Annual Report 2022
It is always important to reflect on our mission and vision, especially during changing or difficult times. We have been blessed at Abiding Hope with a clear mission and vision for today and for times to come. Please join me in thanking our leaders and servants who chose to give of themselves, despite the obvious challenges we have all witnessed in recent times.
As we stayed diligent and focused on our mission and vision, God provided unique and influential ways for us to be the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus. The leaders of Abiding Hope have remained courageous and open-minded to this message. There are several exciting and impactful ministries that have either started or expanded this past year.
We have fulfilled our vision of providing a safe and inclusive environment for all children who are served by our preschool and kindergarten. We have expanded the ministry through the opening of the Abiding Hope Nature School. It is very evident the love and passion we have for the children of our community. “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Matthew 25:40
The energy and impact of our children goes far beyond our schools. Our Family Life ministry has continued to grow and find unique ways to include the entire family. We are very grateful for the Family Life Center facility remodel to allow us the space to engage and grow together. It is truly unique to have such gifted leaders with a vision for the entire family. We continue to find new and exciting ways to include all our youth and meet them where they feel most appreciated.
We recognize the needs of all our Abiding Hope community. We have been blessed to have identified a candidate of choice through our call process for a Lead Servant for Spiritual Life. Pastor Julie McNitt and her family have been such a living example of who we strive to be at Abiding Hope. It was never acceptable simply to fill a position during the process, but rather to stay diligent to our mission and vision until the right person came to light. Thank you to our Call Team servants who stayed the course and brought us Pastor Julie!
TABLE OF CONTENTS Letter from the President.......................................2 Agenda & MLST Status............................................4 Staff Structure..........................................................5 Church Snapshot.....................................................6 Communication Touchpoints................................6 Preschool Snapshot................................................7 Financials..................................................................8 Capital Campaign..................................................10 2021 Minutes.........................................................11
Dear Friends,
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Our worship has also evolved over the past few years. What seemed like an overwhelming issue a few years ago has grown into increased opportunities to serve and to share the message. We are growing into a very special ministry through Digital Worship. We grew during the pandemic because of the amazing talent of our leaders and servants in this area. It became obvious as we began to worship in person just how important it was to continue in both areas. We now celebrate that Glenn Hecox will move into the role of Lead Servant for Digital Life while Kim Gnagey will move into the role of Lead Servant for Worship Life.
You should have noticed a new look to our logo and messaging. This was done to reflect who we are as a congregation and to reflect our mission and vision. More importantly, this was done through collaborating with who we serve. I am very grateful for the staff and leaders who’ve done such amazing work in expressing who we are through multiple mediums.
Finally, in order to purchase the property for the Nature School and to make some very needed upgrades to our facility at Coal Mine and Simms, we will be conducting a capital appeal in early 2023. Much more will be communicated about this upcoming appeal. Please be in prayer for how you and your family are being called to participate in this very important appeal. None of us can do much alone, but when we come together, the Holy Spirit can do amazing things through us.
We continue to hear the cry for mercy and for assistance from our family around the world and right here at home. Please consider leaning in further to becoming the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus in the world. There will always be someone that your gifts and talents can be a blessing for. My challenge to all is to be generous in all that you do and truly become the heart, hands, and feet of Jesus for all!
The future is bright for Abiding Hope Church and there has never been a better time to be generous with your time, talents, or treasures. All means All and we love each of you. It has been a pleasure to have served as congregational president these past three years. Thank you and God Bless.
Christian Holgard, Congregation President
MISSION: EQUIP ALL TO BE THE HEART, HANDS, AND FEET OF JESUS IN THE WORLD. 3
2022 ANNUAL GATHERING AGENDA
December 4, 11:30 AM
• Call to order
• Opening Prayer
• President’s Report
• Outgoing MLST Recognition & Introduction of new MLST nominees
• Lead Pastor’s Report
• Financial Report
• Constitutionally Mandated Action
-Approval of 2021 Minutes
-Approval of Annual Report & 2023 Spend Plan
• Approval of Pastor Emeritus for Rev. Dr. Rick Barger
• Call for the Lead Servant for Spiritual Life
• Motion to Adjourn
• Closing Prayer
MISSION LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT TEAM (MLST)
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STAFF STRUCTURE
Lead Pastor: Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Hill
Lead Servant for Family Life: Rev. Jay Gamelin
Lead Servant for Digital Life: Glenn Hecox
Lead Servant for Worship Life: Kim Gnagey
Lead Servant for Spiritual Life: TBA
Lead Servant for Operations: Dana Hess
Executive Director of Schools: Erin Fisher
Pastor for Pastoral Care: Rev. Julie McNitt
Director of Communications: Rebecca Burris
Director of Digital Arts: Keefer Dowell
Administrative Assistant: Cathi Thelen
Assistant to Lead Pastor: Stephanie Harper
Assistant to Pastor Jay: Kaedyn Forsyth
Treasurer: Bryce Hunter
Custodial: Juan & Aracely
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13,802 Video Views 124,476 Emails Sent 16,814 Social Media Accounts Reached +123 New Social Media Followers 5,070 Podcast Plays COMMUNICATION TOUCHPOINTS CHURCH SNAPSHOT Average Weekly Attendance Baptisms Funerals Weddings New families joined Students Affirmed Families involved in Family Life Sundays 375 8 6 5 19 13 30 16 Care Ministers Students & adults went on Servant Tour 45 13 Families served by grief ministry 6
The Nature School opened Monday, September 19. We are very busy with calls and tours during the week. We are officially licensed after passing all the health and building inspections required. We are working hard to get more of the building ready so we can enroll more kids! The excitement throughout the community about the school is fantastic and very encouraging.
PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN NATURE SCHOOL Enrollment Waitlist 240 233 108 86 Summer Enrollment 2021 2022 326 249 2022-2023 2021-2022 Summer Waitlist- 72 $6,090 raised in the trike-a-thon for St. Jude $800+ change collected for Haiti 10 children sponsored through HTF 90% staff retention after Covid
4 classrooms opened 40 children enrolled Much more to come! Over +$200,000 of grant money received Enrollment Waitlist *Waiting for more classrooms to open and some will start next fall 40 25 2022-2023 7
2022 SPEND PLAN
Communications
FINANCIALS
General Giving $1,905,725 Other Income $89,000 Preschool Net $246,000 Total Expenses 2022 $2,240,725
2022 PROJECTED
Communications $11,070 Worship $32,645
$36,000 Worship $50,000 Congre. Life $25,000 Congre. Life $35,315
General Giving $1,391,180 Other Income $56,070 Preschool Net $357,872 Preschool Grants $200,000 Projected Expenses $2,005,122
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Communications Congre. Life 2023 SPEND PLAN $89,000 Preschool Net $275,000 Nature School Net $75,000 Total Expenses 2023 $2,240,725 *New to the 2023 Spend Plan 9
PLANTING HOPE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN 10 Total $2.5 million base goal Challenge Goal: $4.15 million Eliminate debt from Nature School: additional $1.65 million against principal would leave just over $2 million in debt at the end of this campaign and essentially mean we paid cash for this new project Nature School $1,200,000 Worship Center & Facility Upgrades $1,091,778 Mortgage Principal $248,222 COMING EARLY 2023
2021 Abiding Hope Annual Meeting Minutes
December 12, 2021 11:50 am (approximately 80 people in attendance)
1. Welcome and Call to Order (Chris Holgard, MLST President)
2. Opening Prayer (Pastor Doug)
3. President’s Report (Chris Holgard)
4. Recognition of MLST outgoing members, Nicole Manutes, Joe Wurst, and Daryl Lindeman.
Introduction of MLST nominees, Laura Wilson, Johnny Arnold, and Chad Anderson.
5. Lead Pastor’s Report (Pastor Doug)
A. Focus on reaching young families in 2022
B. Recognition of each staff member and role, including new staff members.
C. Annual Report 2021 – refer to data on pages 5 and 6 in the report
D. Thank you to staff and congregation for excellent, tireless work and contributions in 2021
E. Rebecca Burris presented the development of the new logo, to be rolled out in 2022
F. The call team for Lead Servant for Spiritual Life has formed and is underway
6. Financial Report (Pastor Doug)
A. See page 8 in the annual report for the basic financials
B. 2021 actual expenses were compared to the 2021 spend plan
C. The projected spending in 2022 is approximately 5% higher than the 2021 spend plan.
D. Financial commitments for 2022 are similar to the previous year, but not all expected commitments have been received.
7. Preschool Expansion (Pastor Doug)
A. There are approximately 120 families on the wait list for the existing preschool. The preschool has approximately 250 current students.
B. We have been pre-approved by two lenders to purchase a property to expand the preschool. The amount to finance would not exceed $2,000,000.
C. We will be looking for an appropriate property.
D. The expanded preschool would eventually provide nature based and special needs learning for neurological atypical and typical students.
E. The congregation will be kept informed regarding preschool expansion
8. Constitutionally Mandated Actions
A. Approval of the 2020 annual meeting minutes
B. Approval of the 2021 Annual Report including the 2022 Spend Plan
C. Approval of MLST member nominees
Shirley Johnson moved that the three items be approved. Jimmy Land seconded the motion. Attendees approved the motion, along with a motion to adjourn the meeting.
9. Closing Prayer (Pastor Jay)
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Abiding Hope Church
6337 S. Robb Way Littleton, CO 80127 abidinghope.org
