Congregational Report Fall 2019 Reverend Dustin B. Sullivan, Pastor
Our Mission Transform hearts and lives to build the Kingdom of God. We accomplish this Mission by proclaiming Christ as Lord, sharing the gift of Salvation, investing in our community, and demonstrating through service the power of God.
“..and the Lord was with them.� Acts 11:21
Pastoral Vision Christ Grace in Action
Body of Christ Congregation Love in Action
Community Faith in Action
Connecting Christ, Congregation and Community
Christ
Grace in Action Worship, Bible Study & Fellowship 2 Peter 1:2 | Acts 15:11
Christ’s Grace in Action represents how the Word of God manifests to transform our lives. When our lives are transformed we are compelled to share the Word.
Congregation
Love in Action Family Ministries, Member Care, Outreach & Integration 1 John 3:14-18 | 1 John 4:7-12 Ephesians 2:8-9 | Colossians 3
Love in Action means that we take care of each other, that we meet one another’s needs, and we bear one another’s burdens.
Community
Faith in Action Missions, Title I Partnerships, and Community Service. James 2:17-18
Faith in Action embodies Heritage continuing to engage in social justice, educational opportunity, and economic initiatives, as Jesus commanded. Focusing on the community allows us to fulfill God’s Great Commission.
Congregational Survey Summary Survey Methodology
Church Culture Findings:
Congregation Vision
Opportunities for Improvement:
• Total of 497 surveys completed • Received 358 online responses • Received 139 completed paper surveys
What Congregation wants to become: Christ-Centered “Beacon” Serving our Members and the Community
4 Core Areas:
• Church Culture and Operations • Christian Education & Spiritual Development • Community Outreach • Stewardship & Financial Management
Areas of Interest:
• Ensuring Financial Stability • Managing Membership Retention & Growth • Developing Leaders & Servants for Ministry • Becoming Unified Body • Supporting and Growing Ministries
Heritage is a friendly church that provides opportunities for fellowship and spiritual development. • Improve Congregation Unity • For Members Less Than 10 years, Heritage is Viewed as “Cliquish” • Integration and Accessibility of Leadership and the Diaconate • Clarity of the Mission, Vision and Objectives • Standardize Administrative Policies and Procedures
Community & Outreach Findings:
Heritage is engaged in the community, but could be doing more. • Heritage has the Space, Resources, and Congregation Talent to do more. • Utilize the Building to Support the Community • Use Strategic Partnerships to Expand Heritage’s Community Engagement • Offer Reasonable Facility Rental Fees • Interest in Addressing Housing, Education, Homelessness, Equality and Equity Issues, Social Justice, Educational and Cultural Activities.
Strategic Planning
Based on Congregation Survey and Focus Groups, the Board of Directors has identified 4 core Strategic Areas:
MISSIONS
COMMUNITY
Missions & Outreach
Objective: Fulfill the Great Commission by sharing the Gospel domestically and internationally Domestic Action Plan: • • • •
40X40 Campaign Partner with Lott Carey Micah 6 Title 1 Schools in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties & Lutie Coates Elementary • HBCU Pipeline Initiative • Life Lab (Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship) • Embry Rucker Meal Service & Share Food Program
International Action Plan:
• Partner with Lott Carey (South Africa and Liberia)
CULTURE
FINANCES
Community
Objective: Providing opportunities for service, engagement and social services to the community with an emphasis on education, social justice and economic empowerment, and community development. Action Plan:
• Launch a STEAM/STEM Academy • Establish Heritage Community Fund 501(c) 3 • Micah 6 • Voting Engagement, Social Justice & Civil Rights • Double Girls’ Empowerment Camp and Boys’ Enrichment Camp Enrollment
Congregation Culture
Objective: Heritage is a vibrant, diverse community that cares for and loves one another, a generous community where talent, treasure and tithes are shared, and a welcoming community, where you can come as you are to freely worship and serve God. Action Plan: • • • •
New Member Integration Ministry Fair Member Recruitment Planning Servant Leader Development & Training • Family Ministries • Diaconate
Finances Objective: Create a diverse and sustainable revenue base to build the Kingdom throughout our Congregation and community. Action Plan:
• Understand Biblical mandate for tithes & offerings • Implement tiered and diverse funding streams to engage entire Congregation • Move from Mortgage to Ministry • Evaluate and streamlining budgets and operating expenses to ensure good stewardship.
