Another Year of Lifting Building Reaching 2017 ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 FROM THE PASTOR 5 LIFTING 6 BUILDING 8 REACHING 9 IDENTITY & BRANDING 10 2017 HIGHLIGHTS 11 FINANCIAL REPORTS 2017 has been a year of favor and blessing for LVC. Our Annual Report highlights how we are Lifting, Building, and Reaching people for the Kingdom of God. 2
FROM THE PASTOR A YEAR OF EXPANSION...2018 will be the year of Super- Natural Expansion...This year we endeavor to secure a more permanent location for worship so we can establish a centralized location for our ministry efforts Grace and peace to you, What a blessing it was to experience the move of God in our ministry throughout the past year. We declared 2017 as the year of Spiritual Order and Completion. Many in the LVC family received clarity in their life visions and navigated the year with renewed and redefined purpose. Some took on new employment opportunities, others engaged in new ministry assignments, yet others intensified their pursuit of personal and spiritual well-being. Personally, I was blessed to launch my book, Life After Failure: Overcoming the hurdles to your success. I was also strengthened as a spiritual leader through the introduction of a new spiritual father and mentor, and continued engagement with my team of mature spiritual leaders. As a ministry we experienced Spiritual Order and Completion by developing new processes to allow people to connect and serve in a more seamless manner. We enhanced our emphasis on leadership development as we increased our time and focus to strengthen our leadership team. We also continue to impact the community through our work with The Mission at Kern County, our support of people through counseling services in the community, and our newly established weekly radio broadcast on KERI 1410. 2018 will be the year of Super-Natural Expansion. Throughout this year we will focus on expanding our faith and trust in God, increasing the number of people that we disciple to new levels of faith, increasing the number of people who engage in service to the church and the community, and expanding our presence locally and nationally. This year we also endeavor to secure a more permanent location for worship so we can establish a centralized location for our ministry efforts. By the conclusion of 2018, my prayer is that LVC, the people who are connected, and all who are impacted will recognize the increased reach and impact of God through changed lives. As I say every year, I am blessed to have the great privilege to pastor an amazing church with amazing people. I hope you will find this Annual Report both informative and inspiring. Thank you for your ongoing love, support and prayers. I look forward to partnering with you in 2018 to advance the Kingdom of God. In His Victory, E. Dwayne Cantrell, Th.D., Ed.D. Senior Pastor 3
MISSION & VISION Mission To advance the Kingdom of God by lifting up the name of Christ, building His people through His Word, and reaching the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. Vision To be a relevant significant ministry of Christ to all people in the City of Bakersfield and around the world. C.O.R.E. VALUES Our core values are shared values established by our core members based on the culture experienced at LVC. These core values are expressed in the acrostic, L.I.F.T.N. (also established by our core members). L ove-driven (Romans 12:9-21) I nclusive (Galatians 3:26-29) F reedom (John 8:31-36) T ransparent (James 5:13-16) N on-condemning (Romans 7:21-8:4) 4
LIFTING LVC PRAISE TEAM & BAND The LVC Worship Team and Band are comprised of 10 singers and 6 band members. Worship leaders provide an intimate worship experience for our congregation. The team works closely together weekly to ensure congregants feel welcomed by the worship environment. Our worship team and band also lead worship at The Mission at Kern County every 3rd Sunday evening. 2018 is expected to be a year of continued growth. MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS In 2017, the following ministries experienced growth and/or change: The Hospitality Ministry at LVC has blossomed in 2017. The team has grown to 4 individuals who volunteer to make sure LVC is a friendly, welcoming environment. From decorations to communion and beautiful snack arrangements, the Hospitality Ministry has a focus on health and nutrition. Team members rotate on a schedule, serving about 6-7 hours per week. The R.E.A.L. Beauty Women s Ministry experienced a change in its format this year. The women gather every Monday evening to read books on spiritual growth, healing and wholeness. During the second hour every other Monday, women break into groups based on season of life and share their hearts during a time of encouragement and prayer. The R.E.A.L Beauty leadership team has grown this year to a total of 7 leaders, with weekly attendance averaging at 15 women. Victory Kidz Children s Ministry continued to experience growth and favor. Average attendance has grown to 10 children each week, with 2-3 teachers implementing a lesson that inspires children to live a life for Christ. There are now 8 teachers & teacher assistants who serve weekly. 5
BUILDING LVC MINISTRY CENTER The LVC Ministry Center is located at 5329 Office Center Court, Suite 130. Our Ministry Center is located in Central Bakersfield, which has given us the opportunity to be easily LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT accessible for attendees. The LVC Ministry Center has five office spaces and is used for all meetings and leadership retreats that take place throughout the year. The Ministry Center has given LVC a place to conduct ministry throughout the week. In 2017, the following ministries experienced growth through leadership development: The LVC Administrative Staff has now grown to 3 part-time employees, with the addition of a Hospitality Manager who is tasked with the responsibility of managing the LVC Ministry Center and special events. The LVC Leadership Team has now grown to 12 individuals. This team meets quarterly and participates in leadership development trainings & workshops, provides ministerial updates, and assists in planning upcoming events. M.V.P. attended the Telios Men s Mega Summit this year in Oxnard, CA where the theme was Peacemakers. Men engaged in workshops where topics centered around peace, anger-free living, and promoting & protecting order in one s life. R.E.A.L. Beauty leadership team attended a training with Kingdom Community Ministries this year to gain understanding regarding group counseling and best practices for the facilitation of our women s group. Additionally, LVC hosted R.E.A.L. Beauty s first women s retreat in Bass Lake. Page 6 6 REST. BREATHE. RELAX.
