C E L E B R A T I N G O U R CEDARCREEKCHURCH CEDARCREEKCHURCH SATURDAYS 5:15 7 SUNDAYS 9 10:45 12:30 FINDLAY PERRYSBURG SOUTHTOLEDO WESTTOLEDO WHITEHOUSE Check out any service LIVE online at CedarCreek.tv @CedarCreekTV T W E N T Y F I R S T Y E A R
27:13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. PSALM 27:13 Twenty-one years ago, a church was launched in response to a whisper from God. The mission to create an environment where spiritually restless and unchurched people could encounter the love of God and be invited into His work to make a positive and lasting impact in the world. THE ANNIVERSARY IN SEPTEMBER was perhaps the most significant in its history. Twenty years under the leadership of the founder, the first year under new leadership, and yet twenty-one years still strong in our mission to help every person sense how much they truly matter to God and to us. 01
Snyders T H E BEN LAUREN LYDIA SAM NOAH MARY Our vision for the future is to see our communities completely transformed and we believe that happens one individual at a time. Transformed Individuals lead to transformed communities. OVER this past year, we have made progress toward that vision as we have seen God continue to reach people who never imagined coming to church. Those of you who call CedarCreek Church home have been a part of the core to help make that happen during this transition. As we look around, it becomes apparent that there is still work to do. We cannot stop. And I am convinced that God has placed you me us, here in Northwest Ohio to lead the way in His redemptive mission here. We all have a next step to take. For the good of our community and for the glory of our great God, I look forward to pursuing the best that is yet to come with each of you. As we do, I am confident in this we WILL see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. TWENTY-ONE and I can t wait to see what is yet to come. Ben, Lead Pastor 02 03
Transformation happens one individual at a time. When you allow God to transform you, it will transform the people around you. OUR TWENTY-FIRST YEAR: 1039 353 DECISIONS FOR CHRIST B A P T I S M S 4293 INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS 372 INDIVIDUAL GROUP LEADERS 04 05
In 2013, Gena heard CedarCreek s special guests New Hope Moldova share about the plight of human trafficking in their country. When the church scheduled a mission trip to Moldova, she knew she had to go. The whole experience became a turning point in Gena s life she never expected. Gena COLTON WHEN she returned from her trip, Gena s heart had changed and she felt she needed to give more and serve more. She happily began serving in all kinds of ways at CedarCreek. However, Gena soon discovered that while it was easy for her to give of her time and her talents, the hardest thing for her to give was her money. She knew she wasn t truly giving everything she could give if she didn t also give financially. So together, Gena and her husband, Bob, made a decision to give the full tithe of 10% of their income. I now finally realize that everything I have, God has given me. Since God has given me everything that I have, certainly I can trust Him with all that I have. As Gena has continued to give of her time, talents and treasures, she s learned tithing really isn t about the dollar amount you give, it s about being obedient to God with all that HE HAS GIVEN HER. 06 P E R R Y S B U R G 07
In 2006, Bobbie took a courageous step forward sharing her story of the abuse she endured as a young child, confident God could use it to help other women experiencing the same horrific circumstances. She was right. In the auditorium that day, Julie listened intently to a story that hit just a little too close to home. He knows what He is doing and when He brings it to you, your only answer is, Yes. FAST forward to 2011; Bobbie watched Julie on the screen as she shared her own story of reconciliation with a mother who stood by and allowed repeated abuse by her stepfather. Moved to tears, Bobbie felt an immediate connection and reached out to Julie by letter. That letter led to a phone call, that phone call to coffee, and that coffee to a year long Bible study filled with sharing, tears, and much needed healing for both of them. Since their time together, God has continued to bring women into each of their lives through CedarCreek who are enduring their own struggles. Feeling called by God to be a part of their lives, watch them grow spiritually, and help with the journey of their own healing process, He is using Bobbie and Julie EACH STEP AT A TIME. PERRY LEWANDOWSKI 08 W H I T E H O U S E 09
10 November 2014, Gene came home to a note from his wife Amy stating she was fed up with his lies, deceitful behavior, and porn addiction. Although he didn t see a problem, his deep love for her eventually led him to Celebrate Recovery at CedarCreek in hopes of saving their marriage. At first, he reluctantly attended, coming late and participating as little as possible. After a few months, that all changed when he realized he was indeed living two separate lives. HE knew things had to change and God was his answer. As he began to turn things over to God in small steps, he could feel that change happening within him. With the help of Celebrate Recovery, his relationships with Jesus, his wife, friends, and co-workers began to improve. Realizing the importance of truly understanding God s unconditional love and the value of this ministry, Gene has begun giving back through the ministry that has given so much to him. Now a Celebrate Recovery leader helping others on their steps, while continuing to work on his own, Gene is making himself available for men who are struggling themselves. Through their own difficulties, Gene and Amy were really able to see God s grace, accept the transformational power of Jesus in their lives, and are determined to share with others WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR THEM. Gene WAGNER Things had to change and God was my answer. W E S T T O L E D O 11
