Dear Westminster Presbyterian Church Family,

Please read on for an update from the Session’s February meeting.

STUDENT MINISTRY UPDATE

Pastor Caleb shared an encouraging update to the Session on the recent activities of the Student Ministry. Over 75 students and 12 staff/volunteers attended one of three large events – The Edge middle school summer retreat, Project Sweat high school summer service project, and the Winter Classic high school retreat. As the ministry continues to grow, we invite you to join us in prayer for their goals in 2025—recruiting more volunteers, strengthening the high school small group ministry, and transitioning to the Annex building to accommodate their expanding needs.

VISION FRAMEWORK AND STATEMENT

In our 2019 strategic plan, we adopted our mission statement: “Helping people find hope, freedom, and purpose in Jesus,” expressing the Great Commission in clear, accessible language. As part of a 2024 strategic plan revitalization recommended by McGowan Global Institute, the church is now developing a vision statement to guide the next 50 years of ministry. Executive Director Steve Smith presented a framework for this vision to the Session, providing a focused direction for Westminster’s future. The vision statement is currently being drafted and will be shared with the congregation once finalized.

MISSIONS WEEKEND

We are excited to host missionaries for our Missions Weekend on March 21-23. This year’s theme, Pilgrims in Progress, is inspired by Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan, highlighting the transformative power of Jesus' love and the Spirit’s work in reaching unreached people groups.

We are praying boldly for this weekend—that new believers will come to Christ, that God will raise up new ministry leaders from our congregation, and that we will meet our goal of $300,000 in pledges to support global missions and operations.

We cannot wait to see you at our Missions Weekend. From Friday through Sunday, we’ll gather for inspiring stories from missionaries, a special Afghan family dinner, and a churchwide lunch on Sunday where you can connect with our missionaries and learn about opportunities to serve. All of the details as well as the opportunity to RSVP for events can be found on wpcgo.com/missions.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

As previously shared, we ended 2024 with a significant surplus thanks to your generous giving. The Session has prayerfully decided how to steward these funds to bless and strengthen various ministries –

• $139,556 for 10% tithe to support local ministries
• $111,540 to PCA Agencies and Committees and Reformed Theological Seminary to support the work of the denomination and the education of future ministry workers
• $30,000 to fund local missions we have committed to regularly support
• $75,000 to WCCS for paving project at Lower Campus
• $500,000 to WPC Repair Fund to cover cost of aging buildings and infrastructure
• $250,000 to Capital Campaign fund as seed money for future campus renovations
• $279,470 to strategic reserves for Westminster ministries and operations

Thank you for your faithful generosity in 2024—your giving is making a meaningful impact within our church, our community, our denomination, and beyond.

OFFICER NOMINATION UPDATE

The congregation has nominated 18 elder and 14 deacon candidates who are eligible to serve on our Session and Diaconate. Those who feel called to move forward in their officer candidacy will enter a season of training to prepare them for this important role. Later this year, they will be presented to the congregation for election.

Thank you for prayerfully identifying godly men to lead and serve our church. Please continue to pray for them as they seek the Lord’s guidance in this process.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

As shared last month, the Session is asking the congregation to call Caleb Blow, JT Hoover, and Jonathan Taylor to the position of Associate Pastor. Because this decision requires a congregational vote, the Session has scheduled a congregational meeting on April 6, immediately following both worship services. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this important meeting.

PASTORAL SABBATICAL

Several years ago, the Session established a sabbatical policy for our pastors, providing dedicated time for rest and spiritual renewal. At this month’s meeting, the Session approved a sabbatical for Pastor Jonathan Garrett for the summer of 2025. Jonathan has served our church faithfully for over ten years. Please join us in praying that this season will be a rich time of refreshment with his family and the Lord, equipping him for continued faithful ministry at Westminster for years to come.

Please stay tuned each month for continued updates from the Westminster Session. If you have questions about any of the items mentioned in this monthly update or want more details, please email wpcsession@wpcgo.com.