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"...Our greatest opportunity is the privilege of investing in the next generation, influencing a time we may never see..." Dear Friends, 2,000 years ago our risen Savior stood on a hillside and gave His followers a mission: Take His message of hope, forgiveness, and purpose to the ends of the earth. Jesus told His disciples to take the good news of Christ and “Pass it On” to others. Many generations later, our hearts shine with Christ’s light because the disciples took this command seriously. The disciples passed it on, and thus lit the way for future generations to follow Christ.
Wildwood is a church God is growing within a greater growing community. Norman is expanding quickly, largely because of an influx of young people and young families. 70% of our community is under the age of 44 years. This age demographic is reflected within our church, as God has brought to us many wonderful young families over the past few years. In fact, since Wildwood moved into our new worship center six years ago, we have roughly doubled in size. These new families represent new ways in which God is working in the hearts and lives of people. As we look at the future of Wildwood, we believe it is strategic to focus more resources into our children’s and youth ministries in order to continue to reach new families for Christ. We believe that the next strategic step in this journey is to construct a new children’s ministry facility in an adjacent building just east of our current gathering hall, near the location of our current playground. This building will add roughly 20,000 square feet of dedicated children’s ministry space, while freeing up space in our existing facility for more room for youth and adult education. We desire to build now so that physical space does not become a virtual roadblock, limiting Wildwood’s ability to minister to children and families in Norman in the near future. The cost of constructing a building like this is not small, and requires us to ALL trust God together for the provision necessary to see this plan turn into a reality. We are asking you to prayerfully consider your involvement with us financially in the construction of this building. As we ask you to consider giving to this initiative, we want to be reminded of the great truth found in 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly [literally “reluctantly”] or under compulsion [feeling pressured to give based on what others might say or think]; for God loves a cheerful giver.” In the original language, this last phrase actually says, “For the cheerful giver God prizes.” God truly loves it when we reflect His image through giving generously and joyously . . . just as God has done for us. As you read and hear more about Wildwood’s children’s ministry initiative, and prayerfully consider the opportunity you have to participate in it financially, we trust that God will work within each of our hearts to invest what He desires. Please join us as we “Pass it On” and light the way for next generation! To the Praise of His Glory, Bruce A. Hess |
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As
we sit here today, God has already used Wildwood to shine as
LIGHT in Norman, our state, and in several other nations. It
has been a privilege to pass the light of Christ on to many.
Our greatest opportunity is the privilege of investing in the
next generation, influencing a time we may never see. If Jesus
were to visit us one Sunday, I believe He would gather together
the people of Wildwood and reissue His call, inviting us to
continue to “Pass it On” . . . to take His good
news and share it with others that we might light the way for
future generations.