Impact Report 2024
God has moved in big ways in and through Encounter in 2024! Let's look at how he has impacted our church and the surrounding communities throughout this year.
Numerical Impact
This year, our church experienced incredible numerical growth, a clear reflection of the impact God is making through our community.
557
God increased Encounter Church's average in person attendance by 14% over last year. That is 63 new people Jesus loves to death and back.
99
people either texted our “HELLO” number or filled out an online connect card indicating that they were new to Encounter Church!
>20,000
visits to encounterchurch.org. That’s more than 20,000 times an individual has been impacted by what God is doing at Encounter.
Every number is a name
“I was an atheist for a long time, I didn't like the thought of a God because it didn't really make any sense, I'm a very logical person ... There are still pieces of me that have doubt, that criticize, but I choose to believe regardless. Despite how illogical it is, despite how crazy it is, I choose to believe that Christ died on the cross and was resurrected so our sins may be forgiven.” - Ford
Kids!
God continues to make a big impact in our Kids! Ministry
416
minutes spent teaching kids about God
164
total Kids! volunteers
112
babies prayed over by name
14,000
feet of butcher paper used for crafts
38
new Kids! volunteers
Every metric has meaning
“My relationship with God was what Revelation would call "lukewarm". A one foot in one foot out kind of faith ... When life crumbled around me, I felt helpless and alone. But God's presence became my refuge, giving me strength to face every trial. I surrendered my life to Jesus. Now, I walk with unwavering faith, knowing He is with me.” - Noreine
YOUTH
Our 6th through 12th grade students continue to be impacted by what God is doing in and through the YOUTH ministry at Encounter.
18
different schools represented by the students at YOUTH on Wednesday evenings
41
students attended Never The Same Camp this year. That’s a 48% growth over last year.
>35
new students attended YOUTH for the first time ever
“For me, YOUTH has been such a blessing
by way of community and mentorship from leaders. I have made several friends here, and I have been able to form relationships with several of the leaders who have helped to guide me through the challenges I’ve faced this year.”
“YOUTH has provided a unique relationship with people
that has allowed me to become closer to God and have wholesome fellowship with people my age. It also has called me to show leadership and hold myself to a higher standard, all while reflecting the love of God.”
“YOUTH is a place where I can go
hang out with friends in a welcoming environment. We have lessons, games, food, and a safe space to enjoy yourself from the outside world for a day.”
Each stat is a story
“Jesus really saved me from a lot ... I had attempted to end my life a couple of times and it didn’t work and my only option was to turn to him.” - Shaniya
Guest Experience
God uses our Guest Experience ministry to create amazingly hospitable environments that impact how people feel about God.
20
new members on the Guest Experience team this year
25
triumphant returns to the team! These are people who took an extended hiatus from serving and have since returned to serving regularly.
8
students serving on the team
9840
cups of coffee served
>8300
bagels served
4992
muffins served
Every number is a story
“Over the last 2-3 years I've had big changes that started once I plugged in to Encounter more, with groups like Reframe and Rooted, and briefly serving on the prayer team before I moved ... There truly is an "old me" and a "new me" now. That's only been possible because of the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus.” - Alek
Groups
God uses the groups ministry at Encounter to impact people not just on Sundays but throughout the week
22
groups currently meeting at Encounter. 14 of those are ongoing life groups.
30
total small group leaders
200
people involved in a group at Encounter
4
new groups started since the spring of 2024
Every person matters
“The most powerful moment I’ve had with God was the night God spoke to me through a prayer when I was confessing my sins and asking for forgiveness. In that moment I knew it was time to make a change so that same night I surrendered my life to Jesus and changed my life forever.” - Mariska
Worship
God uses the worship ministry at Encounter to impact people through music and production
17-70
is the age range of everyone serving on the worship team. We are a church made up of all generations!
11 adult baptisms
11 people showed the world they have died to themselves and been raised to new life in Christ through baptism this year!
19 kid’s Bibles given away
We have the opportunity to give the families of the kid’s who are infant baptized an age-appropriate Bible and we got to give away 19 this year!
Almost 200 students at TEAM SUNDAY
We had almost 200 students attend TEAM SUNDAY on September 1st this year
Doing Good Results
God made a huge impact through Doing Good month this year. As a church, we raised $90,846.25 for ICCF Community Homes. Because of your generosity, we get to renovate not one, but two homes in the Grand Rapids area and help end generational poverty one family at a time. This is our biggest Doing Good Month ever.
A note from Dirk
Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support! Your generosity brings people far from God to new life in Christ. Help finish the year strong by making a year-end gift.
On Mission Together,
Dirk VanEyk
Lead Pastor
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All Rights Reserved.