ANNUAL REPORT2014

Pursuing the life-changing presence of Jesus, impacting South Jersey, one life at a time.

Since we haven’t arrived, from time to time we need to be reminded what journey we are on. We need to look again at the map to see clearly where we are going, and we need to know what we must do to stay on course and get there on time. To give focus to our journey, I offer you these snapshots:

LFA’s Central Vision, the reason we exist and what we do, revolves around five values which we continually put into practice. At LFA we :• Experience God’s Presence

• Grow through a Revelation of God’s Word

• Participate in Mission & Church Planting,

• Engage in True Community

• Equip Households and the Next Generation

Walking faithfully in those practices, by the Power of Jesus’ Spirit, we define our 5-year destination in this way:We are pursuing the life-changing presence of Jesus, impacting South Jersey, one life at a time.

• 5000 Gospel conversations

• 1500 Jesus-Followers

• 500 Households

• 50 Pastorates

• 5 churches

• 5 years

• Starting with me

WE ARE ON A JOURNEYTo stay the course and arrive at our destination, each of us are called to the following: • Connect with Jesus daily

• Invest my tithe consistently

• Tell my grace-story weekly

• Volunteer my time generously

• Engage in community courageously

What specific, noticeable changes might we see over the next year?

By God’s grace, the Governing Elders will lead us to unfold steps toward building a “home base” or “mission hub” for LFA on 1987 S. Lincoln, including a time table with specific triggers for construction.

By God’s grace, we will launch a new church plant by January 2016.

Thank you for the part you play in this adventure. I realize there are many things you do for God apart from what we do or emphasize at LFA. And I want you to grow in confidence that what you do for Jesus’ Kingdom counts. Let’s pray for each other that God will help us be faithful and effective in what He calls us to do.

— Pastor Nate

Senior Pastor (full-time) - Nate Howard• Clearly communicate LFA vision and mission.

Lead the church through anticipated growth transitions and give regular updates.

• Work with the Executive Pastor to individualy coach Pastors Team and staff.

• Provide Spiritual Formation for Pastors Team. • Develop weekly Sunday celebration

messaes as the primary teacher. • Develops NEW Pastorate leaders • Wishes he could look more like Matthew

Rudd

YOUTH MINISTRY This past school year we averaged a monthly attendance of 37.9 Sr High students and 20.9 Junior High students. In two months of this school year we have monthly averages of 38 Sr High and 20 Jr High students. This might not look much different, but this is huge in the positive direction. We graduated over 13 seniors last year and have a very large 8th grade class that moved up. Combined, this gives a monthly average of 58 students that are ministered to through Jr & Sr High Ministry.

Summer Ministry had some big changes this year. The camp at LFA has become its own camp, and we moved our Vineland site back to 6th & Montrose. The Vineland camp went from 45 students up to 78 students!

God SightingsThis past year there have been too many God Sighting to report here. Two big things I have seen are a strong increase in love for our cities and an ongoing ‘unveiling’ of who Jesus really is. Part of our camp training was to read the entire Gospel of Mark in

one sitting. We read it as a group, and we had one of the best conversation about Jesus we have ever had! I also see a continued strong desire to keep doing camp, as many of the camp staff want to do two

weeks for each camp instead of one.

VisionIn 2015 I hope to see more of a ‘Youth Ministry’ in LFA arise as opposed to just a ‘Youth Group’. We have several pockets of youth ministry across our church; I hope to move toward syncing those pockets in order to minister to youth more effectively.

— Pastor Chris

Our Leaders: Charissa Ricketts, Erik Howard, Christian Torres, Bill Nelson, Katie-Jean Vandzura, Tammy Vaughn,

Jacquelin Silva, Laurie Bodine, Mike Torres, Miranda Silva, Daniel Yang, Maria Hayes,

Izzy Silva, Andrew Vandzura and Peter Jakucki. Without people like this our youth

ministry would not be possible.

Raising Up the Next Generation toDiscover and Treasure Jesus

You can check out highlight

videos of youth events on

the youth webpage.

