Awaken Vision Book

AWAKEN

Traders Point Christian Church

A NOTE FROM AARON

I recently read a study from Barna that said the church in the West is declining beyond repair, implying that we’ve become asleep and complacent. The recent pandemic certainly accelerated the trend.

What if, in the midst of the noise of the past few years, God is calling His Church to awaken, reverse the trend, and to bring His Kingdom to Earth? I believe that now is the time for God to use each one of us to lead our neighbors, our city, and our world back to Him.

With a history of almost 200 years, starting out as a log cabin church predating the Civil War, Traders Point is accustomed to defying the odds and not shying away when God calls us to more. Sacrifice, courage, and bold faith have been defining markers throughout our history, and now is the time for us to step into this season, fully awake and ready for what God wants to do in and through us.

I believe God is calling us, individually and collectively, to journey into one of the greatest steps of faith we’ve taken as a church. This is the moment God designed for us to make an impact in our church, community, and world. Now is the time – we’re not guaranteed another moment.

Rooted in scripture from Revelation 3 and Ephesians 5, we’re calling this vision for the next few years Awaken. As we study these passages and more in the coming weeks, I believe this Awaken message will have deeply personal meaning for us in our individual walks with God and collectively in our church.

I can’t wait to share the vision with you. It’s exciting, and seizing the moment is important. But more than anything, my prayer is that God does a transformative work in us individually that will fuel what He wants to do through us collectively in this season. Let’s open our hearts to how He wants to move.

It’s time to awaken and live for what matters most.

In Him,

Aaron Brockett, Lead Pastor

OUR HISTORY

1834

Traders Point Christian Church, originally named Ebenezer Christian Church, was organized in Marion County, Indiana. Ten charter members took turns hosting church in their homes.

1853

Membership grew to nearly 100.

1858

A new building went under construction to accommodate the congregation’s growth. It was completed in June of 1859.

1886

We moved to a 1.5-acre lot in what was the Village of Traders Point - the last trading post on the road to Chicago. Later this year, our name changed to Traders Point Christian Church.

1942

We hired our first full-time minister, marking the beginning of over half a century of exceptional growth.

1964

11 acres were partially donated at 7860 Lafayette Road, which became the next location for a church building. We constructed a building that seated 375 people. The first worship service was held in October 1964, and the facility was enlarged and remodeled several times.

1983

Howard Brammer was hired as our next church minister. We grew from under 300 people to more than 1,000 attendees under Howard’s leadership.

2004

God provided 92 acres of land on Indianapolis Road to accommodate the extreme growth at the Lafayette Road location. Children’s ministry rooms were overcrowded, and adult groups were competing for limited classroom space.

2007

In April, after three years of construction, we celebrated the grand opening of our current Northwest location with 2,377 people. In June, Howard Brammer retired after 25 years of service. In November, we hired Aaron Brockett as the next lead pastor.

2011

Our first generosity campaign called Generous Giants was launched to accommodate the immense growth we were experiencing. The goal of the campaign was completed in 2012 with a children’s space that doubled in size and an expansion of the children’s center of one of our partners in Nairobi, Kenya.

2013

We launched our multisite campaign called Humble & Hungry. Our church leadership wanted to create a way for church attendees to invite their friends to church and serve right where they live, work, and play.

2016

Traders Point Carmel (formerly Traders Point North) and Traders Point Downtown were added as multisite locations.

2017

Traders Point Plainfield (formerly our West Campus) was added as a location in Avon Middle School. They called this space their temporary home for 5 years before moving into their permanent location in June 2022.

2020

In January and February, we announced our fifth and sixth multisite locations, Midtown and Fishers. In March, COVID-19 was labeled a global pandemic. In light of this, we met online for six months and reopened physical campus doors in September. At this time, a pause was put on the launch of the Midtown and Fishers locations.

2022

Traders Point Midtown re-launched as a multisite at Indianapolis Glendale SeventhDay Adventist Church, with a permanent location purchased but not yet renovated. There are plans to open this location’s permanent site in 2024.

2023

We announced the purchase of our sixth multisite location, Traders Point Fishers, with plans to open its doors in 2024.

Traders Point launches a two-year generosity initiative called “Awaken: Now Is the Time” with a primary vision for God to do a great work in us and through us.

