BOLD FOR OUR CHURCH This is our general ministry budget, but it is anything but general! These funds are used to fuel life-changing children s ministry, student ministry, small groups, adult classes, worship ministry, and everything else that aids us in guiding everyday people into a Christ-following family. South Side is not an institution. We are a people on mission, reaching others. We are disciples making disciples who make disciples. We want to continue to grow in that way. BOLD FOR OUR COMMUNITY We want to unleash the ministry of Jesus EVERY DAY. So we need facilities to train today s church and to reach today s city and generation. Within two miles of our church, 14,400 people are not involved in a life of faith. Over half are single, divorced, or widowed. Yet the largest growing group of people are children under 11. Imagine a ministry and a facility that could reach them. BOLD FOR OUR WORLD We wouldn t be South Side if we did not accelerate what we do for the world. In this two-year initiative, we believe God is challenging us as a church to give the largest amount we have ever given to missions both locally and globally. This is new to us as we have not had an accelerated mission component as part of a generosity initiative before. 2
ONE FUND I N I T I AT I V E You may have been part of church campaigns in the past where you were asked to give a second gift above and beyond your usual gifts to complete special projects. At South Side these have been used to make new buildings and ministries possible. Normally, you gave that gift to the "Building Fund" and you also continued to give offering to the "General Fund." This type of giving is potentially confusing to people who either don t have a baseline for their "usual giving" or who aren t able to really celebrate the total giving they are engaging in at South Side in one single number. We believe that it is all ONE MISSION that we re on - the mission to guide everyday people into a Christ-following family. We are halfway through our two year Uncharted journey which concludes next May. Within these two years, every gift that is given to South Side Christian Church will go to the Uncharted Initiative - to help us be bold for our church, community, and world. On Sunday 21st we ll have the opportunity to reaffirm our support for Uncharted during our Commitment Sunday. Please prayerfully consider your involvement in our final year of Uncharted. Some will chose to jump on board for the first time. Others may commit to staying strong in the journey while others may chose to increase their commitment during this final year. Regardless we are still praying for 100% participation from everyone who calls South Side home. 3
APRIL 30 BOLD AT HOME Peter and John went back to their own people... - Acts 4:23 Peter: John: Peter s story is told throughout the Gospels and the book of Acts. He is mentioned in Galatians 1:18 and 2:7-14. Name: Also known as Simon Peter Occupation: Fisherman, disciple Relatives: Father John; brother Andrew Jesus first words to Peter were Come, follow me (Mark 1:17). His last words to him were You must follow me (John 21: 22). Peter learned what it meant to boldly trust God by following Jesus. John s story is told throughout the Gospels, Acts and Revelation. Occupation: Fisherman, disciple Relatives: Father Zebedee; Mother Salome; Brother James Strengths and accomplishments: Disciple of John the Baptist before Jesus call One of the 12 disciples and one of the three closest to Jesus (along with Peter and James) Strengths and accomplishments: Known as the leader of Jesus disciples and was one of the three closest to Jesus Wrote 1 and 2 Peter Probably knew Mark and supplied him with information for the Gospel of Mark Weaknesses: Known for outbursts of selfishness, along with brother James Asked for a special position in Jesus kingdom Weaknesses: Often spoke without thinking Denied three times that he even knew Jesus when he was on trial 4
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MAY 7 BOLD IN OUR BACKYARD So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. Acts 9:28 Saul/Paul: Name: Saul and Paul of the New Testament are the same person. Acts 13:9 read But Saul, who was also called Paul Dual names were common in Saul s day, but following Acts 13:9 he is only ever referred to as Paul. Occupations: Trained as a Pharisee, learned how to make tents, served as a missionary Geography: Born in Tarsus (city in modern day Turkey), but traveled prolifically after becoming a missionary Strengths and accomplishments: Transformed from persecutor to to a preacher after meeting Jesus in Acts 9:1-19 Wrote many letters that became books of the New Testament (13 books; many believe he wrote Hebrews as well) Weaknesses: Witnessed and approved of Stephen s killing Actively persecuted Christians prior to his conversion on the road to Damascus 6
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MAY 14 BOLD AROUND THE BLOCK On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly Acts 13:44,46 Paul: Barnabas: See entry on Saul/Paul, page 5 Barnabas story is told in Acts 4:36, 37; 9:27-15:39. He is also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 2:1,9 and Colossians 4:10. Name: Given name of Joseph, nicknamed Barnabas ( son of encouragement ) in Acts 4:36 Occupation: Missionary, teacher Relatives: Aunt Mary; Cousin John Mark (traditional writer of Gospel of Mark) Strengths and accomplishments: One of the first to sell possessions to help other Christians First to travel with Paul as a missionary team Called an apostle, but not one of the original 12 Weaknesses: Stayed away from the Gentile believers (along with Peter) until Paul corrected him 8
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MAY 21 BOLD IN EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. Acts 18:24, 26 Apollos: Apollo s story is told in Acts 18:24-28; 19:1. He is also mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4-6; 4:1,6; 16:12; Titus 3:13. Occupations: Traveling preacher, apologist Geography: From Alexandria in Egypt Strengths and accomplishments: Willing to be taught Weaknesses: Began teaching without full understanding of the Gospel message by relying on Old Testament and teachings of John the Baptist; Priscilla and Aquilla equipped him with full message 10
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