GOVERNING ELDERSThink of LFA’s Governing Elders as the boundary makers and boundary keepers — they address our “big picture” issues developing, along with the Pastor, the vision of what we will and will not do. They also hold the Pastor accountable to that vision. Over this next year, the GEs hope to determine clear steps toward the construction of a new building on Lincoln Ave. Obviously, we need equipped and qualified men to do that task. I’m very grateful to serve alongside the following men who have been elected by the congregation as Governing Elders: Walt Hayman and Dave Jones will complete their service this year. Charlie Caldwell and Frank Medio continue to serve through 2015, and Frank Geremia will serve through 2016.

Tim Vaughn » Family: Married to Alicia with three kids - live in Pittsgrove

» Training: Studies in chemistry, business administration and pastoral ministry

» Jobs: Personal financial coach, accountant/bookkeeper for churches and non-profits, pastor

» Strengths: Vision, administration, teaching, communication

» Weaknesses: Contentedness, paralyzing perfectionism

» Hobbies: reading, musical theater and sports

» Guilty pleasure: iced coffee and ice cream

» Life verses: Psalm 37:3-4

David Cranston » Married with 4 children and 3 grandchildren

» Attending LFA for 8 years and I am a church member

» Small group leader for Alpha » Participated in making and serving Thanksgiving day breakfast at Mission Teens

» Helped with first set up team at Wallace School » Served as Deacon » Member of Alpha Marriage Team » Leading a Life Transformation Group » Works at Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Station, Hancock’s Bridge, NJ

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY 0-5 YEAR OLDS

“Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.” Matthew 19:14God Sightings

» God is growing little 2 year olds to learn powerful baby steps of following their leaders.

» God has over and over supplied needed CM workers, and we are so grateful!

Key Leaders/Overseers » Prayer: Pat Baruffi » Sunday 1st-2nd Service Nurseries: Hal and Margaret Weyman » Sunday 1st Service 2-5’s: Selinette Bordoy » Sunday 2nd Service 2-5’s: Mike and Sarah Thompson » Wednesday 0-5 year olds: Sharon Howard

Lives Impacted through Children’s Ministry » Overseers: 5

» Team Leaders: 25 (Sunday 22, Wednesday 3)

» Helpers: 82 (Sunday 72, Wednesday 10)

» Wednesday evening children: 25 (average attendance)

» Sunday morning children: 62 (average attendance)

» Marriage Alpha Kids: 10

Vision for 2015•God’s wisdom to restructure so that no one role is overwhelming for our volunteers.•God continuing to grow a love in little ones to worship.•God would raise someone up to oversee leading worship for our children.•Video recordings of our CM workers training sessionsMay God continue to call out workers who will invest their lives in raising up the next generation to love and follow Jesus.

— Sharon Howard

This is what we call our small groups. We are working at sending them out different times throughout the year to share life together and serve our community. This is has been a big highlight for students and leaders!

FAMILY MINISTRY“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named...that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-15, 19

STAFF DESCRIPTIONSEarly Childhood and Family Ministries (CM/FM) Coordinator (25 hours/wk) - Sharon Howard • Plan and implement programs to disciple

children and adults through all life stages. • Develop Teams: Generational Team for Milstones,

CM Teams, marriage and pre-marriage • Infuse Family Ministry values in whole church • Sync CM lessons with weekly adult celebration

themes. Provide safe environments for children. Develop and maintain FM resources lending library.

• Dreams of becoming a computer software engineer

Youth/Connections Pastor (Full time) - Chris Laws • Oversee and promote Jr. and Sr. High ministry.• Develop leadership team to shepherd students. • Establish connections with parents to equip them

as the primary faith nurturers and help them implement the milestones.

• Plan and implement connections with new visitors and guests. Help assimilate newcomers and link attendees to a relationship on a ministry team or pastorate.

• Looks like Bird but plays like Jordan

Administrative Assistant(21 hrs/wk) - Daniel Matro• Provide phone and visitor reception; process mail,

email and voice messages; maintain and update office records. Produce and maintain promotional projects and resource materials.