WHERE WE ARE TODAY

WHERE WE ARE TODAY

With almost 200 years of history, so much has changed, and yet one thing remains the same: We exist to remove unnecessary barriers that keep people from Jesus.

Here’s a snapshot of where our church was as of August 2023...

TRADERS POINT LOCATIONS

GROUPS ACROSS ALL TRADERS POINT LOCATIONS

552

BAPTISMS ACROSS ALL TRADERS POINT LOCATIONS

CHURCH PLANTS

GLOBAL PARTNERS

KIDS AND FAMILIES SERVED THROUGH OUR FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

8,324

PEOPLE GATHERING ON SUNDAYS

3,270

DIFFERENCE MAKERS

10

LOCAL PARTNERS

These numbers reflect how we help people know God, find life-giving relationships, and make a difference where they live, work, and play.

NOW IS THE TIME

NOW IS THE TIME

So often we find ourselves sleepwalking through life, coasting along and settling for complacency and comfort. We spend our lives investing in things that are temporary rather than what matters most.

What could be waiting for us if we awakened to the urgency of reaching a lost and hurting world? What awaits us when we fully entrust our faith to a God who never sleeps?

We believe God wants to do more in us and through us than ever before.

ARE YOU READY?

OUR GOALS

OUR GOALS

While God has significantly blessed and equipped our church for this moment, this is not about Traders Point. This is about Jesus and His power at work within each of us.

PRIMARY GOAL = 100% engagement

WHAT WILL GOD DO IN US?

Our primary goal is 100% engagement –that all of us would be awakened to what God is calling us to in this next season. First and foremost, this journey is a call to spiritual growth. It’s about being awakened to God’s heart for generosity. It’s about being awakened to perspective, significance, position, and action. It’s about stepping out in faith and watching our courage and conviction grow as we follow God’s lead.

SECONDARY GOAL = $84M

WHAT WILL GOD DO THROUGH US?

We are trusting God to provide our secondary goal of $84 million, not only for ongoing ministry at Traders Point, but for the expansion and compassion efforts needed to reach our community and beyond.

RELEASE THE CHURCH $47M

We want everyone who calls Traders Point their church home to know God, find life-giving relationships, and make a difference. These things are already part of our DNA, but we want to raise the bar in the next few years, coming at them with greater intentionality.

A big piece of Releasing the Church is about reaching the next generation. Specifically, we’re looking to significantly increase our investment, with a focus on improving content to teach our kids and youth who God is and improve their biblical literacy. This also includes upping our efforts to equip parents in discipling their kids at home.

Another piece of Releasing the Church is creating discipleship tools that meet people where they’re at. Here’s what we love about a big church: We can reach lots of people, and we have the resources for those who need them. But here’s the hard truth about big churches: Just as much as the front door is wide open for people to come in, the back door can be just as wide.

We never want to be a church that leaves people feeling unseen or forgotten. A robust Digital Engagement Pathway will help us close that gap with the right technology to help equip and disciple our people.

REVIVE THE CITY $25M

We have a heart for Indianapolis, and we want to do everything we can to bring the hope and help of Jesus into Central Indiana neighborhoods. We can’t wait to get our Midtown and Fishers locations in their permanent buildings, hopefully by early 2024.

Our Northwest campus is in need of a refresh to be better equipped as the sending and resourcing location for all of our city. We’re also seeing incredible growth in the area surrounding our Northwest location, and we want to be ready to accommodate that growth. Updates needed include auditorium updates, improved lobby and gathering spaces, and upgrades to classrooms and office spaces.

Our church model is not necessarily about location expansion, but we do want to accommodate the people we’re already reaching so they can more easily grow in community, serve, and invite their friends, family, and coworkers. That happens best in proximity to where they live, work, and play. As we consider future campuses, we’re open to wherever God wants us to go next.

We’d also like to reduce some debt. We’re already within responsible ranges, but we’d still like to reduce debt to free up more resources for Kingdom work.

RESTORE HOPE TO THE WORLD $12M

One of the best ways we can make a difference is by partnering with nonprofits already doing great work. That said, we want to get really strategic about our local and global missions partners, choosing ones that help with tangible relief efforts, leadership development, and church-planting. There are so many worthwhile causes, but these are the things that are near and dear to the heart of our church.