Raised by a single mom and enduring abuse together, Mike was forced to grow up quickly at very young age. Over time, he found himself on a path of self destruction, eventually hitting rock bottom, and realizing he needed to make a bold change. MIKE escaped to Columbus, Ohio where he met his wife Lauren. It was at that point his outlook on everything changed. They began attending a new church called Rock City, with absolutely no idea the strong ties it had to Northwest Ohio. CedarCreek a church from the same community Mike had been trying to escape was actually a partner with Rock City. Little did he know that God had been using CedarCreek s investment in this very church to eventually make an eternal impact in the lives of him and his wife. God is always working and you have no idea exactly how you can make an impact. 12 Mike and Lauren have now returned home and are making an impact back in Toledo, Ohio. As a child, he had turned to art, drawing and music as a way to vent his frustration. Now he is using those same tools to help bring people to Christ through his tattoo shop and his service at CedarCreek Church. Mike is confident God is using the drama and negativity of his life for a purpose. Mike s life has come full circle, now calling CedarCreek his home. Serving here, being part of the community, and really loving and taking care of people is what continues to grow his faith and reminds him that HE CAN DO ANYTHING THROUGH CHRIST. KLEIN S O U T H T O L E D O 13
We pray so fearlessly and it works! That power of prayer and faith is amazing! Rafael Amy AND DELGADO For a little over a year, Rafael and Amy came down to the front of the auditorium asking for prayer. The warm embrace, encouragement, and reminder that they were not alone in their pain eased their fears and impacted the Delgado s lives as they saw the gifts of God through their prayers. THE comfort of having someone know their story and come alongside them in prayer had such an amazing impact in their lives, they decided to join the Prayer Team. Rafael and Amy consider it a pure blessing to be able pray with people through their hardships, struggles and illnesses lifting them up, encouraging them, and literally watching the sense of fear leave people as they pray together. Being able to pray for people gives Rafael and Amy the joy of seeing transformation first hand as they are continually reminded of the POWER OF PRAYER. 14 F I N D L A Y 15
We strive to create weekend experiences where people of all ages are hearing practical, Biblical teaching and encouraged to take their next step with Jesus, no matter where they are. OUR TWENTY-FIRST YEAR ATTENDANCE: 1672 27374 AV E RAGE W EEKLY P HYSICAL AVERAGE WEEKLY INTERNET CAMPUS 2 0 1 6 E A S T E R 2 0 1 5 C H R I S T M A S 16 8062 17
A New Church. A New Hope. Each of our Campuses are as unique as the communities they serve. One thing we all have in common is a desire to show people that they matter to God and they matter to us. 21 years ago a team of passionate people began a small movement with a clear mission. They had no idea the magnitude of how God would use them. Today, this Campus serves the communities of Perrysburg and Rossford locally, but the impact of the God s work can be felt worldwide. In addition to hosting the Car Care Clinic for families in need and being the primary site for our church-wide collections, the Perrysburg Campus is home to the stage where our speakers broadcast their messages live to thousands each weekend. The Perrysburg Campus the first campus built, a constant leader in our growth and impact, and the hub for all that God is doing here. 18 19
From A Cornfield To A Thriving, Family-Centered Community. From its foundational, but temporary home in a high school, to their permanent place to call home, the Whitehouse Campus Team has been serving the Anthony Wayne community with a passion and genuine love for over 10 years. A permanent Drop Zone for donations, amazing attenders who step up whenever they are asked, and an impactful presence in the local public schools, the people at this Campus truly set the standard of what it means to generously live for more. 20 21
WEST T O L E DO Taking The Creek To The City. Since the opening of their doors Easter of 2008, God has been using the West Toledo Campus as a positive presence in the community for the better part of a decade. While we all have challenges throughout our lives, the Campus Team continually strives to create a safe place where all who attend can be honest and open about who they are, what they may be going through, and real enough to ask for help. The amazing teamwork of the staff and volunteers at the West Toledo Campus truly live out the goal of making a positive and lasting impact each and every weekend. 22 23
T O L E DO Putting The Church Back In The Old Churchill s. A determined team opened this Campus in 2011 with a goal of using an old grocery store to make an impact in the diverse community of South Toledo. As the home of The Kitchen and the UTMC CommunityCare Clinic, the South Toledo Campus has become a Campus that not only feeds thousands spiritually, but also helps meet the needs of so many nutritionally and physically. Located right in the heart of their community, the people of this Campus continue to make an impact showing their neighbors each and every week that they matter to God and they matter to us. 24 25
Bringing New Life To An Abandoned Theater. In the fall of 2014, a team of committed people, many of whom spent years traveling upwards of an hour to attend CedarCreek Church, finally got to bring the Creek to Hancock County. The Findlay Campus continues to show that church isn t just a building, it s a movement of people on a mission to live for more. This Campus serves as a flagship for the future of what it means to expand the reach of God s mission through CedarCreek. 26 27
384 4573 TOTAL NUMBER OF GROUPS INDIVIDUAL ADULTS IN GROUPS We weren t meant to do life alone! Spiritual growth happens through connection with others. Regularly engaging in groups really helps to transform our faith in a way that doesn t happen on our own. OUR TWENTY-FIRST YEAR: INDIVIDUAL KIDS IN CEDARVILLE 3674 INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS IN GROUPS 28 29
OUR TWENTY-FIRST YEAR: We believe when we are fully investing with Jesus, we radically give our time, talent, and treasure to make a positive and lasting impact in others and our community. 535 CHILDREN SPONSORED THROUGH GREAT COMMISSION LATIN AMERICA 28784 MEALS PREPARED THROUGH THE KITCHEN AT THE SOUTH TOLEDO CAMPUS 84 MISSION TRIP PARTICIPANTS 2165 OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOXES DONATED 13 CARS GIVEN AWAY 290 C A R S S E R V I C E D 98 FAMILIES PROVIDED WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 96332 POUNDS OF FOOD DONATED POUNDS OF CLOTHING DONATED 30 31
Love.Serve.Tell. CEDARCREEKCHURCH EXISTS TO HELP S P I R I T U A L L Y RESTLESS AND UNCHURCHED PEOPLE LOVE JESUS, SERVE OTHERS, AND TELL THE WORLD ABOUT CHRIST. THE BEST No matter what their story, the church should be the safest IS YET TO place for anyone to have a life-changing experience with God. COME. 32