• Provide general and specific assistance to staff as needed.

• Provide IT services for the office• Prolific song writer

Maintenance (15-20 hours/week) - Dave Ritchie• Perform general office building and property

cleaning, maintenance, repairs and seasonal tasks (watering, lawn cutting, snow removal).

• Coordinate and supplement similar services as necessary in multi-site rental locations.

• Loves his John Deere tractor, painting and model trains

Executive Pastor (full-time) - Greg Hill• Provide day-to-day management of Pastors Team,

staff and ministry leaders. Oversee and manage all church facilities.

• Steward finances by working closely with Pastors Team and FRC to develop budgets and track spending, maintain adequate cash reserves and help avoid budget shortfalls.

• Oversee Pastorates, Truth For Living and other discipleship paths- i.e. baptism, member-ship, 7 essentials, marriage ministry, men’s and women’s event

•His punctuality is surpassed only by his spelling

Ismael Jimenez » Have been married for 25 years to Ann and have 3 children.

» We have been members of LFA for 20 years.

» We work in the Children’s Ministry on Wednesdays.

» Work for the Millville Board of Education as a 7th grade vice-principal.

» Currently attend Hill Pastorate with intention on hosting a spin-off group at our home, and I actively participate in the pastorate program.

We are grateful for life God is bringing to LFA households!

God Sightings » Family after family is telling stories of ways they are regularly living on mission together! » Seeing single parents/new parents want to dedicate their children to the Lord and begin to live the Milestone Pathway!

» Watching our LFA parents bring their elementary kids and their friends to Creative Arts Camp

Our Leaders » Milestone Champion Parent Leaders: Jonathan & Sarah Bates, Caleb & Sarah Howard, Mark & Dee Raybould, Greg & Angie Hill, David & Janis Tomlinson, Don & Theresa Kinchen, Ed & Nancy Torres, Craig & Jenny Ritchie, Frank & Kimmy Medio, Chris Laws.

» Generational Team: Chris Laws, Jessica LeBlanc, David Tomlinson, Caleb Howard, Frank Geremia

» “New Moms” point person: Mindy Laury » Baby Dedication point person: Katie Wilson » Prayer Coordinator: Pat Baruffi » Parent Summit Coordinator: Frank Geremia

Number of lives impacted: » Parent Classes: 21 » New Moms Contacted: 11 » Parent Summit: 100 » Baby Dedications: 20 » Women’s Retreat: 80 » Two Camp Grace Parent Meetings: Approximately 30 » LFA parents/friends at the Creative Arts Camp Closing program: 50

Vision for 2014 » Households making more space for the Spirit’s work in them through the Four Foundations » Parents being intentional to walk their kids through our Milestone Pathway by attending the Parent Summit/Yearly Parent Classes

Thank you for praying with us that LFA will continue to learn to follow Jesus one household at a time!

— Sharon Howard

The Nominating Committee

has chosen to bring these men to

the congregation who will elect two of

them to serve a 3-year term as Governing

Elders. Please pray carefully. Voting will be

electronic, instructions will be provided at the

annual meeting.

VOTING

WOMEN’S RETREATIt was a gift to have 87 of our LFA women and friends gather in Wildwood for our May Retreat to reflect on our theme of “Lies Women Believe.” It was beautiful to see women have fun together, worship, listen to God’s Word, share in small groups and pray for each other. A big thank you to Sarah Howard and Kasie Harris who led quite large teams of volunteers that invested much time and prayer to make it a wonderful weekend.

–Sharon Howard

CHILDRENS MINISTRY1ST-6TH GRADE

Reaching the 1st-6th graders is critical.

Arming them with God’s Word and teaching them about the Holy Spirit is essential for their current and future spiritual battles.

This year, a combination of 24 adult and teen leaders have served together on rotating teams in Sunday Treasure Seekers and Kids On A Mission. Each month we lead 8-10 classes and have invested in over 110 different children during the year.

