Heritage News
Q3 2023: July - September
SUNDAY SUPPORT
Baptisms And Weddings
Our Baptism Team helped celebrate 14 baptisms this quarter, and two of our Usher Team members got married and baptized! We are so proud of Austin and Geanna! we also welcomed four new members to our team!
Go Pack Go
The Sunday Support Teams rallied together along with NextGen and provided breakfast for the Packer Team, feeding roughly 100 members and about 13 coaches. The Packers enjoyed a full breakfast, a fun game, worship and a devotional. Go Pack!
Second Saturdays
Three of our team members got together to bring Heritage to Second Saturday on the Square. They were able to receive over 20 prayer requests, and even prayed for some on site. Written requests were forwarded to our Prayer Ministry. Water and bananas were also provided to the community. We hope to start a small group of volunteers who will join us at the next community event on the Square.
Dreaming Of Connection
We are still dreaming of a central location for church members to get information and visitors to connect at Heritage on Sundays.
Our Baptism Team helped celebrate 14 baptisms this quarter, and two of our Usher Team members got married and baptized! We are so proud of Austin and Geanna! we also welcomed four new members to our team!
Go Pack Go
The Sunday Support Teams rallied together along with NextGen and provided breakfast for the Packer Team, feeding roughly 100 members and about 13 coaches. The Packers enjoyed a full breakfast, a fun game, worship and a devotional. Go Pack!
Second Saturdays
Three of our team members got together to bring Heritage to Second Saturday on the Square. They were able to receive over 20 prayer requests, and even prayed for some on site. Written requests were forwarded to our Prayer Ministry. Water and bananas were also provided to the community. We hope to start a small group of volunteers who will join us at the next community event on the Square.
Dreaming Of Connection
We are still dreaming of a central location for church members to get information and visitors to connect at Heritage on Sundays.
DISCIPLESHIP PATHWAY
Discovering A New Pathway
Discover Heritage welcomed 11 participants this quarter, with 55% connected to a small group or Team Life. We are thriving! The new version of Discover Heritage/Growth Track has allowed us to get to know participants on a personal level. Testimonies are shared in an environment of connectivity and laughter. It has been a joy to see participants leave feeling known and needed.
Team Growth
It’s been encouraging to watch our different team members take steps of growth in life and ministry. We were so proud of Lisa McLemore as she shared her story through the Joseph devotional and a video testimony. She’s an amazing asset to our team!
Campus Tour?
Can anyone say, "golf cart"?! We are dreaming of taking participants on a tour of the campus!
Discover Heritage welcomed 11 participants this quarter, with 55% connected to a small group or Team Life. We are thriving! The new version of Discover Heritage/Growth Track has allowed us to get to know participants on a personal level. Testimonies are shared in an environment of connectivity and laughter. It has been a joy to see participants leave feeling known and needed.
Team Growth
It’s been encouraging to watch our different team members take steps of growth in life and ministry. We were so proud of Lisa McLemore as she shared her story through the Joseph devotional and a video testimony. She’s an amazing asset to our team!
Campus Tour?
Can anyone say, "golf cart"?! We are dreaming of taking participants on a tour of the campus!
COMMUNICATIONS
Videos
We worked on two very unique stories for the Legends series with both Mr. Hadley and Paul and Patty Palmer. They were a joy to work with! We've also been busy with Bumpers, the Heritage Birthday Video, and we've seen the return of the announcement video!
Projects
We've updated the Storehouse guide, quarterly report, and helped develop the Joseph Devotional in print and online. The Discover Heritage material saw an update as we supported the small group launch. This quarter also saw our video department begin to work on a library of testimony videos that Brad can pull from as needed. This library currently contains testimonies of Eddie Seagle and Joey & Mandy Hathcock.
Events
We helped out the promotion and launch of Man Up, Heritage Baptisms, High School & Middle School Encounter, Dwell, and the Small Group Launch.
Team Growth
Karli Weeks interned with the team and helped to create many valuable social media testimony posts, led an online devotion, and supported social media for the Storehouse. She also shadowed all areas of media and production, and was honestly a huge help in promotion.
Our Social Media Team is growing! We have 4 new recruits, and the team is now being led by Gracie Kimbrell, a student leader. Facebook reached 53,000 individuals during Q3 and Instagram reached just under 10k. Lance is training Ari Gibbs to serve doing some video production work for the website. Online Church added a new member to Team Life: Bailley Wynn!
