Church Family,

As we step into a new church year this month, I want to pause and simply say: God has been faithful. Looking back at what the Lord accomplished through Champion Forest over the past year, I'm reminded that we serve a God who delights in doing immeasurably more than we could ask, think or imagine.

This past Sunday, we distributed our Year in Review at church, and I want to encourage you to take a few minutes to look through it if you haven't already. For those who may have missed getting a copy, you can view or download it below. As you read through the numbers and stories, give thanks to God for His hand of favor and blessing on our church. These aren't just statistics—they represent changed lives. Each baptism, each mission trip, each family served through our Community Ministry Center tells a story of God's grace at work.

One number in particular stops me in my tracks: 1,018 baptisms. For the first time in Champion Forest's history, more than 1,000 people followed Jesus in believer's baptism in a single year. That's 1,018 people who stepped out of death and into life. 1,018 families who celebrated as their loved one went public with their faith. 1,018 reasons to give God glory. I get emotional just thinking about it.

But here's what I love most about this: these baptisms didn't happen by accident. They happened because you were faithful to our FOCUS priorities—Making Disciples, Loving our Community, and Strengthening the Church. You invited. You served. You gave. You prayed. You went. And God moved.

As we begin this new church year, I want to challenge you with a simple question: What if God wants to do even MORE?

We're in the middle of our teaching series through Hebrews 11 called MORE, and my prayer is that God is building faith in your heart—faith that believes He can use you more, do more through our church, and receive more glory through our lives. The heroes of Hebrews 11 didn't play it safe. They believed God for the impossible, and God showed up.

So here's my challenge: Let's not let last year's victory become this year's expectation. Let's pray bigger. Give more faithfully. Invite more boldly. Serve more sacrificially. Love more deeply. Let's trust God to do MORE in this new church year.

As we continue in this series through the end of November, I want to encourage you to ask God to stretch your faith. What is He calling you to believe Him for? How does He want to use you, and our church this year to advance His Kingdom?

The same God who brought 1,018 people to salvation last year is the same God who is with us today. He's not done yet.

I love you, Champion Forest, and am honored to serve as your pastor. Thank you for your faithfulness and your heart for the Kingdom.

Pastor Jarrett