Brentwood Tribe,
As 2009 is almost complete and it has been one of the most exhilarating years in our brief history.

Here are some highlights that you were a part of:

Decade: Brentwood turned 10-years-old this past February, so we had a birthday party like none other. Hundreds showed up at “Amazement Square” downtown to celebrate a momentous decade.

The Gospel: 81 people surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. Those are just the ones we could count.

Baptism: 23 men and women told their redemption stories and were baptized.

Global: Four teams from the Brentwood tribe went to Asia. Our India team helped construct a village community center that is a stage for proclaiming the Gospel to thousands. Already a hundred follow Christ, because of this on-going initiative. And still, three different teams traveled to Thailand to continue our labor to stamp out sexual exploitation and slavery at its epicenter. Finally, Africa, we commissioned an unbelievable married couple to begin a groundbreaking effort in Sudan, one of the deadliest places on earth.

Amazing Race: To top it off, our church helped organize and launch one of the largest charity-based races in our city. Over 800 runners flooded the streets of Lynchburg in the maiden voyage of Run For Their Lives. It was astounding to see so many give their blood, sweat and tears to start a movement to set the sexually enslaved free. And it shows that we are not a church that just prays about injustice, but takes action to defeat it.

New Beginning: At the Big Vision event in September, we launched a new vision to reach 10,000 new people in the next 10 years. Of course, that means we’ve got to get very creative in space and strategy.

Four Services: So this January, we take a bold and innovated step to reach our 10K in 10-years goal. How? We’re going to four services, two in the morning and two more at night—yes, that’s right, a new kind of “night church.” This adjustment makes it possible for us to reach 600 more searching-people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ at minimal financial cost.

These are just some of the audacious things God has done through our church community this year. You could compile your own list just as bold.

Can’t wait for another year!!!

Jon