FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WILLIAMSTOWN 2018 ANNUAL REPORT W W W. F B C W I L L I A M S T O W N. O R G
Love God. Love People. Love More People. That is what FBCW is all about. This annual report looks back at 2018, and all the ways God has moved in and through our faith community.
FBCW Faith Family There comes a point in any individual s, organization s, or church s existence that defines what their future will look like. Malcolm Gladwell will refer to this as a tipping point ; that magic moment when an idea, trend, or behavior crosses the threshold, trips, and spreads like wildfire. Leadership guru Jim Collins, in his Good to Great terminology, refers to it as a transition point. Christian researcher and leader, Thom Rainer, phrases it as a breakout point. However you refer to it, it is a point in time where an organization makes the transition to what she was designed to be. 2018 was a tipping-transition-breakout point for FBCW. This past year we witnessed our energies, passions, talents, and desires take a major step toward the unity and synergy that is required of a church on mission. Our rallying together under the banner of LOVE GOD, LOVE PEOPLE, and LOVE MORE PEOPLE allowed us to focus on God s mission for His church. There were some significant highlights in 2018: As a faith family we celebrated 14 baptisms and an influx of new members, regular attenders, and ministry participants. -New Care Groups were formed and the number of people participating in Care Groups increased by 30%. -Our Women s and Men s ministry continued to disciple across the generations through retreat weekends, ongoing studies, and nights of worship. -After years of falling significantly short of our giving goals, we came ever so close to meeting our budgeted giving needs. This church achieved 98% of our giving expectations. Based on our recent past, this is a huge win and sets a good path forward for our giving. -In a desire to focus on debt reduction and missions, leadership teams set a goal of $72,500 to be raised above our regular giving. This church responded by pledging $118,182 toward this challenge. -33 teens and adults traveled to Nashville to serve the at-risk population. -Formal partnerships were formed with missionaries to enhance Kingdom development in Malawi, Scotland, and Kyrgyzstan with plans to send FBCW fueled teams every year. -A talented ministry staff spent the year exploring ways to expand and enhance Kingdom work in the area of children, youth, missions, shepherding, and discipleship. Thank you FBCW, for your desire to pursue with greater obedience the will of God for this local church. As amazing as 2018 was, we are looking forward to greater heights in 2019. It has been an honor to serve alongside you this past year. It is our prayer that you continue to immerse yourself in the calling that God has placed on you as a partner in God s redemptive plan. For Your Staff, Tony Foreman Lead Pastor FBCW
TO LOVE GOD LOVE PEOPLE AND LOVE MORE PEOPLE TOGETHER C A R E G R O U P S 30% 116 FBCW Care Group particpation increased by 30% in 2018. There are currently 116 people in Care Groups. Marriage Ministry 6 FBCW couples attended a LIFE Ministry Marriage Retreat in Morgantown. 23 Couples participated in the FBCW Marriage Retreat at Parchment Valley.
Where faith and fun meet. CHILDREN'S MINISTRY Our Children s Ministry continued to grow and thrive during 2018. We added a new Wednesday night discipleship opportunity for our children called TeamKID, continued to have a weekly presence in both Williamstown and Waverly Elementary Schools with Bible Club, and restructured our King s Crossing volunteer system to ensure proper coverage, dependability, and the best experience for our little ones. We were able to renovate the environment in UpStreet and led many community events for our area children and families.
330 75 40 85 different children attended King's Crossing and/or UpStreet in 2018. (Weekly average: 80) children age 3 through 5th grade participated in TeamKID. (Weekly average: 45) Waverly and Williamstown elementary students studied God's Word at Bible Club. (Weekly average: 30) regularly scheduled volunteers serve in Children's Ministry. Parents' Night Out events averaged 40-60 children and 15-20 volunteers. 300+ people attended the Community Easter Egg Hunt. 125+ children and 20 FBCW volunteers participated in Mega Sports Camp. 30+ volunteers put on a Community VBS at Tomlinson Park for 80+ children. FBCW hosted 400+ people for our Community Trunk or Treat, which 40+ volunteers made happen.