Looking Ahead
The final quarter of the year will include supporting One Night, bumpers for the final two sermon series, Jingle Jam, IDOP for the persecuted church, daily Advent posts, and various other events. We’re working hard to get all this prepared as Lance will be taking sabbatical the last 5 weeks of the year.
We worked on two very unique stories for the Legends series with both Mr. Hadley and Paul and Patty Palmer. They were a joy to work with! We've also been busy with Bumpers, the Heritage Birthday Video, and we've seen the return of the announcement video!
Projects
We've updated the Storehouse guide, quarterly report, and helped develop the Joseph Devotional in print and online. The Discover Heritage material saw an update as we supported the small group launch. This quarter also saw our video department begin to work on a library of testimony videos that Brad can pull from as needed. This library currently contains testimonies of Eddie Seagle and Joey & Mandy Hathcock.
Events
We helped out the promotion and launch of Man Up, Heritage Baptisms, High School & Middle School Encounter, Dwell, and the Small Group Launch.
Team Growth
Karli Weeks interned with the team and helped to create many valuable social media testimony posts, led an online devotion, and supported social media for the Storehouse. She also shadowed all areas of media and production, and was honestly a huge help in promotion.
Our Social Media Team is growing! We have 4 new recruits, and the team is now being led by Gracie Kimbrell, a student leader. Facebook reached 53,000 individuals during Q3 and Instagram reached just under 10k. Lance is training Ari Gibbs to serve doing some video production work for the website. Online Church added a new member to Team Life: Bailley Wynn!
Looking Ahead
The final quarter of the year will include supporting One Night, bumpers for the final two sermon series, Jingle Jam, IDOP for the persecuted church, daily Advent posts, and various other events. We’re working hard to get all this prepared as Lance will be taking sabbatical the last 5 weeks of the year.
FINANCIALS
MISSIONS
Germany
In August, a team of 28 people from our church and community traveled to Germany to serve at a worldwide gathering of about 1800 global workers. Our team met together and prepared for months to fulfill our assignment of providing a weeklong day camp for 140 nine to twelve year olds from all different countries of origin whose families are serving all over the world. The theme of our week was “Come to the Table” as each day we learned about Jesus through one of His “table encounters”. Our heart was to provide an encouraging and safe space for these kids to develop relationships, have fun, and be strengthened in their faith. It was an amazing week of serving together as a team and having our hearts enlarged for what God is doing all around the world.
One of the highlights was watching our amazing students serve and minister to the children and lead their peers in worship. This team is so grateful for a church community willing to make this kind of investment of time, talents, and treasure to bless those serving in hard places all over the world. Drew and Kate, our HGM’s living in the Middle East, were so moved by our church sending this team to serve their organization.
The Storehouse
Over half of the Germany team were members of the Storehouse Team, which was able to cover their absence implementing August sales with great success. Third quarter sales in July, August, and September generated $19,222, $22,263, and $22,301 respectively for a third quarter total of $57,903. The Storehouse YTD total through Sept 30 is $167,212. With a strong 4th quarter, SH is postured for another record breaking year.
The Storehouse relief team served a total of 36 units (individuals or families) who were in need of clothing, housewares, furniture or other essentials due to crisis or financial hardship. As usual, meeting some basic physical needs provided many opportunities to pray for, encourage, and connect people with next steps. Jay Jordan is so gifted at leading these efforts. The Storehouse team continues to have the opportunity to serve alongside and encourage the guys and ladies from CrossRoads and CrossRoads 4 Her. Recently, CrossRoads for Her blessed their first graduate to move out. The Storehouse team was able to partner with other individuals and help her to get all set up in a cozy apartment. We rejoice and celebrate this new chapter with her. Some other projects this quarter through Storehouse outreach were contributing to the Solohope Honduras Community projects annual fundraiser, supporting Johnny Ray’s installation of 40 purifiers in rural Honduran communities, and contributing to Good Samaritan benevolence efforts.
Financial Partners
In local missions this quarter, we have become monthly financial partners with FCA under the leadership of Danny Blaylock and with Bull Durham and Donnie Edwards serving as board members. Our student ministry is very active with FCA at the high school and the middle school so we felt this would be a good way to help support their efforts. We’re grateful that our faithful givers and funds raised at the Storehouse enable us to partner with and participate in so many local and global missions efforts.
