Dear Creekers,

Who would have ever expected or predicted all that we have seen and experienced in 2020? Not me! Yet in the midst of all the difficulties and challenges of this year, I have been reminded how special our church is. Early on in this pandemic, we were already in a position to do what was needed to keep people safe. Throughout this time, we have been able to continue to do the work of expanding God’s kingdom by telling the good news and doing good deeds in our community and beyond.

Your generosity was the linchpin that enabled us to do just that. Because of you, our church was strong and nimble during a most challenging season of life and ministry. Those who were accustomed to giving offerings on campus immediately shifted to either online giving or taking the time to mail your gifts to the church by mail. Those who had already embraced electronic giving consistently stood by the church in what was, and in some ways still is, a very uncertain time.

To all of you from the bottom of my heart: thank you. Thank you for loving God, His church, and those far from Him.

In a year where we have had one restriction after another ranging from stay-at-home orders to lower building occupancy limits, the ministry of our church has been without restriction. Here are some of the highlights of what we have been able to do this year because of your generosity.

• We have had 94 baptisms this year despite everything. UpFront alone contributed 38 baptisms to that number. Considering the state of student ministries across America even before the pandemic, that’s miraculous. You invested in the future of faith.

• Our broadcast ministry grew exponentially this year. Our services have been consistently watched by people in 49 states and 39 countries around the world.

• Before the pandemic, we started out the year with a gift of $35,000 to God's Pantry. We didn’t know at the time just how valuable that gift would end up being. In the past few weeks we partnered with God’s Pantry once again, giving thousands of dollars to help feed Thanksgiving dinner to 500 families.

• At the heart of the pandemic when Personal Protection Equipment was dangerously low in parts of the country, we partnered with Salem Church in Staten Island, New York to give over $22,000 to purchase equipment for medical professionals serving at what was at the time ground zero of COVID.

• Every Easter, we give our entire offering away. This year, we invested it back into our community through food distribution, appreciation for frontline workers, and gifts to area small businesses.

• We partnered with Samaritan's Purse to help fund their COVID Mobile Hospital and to provide even more supplies for front line workers.

• We also spent thousands of dollars on clothing and food that we have distributed throughout the pandemic.

During this time, we have continued to see people follow Christ, get baptized, and grow in faith. Not for one minute in 2020 has our church been closed — the church has continued to be the church all this time. That’s because of you.

As we close this year, we look forward to 2021. We pray for the end of this pandemic and all that has gone along with it. We look forward to opening our new Somerset location in the first quarter of 2021. We also look forward to launching our fourth campus in Middlesboro, which was put on hold because of all that has transpired this year. In 2021, we will begin a new venture in taking our message of loving God and loving people to millions across the Commonwealth through a new television program.

With those prayers in mind, I want to ask you to consider giving a special year-end gift in order to begin next year as strong as we can. At Christmas, we dedicate our entire offering to further our vision of Give Us Kentucky. You can give your special gift at any time this month by mail or electronic giving. Please pray about doing just that.

Thank you again for all you have done and continue to do. I love you more than you know and more than I could tell you. I am grateful to share this journey with you!

Merry Christmas.

Pastor Trevor Barton