Our 9am class currently averages 13-15 children, and the 11am group is bustling with the energy of 35-40 children each week.

God’s life-changing power is central to our Wednesday night series. Children study His NAME, discover His attributes and hear reinforcing guest testimonies at each class. Thank you to our 6 teachers leading grades 1-3 and grades 4-6.

Listen to their voices:

“Miss Jessica, I’m afraid of failing because then I think that God won’t be happy with me and won’t have a purpose for me.” -Student from Wednesday night

“My friend and their family actually worships idols.” -Student from Treasure Seekers

“I feel like I have to be perfect.” -First grader

“They asked me if church was tonight- it was only Monday!” -A parent

– Jessica Leblanc

CONNECTIONSOur First Impressions team has done a great job welcoming people into Sunday Celebration over this past year. We currently have 27 First Impressions Team members. We are always looking for more people who like to meet people and help them connect to Jesus and LFA.

What we find is it takes about 3-6 months for a person to self identify. In 2013 we had 54 people turn in connect cards that they were ‘New Here’. In 2014 that number has almost doubled to 97 people! All of those have been reached out to by members of our Pastors Team. Since 2013 we have also had 62 people turn in connect cards that they were ‘Ready for a Next Step’.

Tracking new people is not always easy, but it’s so worth it. In this past year I have seen people who have come from outside LFA stand and share in our services, join ministry teams, be baptized and become members.

In 2015 I would like to see 4-6 people become ‘Roaming Greeters’ who simply go around LFA on Sunday morning looking to meet people they don’t know yet.

— Pastor Chris

MEN’S RETREATMen’s Retreat 2014 was held in Wildwood, a one-night event in April, with about five South Jersey churches involved and 100 men in attendance. It was a wonderful time of challenge and celebration. Along with all the men that helped put it together, I would like to thank John Soaper for his challenging message, Nate Howard, Charles Caldwell and the rest of the worship team for their contribution.

In April 2015, we are back in Wildwood for a two-night event. We have invited approximately 20 churches from the South Jersey area. Our district superintendent Bruce Terpstra will be speaking while Nate, Charlie and Mile 2 will be leading worship.

I am praying that the retreat will challenge the men of South Jersey to walk closer to God. I pray it would challenge them to be more Godly fathers and husbands.

— Larry Baruffi

CHURCH PLANTINGIt’s been a journey and process for the leadership in the church and me to come to the conclusion that God is calling us to plant a church. And He is calling us now. Not sometime down the road, but here and now, by January 2016, a church planted in Millville. God be praised! I’ve been stirred by this vision of heaven in Revelation 7:9, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” Heaven is a place where every tribe, every nation, every race, every age have all come to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It is this vision of heaven that stirs in me the desire to plant a multi-ethnic congregation in Millville. My prayer is that we would get a little taste of the worship that is happening in heaven here on earth, in Millville.

Pray for three new or existing pastorates to commit to the Millville church plant.

Pray for a multi-ethnic leadership team to rise up.

Pray for the city of Millville.

— Erik Howard, Church Planting Apprentice

MERCY AND PRAYER“For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.” (Psalm 52:9).God Sightings

• We were blessed with an Easter emphasis that included around 60 people at our Sun Rise Service.

• 10-15 faithful people who pray for others regularly on Sunday mornings.

• 160 contacts via altar prayer ministry.

• Thank you Caleb Howard for heading up prayer trainings for our larger Body!

• Up to 20 people participated in the Praying God’s Word class.

• Thankful for a new prayer class leader: Ken Corson.

• $4,300 spent already in helping individuals/families in hardship. In addition, our deacons invested $5,050 (thanks to your giving) and were able to serve several individuals/families in ways that included repairs, improvements, paying bills, financial counseling, moving families or belongings and building a ramp.

• Thank you deaconesses for your service to the Body (Rosemary Sottile, Erika Cook, Lisa Prato, Sue Hyson).

