From the Senior Pastor

John E. Schmidt

Mike first came to Central because a friend asked him to come to her child's baptism at the EPIC service. Not much happened that day. He didn't come back for awhile. A few months later he was invited again, he came again to Central, and this time God spoke to him about forgiveness in an unmistakable way ~ especially about his need to forgive some people in his past. As he wrestled with these issues, he gave his life to Jesus Christ. And his life began to change! Mike reached out for all the opportunities to grow that surrounded him. He went on the men's retreat in September, he joined Alpha, and he joined a small group. On top of it all, Mike is sharing his computer skills with our EPIC worship team! It's been quite a year for Mike, and for Central!

When I look at this past year, I am encouraged how we clarified our vision to be a "Church Without Walls." We now have a heartfelt excitement about what kind of church we sense God is leading us to be. The Alpha Course began in 2004, and it is one of the best examples in our church of what it means for us to be deliberate and sensitive about our outreach to those who have questions about faith in Jesus Christ. New small groups have started, including the one Mike is in! We have experienced an incredible stewardship campaign in which we have made the commitments that will allow us to make space for new ministry, and we are now planning in detail what kind of space that will be.

We are working hard to expand our staff which will increase our capacity to help people grow in faith and service. (Maybe by the time you read this, we will have a new Associate Pastor to nominate to you for approval!) Children's Ministry and Worship are a focus for new full-time positions, and Student Ministry has taken on a new part-time Associate Director. It is a lot of change!

But, it all gets back to changed lives ~ moving people toward Christ. That is what happened in Mike's life. That is what is happening in other lives all around us. All the buildings, all the staff, and all the programs only find their meaning in what God chooses to do through them. May God continue to use us to draw people to Jesus!