Business Name BUILDING BENEVOLENCE 2017 was a year of continued healing for LVC family members. This year, 7 individuals were supported financially to receive formal weekly Christian Counseling at Kingdom Community Ministries. Spiritual, mental, and emotional healing is a cornerstone of our ministry, and LVC has continued to assist both individuals and families pursue overall health in this journey we call life. LVC also was able to financially bless The Mission at Kern County and provide financial relief to those in crisis and in need. Over $12,000 was given to support families in need this year! FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY This year, LVC became an official Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University hosting site. Financial Peace University is a comprehensive nine-lesson money-management course taught by financial guru Dave Ramsey. Dave and his team provide a course that covers the basics of budgeting, getting out of debt, and planning for the future. Now that LVC is an official hosting site, we offer the course to our congregation and local community annually for a total of nine consecutive weeks. The course is 90 minutes and meets once per week, and is led by an LVC volunteer coordinator. Financial Peace allows LVC members and those in the local to community to be equipped with new money-management tools to transform the way we view our finances, wealth, debt, and giving. 7
REACHING The Mission at Kern County In 2017, LVC hosted a full one hour service at The Mission at Kern County every third Sunday. The Mission at Kern County is a homeless shelter and rescue mission in the Bakersfield community which provides shelter, meals, and clothes for the homeless. LVC participated in and donated funds to their Annual 5k Run, where all proceeds went directly to their programs. Simply Radiant Magazine is a Christian women s magazine created, developed, and supported by LVC. The magazine continues to impact the lives of its readers nationwide. 2017 was year of planning, re-formatting, and implementation to prepare for a re-launch set for 2018. The magazine is available online as a webzine and print copies are available for purchase via the website: www.simplyradiantmagazine.com. Simply Radiant Magazine continues to be viewed and distributed at churches all around the world. 8
ONLINE & RADIO ACCESS LVC continues to use our website as our primary option for online listening. Messages are posted weekly at the LVC website: www.livingvictorychurch.org. Video messages are also available through our Living Victory Church You Tube Channel. IDENTITY & BRANDING In November 2017, LVC received the opportunity to broadcast our messages via radio with KERI Bakersfield 1410AM. Biblical and inspirational messages are made available through the local radio station and globally through the KERI website. Living Victory Church @livingvictorychurch SOCIAL MEDIA In 2017, LVC continued to utilize the following social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & You Tube. Each channel is regularly used to quickly share church related information, provide encouragement, and share sermons with our congregation. @lvc_life Living Victory Church MARKETING Marketing efforts this year primarily centered on photography in an effort to build our photo library. In 2017, two photographers were hired to complete week-long projects to obtain photos of all LVC ministries, activities, and services. This investment has allowed us to share photos that reflect the Core Values, Mission, Vision and heart of LVC. Many of these photos will be used in upcoming projects and can be viewed on the launch of our new website, which is coming in early 2018. 9
LVC FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY 28 individuals participated in Financial Peace University. 2017 marks LVC s first year as an official partner with the Dave Ramsey Program. BENEVOLENCE Over $12,000 was spent this year on BENEVOLENCE, helping individuals receive Christian Counseling and assisting LVC family members and local community members who were in need and going through a difficult time. HIGHEST PARTICIPATION IN KERN COUNTY LVC had 42 registrants for The Mission at Kern County s Annual 5K Walk/Run, the highest participation of any group in Kern County. All proceeds from the event went directly to support their housing and shelter programs. GROWTH AT LVC INCREASED % 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 ATTENDANCE GIVING BENEVOLENCE 10
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS GIVING (REVENUE) GIVING BY QUARTER 11
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Expense Breakdown Benevolence $12,437.64 Equipment $3,979.24 Events $8,914.37 Fellowship $8,873.22 Hospitality $5,287.31 Ignite Youth $0.00 Love Offerings $3,475.36 Marketing & Media $1,952.96 Men of Victory & Purpose (M.V.P.) $629.78 Missions $2,340.50 Overhead $11,880.14 Pastoral Support $12,837.34 Payroll & Insurance $25,625.00 Printing $1,045.01 R.E.A.L. Beauty Women s Ministry $2,576.90 Rent $63,917.00 Resources $3,030.38 Savings $6,000.00 Simply Radiant Magazine $368.45 Supplies $3,324.11 Victory Kidz $1,378.08 TOTAL EXPENDITURES $179,872.79 12
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS EXPENSE BREAKDOWN 13
GET INVOLVED GET INVOLVED! Join us in one of the following ways: GIVE By giving of your tithes and offering, you are helping to advance the Kingdom and support the ministry of LVC with your financial contribution. LVC is in process of praying and searching for a building that we can move in to during the 2018 year. All of your contributions are tax deductible and can be given online or during service. But just as you excel in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us see that you also excel in this grace of giving 2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV) SERVE Find a ministry where you can get involved and be a blessing to others by serving. A commitment to serve faithfully in a ministry will not only bless you and our LVC family members, but it also helps fulfill the Great Commission. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) PRAY At LVC, we believe in the power of prayer! Please pray for the LVC church family and the community we serve. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God s will for you in Christ Jesus Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) 14
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