THE HENRY FAMILY

When I arrived in 2019, I came with a 30-page, 5-year plan for the church. I didn't want to simply show up and "just preach and teach." There's so much more to building the Kingdom of God here on Earth. With lots of long hours, working smart, and the help of the people God sent my way, all but one item from that list was fulfilled. And we have seen God move in our church because of it. 

​

Now that my family is entering the second 5-year span here at Hope Tree Church, I prayed for the Lord to give me a new vision and new plan for the future. Because it's my 2nd 5-year plan, and because it begins in 2025, and because there are 25 items on the new list, it's aptly named "Mission 25". Unlike Mission: Impossible, we know the Holy Spirit will make it possible, and we also know the mission is not a secret mission. So, here it is for you to see, for you to be moved by God to join the cause, and for you to prayerfully take part in the Mission and the expansion of the Kingdom of God. 

 

1. Primary Vision 

• Our mission is for people to Find Jesus, Find Family, and Find Hope. Hope Tree Church is and will be a Location of Salvation. We will accomplish this by focusing on our ministries to children and teensto strengthen the family, develop women’s Bible studies where they will be discipled to be “women of the River” (Acts 16:13), create service opportunities so that we can encourage men to serve and be involved, and we wish to grow and invest in our retired congregants through Bible Study and volunteer opportunities. 

• We will develop a spirit of generosity and stewardship, showing how a life of giving generously leads to blessing beyond what we can believe. 

• Pastor will preach a series annually on the Holy Spirit, looking for the empowerment promised by Jesus to us for the purpose of evangelization.

• We will serve our community through our food/clothing ministry, as well as being a part of city/community events.

• Bible literacy must increase through Bible Studies.

• The kingdom is a corporation. It’s not just about getting in – it’s about working together in it and reaping the blessings and benefits of that work. 

 

2. Continue to Excel in Children’s Ministries

• LiveScan for all volunteers ASAP.

• Training for volunteers for best children’s teaching techniques.

• Create a “no-entry rule” for non-child-volunteers/non-board members.

• Promote through online videos from footage.

• Increase awareness of Wednesday Hope Tree Kids discipleship class.

 

3. Vacation Bible School Improvements

• We excel at this (100 kids/day in 2024), but can we do better?

• Increase volunteers through early announcement & word-of-mouth.

• Continue to utilize youth for volunteers and in VBS Praise and Worship.

 

4. Grow the Ignited Youth Group

• Have a second person join our leadership each week to help with connection, conduct, and spiritual growth of the teens. 

• Find ways to help in on-campus Bible Studies.

• Continue camps and conferences. Encourage attendance.

 

5. Develop a Fine Arts Program (directly related to Ignited Youth)

• Use those with experience to help develop kids. Get them ready for regional fine arts each March.

• Work to develop the dancing/arts, sermon, and music portions. 

• Provide opportunities for teens to grow their skills in a worship set.​  

• ​

6. Open a Clothes Closet Ministry

• To work in tandem with 12 Baskets. Every 1st and 3rd Tuesday

• Build out the back garage to house this ministry. Men needed.

• Identify volunteers who will help with intake/cleaning. 

 

7. Increase Twelve Baskets Food Ministry

• Find a way to promote this more. New ways to create word of mouth. 

• Attract more volunteers for pick-up and workdays. 

• We must make Twelve Baskets more visible on Sundays. 

 

8. Develop and Grow Seniors/Boomer Group

• Begin Boomer Bible Study end of 2024. 

• Bible Study to range from weekly to bi-weekly. 

• Set up get-togethers and connection events outside Bible Study.

• Promote SG music concerts through this group and through connection to other seniors’ groups.

 

9. Develop and Advance Women’s Bible Study & Events

• New Bible Study begins Nov 6, 2024 on Thursday evenings. 

• Provide child-care so that moms can be a part without worry for this.

• Build and lock in a team that will be a help to create and sustain events for women, including District and Section meetings.

 

10. Develop a Congregant Care & Wellness Check System

• Pastor and Team will create letters, emails and posts to encourage our members to be a part of services and alert them to volunteer opportunities.

• Identify a minister to lead this team that will focus on one-on-one care. 

• Visitation Team who will periodically call our members and non-member regulars to connect.

 

11. Identify/Launch a Non-Profit Business for Community Outreach

• Coffee House; Bible Book Store, etc.

