1. The 3-Year Vision

We are a people who follow Jesus and who join in his mission. He is the light, and he has given us his light to shine everywhere we go. His light transforms us as we learn to seek after him, to abide in him, as we do the things that keep us connected to him.

But the mission does not end with us. God’s vision is that all come to repentance and receive his forgiveness, and that is made available through faith in Jesus. You have opportunity to receive his forgiveness today! The Bible tells us repeatedly that Christians are the bearers of this good news. We are to make disciples, bring the good news, be ambassadors, and appeal to people to be reconciled to God.

The elders and staff believe a healthy church grows. God is the one who causes the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6), but we all play a critical role in the health and growth of the body.

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV

We are meant to grow! Not just in our knowledge, but in making more disciples as well. Love expands the kingdom of God.

So…the elders and I, along with the staff, have been working over the past few months and have come up with a 3-year plan. We have goals in mind that we want to see happen. We want to have and see double-kingdom impact. That means we want to see this congregation double in attendance in three years. It also means that each of us have an important part in participating in the kingdom, and we are counting on you!

Let’s put things into perspective:

Numbers

• Past 3-year average attendance – 100 per week
• 2022 average attendance – 121 per week
• 2023 average attendance – 150 per week
• Average for the last 5 months – 160 (since we’ve started one worship service)
• 2023 Easter attendance – 210

Baptisms

• 12 people baptized in 2023

Ministries

• 8+ ministries with leaders – groups, meals, students, kids, worship, missions, JOY group, and events

Mission Giving

• Giving away about $41,000/year in 2023.

Facilities

• Painted the exteriors.
• Resurfaced the parking lot.

Services

• This year, we have one service.

Staff

• 2023, we have 4 staff members, 2 full-time and 2 part-time.

320 Osage Reach Committed people living on mission to connect Christ to where they live. And here is what we want to see happen!

• Averaging 320 in attendance per week
• Easter attendance – 420
• 45 baptisms
• Add 6 new ministries with leaders that include special needs, community engagement, men’s, women’s, college age, and another (whatever God wants to start, and this list is free to change and increase).
• Double our missions giving to $80,000+
• Update our facilities and add a lobby with a clear front entrance.
  • Update the exterior signage and the worship area’s technology and equipment.
  • The current expected cost is about $250,000-300,000.
  • Be watching for a building campaign to begin in 2024!
• Move back to two services because we need the space.
• Have 4 full-time staff members.

We accomplish this by making sure Osage is a place that equips people to foster a personal relationship with God, trains people to prioritize Christ in the home, encourages involvement in the church community as the place for deep and meaningful relationships, and connects with the surrounding community. These are the Reaches of Osage! We Reach Up to connect with God, Reach Down to lift others up in their relationship with God, Reach Across to enjoy the fellowship we share because we are connected to God, and Reach Out to connect Christ to where we live.

In the next post, we will discuss what it takes to carry out this vision, to live on mission together at Osage Hills.