THE SUMMIT STUDENT MINISTRIES TO KNOW HIM AND BE MADE LIKE HIM 2018 was an incredible year of ministry with our students. In January, our sermon series was based out of Philippians 3, which brought the life-verse of The Summit. Our mission is to partner with families as we seek to raise a generation who is in pursuit of the upward call of Christ Jesus-knowing Him, and being made like Him. Over the last year, everything in our ministry has been done with that mission in mind.
150 students participated in The Summit in 2018, with an average weekly attendance of 77. 80 82 students attended Winter Retreat. students attended Fall Retreat. 33 people served on the Nashville Mission Trip. 25 leaders volunteer weekly in Student Ministry.
Our Men s Ministry continues to focus on developing men in Christ and connecting them with others who share their same faith and desire to be men after God s own heart. 87 63 Fathers, sons, grandpas, and grandsons who went on the Father/Son Adventure. The theme was Man vs. Wild. Men who attended the ManUp Weekend, focusing on the theme Fear Is A Liar. 12 The average number of men who attended Men's Bible Study on Tuesday mornings.
WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY 33 32 women attended the Spring Study. women attended the Fall Study. "I am so thankful for women s Bible study. The studies allow me to connect with all ages of women from our church and the surrounding area. I love seeing generations learn and grow together." "Women s Bible study is my favorite type of worship. The beauty of God's word experienced through laughter, tears, accountability and conversations with other women, brings the light of Christ into my life like nothing else can." "It is always a joy to study along side of women in our church and our community. This year I learned new bible study techniques that I am sure I will continue to use. I look forward to each study."
40 women participated in the annual Women's Retreat. 75 ladies of all ages attended the Daughters Of The King banquet. MOPS/MomsNEXT 81 total women attended MOPS in 2018. When I first attended MOPs, I was greeted with a hug as I walked in the door, from someone I d never even met. I couldn t believe how much these women loved on & supported each other. I wasn t raised going to church or seeing my Mom surrounded by friends, so this was all new to me. I felt the need to grow closer to God, in turn bringing my husband closer to him too. We started attending FBCW & overtime my best friend & her family, my cousin, & my sons teammates have joined us! I can truly say MOPs has not only changed my life but the life of those around me.
343 total OCC shoeboxes sent from FBCW in 2018. Those 343 were part of over 10 million boxes collected worldwide. DID YOU KNOW? FBCW sponsored 60 children to attend "The Greatest Journey", where they receive a Bible in their own language, and learn about Jesus over 6 weeks of classes. 24,175 1307 people served at the Gospel Mission Food Pantry in 2018 (7090 children). Bibles distributed from the Gospel Mission. 100 Belpre Elementary students served weekly through Blessings In A Backpack.
$7719.42 given by FBCW through various opportunities to the Women's Care Center. 559 individuals served with 1225 visits. In 2018, FBCW took a huge step forward in foreign missions endeavors, totally revamping our strategy and investments. New Foreign Missions Partners Scotland - 20Schemes & Hope Community Church Malawi - Zach and Carly Brady & Young Life Malawi Kyrgyzstan - Sy Belohlavek & June Cashmere Sierra Craven - Missionary in training
FBCW STAFF TONY FOREMAN Lead Pastor JENNIFER HOWELL Administrative Assistant BRETT HOWER Executive Discipleship Pastor BRIAN FLANAGAN Custodian SCOTT MCCLURE Student Pastor REBEKAH GROSE Custodian GRETCHEN HAMMER Children's Ministries Director BRENDA WATSON Treasurer KATIE CHRISTENSEN Children's Ministries Coordinator
Financial Records We are in the process of finalizing an accurate, comprehensive financial report for 2018. Once it is totally completed, we will include it in this Annual Report.
To all of you who are invested in FBCW-to all of you who serve and give, sacrifice and show up-we just want to say thank you. Thank you for helping us Love God, Love People, and Love More People.