THE ONE-YEAR CELEBRATION
WHAT IS EXPONENTIAL? One year ago, our church launched a two-year generosity initiative called Exponential. It was fueled by a desire to be an impact church that transforms the lives of people locally in our communities through our church ministries and across the world through the work of our mission partners. We challenged everyone who calls Lakeside their home to increase their level of giving individually so that we could make an exponential impact as a church in three key areas: our vision, our community and our world. The people of Lakeside felt the call and embraced the challenge. On May 22, 2016, individuals were asked to fill out a commitment card to pledge their exponential gift. Lakeside presented a goal of $10 million in giving over the next two years. On June 5, all three campuses gathered together to celebrate the pledges and expected giving amount of $10,199,750. Because of Lakesiders who have sacrificially and consistently given to this effort over the last twelve months, we have been able to make an:
EXPONENTIAL INVESTMENT IN OUR VISION Our Lakeside Park campus has seen a major renovation, enabling us to increase our ministry efforts. The auditorium has been updated to become a better video venue, which allows us to share the message of Jesus with others all over the world. Our children’s and student areas were renovated to meet our current “Lead Small” model so the next generation can be mentored and invested in by leaders. The lobby has also been expanded to help guests to feel more welcome.
The Lakeside Kids area renovations provide space for large group worship and small group discussion where kids can build a relationship with their leader.
The newly renovated auditorium at the Lakeside Park campus helps Lakeside to be a better video venue so we can share the message of Jesus with more people online around the world.
EXPONENTIAL GROWTH IN OUR COMMUNITY Expanding into a multisite church has allowed us to reach new people in both the Hebron and Taylor Mill communities. Since the launch of the Hebron campus in December 2013, 109 people have made a personal decision to follow Jesus and have been baptized. Our Taylor Mill campus, which launched in the Fall of 2015, has seen 34 baptisms as a result of life change. We are passionate about multiplication and desire to reduce debt associated with previous campus expansion, strategically positioning and preparing us for future expansion opportunities.
EXPONENTIAL INFLUENCE IN OUR WORLD Through our new long-term partnership with Missions of Hope International, we are providing funds to build the Joska Boys School’s first permanent facility in Nairobi, Kenya. Last October, our Executive Director, Mike Tolle, and Taylor Mill Campus Pastor, Shamus Staubach, attended the groundbreaking for the facility that will provide schooling for 1,600 boys from one of the poorest regions in the world. In addition, over 40 Lakesiders have signed up for 2017 mission trips to have feet on the ground in Nairobi and serve the people there directly.
After seeing a video of children in Africa during a family worship service, Jonas Lamping, 8, asked for money for his birthday in lieu of gifts to give to our new mission partner, MOHI.
Taylor Mill Campus Pastor, Shamus Staubach, attended the groundbreaking in October 2016 and laid the cornerstone for the new Joska Boys School.
WE’RE ON OUR WAY!
It is your generosity that is fueling the engine of life-change here at Lakeside, in our community and in our world! We’re looking forward to what God continues to accomplish as our generosity grows in the second year of Exponential. Currently, Exponential giving is at 87% of our first year commitments (For those of you who prefer charts, take a look at the bar graph to the right). As you can see, there’s room to accelerate our giving as we enter our second year! We are so grateful for those who made Exponential commitments and this is a good time for each of us to evaluate our personal progress toward our giving. Your commitment to Lakeside helps all of us make a greater impact as we love Jesus and love like Jesus!
Our partnership with MOHI will allow us to provide schooling for 1,600 boys in Nairobi, Kenya.
GENERATIONS HAVE GONE BEFORE US. NOW IT IS OUR TIME.
CAN I STILL GET INVOLVED? Absolutely! We would love for you to join us on the second half of this journey. We are all at different places and we value each person taking the next step up in his or her spiritual journey of generosity as a disciple of Jesus. Where are you now, and where is God calling you?
STEPS IN THE GENEROSITY JOURNEY
I’ve decided to think of my giving from a long-term lifetime perspective.
LIFETIME
I’ve decided to sacrifice in other areas of my life to give to God.
SACRIFICIAL
INTENTIONAL
I’ve decided to make giving an intentional part of my life.
CONSISTENT
I’ve decided to make my giving to Lakeside consistent.
I’ve decided to give to God for the first time.
INITIAL
*ADAPTED FROM NELSON SEARCY
HEAD TO LAKESIDE.ORG/EXPONENTIAL TO JOIN IN THE FINAL YEAR OF THIS JOURNEY WITH US.
“The Lord has done some amazing things in our lives and I can’t regret giving a little bit more every paycheck to the Kingdom of God.” –John Biery