hall Kids Minister Farmers Branch ahall@thebranch.org

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David Teutsch

Lead Minister, Elder Governance Council cseidman@thebranch.org

Worship Leader sasplund@thebranch.org

Vickie Hinton

Administrative Assistant vhinton@thebranch.org

Tim Ketchersid

Minister Farmers Branch Campus tketchersid@thebranch.org

Josh Brake NextGen Lead Minister jbrake@thebranch.org

Josh Hobbs

Audio/Visual/Lighting Engineer jhobbs@thebranch.org

Ryan Rainey

Minister Vista Ridge Campus rrainey@thebranch.org

Morgan Eggers Youth Minister Farmers Branch meggers@thebranch.org

Janice Ingram

Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Minister jingram@thebranch.org

Everything we do at The Branch Church is possible because of faithful volunteers and servant leaders. The list of folks below are the church staff who are here to help organize, equip, and empower you for ministry.

Eddy Ketchersid Community & Senior Adults Minister

Farmers Branch eketchersid@thebranch.org

Kyle Poff

Lynn McQueen

Facilities Manager lmcqueen@thebranch.org

Jenny Rich

Jaron Pitts

Rebekah Pitts

Sara Rivas

Derek Robinson

Creative/Communications Director Worship Minister jpitts@thebranch.org

Vista Ridge Ministry Coordinator rpitts@thebranch.org

Technology Director kpoff@thebranch.org

Administrative Assistant jrich@thebranch.org

NextGen Coordinator srivas@thebranch.org

Connections Minister Vista Ridge drobinson@thebranch.org

Luis Sanchez

Ketch Smith

Mona Swofford

Adam Toy

Ministro HispaĂąo Farmers Branch lsanchez@thebranch.org

Youth Minister Vista Ridge ksmith@thebranch.org

Operations Director mswofford@thebranch.org

Worship Leader atoy@thebranch.org

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THE BRANCH ELDERS These are our elders and their wives. The elders are the leaders of our church and provide oversight for the congregation. As servant leaders, they aren’t just setting policy and making rules, they are also responsible for:

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Caring for those who are hurting

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Mentoring those longing to grow spiritually

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Equipping future leaders

Don’t hesitate to approach them! Allow God to use them as shepherds in your life.

Elder Terms and Selection Process We ask elders who have served their term (4.5 years) to step back from the eldership for at least an eighteen-month sabbatical. Every eighteen months, we ask the church for recommendations on men who have shown pastoral strengths and other qualifications described in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Those who are recommended will be considered for the eldership, and over the course of the process, will be put before the congregation to affirm their selection.

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Gary and Rhonda Braugh

Blake and Amy Crowell

Kevin and Becky Drew

Terry and Janet Grimm

Vista Ridge Campus gary.braugh@thebranch.org

Vista Ridge Campus blake.crowell@thebranch.org

Farmers Branch Campus kevin.drew@thebranch.org

Vista Ridge Campus terry.grimm@thebranch.org

John and Tracy Krantz

Ken and Louise Lefler

Bruce and Deana Long

Vista Ridge Campus john.krantz@thebranch.org

Vista Ridge Campus ken.lefler@thebranch.org

Vista Ridge Campus bruce.long@thebranch.org

Ryan and Cheri Nienstadt

Tom and Angie Pitts

Farmers Branch Campus ryan.nienstadt@thebranch.org

Farmers Branch Campus tom.pitts@thebranch.org

Mark and Kay Pope Farmers Branch Campus mark.pope@thebranch.org

Clarke Watkins

Ben and Janet Wheeler

Chris and Tara Seidman

Vista Ridge Campus clarke.watkins@thebranch.org

Farmers Branch Campus ben.wheeler@thebranch.org

cseidman@thebranch.org

Doug and Jan Nash Farmers Branch Campus doug.nash@thebranch.org

Jason and Kimberly Schumacher Farmers Branch Campus jason.schumacher@thebranch.org

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THE NEW APP IS HERE! D O W N L O A D T O D AY !

THEBRANCH.ORG/APP

Available in App Stores

ONLINE SERVICE S U N D AY S AT 1 1 : 0 0 a ONLINE.THEBRANCH.ORG

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I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10 (NIV)