In August, a team of 28 people from our church and community traveled to Germany to serve at a worldwide gathering of about 1800 global workers. Our team met together and prepared for months to fulfill our assignment of providing a weeklong day camp for 140 nine to twelve year olds from all different countries of origin whose families are serving all over the world. The theme of our week was “Come to the Table” as each day we learned about Jesus through one of His “table encounters”. Our heart was to provide an encouraging and safe space for these kids to develop relationships, have fun, and be strengthened in their faith. It was an amazing week of serving together as a team and having our hearts enlarged for what God is doing all around the world.
One of the highlights was watching our amazing students serve and minister to the children and lead their peers in worship. This team is so grateful for a church community willing to make this kind of investment of time, talents, and treasure to bless those serving in hard places all over the world. Drew and Kate, our HGM’s living in the Middle East, were so moved by our church sending this team to serve their organization.
The Storehouse
Over half of the Germany team were members of the Storehouse Team, which was able to cover their absence implementing August sales with great success. Third quarter sales in July, August, and September generated $19,222, $22,263, and $22,301 respectively for a third quarter total of $57,903. The Storehouse YTD total through Sept 30 is $167,212. With a strong 4th quarter, SH is postured for another record breaking year.
The Storehouse relief team served a total of 36 units (individuals or families) who were in need of clothing, housewares, furniture or other essentials due to crisis or financial hardship. As usual, meeting some basic physical needs provided many opportunities to pray for, encourage, and connect people with next steps. Jay Jordan is so gifted at leading these efforts. The Storehouse team continues to have the opportunity to serve alongside and encourage the guys and ladies from CrossRoads and CrossRoads 4 Her. Recently, CrossRoads for Her blessed their first graduate to move out. The Storehouse team was able to partner with other individuals and help her to get all set up in a cozy apartment. We rejoice and celebrate this new chapter with her. Some other projects this quarter through Storehouse outreach were contributing to the Solohope Honduras Community projects annual fundraiser, supporting Johnny Ray’s installation of 40 purifiers in rural Honduran communities, and contributing to Good Samaritan benevolence efforts.
Financial Partners
In local missions this quarter, we have become monthly financial partners with FCA under the leadership of Danny Blaylock and with Bull Durham and Donnie Edwards serving as board members. Our student ministry is very active with FCA at the high school and the middle school so we felt this would be a good way to help support their efforts. We’re grateful that our faithful givers and funds raised at the Storehouse enable us to partner with and participate in so many local and global missions efforts.
NEXT GEN
By The Numbers
In September, Heritage Kids averaged 188 attending preschool and elementary ministry (including leaders), with Heritage Students averaging 135 students at our middle school (65) and high school (70) weekly worship/small group gatherings.
Preschool
We are really excited about updated environments for our infants and PreK4 children. Jolie Vargas, Elizabeth Allyn, and Kim Crawford have taken on leadership roles in our preschool environment and they are doing great!
Elementary
Heritage Kids worked hard all summer long to raise money for Change for a Change. The contributions, matched by First National Bank, totaled over $7500. This money went towards building a school for young children in Ghana for kids who have had little to no access to education or the gospel. This school had its first day of classes on October 15th. Our former HGM’s David and Taylor O’Neal are on the board of this school which was established by some friends they met on the field.
In August, we relaunched our worship response Sundays for both upper and lower elementary. These monthly services allow kids the opportunity to worship and pray through interactive stations. In September, Heritage Kids started our third year of Elementary Skills Team (Bible drill) for kids whose parents serve one/worship one. Bible Skills Team gives kids the opportunity to go deeper with Bible learning and Bible memory instead of attending two identical services. These kids are storing up so much truth in their hearts!
Students
Our annual Beach Retreat is a great way for our students to launch into the school year and we had 81 students and 17 leaders join for a weekend of fun, worship, teaching, and relationship building. During August and September we averaged 135 students at our middle school (65) and high school (70) weekly worship/small group gatherings. Student ministry is continuing to do outreach ministry through FCA weekly in the CA Gray courtyard with our students leading devotions and worship. It’s very encouraging for us to see 17 students in one on one discipleship with 8 more students signed up to begin in the next month.
Student Ministry had an awesome Student Ministry Freedom night that focused on repentance, forgiveness, and renouncing lies. Eighty students received a focused time of prayer from our prayer ministry team after each of the teachings.
Family Ministry
We launched into August with several fun and meaningful opportunities for families. We hosted a Back to School Blessing Night to pray with and bless families with students of all ages. We also had close to 100 people join us for community and fun at Recoil trampoline park in Valdosta as we jumped into the school year. We offered a Facebook Live for parents on leading family worship/family devotion time with young kids and launched into our 7th season of Fam Jam. As always, we had a very meaningful Child Dedication.
