Year-End Letter
Harbor,
Summing up the year that we’ve just experienced as a church is a challenging task. There have been some unexpected twists and turns along the way. The fact that I’m the one writing this letter is one plot twist I did not see coming back in January. 2015 was a year of change.
While it’s true some things here at Harbor have changed, much remains the same. We remain committed to helping people find their way back to God, and He continues to turn that vision into reality. We remain focused on Christ and, as we follow Him, He continues to shape us into people who Live Fully, Love Deeply andGive Freely.
As we near the end of 2015, it’s important to celebrate all that we’ve seen God doing through Harbor for His glory:
- In 2015 we rejoiced with over 25 individuals who were baptized into Christ, confessing their need for Jesus and acknowledging their faith in Him.
- 34 children were dedicated to God this year and over 120 children and youth participate in our Kid’s Harbor and HSM programs every week!
- Over 250 adults have gathered weekly in small groups to share life together, study Scripture, pray, and encourage one another.
- Week in and week out, over 200 volunteers serve together to help make Harbor’s services and ministries both excellent and effective!
- Harbor continues to invest $24,000 per year in the planting of new churches across the United States as well as internationally. We love having the opportunity to partner with those who are sharing the Gospel of Christ by taking the church to new cities and locations here in the Northeast and around the world.
- During Generosity Weekend in May $24,646 was given to ministries in downtown Lowell, Chelmsford, UMass Lowell, and Haiti.
- In 2015, Harbor of Hope gave over $60,000 of direct support to our local and global partners! Because of your generosity, these ministries are as strong as ever. In addition, through events like the Magic of Christmas and Love:Lowell, over 60 families were provided with Christmas gifts, and we were able to care for and serve the people of our community.
For all of these reasons and more, we give thanks to God. He has worked through Harbor to make a huge impact on our community, and He’s positioned us to do even more in the year ahead!
So let’s talk about 2016 for a moment. We have a great deal to pray about in the months to come:
- We are actively seeking a teaching pastor to join Harbor’s staff in 2016. We have already made some promising connections and we greatly appreciate your prayers for wisdom and direction as we proceed with interviews in the winter.
- We await the final tally of pledges toward our Launch Campaign as we proceed with our plan of becoming a multisite church. We hope to open the doors of our second location, in Lowell, in the fall of 2016. Obviously a number of factors will have to fall into place for this to happen- and we want to assure you that we will move forward only as provision and plan allow- but we believe God has uniquely positioned our church to make an impact in the city. So, we ask you to pray with us for the opportunity to share the Good News of God’s grace in Lowell, and we encourage you to give generously toward this effort.
- Our teaching during 2016 will cover the full scope of Scripture in a yearlong sermon series called: Garden to City. Four years ago we taught through the Bible in this way and it was one of the most rewarding and inspiring years of ministry that Harbor has ever experienced. We’re excited to share in this deep encounter with God’s Word again.
These are large undertakings. Thankfully our God has always been faithful to provide, and we trust He will continue to do so. When we join Him by giving generously of our lives our offerings collide with His blessing, and the results are transformational.
I believe that as we remain committed to honoring Jesus in all we do, He will continue to do more than we can imagine.
Each year I’m reminded that ministry costs a tremendous amount of money to sustain. For that reason, if Harbor of Hope is your home church, I want to invite you to partner with us in ministry. God has been generous toward us and when we give generously it’s a reflection of His heart. If you are able to give a special year-end gift to help us prepare for 2016, please do so by December 31st. If not, please prayerfully plan on partnering with us next year!
Our leadership and staff are honored to serve you. We are thankful for your eager and joyful commitment to our vision of Helping People Find Their Way Back to God.
Merry Christmas...
Jeff Oakes
Interim Lead Pastor