Manna Family,
At our church, we have a simple statement that sums up everything we’re about: We do three things. It gets to the heart of our three values (Love God, Love Each Other, Love the World), and is designed to express that everything taking place in the life of Manna Church, while certainly adding up to way more than ‘three things,’ is done to exemplify and personify those three Biblical values. I knew our church was passionate about these values before I left for sabbatical, but it’s been such a joy to see them lived out so vividly since I’ve been back!
Love God
Our average attendance for Sunday mornings is up to 480, and the hunger to worship and engage with scripture is at an all time high (we even ran out of notes one week!). SERVE Teams are growing, people are bringing friends, and I’m hearing stories of life change taking place in our services on a weekly basis. Our trust for God is deepening, and His Presence is tangibly being felt in our gatherings. Let’s go!
Love Each Other
Fresh off of Connect Sunday, Small Group participation is at an all time high. A couple weeks ago, I attended a Sunday Night group with 23 men present, followed by a Wednesday morning group with 22! Both gatherings were filled with vulnerability, authenticity, and a healthy desire to make disciples and care for one another. I see more intentionality in relationships than I’ve ever seen in our church, and God is matching our effort with His favor and grace!
Love the World
This is my favorite part… I’m hearing of more and more people who are genuinely praying for friends and family who are far from God. Their hearts are breaking for God’s prodigals, and they want to play a part in welcoming them home! Our regularly scheduled outreaches and service projects are becoming more evangelistic as Manna Teams are sharing their faith regularly and praying with people in need. This is a HUGE indicator for me that God is up to something special… we’re catching His heart for the lost.
I’m so proud of you, and I truly believe our best days are ahead of us! Let’s keep pressing into God, leaning on each other, and be ready to share His grace and truth with those who need it. Let’s change the world!
Honored to be your pastor,
Chris Shinnick
Mark Your Calendars
Love Each Other
Small Groups
Get Connected!
We started a new cycle of Small Groups with a great Connect Sunday event. With over 55 Small Groups and SERVE Teams, there is a place for YOU! It’s not too late to join a group.
Browse our groups and find your people!
Growth Track
October, kicking off mid-week, is the perfect time to register for Growth Track! A fresh cycle will kick off this Sunday. For the first time in over a year, FirstStep, NextStep, and LeaderStep will all take place on Sunday during the second service. The life-changing stories coming out of Growth Track are inspiring. People are joining a church family for the first time, while others are learning to reengage after a season away. Wherever you are in your walk with God, you’ll always benefit from a refresher on your foundational healthy habits (FirstStep), be able to receive a fresh confirmation that God has called you to Manna and the Church’s mission (NextStep), and strengthen your character of Kingdom leadership in your family, workplace, and community (LeaderStep). Sign up by clicking the link below!
“I felt like we all connected really well and Rebecca helped orchestrate and keep us on a path through amazing conversations.” – FirstStep Graduate.
“Very involving and great group that helped me understand Jesus more” – FirstStep Graduate
“I REALLY appreciate the structure of growth track now having stepped in. I 1000% see the benefits of this plug in structure, and going through growth track steps with the same group of people is amazing. Very glad we took these next steps!!!!
Oh also love this being on Sunday after first service, made it super doable with children.” – FirstStep Graduate
Manna Stu
One of our Manna students, Jonathan Waller, got a beautiful opportunity to practice what we preach… share your story. He boldly stood before his school peers and shared how God has changed his life. Way to go, Jonathan!
“Your story is not yours to keep, it’s yours to share.”
Love The World
Local Outreach
The outreach team is gearing up for the Reach Out Celebration. All throughout the month of November there will be Mission recap meetings and outreaches scheduled to remind us that Outreach is the heartbeat of the Church.
‘Love the World’ is the final of our three values at Manna Church. We love the world through practicing healthy habits 7-9 (from FirstStep), evangelism, serving the needy, and generosity. This month as we gear up for the R.O.C. pray and ask God where He is calling you to share your story, SERVE, and freely give of your time/talent/treasure.
For upcoming outreach opportunities, please see the ‘Mark Your Calendars’ section.
Be on the lookout for the R.O.C. schedule that will be released in mid-October on ourwebsite.
C.I.F.C.
For October, the Check-in for Change partner is HBI Global Partners. HBI exists to help fulfill the great commission by developing partnerships with the Noth American Church to reach the unreached of India.
This highlight is getting us ready to hear more stories during ROC, our Reach Out Celebration, this coming November.
