Annual Report '25-'26

JUNE 1, 2025 - MAY 10, 2026

ANNUAL REPORT

• DEVELOPING ALL PEOPLE INTO FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST •

t able of contents 4-5 6 7 8-9 10-11 12-13 14-15 16-17 18-19 20-21

Attendance - All Campuses Medina Campus Attendance Wooster Campus Attendance Next Steps Grace Kids Grace Youth #FOR Ohio #FOR the World Generosity What We Learned

a ttendance All Campuses AVERAGE IN PERSON:

2509

GROWTH PERCENTAGE:

10.48%

Joel Kauffman’s Story Before I came to know Jesus personally, I grew up in church and was even active there, but I didn’t have a real relationship with Him. When I went to college, church wasn’t a priority. I began consuming alcohol and kept people at a distance well into my mid-30s. A health scare from my drinking was a wake-up call, but I still didn’t seek Jesus for guidance. I always prayed, but I hadn’t been in church regularly until this year.

Coming back made me realize how much I missed the fellowship I had when I was younger. I even received a new Bible, something I hadn’t owned or read in many years and it meant the world to me. It was honestly during one of the baptism services, listening to other people’s stories and how Jesus helped them overcome

so much that I realized everyone is going through something, and only Jesus can guide you through it and forgive you for your sins. A few weeks ago, during our first premarital counseling session with Pastor Jeff, I committed to Jesus as my Savior.

I knew I couldn’t keep living life on my own terms. Since then, I’ve been reading the Bible, praying, and listening to what Jesus teaches.

Worship music has taken on a deeper meaning, and attending Grace has been amazing. I’ve already had opportunities to serve and hope to do more. We want to be part of a community of believers and take our next steps here. Jesus has forgiven me and is giving me new direction and hope for the future.

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m edina campus Attendance GROWTH PERCENTAGE:

AVERAGE IN PERSON:

17.45%

276

CHRISTMAS 2025:

EASTER 2026:

554

585 “Having Jesus close to me gave me hope in the hard times...”

-Jeff Thacker

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w ooster campus Attendance GROWTH PERCENTAGE:

AVERAGE IN PERSON:

9.43%

2217

CHRISTMAS 2025:

EASTER 2026:

5309

4681

“I knew it was time to put Jesus at the center of my life.”

-Kimberly Kiper

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n ext steps All Campuses New Believers (Adults): 249 Baptisms: 122 Grace Groups:

77 New Members: 97 1,470+ PARTICIPATING

Mason Henderson’s Story Before following Jesus, I was constantly stressed about life and a lot of little things made me upset. At Kalahari 2026, I made the decision to follow Jesus as the leader of my life because I needed a change.

My leaders helped me with that a lot. I always thought that God was just going to fly me where I needed to go in life, but I

realized that I needed to make a decision to follow Jesus. Since then, I have been less stressed about the small things in life and looked at the bigger picture of things. I also try to be kind to friends and family and pass on what God is teaching me to them. Through being here at Grace, I have gotten to see that God truly forgives.

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n ext gen Medina

Wooster

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE:

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE:

358 Wooster NEW FAMILIES:

204 Simple.

Safe.

Fun.

10

11% wth Gro

45

Medina NEW FAMILIES:

47

7% wth Gro

All

es s u p Cam

KIDS VOLUNTEERS:

PUMPKIN SUNDAY ATTENDANCE:

315 601

MOTHER’S DAY ATTENDANCE:

544

EASTER KIDS ATTENDANCE:

GRACE KIDS CAMP:

683 403

Jaelin Leighty’s Story Before I accepted Jesus into my life I didn’t realize that my actions had consequences and that things I did affected other people. It was through Titan Christian Education, Grace Kids, and my 1st year at Merge Camp that I made my decision to follow Jesus. I know that through Jesus, I am forgiven. Jesus means everything to me and I want Him to always be 1st in my life.

This decision has made a big difference in my life by making me think about how I should react in situations in a way that would please God, and I now want my friends to see that I love Jesus. I love coming to Grace. I look forward to whatever is going on at Church, and coming to Grace has made me more mindful of my actions as a Christian.

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n ext gen Medina

Wooster

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE:

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE:

202 Wooster 338

16% wth Gro

NEW STUDENTS:

NEW STUDENTS:

o

Ht T U O Y Invitingll life the fu

12

30 Medina 70

20%wth Gro

s e s u amp

All C YOUTH VOLUNTEERS:

GRACE YOUTH GROUPS:

KALAHARI ATTENDANCE:

118

33

535

NEW BELIEVERS (YOUTH):

50

SERVED ON A MISSION TRIP:

95

Taroyrny n Fry’s St Before I became a follower of Jesus I felt like I was not worthy enough for anything and I felt lonely. I felt that after my grandpa passed our family had no foundation and was in pieces. The moment I chose to make Jesus my leader was at Kalahari. During the Saturday night session the speaker invited us to respond. It felt like Jesus was right there beside me. I made Him the leader of my life and the forgiver of my sins. Now, I feel like my life is more complete and I know that He is right there beside me at all times.

My heart is filled and no longer broken. I want to get baptized because I want others to see what Jesus has done for me!

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arket m r e p u S

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#FOR OHIO VOLUNTEERS: GUESTS AT NIGHT TO SHINE:

318

1,321 CONTINENTS

VOLUNTEERS AT NIGHT TO SHINE:

424 14

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# COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

60

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it or Human Habitat f

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1515

# for the world 2026 SE Asia Trip

ll a o g d n a ... be. o l g e h t around We want to share the love of Christ with people all around the world. Today, our church partners with 22 ministries across 14 countries in 5 different continents, bringing hope to communities both near and far.