We have several small groups for families this semester including groups using material on the Art of Parenting and Habits of the Household. We are excited about opportunities taking place for equipping and support.
Updates And Dreams
This August, we restructured our Heritage Kids Ministry environments to make the best use of our current space. What was formerly known as Baby Heritage is now our Preschool Ministry and includes infants through PreK4. Our Elementary Ministry includes our Lower Elementary Ministry (K-2nd) and our Upper Elementary (3rd-5th).
We are dreaming of family worship on the 5th Sundays during the year. We are brainstorming the best approach to covering our playground for shade. We are also planning to move our preschool playground closer to the Preschool wing for easier access to an outdoor environment for our younger kids and leaders to play. For our students, we are dreaming of mission trip opportunities for Spring Break/Summer.
In September, Heritage Kids averaged 188 attending preschool and elementary ministry (including leaders), with Heritage Students averaging 135 students at our middle school (65) and high school (70) weekly worship/small group gatherings.
Preschool
We are really excited about updated environments for our infants and PreK4 children. Jolie Vargas, Elizabeth Allyn, and Kim Crawford have taken on leadership roles in our preschool environment and they are doing great!
Elementary
Heritage Kids worked hard all summer long to raise money for Change for a Change. The contributions, matched by First National Bank, totaled over $7500. This money went towards building a school for young children in Ghana for kids who have had little to no access to education or the gospel. This school had its first day of classes on October 15th. Our former HGM’s David and Taylor O’Neal are on the board of this school which was established by some friends they met on the field.
In August, we relaunched our worship response Sundays for both upper and lower elementary. These monthly services allow kids the opportunity to worship and pray through interactive stations. In September, Heritage Kids started our third year of Elementary Skills Team (Bible drill) for kids whose parents serve one/worship one. Bible Skills Team gives kids the opportunity to go deeper with Bible learning and Bible memory instead of attending two identical services. These kids are storing up so much truth in their hearts!
Students
Our annual Beach Retreat is a great way for our students to launch into the school year and we had 81 students and 17 leaders join for a weekend of fun, worship, teaching, and relationship building. During August and September we averaged 135 students at our middle school (65) and high school (70) weekly worship/small group gatherings. Student ministry is continuing to do outreach ministry through FCA weekly in the CA Gray courtyard with our students leading devotions and worship. It’s very encouraging for us to see 17 students in one on one discipleship with 8 more students signed up to begin in the next month.
Student Ministry had an awesome Student Ministry Freedom night that focused on repentance, forgiveness, and renouncing lies. Eighty students received a focused time of prayer from our prayer ministry team after each of the teachings.
Family Ministry
We launched into August with several fun and meaningful opportunities for families. We hosted a Back to School Blessing Night to pray with and bless families with students of all ages. We also had close to 100 people join us for community and fun at Recoil trampoline park in Valdosta as we jumped into the school year. We offered a Facebook Live for parents on leading family worship/family devotion time with young kids and launched into our 7th season of Fam Jam. As always, we had a very meaningful Child Dedication.
We have several small groups for families this semester including groups using material on the Art of Parenting and Habits of the Household. We are excited about opportunities taking place for equipping and support.
Updates And Dreams
This August, we restructured our Heritage Kids Ministry environments to make the best use of our current space. What was formerly known as Baby Heritage is now our Preschool Ministry and includes infants through PreK4. Our Elementary Ministry includes our Lower Elementary Ministry (K-2nd) and our Upper Elementary (3rd-5th).
We are dreaming of family worship on the 5th Sundays during the year. We are brainstorming the best approach to covering our playground for shade. We are also planning to move our preschool playground closer to the Preschool wing for easier access to an outdoor environment for our younger kids and leaders to play. For our students, we are dreaming of mission trip opportunities for Spring Break/Summer.
PRAYER
A Time Of Transition
After a year and a half of faithfully leading the prayer team, Ben and Michelle Nieman have felt called to leave this role in order to serve at Y worship on Sunday mornings. We’re grateful for John and MaryKaye Turrentine to step into leading the Sunday am teams and the pastoral hearts and passion for prayer ministry that they bring. We recently had a gathering of the prayer team and experienced a special time of community together as well as going over some next step resources that will be available in the prayer room. We’ve added a couple of people to the team and are planning a November lunch meeting in which we’ll offer some prayer and inner healing training.