Stewardship Action Plan:
• Plant the Harvest- $40 weekly add-on Tithe or Offering • Create Heritage Community Foundation 501(c)3 • Estate and Planned Giving • Financial Literacy Seminars and Workshops for all ages
Directors Appoint Additional Standing Committees In an effort to address strategic planning, emerging issues, and opportunities facing Heritage, the Board of Directors recently expanded its Standing Committees. In the coming weeks, all of the Standing Committees will develop purpose statements, objectives, and implementation plans. The Oracle e-newsletter will include periodic updates on the committees.
The following Heritage members have been appointed to serve along side of the Directors: Finance Committee
Angela Wade, Chair Contact: Awade@heritagereston.org Rocky Mitchell Tony Liggett Winfred Clarke* Daubeny Cooper* Rodney Martin* Les Shockley*
Human Resources
Policy and Governance Committee (New) Mia Johnson, Chair Contact: Mjohnson@heritagereston.org Thad Heath* Ahmed Williamson* Carl Chancellor Ron Hamm* Kathryn JohnBull*
Stewardship Committee (New)
Rod Griggs, Chair Contact: Rgriggs@heritagereston.org Corey Briscoe Wallace Burnett Toni Jones*
Lance Farquharson, Chair Contact: Lfarquharson@heritagereston.org Rocky Mitchell Rev. Louis Eke* Sandy Lowe* Charles Smith*
Strategic Planning
2020 Vision Committee (New)
Lorna Clarke, Chair Contact: Lclarke@heritagereston.org James Bailey Corey Briscoe Cecily Scott * Non-Board of Director Members
Rev. Dustin B. Sullivan Contact: Pastor@heritagereston.org Deacon Sharon Boone Wallace Burnett Lorna Clarke William Carter* Jennifer Jenkins* Hyacinth Vassell*
For additional information please contact Board Chairman, Wallace Burnett at wburnett@heritagereston.org.
Christian Education
Heritage continues to provide a vibrant Christian experience environment for our members to grow in knowledge, service and love of our Lord.
57
Students enrolled in Bible Institute Spring Session
24
Students enrolled in Bible Institute Summer Session
2019 Vacation Bible Schools
157 84 Adult
Youth
Participants
Membership Update
Through Grace, Heritage continued to welcome several new members during the third quarter of 2019. Adults Children YTD Right Hand of Fellowship 47 13 YTD Baptisms
12 10
Family Ministries To strengthen marital relationships and communication, the Couples Ministry launched home bible study groups and sponsored a “Speed Dating” session.
32
women participated in the Women’s Ministry “Real Talk” discussion facilitated by Rev. Dr. Jocelyn Gathers Drakeford.
35
participants on average for Daily prayer call.
Heritage Men’s Ministry held 3 prayer breakfast meetings. The participation in Men’s Bible Study has doubled over the last 9 months.
GriefShare Recovery Program Launched Deacon Peggy Tatum has been appointed to lead a new GriefShare Recovery Ministry at Heritage. Deacon Tatum recently earned a Masters of Christian Counseling. GriefShare workshops will launch later this fall. GriefShare is a Christ-centered, video-based ministry that helps people grieving a loved one’s death. GriefShare helps group members apply biblical principles to the healing process after the death of a loved one. Throughout the videos and workbook, participants see how the gospel brings hope and restoration.
GriefShare:
• Provides an opportunity to minister to those in the church and the community during their time of bereavement, providing them the opportunity to experience the love of Christ. • Leads to the hurting to healing and hope • Provides an opportunity to introduce and show the love of Christ to the lost and hurting. • This program provides the opportunity to care for multiple people in multiple stages of bereavement.
