“I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.”  -Leviticus 26:12


How is God moving among us at West Shore?  And how are we serving and loving our neighbors and God?  It really is impossible to list even a portion of the ministry that takes place in and through the people of this church.  Only God keeps track.  But sometimes we need to be reminded that our “hearts, hands, knees and feet” do have an impact of which we are not even aware—Praise God!

   Here are just a few highlights from the past twelve months:

The Christmas offering, in which you, the people of God, gave an overwhelming $165,000 to keep the Aurora Primary School in South Africa open.  Officials had placed the privately-funded Christian school on probation, citing overcrowded and substandard conditions.  Together, we sent a powerful message to Aurora’s students and faculty that God loves them and that we believe in their future.

The Baptismal Service this summer, in which 60 children, youth and adults professed faith in the saving power of God and proclaimed their intention to follow Jesus, “No turning back” (while God turned back the rain!).

 

Thirteen short-term missions trips in which 104 people (including 14 children and 22 youth) shared the love of Christ in twelve different countries, and were forever changed in the process.

 

This one you may find hard to believe:  $875,000 contributed to the cause of missions and benevolence world wide (that is 22% of the money received by the church).  West Shore is truly a missionary church!

 

Our fourth Life Giving Saturday, with hundreds of people investing thousands of hours in service to members of our community—and even more importantly, the continuing relationships forged through that day, like four men from Bethesda Mission who now call West Shore Free Church their home (two of whom were baptized in August).

 

The growing relationships with the families of Cumberland Pointe, formed through the weekly after school program, a sports camp, service on Life Giving Saturday, swimming classes, scholarships to send thirteen children to camp (three of whom became believers), and more.

 

The thirty-year ministry of our Caring Closet, which served nearly 400 families last year and now includes both a worship service and a warm meal for guests, not to mention scores of church members loving and serving the people who walk through our doors seeking help.

The launch of a new outreach ministry, Alpha, through which six people have been brought to new life in Christ and scores have been renewed in faith.

 

Eighteen children who committed their lives to Jesus during the spring season of Upward (20% of Upward participants are unchurched); four junior high students who came to Christ at Harvey Cedars, and scores of youth who rededicated their lives.

 

3000 people at our Easter Services; 2500 at Christmas Eve; 300+ women in Bible Studies; 200+ men in Man2Man Groups; 400+ in adult small groups; 150+ in youth small groups; and those are just numbers.  Much more important are the stories of life change.

What could you add to this list?  Let us know.