Dwell
The Sunday morning pre-service prayer has transitioned into Dwell- a 15 minute time of worship, prayer, and sitting in the Lord’s presence leading directly into each service. Mark is leading this time which continues to grow. We are feeling the impact of Dwell in the sense of the Presence of the Lord in our services.
After a year and a half of faithfully leading the prayer team, Ben and Michelle Nieman have felt called to leave this role in order to serve at Y worship on Sunday mornings. We’re grateful for John and MaryKaye Turrentine to step into leading the Sunday am teams and the pastoral hearts and passion for prayer ministry that they bring. We recently had a gathering of the prayer team and experienced a special time of community together as well as going over some next step resources that will be available in the prayer room. We’ve added a couple of people to the team and are planning a November lunch meeting in which we’ll offer some prayer and inner healing training.
Dwell
The Sunday morning pre-service prayer has transitioned into Dwell- a 15 minute time of worship, prayer, and sitting in the Lord’s presence leading directly into each service. Mark is leading this time which continues to grow. We are feeling the impact of Dwell in the sense of the Presence of the Lord in our services.
PASTORAL CARE
By The Numbers
July
27 people ministered to by 18 Team Life members
2 people counseled
August
21 people ministered to by 31 Team Life members
September
20 people ministered to by 26 Team Life members
3 people counseled
Fighting For The Community
Dawn has been meeting with the leadership of “Community Prayer Walk Team” - all of whom have insight and a heart for our community. We’ve been praying together and strategizing. For seven weeks, we will focus on a different “mountain of influence” in our community. Our team has a prayer covering from Sharon Amezcua, Fred and Ethel, and Ernie and Jan. We also appreciate covering from our pastors and leadership on this community prayer venture which begins at the end of October.
Healing And Teaching
We had a successful “spirit realm” teaching by Jan White, where 12 of our members attended and others also from different churches. We had a total of 20. We prayed for one another and were able to put into practice the concepts Jan had taught.
We had 2 extensive inner healings that went into deliverances, where we got to experience the Lord setting people free!
July
27 people ministered to by 18 Team Life members
2 people counseled
August
21 people ministered to by 31 Team Life members
September
20 people ministered to by 26 Team Life members
3 people counseled
Fighting For The Community
Dawn has been meeting with the leadership of “Community Prayer Walk Team” - all of whom have insight and a heart for our community. We’ve been praying together and strategizing. For seven weeks, we will focus on a different “mountain of influence” in our community. Our team has a prayer covering from Sharon Amezcua, Fred and Ethel, and Ernie and Jan. We also appreciate covering from our pastors and leadership on this community prayer venture which begins at the end of October.
Healing And Teaching
We had a successful “spirit realm” teaching by Jan White, where 12 of our members attended and others also from different churches. We had a total of 20. We prayed for one another and were able to put into practice the concepts Jan had taught.
We had 2 extensive inner healings that went into deliverances, where we got to experience the Lord setting people free!
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
This quarter has been more about maintaining our property and upkeep. No significant upgrades. We are still in the process of cleaning out the Staff 2 building so we can move forward with construction.
SUNDAY AM
Small Groups And Worship
We've had 5 regular attenders for music small group, and actually had 2 original worship songs written and recorded! We're moving our recording small group focus this semester to equipping these individuals to join the adult worship team. We're excited to see how treating the audition process as an ongoing small group works.
Lighting
The LED house lights have finished the design & prototype stage and are beginning to get various parts assembled as shipments are arriving from manufactures.
What's New
Kaitlyn Sweat and Connor Bloodworth got to hear their original songs mixed and mastered and seemed excited with the final product. We are constantly evaluating our audition process and will continue to do so as we treat it as a small group. We're hopeful that it will allow for a less intimidating environment and allow more time to equip all who come that have a musical gift.
We've had 5 regular attenders for music small group, and actually had 2 original worship songs written and recorded! We're moving our recording small group focus this semester to equipping these individuals to join the adult worship team. We're excited to see how treating the audition process as an ongoing small group works.
Lighting
The LED house lights have finished the design & prototype stage and are beginning to get various parts assembled as shipments are arriving from manufactures.
What's New
Kaitlyn Sweat and Connor Bloodworth got to hear their original songs mixed and mastered and seemed excited with the final product. We are constantly evaluating our audition process and will continue to do so as we treat it as a small group. We're hopeful that it will allow for a less intimidating environment and allow more time to equip all who come that have a musical gift.