• Thank you deacons for serving the Body and community at large (Kim Zimmerman, Curtis Zimmerman, Al Lombardi, Mick Sanderson, Russell Born, and Mark Rowe).

A couple of goals for 2015:

• To identify, recruit and train 2-3 new deaconesses.

• To implement at least 10 corporate prayer gatherings to focus on local, regional and global intercession.

–Pastor Diego

...Upon Him was the punishment that made us whole, and by His bruises we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

CRISIS AND COUNSELING

• 27 individuals were assisted to receive short and long term counseling through October.

• A total of $6,000 has been spent toward the healing and restoration of people through counseling assistance funds.

• A Healing & Restoration Table has been manned every Sunday morning. Thanks to Shirley Hayman, Lois Robinson, Tammy Vaughn, Nancy Wagner and Donna Barnes who regularly help .

MINISTERING ELDERSStriving to “Pay careful attention to ourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made us overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28) The Ministering Elders:

• Are a body of 11 who faithfully seek God’s will on behalf LFA. They

continue carrying areas of prayer, communion, care, crisis and

disciplinary cases.

• Had a very edifying and encouraging retreat in May.

• Are currently training on how to intercect life situations and the Word

of God as they minister to people.

• Each lead a ministry or a ministry team at LFA.

• Have a goal for 2015 to recruit and develop 2-4 new elders to help

support our church plant.

–Pastor Diego

• We gained around 40 outside followers for our weekly counseling ministry blog.

• Two lay counselors who love and serve faithfully.

• Grief Share program was offered at the beginning of this year, every Monday for 12 weeks.

• One goal for 2015 is to identify and train 2-5 new lay counselors.

–Pastor Diego

Thank you Lois Robinson, Tammy Vaughn and Thor Knutstad for the ministry you pour into the lives of so may and for your continuous flexibility.

...Upon Him was the punishment that made us whole, and by His bruises we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

Sunday Celebration and Communications Pastor (full-time) - Matthew Rudd• Schedule, plan and staff all aspects of

Sunday Celebration including setup and breakdown teams. Manage, maintain and update technology.

• Plan and schedule communication: Sun-day Promotion, website, weekly bulletin and annual report.

• Plan, coordinate and promote local, regional and global missions projects.

• Has a passion for Ice Dancing!

WORSHIP & CELEBRATIONWhen you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 1 Corinthians 14:26

FINANCE TEAMI would like to thank the members of this team who continually pour many, many

hours into their tasks:

»The Financial Review Committee (FRC): Kathy Lombardi as Chair, Craig Ritchie, Laurie Geremia and Greg Hill

»Bookkeeping and Financial Records: Charissa Ricketts

» Sunday morning ushers and Monday morning counters

As we look forward to 2015, we are confident that God will continue to lead as we humbly trust Him.

– Walt Hayman, Governing Elder/Treasurer

Have you stopped to consider the variety of ways we worship at Living Faith? Sometimes it seems like you never know what is going to happen from one week to the next. It is biblical for us to each express our worship in the ways God has gifted us to build each other up.

I want to thank a number of people who help lead us into worshiping a big God. Charlie Caldwell, Jason Wilson, Joel Howard, Dominick Baruffi & Dana Isles all led worship times over the last year. They are dedicated to creating an atmosphere for all of us to worship and celebrate our great God. On the media side, a huge thank you to Frank Bellone and Daniel Matro, who have done an outstanding job with handling the sound, media and general support. Also be sure to thank Nancy Vasquez, Jonathan Bates and Isabel Grant, as they have done an excellent job with projection. In the last year you all have been using your gift sets to aid over 27,000 occurrences of worship as we gather weekly!

In 2015, as we are built up, let us grow in sharing our love of Christ with those who don’t yet know him!

-- Pastor Matthew

ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES 2012December 8 & 15Intro - NateNate opened the meeting reading Mark 1: 35-38, discussed the constant tension in church ministry of caring for people here (reached) and caring for people there (unreached) and how that relates to our future vision. We will do what we do regarding ministering to people here (TFL, pastorates, healing and restoration, etc) but there will be another focus under the surface, church planting (we have a church planter apprentice, Erik Howard) as well as focus on a building; we are in need of some type of permanent facility. Our volunteer load is high, and a permanent facility could free up people (100 people currently do setup and teardown). Week of Prayer will be January 12-19 regarding direction for building.

