Monumental 2024 for Branches!

Dear Branches Family,

What an incredible year it has been! As we close out this great year in the 12th year of ministry together, we find ourselves overwhelmed by God’s faithfulness and inspired by all the work He continues to do in and through our church. Every story, every number, and every new face reminds us that God is powerfully working to build His kingdom. He is calling us into a deeper faith, into unexpected new relationships,  into service, and into mission. I believe we are building a great army of believers who are equipped and ready to answer the call.

This year has been monumental:

  • Over 40 baptisms—each one a testimony of a life transformed by Jesus.

  • Countless new families finding a home at Branches.

  • Intentional growth in our discipleship programming with new curriculum developed and plans underway for new groups. 

  • Significant progress in our Pathways Strategy for creating clear on-ramps for people to get involved and grow in their faith.

  • The launch of our “Reach the Other 6 Days” initiative. This ongoing successful capital campaign, where our community continues to be faithful and enormously generous, brings us closer to opening our facilities to serve the community throughout the week.

2024 A Year of Impact

Our dedicated  staff and ministry teams have poured their hearts into creating spaces for people to encounter Jesus and grow in their faith. Here are just a few highlights:

  • Children’s Ministry “The Climb” - We’ve prayed for young families with babies to return to Sunday morning services post- COVID and yes, we’re thrilled to hear new little voices each week. Our Sunday children’s attendance is now approaching 60 each week, another exciting reason we’re expanding The Climb area. Praise the Lord! 

  •  Student Ministry has been a hub of growth and service, with over 50 students gathering weekly for worship, small groups, and community. Their lives have been impacted by partnering with 30+ youth ministries through UNTD worship, Rush Camp, and other retreats. Many have stepped up to serve locally and abroad, while others have transitioned into our young adults ministry, continuing their faith journey.

  • Young Adult Ministries “Purpose”: Our young adults are finding community and growing in Christ in weekly meetings and special events.  They serve faithfully throughout the year in our weekly services and missions. 

  • Adult Ministries: Through Men’s, Women’s, Empty Nesters and Marriage Ministries we’ve fostered connection and growth in our adult ministry.  Offering Bible studies, retreats, care, discipleship, special worship nights, creative events, fellowship and workshops these powerful ministries are  impacting our adult church family.

  • Production Team, powered by 35 volunteers—many of them high schoolers and young adults—Without the hardworking, servant-minded men and women on our team, we would not be able to pull off things like our weekly Sunday services, X-Treme Sports Camp, Services in the Park, Easter Services, Christmas Eve Services, weddings, funerals, and so much more! Their servant-hearted spirit shines brightly.  

  • Worship Team, The worship arts ministry at Branches has been steady this year. We’ve been able to train and integrate more singers into rotation and we love when the choir is able to lead in service. We are seeking additional musicians to enhance this thriving ministry while our current musician rotation loves serving and does a job well done. 

  • Community Missions: Partnerships with The Care Center, NEST, Feed Our Flock, CarePortal, our Hope Tree and City Gospel Mission,and others continue to  bring hope to families and individuals in need. 

  • Counseling Services: This relatively new ministry of Branches continues to be a powerful way we are helping couples, individuals and families navigate difficult situations.  We believe that by offering both clinical and pastoral opportunities for counseling that we are increasing our ability to offer help.

Each of these areas of ministry have wonderful and unique stories, and all together, they form a beautiful picture of what God is doing at Branches: 

Looking Ahead: A Bold Vision for 2025

As we celebrate God’s faithfulness, we also sense His call to dream bigger and reach further. Through our recent “Reach the Other 6 Days” initiative, we are committed to making Branches a beacon of hope and a resource for families, young adults, and the broader community every day of the week.

To launch the first phase of this project,
we need to raise $500,000 and we are on track by already raising;
Cash - $176,717
Pledges - $266,604
Total - $443,321 (88.7% of goal)! 
That is an incredible testament to God’s provision and your generosity. This growth is essential because we are now averaging nearly 50 more individuals each weekend compared to last year. This increase highlights the importance of expanding our facilities to better serve our growing congregation and community.
We are believing that the final $56,679 of
our first phase will be raised before the end of year.   
This funding will allow us to begin transforming our facilities into spaces for:

• Families grow in their faith through parenting classes, counseling, workshops, and resources.

• Young adults to step into leadership, both in the church and throughout our community, including those who may be called to full-time ministry.

• Discipleship & Evangelism opportunities to help thousands hear and respond to the Gospel.

How Can We Reach This Goal?

  • Pray Boldly: We are praying for God to stir hearts to give generously and for His provision to guide every step of this journey.
    Will you join us in daily prayer for this vision?

  • Give Generously: Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal. Consider an end-of-year contribution. Would you consider giving or even increasing your commitment to this campaign as we approach 2025?

  • Invite Others to Partner: Who do you know that might share our vision? Invite friends, family, and colleagues to join us in making this dream a reality.

  • Ask Big: If God has placed you in a position to connect with businesses, community leaders, or other organizations that might support this mission, now is the time to ask!


We Believe

We believe that 2025 can be a year of Unprecedented Impact—a year where families grow in faith, young adults answer the call to ministry, and thousands are reached and discipled for Jesus. The 2025 year will start with a new original study called “Signs of Life” with a small group emphasis for our church to come together in homes and studies. We are so grateful for ALL that God is doing in our lives personally and the church family corporately.  Thank-you for partnering with us!  We can’t wait to see God’s plan unfold here at Branches. 
Together, we can make this God vision a reality.

Let’s finish this year strong and step into the next with bold faith, generous hearts, and unwavering trust in God’s promises.
With gratitude & anticipation,
Shane Harden 
Lead Pastor, Branches Church
www.Brancheschurch.us