GriefShare requires participant registration and modest workshop enrollment fees. Contact Deacon Tatum at Ptatum@heritagereston.org for additional information or to enroll in GriefShare. Long-time Heritage member Elizabeth (Liz) Myers will transition into the Missions and Outreach Ministries Servant Leader role. Liz has been a Heritage member for 20 years. Professionally, Liz has worked as registered nurse for 41 years. She’s participated in Heritage missions to Kenya, Mozambique, and Gary, West Virginia. Liz actively serves with the Health & Wellness Ministry, Sacred Dance Ministry, Women’s Ministry and the Girls’ Empowerment Camp. Her favorite scriptures are Proverbs 3:5-6 and Luke 12:48. Liz’s vision for Heritage Missions is, “advancing God’s Kingdom by conveying God’s transforming love to individuals, groups, nations, and local communities.”
Heritage Golf Outing
We express our heartfelt appreciation to the Men’s, Women’s and Fitness Ministries and all those who supported the 2019 Heritage Family Golf Outing.
$9,000
raised for Boys’ and Girls’ Summer Camps
2019 DONORS
Anonymous $1,000 Donors Pastor Dustin B. and First Lady Kiasha Sullivan Min. Viol and Gina Trice Colonel Elvert L. Gardner, USAF and Dr. Eugenia R. Gardner The Heritage Board of Directors Reston Chapter of The Links, Incorporated Dee Young State Farm Agent Café Sol Catering New Vision Eye Center
600 Meals
were served to those without homes and to seniors’ homes in Reston and Fairfax.
40X40 Campaign Surpasses Goal:
Touches 2,811 Lives in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties.
1000 Books
were donated to Title I Schools Herndon Elementary School and Park View High School.
35 Law Enforcement Officers and 200 community and congregation members participated in Heritage’s first National Night Out.
A Celebration of Pastor and People THANK YOU HERITAGE June 18, 2019 Dear Heritage Fellowship, I wanted to personally thank you for your incredible donation of books to our school. We are overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity and so very grateful for your thoughtfulness. Our students are going to be beyond thrilled to read these books, especially these books. As an Asian American growing up in largely white community, seeing others that looked like me was so important and meaningful. But I almost never saw those reflections of me in books I read. And, I read A LOT! Because of this, my view of what was possible for and what was valued in someone that looked like me was limited. I know firsthand how important it is to see yourself and mirrors of yourself in the books you read. And perhaps just as important is others seeing positive reflections of someone like you, especially when you are not like them! Thanks to you and your generous donation, this will be a reality for our students! We hope to continue this partnership with you. Please let us know when you’d like to come and read some of these books to our students. With love and blessings, Grace Choi Literacy Coach Herndon Elementary
Youth Ministries Girls’ Empowerment Institute (GEI) STEM Camp
25 young women (3rd-12th grades) attended the Heritage GEI Camp. In partnership with Girls Inspired, Inc., the GEI Empowerment Camp exposed participants to experiential STEM learning, including Forensic Science experiments and Coding projects. The participants enjoyed a field trip to Amazon Web Services, sponsored by the Reston Chapter of The Links, Incorporated©.
Heritage Boys’ Camp
The Heritage Boys’ Camp exposed 28 young men to STEM careers, through experiential activities and field trips to the Aerospace Corporation, Apple Store, Carnegie Library, and the Dulles Airport Control Tower. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. facilitated “Chat & Chew” discussions during the Boys’ Camp.
100%
GEI Camp Participants
rated camp an “excellent or good” overall experience.
82%
53%
expressed an interest in STEM careers before the camp.
expressed an interest in STEM careers after the camp.
Boys’ Camp Participants
rated camp an “excellent or good” overall experience.
55%
expressed an interest in STEM careers before the camp.
83%
68%
expressed an interest in STEM careers after the camp.
4
Young Men Accepted the Invitation to Discipleship
Heritage Boys Scout Troop 2501 received the
prestigious Hornaday Unit Award for their conservation effort in removing invasive Japanese barberry plants in Oakton, Virginia. Troop 2501 participated in the Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academy, sponsored by the Black Aerospace Professionals. The scouts used a flight simulator and flew a Cesna.
Troop 2501 distinguished itself during T. Brady Saunders Camp by earning merit badges in archery, chess, communications, cooking, emergency preparedness, first aid, fishing, graphic arts, kayaking, lifesaving, rifle shooting and swimming. Several of our Scouts are anticipating promotions in rank.
