Week of January 3, 2010

  • Pastor Duane Cross
  • Jan 4, 2010

This annual meeting marks 9 ½ years of my ministry as your pastor.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for loving me, accepting me, and standing beside me in this ministry of the Gospel of Grace.

Some highlights of what God has done in our church reveal His blessings and activity among us.

Membership and Attendance:  Our membership is 204 (active) and 81 (inactive).  We have added 18 new members this year.  Our average attendance reported to the Covenant is 429.

Sacraments:  In addition to our monthly services of communion, we saw 15 believers baptized at two services throughout the year.

Prayer:  Prayer continues to be the cornerstone of our ministry.  Herschel and Coleen Melton lead our prayer ministry (“Lifted Hearts”) each Tuesday and Jim Blackburn leads our “Altar Team” of 15 people who pray with people after each worship service.

Staff Changes:  This year our staff remained stable with one exception.  Patty Carroll ended 6 years of faithful ministry to our children, and Thu Tran became our new children’s pastor in January of 2009.

Weddings:  I had the pleasure of officiating at 4 weddings in 2009.

Funerals and Memorials:  In 2009 God called home 4 of His choicest saints including Betty Vong (1-21-09), Craig Westerhoff (9-12-09) and Isao Hoshiwara (11-7-09).

Dedications:  This year I had the privilege of dedicating 5 babies to the Lord.  The church is in good hands for the future.

Evangelism:  The Holy Spirit has drawn many children, youth and adults into a life-changing relationship with Christ.  This year, 97 individuals have received Christ for the first time.  Thanks be to God!

Leadership Conferences:  In August we took 12 leaders to the Willow Creek leadership summit in Mesa.  In January and October we hosted leadership events for Hope’s leaders.

Easter at Tumbleweed:  Hundreds of people attended our Easter services at Tumbleweed Park on April 12, 2009.  We served a breakfast to our community and over 20 individuals prayed to receive Christ.  Thanks be to God!

Thanks:  This year more than ever I am grateful for the dedicated people that I serve with at Hope Covenant Church.  Our staff, David Hillis, Scott Tonkinson, Brian Pollard and Thu Tran are wonderful to work with…and I am thankful for each one of them.  Our administrative assistants, Pat Bahle, Carolyn Elson and Susan Davis are extremely competent and enthusiastic.  To our Board of Elders, Randy Kiesel (chair), Andy Cary (secretary), Brad Karlberg (vice-chair), Janet Martin, Gary Boydston and Jim Blackburn, I want to express my sincerest thanks for faithful, dedicated service.  Finally, I want to acknowledge my partner in ministry and life, Sheri, for her many gifts and unparalleled commitment to Hope and her unwavering support of me and my ministry.  I love you.

Ministry in Christ’s church is a journey of faith!  I am honored to be your leader and to be the “vision-caster” for Hope Covenant Church.  Together we have an amazing future.  I can’t wait to see what God is going to do in 2010!

  With love,

Duane's Photo-Signature

 

 

 

Pastor Duane

 

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