Another outreach pillar we value is making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children, which is why we’ve invested in a dedicated Foster & Adoption Ministry. To make a difference with foster and adoption families, the ministry’s resource center, located at Northwest, provides much needed items at no cost to foster families and organizations across Indianapolis. They’ve outgrown their facility and are in need of a new one.

TOTAL = $84M

GENEROSITY JOURNEY

This tool is designed to help you move money from being an idol to being an avenue to build God’s Kingdom. The journey focuses on the condition of our hearts, further transforming us into the likeness of Jesus. Each step of the journey represents growth in a lifestyle of generosity and sacrifice.

CONSISTENT GIVER

INITIAL GIVER

An Initial Giver is someone who decides to give for the first time, out of a response to God’s Word about giving. This is someone who decides to give something and trust God and the leaders of the church with this gift. They experience the initial joy of putting Jesus’ words into action (Matthew 7:24).

A Consistent Giver decides to give on a consistent basis to exercise the discipline of giving as a disciple of Jesus. Often, this giver decides to make their gift an online recurring gift and will be learning the joy of consistency. Non-online givers can be consistent givers as well, of course; it just requires more discipline. They experience the joy of excelling in this grace of giving. (2 Corinthians 8:7).

INTENTIONAL GIVER

An Intentional Giver is someone who thinks about their giving in relation to their other financial priorities. Specifically, they consistently tithe, giving a tenth of their income to the local church, regardless of their circumstances (Malachi 3:10). This giver starts to make their giving an intentional choice, prioritizing it in relation to other things in which they spend their money.

ETERNAL GIVER SURRENDERED GIVER

A Surrendered Giver recognizes that Christ surrendered Himself for us, and therefore we desire to surrender ourselves to Him, in love (Ephesians 5:1-2). This giver would say, “My giving is not just changing my spending and saving. It’s also changing me!” They also look at what they’re not giving away and ask, “Is it surrendered too?” This informs how they use everything they’ve been blessed and entrusted with –whether that be through direct monetary giving or through a God-honoring use of an existing resource (i.e., honoring God with the use of your home, etc.)

An Eternal Giver sees the eternal impact of their giving –on them and on others – not just the immediate programs and ministries it helps accomplish. This giver has been captivated by the knowledge that the more they are led to “do good, to be generous and ready to share,” the more they “take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18-19, ESV). This encourages them to keep growing! They make all decisions (big purchases, savings, giving, relationships, areas of service) in light of how it will affect their eternal impact.

OUR COMMITMENT

TWO-YEAR GIVING CHART

As you pray and discern how God would ask you to give during this time, use this gift chart as a discipleship tool. Let it be something that inspires and challenges you toward greater generosity for Kingdom impact as He works in and through you.

COMMITMENT CARD

We’ve included a copy in this book so you can begin to pray about your commitment and what that will mean for your journey with God over these next two years. Please take time to think and pray through this, and then we will provide you with a new hard copy on Commitment Sunday, November 12.

What is a one-fund?

You may have been part of church campaigns in the past where you were asked to give a second gift “above and beyond” your normal offering to complete special projects. Perhaps you gave to the “Building Fund” as you continued to give to the “General Fund.” We believe it is healthier and simpler to give to a single fund.

The Awaken initiative will last two years. During those two years, every gift given to Traders Point will be used both to continue our ongoing ministries and to invest in the vision God has given us for the future. Both priorities will be part of a single budget set by our leadership, in response to commitments we make during the Awaken initiative.

WHAT’S NEXT?

WHAT’S NEXT?

We’re asking you to join us on a spiritual journey with God, to take the largest step of generosity you’ve ever taken, as we move together to take the largest step of faith we’ve ever taken.

WHAT CAN YOU DO NEXT?

Pray that God would multiply our efforts to make disciples and make an impact for the Kingdom in such a time as this. Pray that He would do the impossible.

Ask God to begin to reveal to you what it looks like to give in a way that changes you, and take whatever bold steps are required to see it through.

Fully commit to what God wants to do in you and through you during this season in our church. Devote the next season to letting God develop commitment, vision and generosity in your life. Come to church, answer the discussion questions, join the events, and participate in a small group or short-term group every week.

IMPORTANT DATES

Own the Awaken vision and become an ambassador for it within your spheres of influence. Celebrate what God is doing in the lives of others at Traders Point. Encourage them to engage fully and cheer them on as they take steps of faith and commitment.