Budget Dialogue followed by Q&A – GregGreg declared a quorum and led discussion. We are not in the red. We took in less than budgeted, but we spent less than we were given. We are approximately $25,000 in the black. We need to trim for 2014 because of low income. We decreased savings for 2014. What drives the budget is ministry focus, key areas of vulnerability (new guests, those hurting) and previous year’s giving. There is no ministry reduction for 2014, but the budget is trimmed for very little cushion. We are not in trouble financially. There is an increase in our number of regular givers; the amount is not as much because of the economy. We have a decrease in Alpha budget- no centralized Alpha, move from here to closer to where people are- prison Alpha and in-home Alpha. Also added Gospel Primer. Explain vote- GregNominate for nominating committee

» Aimee DeLucia (accepted but later declined) » Larry Baruffi (not present) » Chris Denelsbeck (not present) » Annie Jimenez (accepted) » Al DeCicco (not present) » Joel Howard (accepted)

Pastors Team Ministry DiscussionThe Pastors Team discussed highlights from this year and areas in their ministry that bring them excitement.Questions Regarding MinistryTime was given for people to ask the Pastors Team questions regarding their areas of ministry

Ended meeting praying for Pastors TeamVotingVoting for approval of the budget, Governing Elder (Frank Geremia, Al Lombardi and Mark Rowe) and Nominating Committee were held via a form on CCB.

The results are as follows:The budget was approved by the congregationGoverning Elder: Frank GeremiaNominating Committee: Annie Jimenez and Joel Howard

Submitted by Charissa Ricketts

TRUTH FOR LIVING“I heard the truth about the Father’s love and I just wept. It was exactly what I needed to hear.”I want to take the time to thank our 19 gifted teachers for faithfully bringing the Word of God to God’s people:

Ben Achuff, Selinette Bordoy, Jayme Carter, Linda Casmer, Arnie Farrow, Frank and Laurie Geremia, Erik Howard, Caleb and Sarah Howard, Ken and Eileen Hill , Hap & Sue Hyson, Rich Irion, Chris Laws, Dorothy Marketto, Mona Mauro and Tim Vaughn

We had 30 unique classes designed to root us deeply in the Word of God, to meet God and be changed.

In 2014 we had our 2nd Young Adults forum, Marriage vs Living Together, followed up by our Fall Marriage course. It has been beautiful to see the ongoing impact of that Forum and the continued healing of marriages in our community.

In 2014 we focused on Life Transformation Groups over the summer. It has been a challenge to keep track of all the LTG’s that are popping up everywhere. However, the fruit of them is that older women are mentoring younger women, men are being challenged and supported to pursue Jesus in their specific areas of struggle and the people are being formed in the image of Jesus. I estimate 20-30 LTG’s were happening throughout 2014.

In 2015 we will see the development of more teachers and the continued the growth of Life Transformation Groups as a means of developing disciple makers and bringing the transforming power of the Word of God to impact an individual life.

— Pastor Greg

I HAVE FRIENDS IN MY LIFE WHO NEED JESUSAlpha: is a ten week course designed to give seekers and new believers an opportunity to explore Christianity in a safe no-pressure environment. The Story Formed Way is an Alpha-like training that tells the story of the Bible chronologically as a way of telling the back story of the Gospel and showing our human need for a Savior. In 2014 we had two in-home Alphas, one prison Alpha and we shared the Story Formed Way three times. Not only was the Gospel shared with 75-100 people through these courses, it was shared in the context of relationships. Thank you Art and Pat, Walt and Shirley, Tom P, and Erik H for your commitment to the Gospel. In 2015 I intend to multiply these initiatives as a central part of the life and growth of pastorates.

