Dear Friends and Prayer Partners,
This prayer letter is a little different from our usual updates, as I want to take a moment to reflect on the many blessings and challenges we’ve experienced in 2024. It has been a year filled with God’s provision, lessons, and growth, and I’m excited to share some of the highlights and milestones with you. As you read through this recap, I hope it encourages you to see how God has been working in and through our ministry.
Completion of the Church Building
In January 2024, we reached a major milestone as we held our first service in our new church building. This project had been years in the making, and seeing it finally come to fruition was an emotional and joyous moment for everyone involved.
The building stands as a testament to God’s faithfulness and the generosity of many individuals and churches who gave sacrificially to make it possible. This permanent home for Iglesia Bautista Libertad has transformed our ministry. Now, we have a dedicated space for worship, teaching, and fellowship, allowing us to expand our outreach and ministry opportunities.
Thanks to this new space, we have been able to host community events, establish new Bible study groups, and provide a consistent meeting place for our growing congregation. This building has truly become a beacon of hope in our community, and we are excited to see how God will continue to use it in the years to come.
Church Organization
March 2024 was another historic moment for our church as we officially organized and became a chartered body. Our pastor visited us to lead the organization process, and we were thrilled to have over 30 members sign as part of our founding charter.
This was a powerful moment of unity and commitment as we came together to establish our church’s foundation. The formal organization of our church has given us a stronger identity and a renewed sense of purpose. It was also a time to reflect on the vision and mission God has given us for reaching our community and beyond.
This milestone is a reminder of our responsibility to faithfully steward what God has entrusted to us, and we are eager to see how He will continue to bless and grow His church.
Church Attendance
One of the most encouraging aspects of 2024 has been the steady growth in church attendance. Every Sunday, we are blessed to see new faces in our congregation. Many of these visitors have not only attended services but have also shown a genuine interest in studying the Bible and learning more about Jesus.
Throughout the year, we have averaged 93 people on Sunday mornings—21 children and 72 adults and youth. These numbers represent more than just attendance; they reflect lives being impacted by the Gospel. Several individuals have made the decision to trust in Christ as their Savior, and many have taken the next step of joining our church family.
As we look ahead to 2025, we are praying and trusting God to grow our congregation to over 100 attendees, continuing to see lives transformed by His grace.
Vacation Bible School (VBS)
Our Vacation Bible School (VBS) this year was a resounding success, with over 100 children attending each day. This event was a vibrant display of joy, energy, and Gospel-centered teaching.
What made this year particularly special was that it was organized and led by our church’s own leaders and members. While we assisted with planning, the leadership, teaching, and activities were handled entirely by our congregation—a true step forward in equipping the saints for ministry.
Throughout the week, the children learned about God’s love through engaging Bible stories, music, crafts, and games. Many of the kids who attended came from families who are not yet part of the church, providing a wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel with them and their parents.
This year’s VBS demonstrated the fruit of investing in local leadership and was a reminder of how God uses His people to accomplish His work.
Upcoming Baptisms and Prayer Requests
We have begun discipleship with several families, and we are thrilled to be holding baptisms next month. We are excited to witness these individuals taking this step of faith.
Please continue to pray for the people of our church and for Ecuador, as we are experiencing daily power outages lasting 10-12 hours. These cuts make it challenging for many to work and support their families.
Thank You!
Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
God Bless,
The Blooms
Church & Contact Information:
📍 Vision Baptist Church
Pastor Trent Cornwell
355 Windy Hill Dr.
Alpharetta, GA 30004
📬 Support Address:
Vision Baptist Missions
PO Box 647
Dawsonville, GA 30534
📧 Personal Contact:
[email protected]