2009 - A look back

What an incredible year 2009 has been. I can honestly say that, outside of our first year as a church, we have experienced more incredible moments filled with God that it truly renders me speechless.

The spiritual growth, the impassioned servant hood, and the awesome favor of God led us all year.

The year started out with a teaching a series called "Disciple". A four-week series that challenged the average or nominal Christian to be all that God had intended them to be. As a result of that challenge many pressed in to God like never before and the fruit was nothing more than extraordinary.

The first week of February we started our series on the book of Genesis. We spent 48 weeks in this book and covered pretty much the whole thing verse by verse. Some of the highlights of the year include:

- We talked about circumcision on Mother's Day
- we talked about homosexuality
- we discussed adultery and lust and incest
- We saw Abraham leave the comfort of UR and pilgrimage to the unknown land of Canaan directed only by God himself
- We challenged men to be manly and not womanly by following hard after their Savior Jesus Christ
- we had an incredible marriage conference that exploded and strengthened marriages across the church
- we held youth events and ski trips and conferences that encouraged us to be more as we pressed in to our calling
- we saw our Kids on the move double in size as incredible leadership was put in place
- Our life groups grew to a staggering number, a number many thought would never be possible in a church like ours (we used to be an "event", now we are a "family")
- we added two services, 8:00 AM and 6:30 PM
- We published and produced a movement live CD and the results have been amazing as people all over are excited to hear new music come out of our church.
- We even considered expanding our reach into Temecula, only to have God remind us that what he was doing in San Marcos was the main priority.
- We granted a new campaign "I love my wife, I love my husband, I love my family" and place the slogan on T-shirts. The result? Sales went through the roof!
- We volunteered in the city of San Marcos and pledged to give away 5000 hours of community service.
- We redesigned the Canvas Café, and now are putting live music and broadcasting services available as an overflow or more comfortable seating those that want it.
- our harvest festival was each remanded success and our largest attendance ever in the community.
- We pray in faith knew that God would financially stabilize our church even in a economic downturn and God came through with flying colors! we closed 2009 100% debt free!!!
- and most importantly, we saw over 400 people give their lives to Jesus Christ in 2009.

None of this would be possible without the incredible hand of God and His leadership in our lives. He cares more about his church than I or any of us will ever care. He died for it, lived for it, and will return for it! the church is the bride of Christ and will forever worship him throughout eternity.

I think God that I have the opportunity to pastor this wonderful church and I can't wait to see what he has in store for 2010. My guess? It's going to be nothing short of awesome.

Here's to 2009 and Godspeed 2010.