— Pastor Greg

What does the Lord require of you but to act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8

LFA GROUNDS & OFFICESpecial thanks to those who helped keep Lincoln Avenue facility looking great and maintaining it for constant use as a tool in the advancement of God’s kingdom in South Jersey: Zach Jones, Abraham Ramos, Caleb Ritchie, Bruce Sottile, Bill Tamarri and Craig Ritchie.

Special thanks to our counters and office volunteers (some weekly!) who help make the office a great support system to the mission of LFA: Norma Stockton, Eddie Felicioni, Dale Howard, Edna Howard, Jenn Barnes, Donna Barnes, Rich Irion, Nancy Wagner, Linda Couch, Skip Kaeppler, Sylvia Kaeppler and Lou Pszwaro.

— Dave Ritchie and Charissa Ricketts

HEALING & RESTORATIONPraise Be to God! We are in our 4th year of Celebrate Recovery.Celebrate Recovery has become a place where people beginning to seek help or needing support during critical times find a safe place to grow in grace and freedom. So thankful that this ministry complements our discipleship process. Here are a few realities to celebrate.

Highlights: » 108 visitors since January

» Highest attendance in a day: 64, including children

» Offering now two step study groups (18 people) on Mondays and three open share groups on Wednesdays (averaging 30 people).

» Six new co-leaders being developed.

» Presently there is an hour in our night when approximately 95% of enclosed space at our facilities at Lincoln Avenue is used.

» Gospel conversations taking place between volunteers and the children in our program.

» Four different worship leaders helped this year (Dana, Charlie, Dave, Scott) plus Facedown band.

» Had first Summer CR Family Picnic with 62 people attending.

» One goal for 2015 is to establish a team that will lead the Celebrate Recovery Landing program for teens.

Special thanks to a dedicated group of leaders and volunteers:Cindy Cuartas, Donna Barnes, Brendan Barnes, Charles & Jeany Corbitt, Mike DiFrancesco, Adam DeCicco, Allie Capriotti, Brian and Nancy Wagner, Mike and Kelly DeCicco, Erin Gillespie, Julie Gouse, Jessi Achuff, Linda Couch, Joan Strang, Nilda Velez, Dawn Serbeck, Ron Mason and Ron James.

— Pastor Diego

• Provide reception, process mail, maintain and update office records. Log and maintain financial records;

• Manage accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll; provide financial reporting as required.

• Oversee crisis assistance, care of the hurt/needy and healing. Identify, receive, assign, coordinate and follow-up on requests for assistance.

• Plan and manage programs and volunteers/staff for Celebrate Recovery, GriefShare, Lay Counseling, Ministering Elders, Deacons/Deaconesses and Prayer Chain.

• Infuse value of prayer in whole church • Administer counseling assistance and other assistance

funds. • Oversee pre-marital counseling and marriage mentors• Loves shuffleboard

Associate Pastor for Healing and Restoration (full-time) - Diego CuartasMORE STAFF DESCRIPTIONS

Office Manager/Bookkeeper (full time) - Charissa Ricketts

COMMUNICATIONWhen God does something, it spreads wide. Weekly we organize and spread what God is up to as we discover, follow, reveal & lead like Jesus. Here’s what it looks like in numbers:• 510 - likes on Facebook• 38,828 - page views on LFAchurch.org in 2014• 29% of the 560 people who actually open the weekly announcement email• 1,929 - people who are personally or financially connected to LFA as their church• 528 - average number of people who gather to hear what we are about as a church each Sunday• 207 - tweets sent out through our LFA Twitter accountIf you have ideas on how to spread what God is doing in LFA and want to get involved, let me know.

-- Pastor Matthew

To read some of of LFAs God Stories scan the QR code below.

