God is at work
• In Acts 17, Paul engages the philosophers and thinkers in Athens, Greece on a mountaintop called the Areopagus. It was a place that all the smart people gathered to talk about new ideas.
• As Paul has walked through their city, earlier in the chapter, Luke notes that Paul was provoked in his spirit. He is moved, but not in a good way. He was aggravated and broken-hearted, a kind of sad-mad. It was outrage, because outrage is never a strategy. Because of his calling, as Paul was provoked, a message or story rose in his gut and he had to speak it out.
Paul’s message
• God is sovereignly at work (Acts 17:24-28, see also Daniel 2:20-22)
• God’s work is meant to engage and include those who trust in Him. We have an opportunity to move with Him.
God at Work Writing Our Story
• We’ve seen people embrace the volunteer spirit
Added Charlotte Childress and Perry Bellomy to the leadership team this year
Celebrating new leaders called out
Nursery team
Praise team expansion
Staff Milestones >> Cheryl celebrated 20 years on staff at Agape. In September, we will celebrate Max. 15 years as a volunteer associate pastor.
Generous Giving >> So far, after 8 months into the year, we have given above and beyond our budgetary requirements 5 times for a total payment of $50,313.35. In this month alone, we were able to pay $53,671.13 towards the mortgage.
• Ministry in 2021
Providing a space >> ARC meeting in our building, Strengthening Families classes, Classical Conversations homeschool group
Community Gatherings >> Good Friday and Thanksgiving service, but also a Men’s Event coming up next month and, Lord willing, a community wide disciple now for our students coming up in April).
Digital Engagement >> 491 downloads on all platforms, 344 regular users, 52000 impressions, 1500 media plays on the app since it launched; 4,000 unique users on our Website, 15,000 page views; Close to 10,000 views on YouTube; Reached 27,906 through our Facebook page, visited 4,792 times
Digital Giving >> 52 unique donors have given over $100,000 through the app, with over $94,500 in undesignated receipts
Ministry Events >> Night to Shine parade, Vacation Bible School, Fall Festival, Women’s events, Feast of Thanks, Dinner Theater, Did more Operation Christmas Child boxes than ever thanks to the leadership of Amy Allen
New Ministries >> Agape Midday lunch, Generations meal and ministry on Wednesday night, Men’s and Women’s Bible study on Wednesday nights
Celebrating a welcoming environment >> visitors, people invited
Celebrating new members >> 25 new members
Celebrating baptisms >> 28 baptisms, including our first days of spontaneous baptisms