• We want a business that can be a place outside the church to reach people with Jesus while at the same time providing a stream of income to other ministries (i.e. Missions)

 

12. Develop Discipleship Groups

• 2025 Fall - Valor Discipleship Study. 

• Start with 9-month course on Wednesdays that starts with a large group and breaks up into smaller groups.

• We really need go-getters to emerge who can be mentors and Bible Study leaders. People who are sound in doctrine and can be trusted outside of the church walls.   

​

13. Develop a Growing Financial/Giving Base to Create Margin in our Fiscal Budget and Be Able to Respond Quickly to New Opportunities

• Our Vision and Mission is what we are giving towards. 

• We must create margin in our budget for growth and emergencies.

• We must create margin so we can respond quickly to new opportunities that the Lord brings our way.

• Continue to budget 10% (a church tithe) to go outside our church (Missions & Gospel Music, etc.).

 

14. Share the Gospel

• Equip the church to be able to tell “their story of Jesus” to others.

• Church members encouraged to begin sharing social media posts.

• If you bring the lost to church, we’ll lead them to Jesus!

• We’re here to bring Salvation to the ones you love most.

 

15. Praying and Fasting

• Upper Room Prayer Team must grow.

• Create a fasting calendar for people who wish to pray more fervently.

• Increase those who’d like to join the prayer chain.

 

16. Upgrade our Online Streaming 

• New streaming platform launched late-2024. Continue to improve audio and video.

• Use direct and ambient sound to enhance the audio quality.

• Add a second camera in the future as finances and technical know-how improves.

• Train Tech-Crew to improve video output.

 

17. Improve Newcomer Experience

• Even the oldest Christian can feel uncomfortable in a new church setting. We want to prevent that as much as possible. 

• Expand the Welcome Team to properly usher in guests to seats. 

• Conduct annual training to improve this valuable ministry.

 

18. Building and Campus Upgrades

• Parking lot is desperate for complete re-do and expansion (six-figure job). 

• Children’s Bathroom makeover (flooring, paint).

• Children’s Kitchen makeover on a budget (counters, cabinets, flooring). 

• If possible, install wheelchair access automatic door mechanism to ramp door.

• Add Ductless HVAC capabilities to The Nest for improved cooling/heating.

• Add vents to main hallway to even out room temps.

• Improve entry steps area as rocks are chipping.

• String LED lights near the parking area/ramp area.

• Foyer and Sanctuary expansion. (as growth demands; cost will be near $800k)

• If we see growth at a fast level, a new building will be required. Fundraising will need to begin for this project.  

 

19. Focus more Teaching on the "Basics of Christianity" & "Living with the Holy Spirit"

• Per national surveys, many Christians don’t know or believe that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. We must teach to that point and lead to true Belief and Salvation in Jesus Christ.

• Each Summer should have a focus on the Holy Spirit and being baptized in His power for the purpose of boldness in our witness.

• Have a year of reading through the Bible in near future. 

 

20. Develop Young Adults/20-Something Group

• A critical need! Many people graduate with nowhere to go and no family to be a part of. We must address this. 

• A young leader or married couple leaders must emerge to direct this important ministry. 

• Focus teaching on apologetics.

• Should happen in a home to make it more than just another church service.

 

21. Develop Marriage Strengthening Tools and Classes

• Our goal: No marriage in our church will end in divorce.

• Provide semi-annual “date nights” for married couples.

• Pre-marital counseling is a must before pastor performs any wedding.

• Promote the “Love Dare Challenge” and other teachings.

• Connect to local community-wide marriage conferences. 

 

22. Stage Design and Lighting Upgrade

• Can we work around the baptistry to make the stage look warmer and more attractive?

• Can we make lighting look better from above (replace old cans) while keeping the same functional, bright look? 

 

23. In-ear Monitors and Multi-Track Upgrade for Worship

• Should giving increase, we can budget to accomplish this in 2025. 

• Add to youth worship so that they train with it (for the future).

• Develop and provide training for sound technicians.

 

24. Continue and Grow Gospel Concerts

• Work with other churches and promoters to create a concert network.

• Promote and support the Henry Family in local and regional concerts.

• Work with other churches, primarily senior groups, to boost attendance.

​   

25. Identify and Develop Leaders with the Church

• The Pastor will pour into those selected to lead departments to be more effective leaders of their departments.

• Train leaders to find and mentor more leaders in their respective departments to help expand our ability to reach more people with the Gospel.