From Your Pastor
2016 ended like it began—in an absolute whirlwind! I’ll share some highlights from our year, the fruit of God’s goodness through your faithfulness.
Review
In February, we hosted our second in-house missions trip, taking approximately 50 people to King's Castle in El Salvador. Participants built protective walls around the ministry to protect its assets from gang-related and other criminal activity, provided medical care to the sick, and taught the gospel to hundreds of children in outlying villages via song, story, drama, and dance.
Over the summer, we took around 60 children and youth to Spencer Lake Camp where they had an opportunity to worship Jesus with around 600 other middle & high school students. We also enjoyed great food and fun at our parishioners’ homes in a series of “Backyard BBQ” events.
In the Fall, we relocated our Sunday morning services to the Stratford Elementary School Gym, allowing us to have a stronger tie with the Village of Stratford. The church-school partnership seems to be a working and sustainable model, since churches need venues and schools revenue.
Master Plan
The BIG event of 2016 was the Master Plan Reveal of a new church construction project on Wisconsin State HWY-97. It was announced that a Generosity Initiative will begin in 2017 with a prospective groundbreaking in the Spring 2019. Exciting times!
The volunteers at the Mill Church are just amazing. I was a little (well really a lot) concerned about Sunday morning because i didn't think anyone would be there to help set up. Not only did we have several people who weren't scheduled step up and help out, we got it all done well before 9:00. It was an amazing selfless effort by a lot of people. I can't thank them enough.
Also, I watched the whole building presentation yesterday. Great job by TKWA explaining the thought process and tying in the main themes. Exciting time. I have heard from several people how wonderful the church is going to be for a worship space and for the community.
I am continually amazed how great and wonderful it is to be in God's presence. He does such amazing things thru people that I can't believe I lived so long without Him in my life. Praise God for all his grace and glory.
—Mill Church Attender
Conclusion
Your generosity and service continues to make a lasting impression! Thank you all for investing in God’s work at The Mill with your time, treasure, and talent. May we continue, by His grace and the power of His Spirit, to introduce and reintroduce people to Jesus.
Please enjoy the rest of our report!