Thank You Heritage
for supporting the Boy Scouts pancake breakfast, which raised $2,501 for the scouts to attend summer camp and purchase supplies.
During the Lenten season, our youth volunteered with the Diaconate to prepare the palms for Palm Sunday.
40 Youth attended the Heritage HBCU College Tour, which included visiting Spelman College, Morehouse College, and the prestigious Tuskegee University.
Israel Sullivan and Sydney Fox won the Best Table Topics Speakers at a Toastmasters Conference.
Outreach Ministries
16 Missionary and Ministry
partners are supported financially and through prayer.
147 SHARE Food Packages
were purchased.
270
150
meal and sack Over lunches were provided to guests at St. Stephens Fishes and Loaves in Washington, D.C.
228 meals were served to
residents at Embry Rucker Shelter.
5-20
youth attend Between monthly Jail and Prison Sunday School classes at the Prince William Detention Center.
Heritage Launches Several New Community Partnerships In an effort to proactively address social justice and other community issues, Heritage partnered with several community groups and organizations. Heritage hosted an Affordable Housing Forum with Cornerstones and Hunter Mill Supervisor District candidates on May 13. Last May, Heritage, the Fairfax County NAACP and the Lambda Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
IncorporatedŠ hosted a moderated discussion with candidates for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair. On September 25 at 7 p.m. Heritage will host a meet and greet with Virginia Delegate Karrie Delaney. October 17 at 6 p.m. Heritage will partner with the Loudoun County NAACP to host a Candidate Forum.
Creating new partnerships have generated revenue streams totaling $14,370.
2019 Graduates 28 Heritage members graduated from high school, university and graduate programs in 2019. Annika Bolton (Howard University), Marty Prattis (Virginia Tech), Jazmere Murray (Northern Virginia Community College), and Myles Green (New York University Tisch School of the Arts) delivered Senior Sermons on Graduation Sunday.
Seekers of Truth not Tradition. 1st generation builders, Entrepreneurs willing to take a Risk Realizing when you do it in faith there’s no risk at all. Pillars and posts, seeds and saplings covered by Grace!
From the Heart of the Pastor God what have you shown me... Our community is more than us: Parents Single parents Diverse income brackets International- not just African not just Caribbean but Latino, Asian, Indian, Iranian, Caucasian. Widows young, widows old, sages, Survivors of Cancer, Abuse, Mental and Spiritual; Retired, Young Professionals, folks that have it defined and folks that don’t have a clue. Babes in Christ and Faith Warriors, Husbands and Wives, Children with dreams and some with second chance realities. Differently abled and gifted; musicians and Worshippers, those without homes, those holding on to hope, refugees and transplants - those that desire to make this their home. Intelligent and Imperfect; Intergenerational;
What a great opportunity to be Social/Spiritual Engineers. To cultivate something uniquely Christ and constructive to rearchitecting a brighter future of Faith and Empowerment at a strategic and systematic level through education, exposure, empowerment, and the experience of God’s Grace and his Glory. We are a bright light a beacon that casts a shine that helps those lost to be found. We emanate and illuminate the glory not of self but what is eternally God. This is our Heritage - a reclaimed people, real, relevant, and relational with a rich history and an even brighter legacy that transforms who we are in God and with Man. Servants and Stewards-Mission Minded and Ministry Motivated. A people called and commissioned, to do great works.
C3
Christ. Congregation. Community.
Photos Provided by the Heritage Fellowship Church Photography Ministry: Catherine Hogan Chuck Moore Monroe Anderson, Jr. Jay Ballard Ken Bolton Jr. Kenneth Bolton, III
Corletta Nicole Campbell George Cooper Ben Dowdell Sandra Lowe Sherrod Jefferson James Johnson
Noah Mack Cleveland Mickles Brandon Moore Jason Pinkett Ashleigh Sterling Colena Turner
Connecting Christ, Congregation, and Community
2501 Fox Mill Road • Reston, VA 20191 • 703.620.9515 www.HeritageReston.org @heritagefellowshipchurch
@heritagereston