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GENEROSITY IN ACTION | YEAR END
Our theme for the year was “Be God’s Light” as we discussed how we can be disciples for Christ and take God’s love into the world. A powerful way that we collectively do that is through the time, talent and resources that are given to our church ministries and missions that touch the lives for Christ in our local community, nation and the world.
Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can,
in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can,
as long as ever you can.
John Wesley
Thank you for your generosity and being a disciple of Jesus Christ during 2024 and we pray for your continued support in 2025!
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Greg Arnott Provisions Sub-Team Member | |  |
Mike Cooke Provisions Sub-Team Leader | |
Tiffany Frash Co-Lay Leader | | |
Julie Rockwood Co-Lay Leader | |
General Church Ministries and Missions
Supported by the Operating Fund
We were very blessed again as a church during 2024. Some of the highlights include:
- Many people learned more about our church in 2024 as 233 people participated in NEXT, 89 welcome cards were sent to visitors, the church took in 33 new members, had 11 baptisms and 1 dedication. Thanks to Lisa Ellcessor as the Assimilation Director, our Pew Ambassadors and all who are inviting people to our church and making them feel at home!
- Financial giving increased by 6%.
- There are currently over 100 missions and ministries that go on in our church on a regular basis including worship, Sunday school, small groups, youth and children’s groups, support groups, mission trips, food pantry…. the list goes on. Yes, we actually have a list!
- A new security door system was added to keep the church building safer.
- Mark Stebbe, our church administrator is helping us better manage our church operations and budget.
- We are blessed with a great staff; church leaders and a congregation that are all working to become and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
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Multiply Ministry Supported by the Multiply Fund
This year, ministry leaders and the church board worked together to create a plan for using the funds from our Multiply Campaign. These blessings will help us make disciples, develop leaders, and plant churches and church expressions. To date, there have been several activities supported by the Multiply Fund, including:
- Leaders of the Multiply Ministry attended training conferences to learn about multiply ministry and what other churches are doing.
- Pastor Mark traveled to Zambia to teach at the Kafakumba Pastor’s School. Bibles were also provided for some of the students.
- The fund provided a partial scholarship to Liz Simmonds to attend the Duke Divinity School.
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Transportation costs were provided for 40 pastors so they could attend the Elimu Partners pastor school in Kenya.
- Funds were provided for Kaitlyn Kilgo to start a Church Expression group in her home for her neighbors.
If you have ideas to multiply disciples for Christ and would like the support of our church, please reach out to either of our pastors.
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Please see the 2024 summary for the operating fund below: | |
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| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | | Revenues | $1,376,700 | $1,296,600 | | Expenses | 1,396,800 | 1,275,300 | | Excess Expenses over Revenues | $(20,100) | $21,300 | | |
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The above numbers for the operating fund do not include any amounts received or spent for any of the separate designated funds of the church. The revenues for 2024 are higher than for this same period in 2023 primarily due to special gifts and increased giving to the general fund. Expenses for 2024 are higher than 2023, primarily due to unbudgeted building repairs and increased hours for two staff positions. During 2023 the church received revenue of $59,000 from a one-time ERC tax credit from the federal government for retaining and paying our employees during the pandemic. This revenue has been excluded from the revenues above to make the amounts more comparable between years.
As with any organization, some expenses are regular and predictable, such as payroll, while others, like repairs and maintenance, can vary significantly each month. Revenue for the operating fund consists primarily of contributions which also vary as to when they are received from year-to-year. Additionally, the church uses the cash-basis of accounting meaning that it records its revenue and expenses when cash is either received or paid rather than when revenue is earned or expenses are incurred which can affect the comparability of amounts between years.
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The church has several designated funds for money that has been given to the church for a specific purpose other than the operations of the church and therefore are not included in the operating fund information above. The two largest funds are for the Food Pantry and the Multiply Fund. A summary for those funds is below: | |
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| Food Pantry | Multiply Fund | | Fund Balance 1/1/24 | $169,600 | $762,500 | | Contributions & Interest | 222,400 | 29,800 | | Expenses | 200,200 | 19,700 | | Fund Balance 6/30/24 | $191,800 | $772,600 | | |
Another fund of our church is the trustees fund which is money that has been designated by the church board for the care and maintenance of our church building. This fund has completed several large projects over the past 18 months with sanctuary technology upgrades including new screens, data technology improvements and upgrades, and a new electronic door security system. A summary of this fund over the past 18 months is as follows: | |
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| Trustee Fund | | Fund Balance 7/1/23 | $61,700 | | Designated Contributions Received | 56,100 | | Expenses | 116,900 | | Fund Balance 6/30/24 | $900 | | |
These designated funds also record their contributions/interest and expenses on the cash-basis of accounting meaning that they record their revenue and expenses when cash is either received or paid rather than when revenue is earned, or expenses are incurred. | |
We also kicked off our Endowment Fund on April 14, 2024, as part of the celebration of our 150th anniversary as a church in Fishers. As you may recall an endowment fund is where cash and assets can be contributed currently, or future gifts can be made through planned giving such as through your estate planning. The money given will remain intact and the future earnings on those funds will be used to further the ministry of the church based on how it is designated to be used. We currently have a balance of approximately $18,000 in our endowment fund as of December 31, 2024. | |
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Generosity comes in all shapes and sizes.
Explore these upcoming opportunities.
Perhaps you'll find one that speaks to you!
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FOOD FLORIST
The Come to Me Food Pantry is hosting the Food Florist on Wednesday, March 19 in the back parking lot of Fishers UMC from 12:30-2p and 5-6:30p. The Food Florist will be selling her delicious frozen prepared meals, and accepts cash, check and cards. You do not need to pre order. Just show up during one of the time slots.
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30 HOUR FAMINE
Sr. High Students are participating in the 30 Hour Famine March 28th-29th and will be fasting and learning about global hunger. You can sponsor them by tapping the link below, you can donate by clicking "Support Us" or if you click "Roster" you can choose a specific FIRE & WATER Student to support.
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CREW FUNDRAISER
The Come To Me Food Pantry is partnering with Crew Car Wash for the month of March. Tap on the link to purchase car washes and the Pantry keeps 50% of the proceeds. There are three options: Basic Wash $12, Basic Plus Wash $18 and Ultimate Wash $24
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MISSION TRIP
Everyone over the age of 8 is invited to be a part of the Intergenerational Mission Trip travelling to Charleston, WV June 29 through July 4. We will serve during the day and at night have a few adventures and vespers. Learn more and sign up by tapping the link below.
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To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ For The Transformation of The World. | | | | |
