2016 Year in Review
2016 has been a year of God working to create movement in outreach and clarity of purpose at Venture.
When we talk of movement one of the things we mean is seeing people love Jesus more and to grow deeper in him as well as mobilizing people to help others do the same. It has been amazing to watch God working in and through the lives of people who are a part of Venture.
Outreach…
On a global scale we have continued our support for Corey and DJ Hovivian in their ministry of church planting in Ireland and now the inclusion of Corey taking on the coordination of local relief programs in the city of Cork, Ireland. We’ve solidified several strategic partnerships in missions with Hands of Mercy and Siloe Ministries in Baja, Liberia Mercy Partners, E3 Partners in Africa, Ohana Ministries and others. Together we’ve sent Venture people to Mexico to build houses and provide medical and dental support, to Thailand and Colorado to serve and support international missionaries and their families and we’ll be sending a team of six back to Thailand in January of 2017.
Missions: Reflecting on 2016 and Looking Ahead to 2017
Locally we provided a Block Party for our neighbors in the Sundance community where we were able to connect with people and provide food and activities for families. Our KidVenture Summer Experience (Summer XP) reached over 140 local kids with the gospel and provided a connection to numerous families in the community. We were also able to provide games and crafts for kids under the big top at the Beaumont July 4th fireworks show. Our Gospel Shaped Outreach Life Groups and All In sermon series challenged us to reach out to those around us to help them love Jesus.
Clarifying the Big Picture…
2016 was also a year of clarifying who we are and what we do as a church. The elders and ministry leaders were able to prayerfully determine what we believe is a big picture, biblical plan for creating a culture of purposeful ministry here at Venture. We established parameters of mission and values to help us remain focused on what we believe God has called us to as a church and we have developed a ministry plan that focuses on the following values:
- Worship: Having a view of God that is worthy of God.
- Biblical: Believe it, trust it, obey it.
- Community: WE is better than ME.
- Serving: Everyone using their gifts.
- Missional: Helping people love Jesus.
We have also been encouraged by the generosity of those who have supported the ministry financially. The Lord continues to provide and our finances are on a good trajectory as we approach the halfway point of our budget year. Any special year-end gifts you feel led to give are also greatly appreciated and will help us move into the rest of the fiscal year with good momentum. Prayerfully consider what the Lord might have you do.
There certainly has been movement over the past year—meaningful movement that helps us discover God’s purpose for us. Moving into 2017 we are committed as a family of Jesus-followers to continue to grow in church health to become the church that God has called Venture to be—together. We’re glad you’re part of the family!
