Why thrive?
Because thriving is so much better than just surviving.
Too many of us are just surviving…
Do you desire better…
- For YOU?
- For your KIDS?
- For your CHURCH?
- For your FUTURE?
What if in the next thirteen months you knew that…
- God has been faithful.
- God will be faithful.
What Our People are Saying:
The mailer from our church came when I most needed it. My marriage was hurting and my search for God’s answers gave me a place to go and seek them. It has given me the strength to change and find the peace, joy and hope I was greatly needing. -Bonnie
In my lifetime I’ve never attended church more than twice in a row, but that has changed since I came to this church. It has given me hope when in all the deepest places in me, where I was reaching for it, I couldn’t find any before. -Jennifer
This is the only church that we have ever felt that we really belonged! Thank you for keeping us interested and bringing us back every Sunday. We are thankful for you and Niki. We are thankful for this church for turning our lives around. -Dusty and Stephanie
You can THRIVE!
The Thrive initiative is a NEW SEASON
FOR YOU AND FOR OUR CHURCH.
A Look Back at the Last Two Seasons:
2000-2007 : Our church began in a living room, then moved to a school, bought 10 acres, built a building, 274 people accepted Christ, 124 people baptized and hundreds of lives changed
2008-2015: We hired a new Worship Pastor, changed our name (from Hill Country Fellowship to The Ridge Fellowship) changed our group and membership format, adjusted our mission, vision and values, hired a Student Pastor, established a location in Taylor, established a location in Jarrell. 1 church 3 locations! Experienced a lot of hurt and loss, but still hundreds more lives were changed
2016 A NEW SEASON is here! What can you see changing for the better this NEW SEASON?
Our goal: To be the church where God changes thousands of lives.
Things will get better and better. Depression days are over. They’ll THRIVE. The days of contempt will be over. Jeremiah 30:19 (MSG)
Why thrive?
TO GROW OUR KIDS SPIRITUALLY
What age did you become a Christian?
Did you know that two out of three followers of Christ accept Him as their savior between the ages of 4-14?
Kids are a vital part of our church and the most open to know Christ. It is imperative that our kids have a safe and fun-filled environment where they can learn about Christ through age-appropriate curriculum and faith- based activities.
There is such a small window of time to build a solid foundation in the lives of our next generation that we need to put major prayer and resources toward this effort. In Leander, we will seek an individual who is called, degreed, experienced and paid to lead this effort. This person will continue to work with our many volunteers but will be able to devote a significant part of their time toward growing our kids spiritually. *Mark your calendar for June 5th as we will bring a kid’s minster candidate to visit. (Taylor and Jarrell will continue with their leaders and volunteers help our kids grow spiritually.)
What input do you have to help our kids thrive?
What our people are saying:
I started working in the kid’s ministry because God called me to do more. I love it! I have found that I can help guide the kids to love God and show them examples of what God has done for me and is doing for them. -Michael.
I have worked in the kid’s ministry ever since I was a kid. I love how the kids are always so curious and ask questions about God. They want to know more and they want to learn. Kid’s ministry can be tiring, but it’s worth it when the kids smile at you when they walk in and want to learn more about God. -Kaleb
I love working with the babies. Through the years I’ve seen them grow from newborn to 10-year-olds and most of the kids never forget me. -Val
I volunteer in the kid’s ministry because I feel our children are the future of this church and it’s important to ensure that they grow up knowing Christ. -Dean
I will pour out my spirit on your children and my blessing on your descendants. They will THRIVE like well-watered grass, like willows by streams of running water. Isaiah 44:3-4 (TEV)
Why thrive?
TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO CHRIST THROUGH MUSIC AND MESSAGES
Do you love to experience the presence of God?
Our weekend service is the place where those seeking a better way and those that are seeking to grow more like Christ intersect for an hour. We want to make it the best hour of the week for all who attend. The music, media, and message all have to perform in harmony to create an environment that is worthy of everyone’s attendance and worship time. In Leander a called, full-time, paid, experienced and degreed Worship Pastor will be added to the staff to bring our weekend service to a new level. *(Mark your calendar for June 5th as we will bring a worship candidate to visit and play in Sunday’s service). Taylor will be bringing in a worship and youth candidate soon. Jarrell will keep rocking and rolling with amazing Herman!
