Year in Review 2023 — Springs Community Church

Year in Review

2023

People Blessings

The greatest blessings God can give are the people He places in our lives. As we develop sacred friendships with one another, we are experiencing kingdom life. As God moves us closer to Him, we are experiencing a taste of kingdom life. Kingdom life is shared through personal testimonies of God’s work in KLC gatherings and weekly prayer emails. Below are just some of the blessings God gave SCC through our community in 2023.

Essential Ministries

Essential ministries are ongoing and open to everyone, every week.

146

Average Sunday Attendance - 3.5% growth over 2022
40

Average Sunday Attendance in Children’s Ministry
76

Average unique live stream views per week
24%

Sunday visitors that went on to engage in life at SCC
10

Baptisms
99

Regular participants in 8 KLCs

72 School of Ministry

Seventy Two School of Ministry completed its first year in 2023. Seventy Two utilizes three distinct, but interconnected and equally important, models for Christian education (courses, formation, and apprenticeship) to provide gospel training that will equip disciples for whatever God is calling them to.

4

Students committed to full program
7

People completed one-year formation program
93

Participants in 5 Seventy Two Courses

SCC Preschool

The SCC Preschool completed its 37th year in 2023. Our preschool has two goals for our students, that they love God and love school! Last year our staff of 15 teachers and aides, led by Director Theresa Becker, provided a high-quality early childhood education as they demonstrated the love of Jesus to 163 kids.

Sharing in the Joys and Sorrows of Life

As a church family, we share all aspects of life together.

Our sympathies go to the families of Mona Entenmann, Bob Fidler, Paul Hennegan, and Dave Dillon who passed away last year. We continue to pray for comfort for those learning to live without them.

We celebrate with those who welcomed children in 2023! Congratulations to the Hehr, Jackson, Manzione, Masters, and Shumway families!

And congratulations to DJ and Brittainy Roland on their wedding!

Stewardship Blessings

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

258

Volunteer positions filled across 14 different ministries

143

Families made a financial gift
23

First-Time Givers
13

Families supported through the Need Fund
$26,200

Decrease in debt

We are thankful for the blessing of our property and facility and continue to make investments to ensure its upkeep and care. In 2023, we replaced an aging HVAC unit, replaced the roof following a hailstorm, purchased an electric drum kit, and installed a new lighting system for the Worship Center.

Missions Support

9.9% of congregational giving was distributed among the following mission partners/agencies:

Avant Ministries
Crossroads Mission Care
Elshadai Child Development Center
Gaby El Aouad
Entrust
Hinds Feet
Jicarilla Apache Reformed Church
Marian House Soup Kitchen

Mercy’s Gate
Mountain Vista Community School
Poetice
Sandy & Albino Rodriguez
Women of Grace
Wycliffe Bible Translators
YWAM

Mission Trips

SCC sent two mission teams in 2023. In July, five people traveled to Choma, Zambia, and spent a week with Poetice ministries, supporting their preschool as well as their regular ministries to the local community, prison, and hospital. In October, nine people went to Dixon Springs, Tennessee, and Crossroads Mission Care, providing construction work which increased their lodging capacity and improved existing infrastructure. The team also assembled encouragement baskets for the recipients of their services and gave relational support to Gil and Patti Carter.

Community Engagement

SCC values empowered witness: sharing the love and kindness of Jesus to those in our city. SCC lived this out in a variety of new ways in 2023:

Marian House Kitchen

SCC provided 60 volunteers and doubled our presence there from six times per year to monthly.

Quick Response Team

This team was created to respond to community needs that arise with short notice. For instance, in the course of 24 hours, this team was able to provide warm clothing for two men who arrived in town with few, if any, resources for winter in Colorado.

COSILoveYou

SCC continued our commitment to COSILoveYou by providing more than 40 volunteers for the Spring and Fall CityServe Days and collecting 140 backpacks to the Backpack Bash.

Family and Individual Support

SCC was able to provide groceries and connections to social services to three families outside of our community of faith.

Additionally, SCC met Charlie (not his real name) who had recently gotten clean after a drug addiction but was homeless and wanting to get back on his feet. Through a combination of practical one-on-one and community support he is now in the fourth phase of the Hope Program at Springs Rescue Mission. The story of Charlie’s recovery and success was even featured in a local newspaper! Please pray for Charlie, as he is hoping to secure employment in February and to afford a place of his own within a few months after.

Income: $756,267

Congregational Giving: $614,104
Antenna Leases: $55,153
Release of Designated Funds: $35,412
Preschool Operations: $18,000
Need Fund: $15,483
Other: $18,115

Expenses: $711,848

Salaries: $314,286
Employee Benefits: $102,046
Facility/Grounds: $152,907
Missions Support: $58,625
Administration: $38,031
Alliance of Reformed Churches Assessments: $12,280
Adult, Children, Youth and Care Ministries: $15,020
Worship Arts: $8,760
Other: $9,893

Official financial reports are available upon request; email natalie@springsco.church to request a copy.

SCC Through the Year

January

Launched “According to John,” a year-long Sunday message series on the Gospel of John.
February

Throughout the winter, SC Youth led “Bedrock,” a discipleship class that focused on the foundations of the Christian faith. Twelve youth in 6th-9th grades regularly attended this Sunday morning class and one was baptized after it concluded!
March

SCC hosted two Partners’ Classes, in March and October, and 19 people joined in partnership with us.
April

SCC hosted 50 kids and their families at the Easter Eggstravaganza and 285 people at our two Easter Services.
May

SCC began a rhythm of Renewal Services and Prayer Vigils in 2023, including one for Pentecost in May. Dozens attended the four services and 156 people participated in the five prayer vigils.
June

At Stellar Vacation Bible School 81 kids, with the help of 30 volunteers, learned that they can shine Jesus’ love and hope in everyday life.
July

Many enjoyed the chance to “Flood the Park” over the summer months. In this new event, SCC met at Cottonwood Creek Park after service on Sunday for a variety of games and fellowship. Texas Roadhouse spoiled the August attendees with a delicious BBQ lunch.
August

The Kingdom & Spirit Network of the Alliance of Reformed Churches, of which SCC is a part, hosted the first national gathering of this young denomination. The SCC Band provided powerful times of worship, our volunteers served as greeters and room hosts, and Pastor Eric led two break-out sessions.
September

SC Kids Give Back launched a new season of giving in September with kids decorating cookies for police officers and families delivering the treats to local stations. Our kids and families also provided cupcakes for firefighters, dog and cat toys for the local animal shelter, and filling 83 stockings with items to bless the unhoused in our community.
October

SCC hosted the Zion Caravan Tour and welcomed nearly 300 people to our worship center to enjoy music from The Gray Havens, Antoine Bradford, John Mark Pantana, and LOVKN.
November

Every November, we observe the International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians. We raise awareness of these brothers and sisters in service and host a luncheon with more information and focused prayer afterwards. Please continue to pray for persecuted Christians throughout the year.
December

December: The Innkeeper’s Banquet celebrated the Christmas season with 173 people in attendance, 34% of whom were guests.