Behind every number is a story of lives being changed, churches being planted, leaders being developed, and the Gospel taking root in new places. Together, we’re part of something much bigger than ourselves.

CONTINENTS:

5

COUNTRIES:

ara Royer

S Andrew & ible Institute B Ethnos36h0a, WI s e Wauk

16

14

ern

ste K & Cele

SteveCafe

any

Xenosronn, Germ Heilb

GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS:

22

helle, c i M , e

n

& Eva

ip 2026

23 $747,981

r SE Asia T

Mik

Work e Imagpole Coffeam Sim oi, Vietn Han

SERVED ON SHORT- TERM TEAMS:

TOTAL MISSIONS GIVING:

o rphan care SPONSORED ORPHANS:

82 2

COUNTRIES:

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS:

21

# ORPHAN HOMES:

4

ORPHAN CARE GIVING:

$235,787

Scan to learn more about missions!

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g enerosity WOOSTER AVERAGE WEEKLY GIVING:

$85,084 MEDINA AVERAGE WEEKLY GIVING :

$5,223 NEXT GIVING GOAL COMPLETED:

86.5% INCREASE IN BUDGET GIVING

3% TOTAL GIVING:

$7,188,602 18

Brystle Ramsier’s Story Before I became a follower of Jesus, my life was in shambles. I felt my life had no meaning or purpose which led me into a life of addiction and wrong doing. Everything I did led me down a worse path. The bottom of my journey was agonizing and left my family empty and lonely. 7 years ago I got sober for my children.

I wanted them to have a better life and a better mom, but even with being sober our life still had so many downfalls. I took care of them better than I ever had but still knew something was missing. 3 years ago I took my kids and left our house and my marriage to seek something bigger than myself for my family.

I went to my mother who had over and over throughout my stubborn life tried to place me under the Lord’s guidance in which I always fought against. I finally surrendered, gave it all to Jesus, and started my journey with the Lord.

He softened me, and helped me guide my children in a different direction. Following Jesus has shown me purpose in my life through my struggles, compelling me to share my story in hopes to bring other souls to the Lord! I love the life I’m in now, even on the hard days because I know Jesus is walking it with me. God placed an amazing couple in my family’s life who led us to Grace Church. Grace has given us a safe place to deepen our faith and guide our journey in the Lord.

w hat we learned Cultural beliefs that sound wise often conflict with biblical truth, and we learned to trust God’s Word over feelings, self-righteousness, self-reliance, or shallow faith.

(PROV. 3:5–6, ROM. 3:21–26, JER. 17:5–8, HEB. 11)

In a shifting culture, we explored foundational truths of Christianity that remain eternal, trustworthy, and life-giving.

(HEB. 4:12, ROM. 8:31–39, EPH. 6:10–12, EPH. 3:10–11)

Raising children is about helping them follow Jesus and releasing them into God’s mission rather than simply managing behavior or pursuing success.

(2 COR. 12:9, PS. 127:1–5)

Biblical community grows through loving, encouraging, serving, teaching, and living in peace with one another.

(GAL. 5:13, COL. 3:15–17, ROM. 12:16, JOHN 13:34–35, HEB. 10)

Comparison, busyness, and materialism keep us trapped, but true freedom, peace, and contentment are found in trusting God and finding our identity in Christ.

(GEN. 4, LUKE 10, LUKE 12:15, MATT. 23:25–26, PHIL. 2)

Through the life of Samson, we saw how compromise, temptation, pride, and anger destroy potential while repentance and God’s mercy bring restoration.

(JUDG. 13, JUDG. 15, JUDG. 16:1–2, JUDG.16)

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Through difficult questions about God, sin, suffering, purpose, Jesus, and Scripture, we discovered that the Bible offers real answers and lasting hope. (ROM. 1:20, ROM. 3:23, JOB 1, ECCLES. 1:2, LUKE 1:31–33, 2 TIM. 3:16–17)

The book of Daniel showed us how to stand boldly for God with conviction, courage, grace, and confidence in a culture that pressures us to compromise.

(DAN. 1, DAN. 3, DAN.4, DAN. 6, DAN. 9:24–27)

Because our identity is rooted in Christ, our relationships, boundaries, family, speech, and daily lives are shaped by God’s grace and truth.

(2 COR. 5:17, ROM. 5:8, JOSH. 24:15, EPH. 5, JAS. 3:3–8)

We refocused on God’s mission and recognized that every believer has a story God can use to help more people encounter Jesus. (EPH. 2:10, JOHN 4, MARK 2:1–12)

Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we learned that hope, victory, and new life are possible even when our situation seems hopeless. (1 COR. 15:3–4)

Rather than being controlled by emotions like anger, worry, loneliness, grief, and joy, we learned to navigate them through the help of the Holy Spirit. (PROV. 4:23,

Scan to watch the sermons!

EPH. 4:26–32, MATT. 6:25, PS. 25:16, JAS. 1:2–4)

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ONE CHURCH. THOUSANDS OF LOCATIONS. A FEW CAMPUSES.

The Board of Overseers conducts annual financial reviews by an outside auditing firm (Rea and Associates) to ensure that all funds are being used for maximum efficiency and with the utmost integrity. The Board of Overseers prayerfully analyzes and then proposes the annual budget for approval with the congregation. The financials provided in this report are based on the first 50 weeks of the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Grace Church operates with appropriate transparency and financial integrity.

SCAN to find out what’s coming up on the calendar next!