SETUP & BREAKDOWNAre you one of the 80+ people who setup and breakdown each month? You are literally contributing by saving us tens of thousands of dollars each year! Thanks to Caleb Howard, Wayne Havens, Al DeCicco, Dave Walukiewicz, Ted Laury & Robert Smith for their leadership of these teams. They are always looking for new help, so jump in with any of them, it’s “easy on, easy off.” volunteer@LFAchurch.org

— Pastor Matthew

PASTORATES The big story of pastorates this year has been new wine skins. We have seen the birth of two new pastorates and the re-tooling of several others. In both scenarios the idea is taking the calling of God on a pastorate leader and not adjusting it to fit a pastorate structure. Rather it has been using the tool of pastorates as a family of missionary servants as a means to obey the unique calling of God. Pastorates have had to break former molds, create new rhythms or new wine skins for the new wine of the Holy Spirit. While I will continue to work with pastorate leaders, Pastor Nate is taking the initiative for birthing ten new pastorates with ten new wineskins.

Thank you Pastorate Leaders for shepherding the people that God loves:

» Larry & Leslie Baruffi » Harry & Val Behrens » Nate & Sharon Howard » Erik Howard » Ken & Eileen Hill » Greg & Angelina Hill (That’s me and my wife) » Hap & Sue Hyson » Dave & Connie Jones » Dot Marketto » Frank & Kim Medio » Matthew & Lisa Rudd (Best looking pastorate)

-Pastor Greg

• Keep class list up to date. • Manage office volunteers, schedule facility use and

equipment maintenance and repair, order supplies and provide assistance to staff as needed.

• Is much older (and wiser) than Pastor Greg

1-6 Grade Ministry Coordinator (15 hours/wk) -Jessica LeBlanc • Plan and implement programs to disciple children and adults through all life stages.

• Develop Teams and Lead: Sunday Treasure Seekers, Kids on a Mission and Wednesday 1-6th

• Lead Family Camp

• Partner with parents of 1-6th grade and provide safe environments for children.

• Special Skills: De-horning goats (not kidding)

ON MISSIONRemembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:3At Living Faith being on mission is the norm, not the exception. We work toward both demonstration and proclamation, here and abroad. Locally, opportunities like Taste of Mission Sunday, Pastorates on mission, Camp Grace, as well as opportunities to serve in Impact Harvest or Refuge all brought excitement and Jesus’ compassion for a broken world.

Globally, exciting things have been happening too. Trips & connection with the North & Central Asia region have strengthened our partnership. We had both Paul T. and the Volstads with us this year promoting the global work reaching Central Asians who do not know Jesus. Be sure to thank Dot Marketto for her work to connect LFA to the global work in the Kingdom.

Your giving to the Mission Funds is increasing our capacity as a sending church. Year-to-date we have collected over $77,000 toward the work globally and locally, above and beyond regular giving. Simply outstanding! May God give us grace as we steward well for the sake of His Kingdom.

— Pastor Matthew

OFFICES1987 South Lincoln Avenue • Vineland, NJ 08361856-696-3444 • www.LFAChurch.org

GATHERINGSSUNDAY SERVICES: 9am/11 am • WEDNESDAY CLASSES: 6:30 pm Cumberland Christian School 1100 W. Sherman Ave. Vineland, NJ 08360

LEADERSHIP COMMUNITYLeadership Community (LC) is made up of 136 ministry leaders that give themselves regularly to the cultivation of someone else’s faith. LC creates opportunities and relationships. We want leaders who are cared for, inspired and equipped. The goal is that leaders will flourish in leadership while being formed in the image of Jesus. To make that happen we invest in the lives of our leaders through Individual coaching, ministry team meetings and the three Leadership Community gatherings that we had in 2014.

Over the last 12 months Leadership Community has been part of the Annual Meeting Forum to dialogue about the vision and mission of LFA. In May, 80 leaders gathered for a workshop led by Caesar Kalinowski to train us in sharing our gospel story and increasing our “gospel fluency.” In August, over 100 leaders gathered for breakfast, training and a conversation about how this next year will launch us into an adventure where we expect to see God work miracles of 5000 gospel conversations, 1500 Jesus followers, 500 Households investing in the next generation, 50 pastorates, 5 churches, in 5 years, starting with ME.

— Pastor Greg