ADVANCE COMMITMENT NIGHT COMMITMENT SUNDAY

Saturday, November 4, from 6 – 8 PM at Traders Point Northwest

Sunday, November 12, during our weekend gatherings at all Traders Point locations

PRAY ENGAGE

GIVE LEAD

AWAKEN SERIES

SERIES GUIDE

LEARN REFLECT DISCUSS

Awaken is an invitation to wake up to what matters most. This doesn’t just happen on Sundays. It happens every day of the week.

In the following pages, we’ve provided a guide for you to walk through the Awaken series fully engaged and ready to grow. There’s space to take notes on Sunday. Then at the start and end of each week, you’ll find prompts to look ahead and look back at what God is doing in and through you. In between, there’s a link to Traders Point’s Daily Bible Reading and space to pray through what you’re studying.

Our prayer is that you don’t walk through this initiative alone, but that you grow with others in community. That’s why we’ve included a weekly section called “Talk About It,” with links to online discussion guides for groups and families.

WEEK 01

Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.

– Ephesians 5:14

Date: Bible Verses:

Notes:

WAKE-UP ROUTINE

LOOK AHEAD

At the start of the week, set aside a few minutes to pray through these questions, and write down your responses.

What do I hope God will do in me this week?

What do I hope God will do through me this week?

LOOK BACK

At the end of the week, take a few minutes to reflect and write down your responses.

What did God do in me this week?

What did God do through me this week?

READ ABOUT IT

Dive deeper every weekday with Daily Bible Reading.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Choose a verse or multiple verses that stood out to you in Daily Bible Reading this week and let them guide your prayer time. As you read the verses, thank God for things He revealed about Himself, confess any areas where you’re struggling to live according to His plan, and commit to following Him in the ways He’s prompting you. Write your prayer in the space provided.

TALK ABOUT IT

WITH YOUR GROUP

Access the weekly video and discussion guide.

As you watch the video, use this space to jot down observations so you can talk about them with your group.

After my group discussion, here’s what God is prompting me to do next:

WITH YOUR FAMILY

Parents: Access our weekly discussion guides tailored to your kids’ ages, then come back here to reflect.

As a family, here’s how

we’ll live out what we’ve learned:

WEEK 02

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

– Hebrews 11:1

Date: Bible Verses:

Notes:

WAKE-UP ROUTINE

LOOK AHEAD

At the start of the week, set aside a few minutes to pray through these questions, and write down your responses.

What do I hope God will do in me this week?

What do I hope God will do through me this week?

LOOK BACK

At the end of the week, take a few minutes to reflect and write down your responses.

What did God do in me this week?

What did God do through me this week?

READ ABOUT IT

Dive deeper every weekday with Daily Bible Reading.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Choose a verse or multiple verses that stood out to you in Daily Bible Reading this week and let them guide your prayer time. As you read the verses, thank God for things He revealed about Himself, confess any areas where you’re struggling to live according to His plan, and commit to following Him in the ways He’s prompting you. Write your prayer in the space provided.

TALK ABOUT IT

WITH YOUR GROUP

Access the weekly video and discussion guide.

As you watch the video, use this space to jot down observations so you can talk about them with your group.

After my group discussion, here’s what God is prompting me to do next:

WITH YOUR FAMILY

Parents: Access our weekly discussion guides tailored to your kids’ ages, then come back here to reflect.

As a family, here’s how

we’ll live out what we’ve learned:

WEEK 03

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else… and he will give you everything you need.

– Matthew 6:33

Date: Bible Verses:

Notes:

WAKE-UP ROUTINE

LOOK AHEAD

At the start of the week, set aside a few minutes to pray through these questions, and write down your responses.

What do I hope God will do in me this week?

What do I hope God will do through me this week?

LOOK BACK

At the end of the week, take a few minutes to reflect and write down your responses.

What did God do in me this week?

What did God do through me this week?

READ ABOUT IT

Dive deeper every weekday with Daily Bible Reading.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Choose a verse or multiple verses that stood out to you in Daily Bible Reading this week and let them guide your prayer time. As you read the verses, thank God for things He revealed about Himself, confess any areas where you’re struggling to live according to His plan, and commit to following Him in the ways He’s prompting you. Write your prayer in the space provided.

