Growing Together, Reaching Further

It’s been almost two months since our 5pm congregation branched into 4pm and 5:30pm and we want to celebrate what God has been doing through our plans and efforts.

The 5pm congregation reflected and planned over summer and into the start of term 1, and displayed great maturity, wisdom and courage—for which we are so grateful! This led to two congregations plans which, although different in some respects, were both clear on growing as Jesus’ disciples, learning to love like him, and telling others about him, so that our city may be transformed by the hope of the risen Christ.

This culminated in our weekend away, which was a joyful yet sad time together. We looked back with thanks, enjoyed the goodness of relationships in the present, and looked ahead to branching the following week, trusting that God would honour our desire and efforts to speak the truth and in love.

We launched both congregations on May 11 and got to celebrate all the planning and effort, but also to enjoy the goodness of these two new gatherings! We are grateful for all of your support and prayers!

So how is it all going?

To state the simple numerical reality, our afternoon/evening attendance is up about 20%. So, give thanks to God that through this shift, members and visitors alike have been helped to commit to greater regularity!

However, numbers always represent people and personal stories. And so, it’s been wonderful to witness how each congregation in its own way has continued the strong culture of welcoming and discipleship that built 5pm, though with some differences.

Give thanks that 4pm has a strong culture of welcoming, love and discipleship that extends from our Growth Groups into the service and also into the weekly dinner we share. Give thanks that this culture extends to all ages and life stages, as well as to those who are new or visiting. Please pray continues with even greater thoughtfulness and intention. It’s been a joy to watch young and old and in between enjoy belonging to God’s family each week.

Give thanks that 5:30pm continues and has strengthened the culture of warm welcoming, digging deep into the Bible and intentional discipleship. It’s been wonderful to see new people join 5.30pm and more members intentionally use their God-given gifts to love and serve others at church. It has been a wonderful start and we’re excited to see what God will continue to do in us and with us.

Please continue to pray that God would be at work in his people, growing us together into Christ’s image and bringing people to hear and respond to the gospel.

Callan Pritchard
Associate Minister

PRAY: Give thanks for the launch of the 4pm and 5:30pm congregations and for the maturity, wisdom and courage shown by the 5pm congregation in planning and branching. Ask God for his continued help as both new congregations seek to grow as Jesus' disciples, love like him, and tell others about him so that our city may be transformed by the hope of the risen Christ. Ask God to grow the cultures of warm welcome, deep discipleship and loving community in each congregation, and to bring more people to hear and respond to the gospel.