I don’t know about you, but I am excited about what is happening at IPC. There are just so many reasons to be hopeful. We’ve had almost 100 different kids and 30 adults in Catechesis on Sunday mornings this fall with an average weekly attendance up 35% from last year. Kids Rock Wednesdays has had over 40 kids coming per week. We had over 80 parents at our Summer Supper Soiree in August with over 80 kids at the church. We have 42 youth acolytes, 25 in Confirmation, and 14 on the Youth Grant Team. We have had 25 new baptisms in the past year and continue to welcome many new faces in worship with new member classes that always have a waiting list. Our future is looking very bright.
To be sure, our calling to participate in the mission of Jesus Christ extends outside our church building and has taken us literally all over the world. This year we sent 59 people on mission journeys to Zambia, Rwanda, Mexico, and Wilcox County. As a church, we have already given away over $700,000 to serve the mission of Jesus Christ beyond our church doors, including: ministering to 140 kids at the Summer Learning Program; providing 320 Weekend Buddy Bags per month for children at Hayes K-8, fresh food to over 4500 families, and social services to almost 200 families, including medical care and utilities; sending war-relief to Ukraine as well as to Presbyterian Disaster Relief for those devastated by tornadoes and wildfires; establishing new community programs created by our Discernment Committee to benefit underserved children and their families in our city; just to name a few. Our church makes a difference in the lives of more people than we will ever know through our acts of faith.
But we want to do more. We want to have an even greater impact in our city and our world in Jesus’ name. We want to provide the highest quality of ministry and programming for children, youth, and adults that we possibly can so that more people might develop a life-changing relationship with Jesus. We want to be good stewards of the beautiful properties that have been entrusted to us. We want to take excellent care of our talented staff who do outstanding work to help all of us grow as disciples of Jesus and serve in his ministry.
It is my hope that IPC can also become a tithing church, giving away 10% of the gifts that we receive to support Christ’s mission beyond our doors. We made a good start on that last year, but we want to get closer to our goal.
We need your help to make all of this a reality. Please consider making a generous pledge as an act of faith to support the mission of Jesus Christ at IPC. There is no greater investment that you can make with the resources that God has entrusted to you. You were created to be givers, and it is what you do best. My family and I have experienced the generosity of this congregation, so I believe in you. Please join me in making 2024 the best year yet at IPC.
Questions about Pledging?
IPC contact:
Patricia Harper, IPC Development Manager
pharper@ipc-usa.org
205-933-3715