TALK ABOUT IT

WITH YOUR GROUP

Access the weekly video and discussion guide.

As you watch the video, use this space to jot down observations so you can talk about them with your group.

After my group discussion, here’s what God is prompting me to do next:

WITH YOUR FAMILY

Parents: Access our weekly discussion guides tailored to your kids’ ages, then come back here to reflect.

As a family, here’s how

we’ll live out what we’ve learned:

WEEK 04

Date: Bible Verses:

Notes:

WAKE-UP ROUTINE

LOOK AHEAD

At the start of the week, set aside a few minutes to pray through these questions, and write down your responses.

What do I hope God will do in me this week?

What do I hope God will do through me this week?

LOOK BACK

At the end of the week, take a few minutes to reflect and write down your responses.

What did God do in me this week?

What did God do through me this week?

READ ABOUT IT

Dive deeper every weekday with Daily Bible Reading.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Choose a verse or multiple verses that stood out to you in Daily Bible Reading this week and let them guide your prayer time. As you read the verses, thank God for things He revealed about Himself, confess any areas where you’re struggling to live according to His plan, and commit to following Him in the ways He’s prompting you. Write your prayer in the space provided.

TALK ABOUT IT

WITH YOUR GROUP

Access the weekly video and discussion guide.

As you watch the video, use this space to jot down observations so you can talk about them with your group.

After my group discussion, here’s what God is prompting me to do next:

WITH YOUR FAMILY

Parents: Access our weekly discussion guides tailored to your kids’ ages, then come back here to reflect.

As a family, here’s how we’ll live out what we’ve learned:

WEEK 05

You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.

– 2 Corinthians 8:9

Date: Bible Verses:

Notes:

WAKE-UP ROUTINE

LOOK AHEAD

At the start of the week, set aside a few minutes to pray through these questions, and write down your responses.

What do I hope God will do in me this week?

What do I hope God will do through me this week?

LOOK BACK

At the end of the week, take a few minutes to reflect and write down your responses.

What did God do in me this week?

What did God do through me this week?

READ ABOUT IT

Dive deeper every weekday with Daily Bible Reading.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Choose a verse or multiple verses that stood out to you in Daily Bible Reading this week and let them guide your prayer time. As you read the verses, thank God for things He revealed about Himself, confess any areas where you’re struggling to live according to His plan, and commit to following Him in the ways He’s prompting you. Write your prayer in the space provided.

TALK ABOUT IT

WITH YOUR GROUP

Access the weekly video and discussion guide.

As you watch the video, use this space to jot down observations so you can talk about them with your group.

After my group discussion, here’s what God is prompting me to do next:

WITH YOUR FAMILY

Parents: Access our weekly discussion guides tailored to your kids’ ages, then come back here to reflect.

As a family, here’s how we’ll live out what we’ve learned:

WEEK 06

God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

– 2 Corinthians 9:8

Date: Bible Verses:

Notes:

WAKE-UP ROUTINE

LOOK AHEAD

At the start of the week, set aside a few minutes to pray through these questions, and write down your responses.

What do I hope God will do in me this week?

What do I hope God will do through me this week?

LOOK BACK

At the end of the week, take a few minutes to reflect and write down your responses.

What did God do in me this week?

What did God do through me this week?

READ ABOUT IT

Dive deeper every weekday with Daily Bible Reading.

PRAY ABOUT IT

Choose a verse or multiple verses that stood out to you in Daily Bible Reading this week and let them guide your prayer time. As you read the verses, thank God for things He revealed about Himself, confess any areas where you’re struggling to live according to His plan, and commit to following Him in the ways He’s prompting you. Write your prayer in the space provided.

TALK ABOUT IT

WITH YOUR GROUP

Access the weekly video and discussion guide.

As you watch the video, use this space to jot down observations so you can talk about them with your group.

After my group discussion, here’s what God is prompting me to do next:

WITH YOUR FAMILY

Parents: Access our weekly discussion guides tailored to your kids’ ages, then come back here to reflect.

As a family, here’s how

we’ll live out what we’ve learned:

AWAKEN

Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.

– Ephesians 5:14

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Verses marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Vision.tpcc.org

AWAKE, O SLEEPER, AND ARISE FROM THE DEAD AND CHRIST WILL SHINE Awaken Vision Book Cover.pdf 2 8/29/23 9:10 AM