Letter from Session

The Lord filled out the “Playbill” at the Rocks: Working with the momentum created by the restart after the pandemic in 2021, our Arts at the Rocks committee designed and coordinated another fabulous artistic series offering in 2022. And it was the Lord who then blessed their efforts by providing steady growth in the number of community members who attended each event. Our commitment to the Arts and the offerings we have created continue to provide fabulous opportunities for drawing people to our campus in the hopes that they might be encouraged to connect with our congregation through other ministries we offer as we strive to point more people to Christ and help them to grow in the Christian faith.

The Lord provided a campus “face lift”: Inside and out, 2022 brought big and beautiful changes to our campus. Those driving by or entering our campus now see freshly painted buildings, sealed and lined parking, freshly sealed Sanctuary roof, new lot lighting, an expanded memorial garden, and of course, solar-covered parking! Those who enter our buildings may now enjoy freshly painted office hallways, a new elevator, improved audio/visual technology in the sanctuary and fellowship center (now with the capability of streaming) as well as on the patio, and a flexible stage system and backdrop that will accentuate our Drama, Arts, Discipleship, and Family Ministry offerings in the Fellowship Center. The Fellowship Center elevator vestibule project that commenced in 2022, was hamstrung by sub-contractor availability and long material lead times, but will continue in 2023.

The Lord brought “young faces” to our family ministry spaces: The children, youth, and family ministries were abuzz in 2022 Our children’s ministry began to see some consistent attendees at our morning meetings in the Clubhouse and Studio 15. The campus was hopping with activities for young families on Easter day, and the Fellowship Center’s halls were decked at our second annual Christmas Jingle Jam. Our teens had an equally busy year with the kickoff of our Wednesday night youth group, weekly small groups led by our amazing interns, second Saturday events at Leupp, and exciting Winter and Summer camps at Forest Home (CA) featuring an increasing number of DHPC and Leupp students. Summer camp even featured one of our own students responding to God’s effectual call upon her life! Yet not all the excitement in our family ministries was obvious to all, for much was being accomplished behind the scenes. Much prayer, research, design work, recruiting, and resource allocation led to two exciting Family Worship Nights at year’s end which will in turn serve as a springboard for a new Family Worship Service that will commence in our Fellowship Center in 2023.

Indeed, as we consider all the new ministries and blessings, we as a church family and many from our surrounding community enjoyed in 2022, it is easy to see God’s faithfulness in and indelible fingerprint upon it all. God not only helped us to recognize our goals and objectives as your Session leadership, but He provided the undeniable increase and proved to us that it is okay to “dream big” when He is in it. And so, as we look forward to 2023 and consider how our God will use us to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and to carry out the work of advancing His Kingdom, let us be certain of this: God is on the move at DHPC and is only getting started. We will share more about this at the Annual meeting, but let us resolve to always walk stride for stride with Him as we seek to see more people, more like Christ!

Celebrating our faithful God and forever grateful for His goodness and call to us to dream big,

Adult Discipleship

Elder: Bill Billard

Staff Liaison: Pastor Brett Everett

Members: Shelly Core, Lew Dymond, Cathy Hoxie, Dave Hulbert, Amy Woods

Mission Statement

The mission of the Adult Discipleship Committee is to help adults of all ages to better understand the word of God, follow Christ’s teachings and serve as effective witnesses for Christ in thought, word and deed. Through programs and activities, we hope to build up disciples of Jesus Christ who are able to share the good news of the Gospel with a hurting world.

2022 Goals

Take a leadership role in developing steps in a church-wide discipleship strategy, leading believers from basic foundational classes through Discipleship and Leadership Training. This must be consistent with the Goals of the Strategic Marketing Plan.

Increase the number of people who have completed or are completing Discipleship Micro-Group training to 45 by the end of 2022.

Develop - or assist in developing - at least three “Porches/Gospel Bridges” that will bring outside people to our campus. Examples include DivorceCare (including for kids), FinancialPeace , andDiscipleshipRocks .

Provide leadership training and resources for Home Group Leaders and potential leaders, consistent with the Strategic Marketing Plan (TBD). Assist in developing new leaders and resources that lead toward the development of additional Home Groups.

2022 Accomplishments

Presented theLegacyGrandparenting Summitin October 2022. We hosted a two-day simulcast featuring outstanding teachers including Anne Graham Lott to help grandparents connect with their grandchildren and grow their Christian faith. A follow-up class began in January.

FinancialPeacewas offered in January 2023.

Increased the number of people involved in Discipleship Pathways Of Discipleship (PODs formerly MicroGroups) to 39 by the end of 2022.

Developed the initial course outline for a DHPC/RightNowMediaDiscipleship Certificationprogram. This program will be further developed in 2023.

Greg Ogden’sDiscipleshipEssentials,The Navigators’HighQuestand SmallCircleare approved resources for Discipleship PODs.

The Women’s Ministry held a retreat in May. Their “Women’s Tea” is planned for February 2023.

Purchased and delivered Devotionals to the congregation for both Lent and Advent. Devotionals were also provided to Chaplaincy for the Homeless, Walking Beside and Troop Care Ministries. Sponsored Faith in Film nights with discussion led by Adam Sonstroem, Professor at AZ Christian University, and Pastor Brett Everett.

2023 Goals

Use the outline forDHPC/RightNowMedia DiscipleshipCertificationto develop a committee-approved, church-wide discipleship strategy.

Prepare and offer classes that are consistent with the topics approved in our DiscipleshipCertificationprogram.

Provide resources to facilitate an increase in Household Worship in the homes. Increase the number of people who have completed or are completing Discipleship POD training to 60 by the end of 2023.

Assist in developing at least three “Porches/Gospel Bridges” that will bring outside people to our campus; e.g., DivorceCare , FinancialPeace , andLegacyGrandparentingSummit .

Provide leadership training and resources for Home Group leaders and potential leaders. Assist in developing leaders and resources that facilitate the goal of adding members to Home Groups.

Respectfully submitted,

Bill Billard Adult Discipleship Elder