At Forward Together, we paused as a church to look honestly at where we are and prayerfully at where we believe God may be leading us next. Transparency matters. Shared clarity matters. When we understand the same story, we can move forward together.
Two numbers framed the night: 28 and 50.
Over the last three years, Westwinds has grown by 28%. That growth isn’t just attendance—it represents baptisms, new families, high school students starting Bible studies, people who once felt hesitant about church now showing up consistently, and others beginning to trust again after deep hurt. Our orbit is expanding. More people are exploring faith here. More people are taking steps toward Jesus.
At the same time, our general giving has grown by about 1% in that same window. We’ve responded by becoming leaner each year—reducing our budget, living within our means, and making careful, sometimes difficult decisions to stay healthy. Because of Nest, we eliminated debt and significantly reduced what we have to spend on our building, which positioned us well for the future. But the reality is simple: the number of people we’re walking with has grown much faster than the resources that fuel that work.
So we asked a hopeful question: what if our giving grew by 28% too? If generosity rose to meet the growth we’ve already experienced, it would allow us to move toward 10% out the door in mission, strengthen spiritual formation, invest meaningfully in youth and the next generation, develop leaders for mission, and build margin so we can respond quickly when opportunity or crisis comes. Not excess—just capacity.
The second number is 50. On Christmas Eve, 50 people who were not previously connected to Westwinds gave us their names and asked for follow-up. Fifty people who, in effect, said, “I’m open.” We invited those present to pray for one name. We’re extending that invitation to our whole church. Pray that they would experience Jesus. Pray that we would be faithful hosts. Pray that there is always room at the table.
As we move forward, this is an invitation—simple and intentional. Pray for 28 and 50.
If you give periodically, consider recurring generosity so we can plan wisely. If you already give regularly, take time to pause and ask what faithfulness looks like in this season. We will continue to steward what we have carefully. And we remain expectant about what God is building among us.
We are a church for anyone. We’re seeing God bring people to our table. And as we pray for 28 and 50, we’re also asking that our resources reflect the life God is already breathing into this place. We will continue to be faithful with what we have, and be expectant for the future.
- Pastor Cory
Two numbers framed the night: 28 and 50.
Over the last three years, Westwinds has grown by 28%. That growth isn’t just attendance—it represents baptisms, new families, high school students starting Bible studies, people who once felt hesitant about church now showing up consistently, and others beginning to trust again after deep hurt. Our orbit is expanding. More people are exploring faith here. More people are taking steps toward Jesus.
At the same time, our general giving has grown by about 1% in that same window. We’ve responded by becoming leaner each year—reducing our budget, living within our means, and making careful, sometimes difficult decisions to stay healthy. Because of Nest, we eliminated debt and significantly reduced what we have to spend on our building, which positioned us well for the future. But the reality is simple: the number of people we’re walking with has grown much faster than the resources that fuel that work.
So we asked a hopeful question: what if our giving grew by 28% too? If generosity rose to meet the growth we’ve already experienced, it would allow us to move toward 10% out the door in mission, strengthen spiritual formation, invest meaningfully in youth and the next generation, develop leaders for mission, and build margin so we can respond quickly when opportunity or crisis comes. Not excess—just capacity.
The second number is 50. On Christmas Eve, 50 people who were not previously connected to Westwinds gave us their names and asked for follow-up. Fifty people who, in effect, said, “I’m open.” We invited those present to pray for one name. We’re extending that invitation to our whole church. Pray that they would experience Jesus. Pray that we would be faithful hosts. Pray that there is always room at the table.
As we move forward, this is an invitation—simple and intentional. Pray for 28 and 50.
If you give periodically, consider recurring generosity so we can plan wisely. If you already give regularly, take time to pause and ask what faithfulness looks like in this season. We will continue to steward what we have carefully. And we remain expectant about what God is building among us.
We are a church for anyone. We’re seeing God bring people to our table. And as we pray for 28 and 50, we’re also asking that our resources reflect the life God is already breathing into this place. We will continue to be faithful with what we have, and be expectant for the future.
- Pastor Cory