What other ways do you dream that we can thrive in our weekend services?
What our people are saying:
I have loved my Ridge family since the first time I walked through the door! Never, in all of my ….many….years, have I felt so wanted and welcomed. Thanks for the teachings and care of our wonderful pastors. -Karen
I love the Ridge Fellowship because it teaches the Bible and the people are very loving. -Val
I look forward to the message each week. The message always delivers relevant information that I can apply toward my everyday life. -Rana
When the righteous THRIVE, a city rejoices. Proverbs 11:10 (HCSB)
Why Thrive?
TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE PEOPLE EXPERIENCE CHRIST
Have you been in an atmosphere that inspired and moved you?
The landscaping and the physical aspects of our facility create a feeling and a lasting impression upon those who attend. We are dreaming and planning to improve the atmosphere of our kid’s classes in Leander to complete our facilities upgrades in Taylor and to pay down our facilities in Jarrell. Thrive will provide the opportunity to complete these dreams and plans.
What ideas do you have to create an atmosphere where people can experience Christ?
Planted in the house of the LORD, they THRIVE in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, healthy and green. Psalm 92:13-14 (HCSB)
The Thrive initiative is a NEW SEASON.
THE THRIVE SERIES AND OFFERING
Beginning May 8th of 2016, Darrell and the other teachers will teach an engaging and testimony-filled series for five weeks that is designed to help everyone move together from just surviving to really thriving.
- Thrive will begin a brand new season for The Ridge Fellowship!
- It’s you thriving. It’s your family thriving.
- It’s The Ridge Fellowship thriving.
What Our People are Saying:
This church is amazing!! Being in the military moving every few years makes it hard to settle down anywhere and make any real friends. But from day one everyone in this church has been amazing to my girls and me. This church, not only preaches a good word, but lives by it also. This is the first place away from home in my 12 years in the military I can actually call home with awesome family members. I love you all, and thank you!!! -Jamelia
This church has been a steady source of encouragement and fun to me. In hard times and in good times, being involved always gives me a sense of purpose and direction. -Michael
The first time I stepped through the door, I was welcomed with warm smiles and left with a sense of belonging. My family has been through some trauma, through all of the pain and trials, but my church family has always been there to provide support. -Janet
THE THRIVE OFFERING
The Thrive offering is a two part offering where we bring our best to God to fund our mission.
- On June 5th we’ll bring our best one-time over and above gift to help the mission of The Ridge Fellowship thrive.
- On June 5th we’ll bring a commitment card for thirteen-months to help the mission of The Ridge Fellowship thrive moving forward.
Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will THRIVE like a green leaf.
Proverbs 11:28 (NIV)
The Thrive initiative will help us remember that…
- GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL
- GOD WILL BE FAITHFUL
What Our People are Saying:
The Ridge Fellowship is supportive if you need anything. There always someone you can count on. -Jordan
We have gained a lot of joy and peace from being at this church. -Susan
THE RIDGE FAMILY IS AWESOME!! I love the concept of three churches and one GOD. I love the pastors at all three locations. – Michael
Know that the LORD your God is FAITHFUL, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands. Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)
THE OUTCOME IS SIMPLE
- Our kids and the next generation thriving
- Our weekend services thriving
- People thriving
- The Ridge Fellowship thriving
- Thousands of lives changed
Keep the words of this covenant, put them into practice, and you will THRIVE in everything you do. Deuteronomy 29:9 (NJB)
What Our People are Saying:
There are no “false” fronts or “fake” people. I receive “unconditional love” from everyone here. What a pleasure it is to go to church and know that you are going to be received with open arms. -Cathy
This church and Darrell have shown me that there is this “different” type of church and pastor. I never knew that a pastor could be someone that seems like anyone and I could just hang out with. They (other churches and pastors) always seemed so unapproachable. -Craig
I love how we don’t care who you are; anyone is welcome here. You don’t have to dress fancy. We are welcoming and we are a family. -Kaleb
The Ridge Fellowship has been a launch pad for my family’s relationship with Christ. It has been a place of friendship, support and encouragement. -Dean
Are you ready to thrive?
Darrell
Upwards Church 