A LIGHTHOUSE
Before Mission launched in 2011, God gave us a picture of lighthouses. That up and down the coast, Mission and other churches that we would help start, would bring light and hope to as many people and communities as possible. Isn’t that a cool picture? Churches becoming lighthouses that help people find their way home! It was clear that this dream of becoming a lighthouse to a community would start here in Ventura. And over the past 10 years God has been so faithful to bring that dream into reality. But, again, I believe He is just getting started! I am excited to see more and more people begin to find and follow Jesus in our city. But, the world needs more churches, more “lighthouses” to reach more people in more communities with the hope of Jesus Christ.
Over the last 10 years we have been a supporting church (financially supporting dozens of new church plants all across the globe) because we believe that new, healthy, thriving churches are the best way to reach people who are far from God. By the grace of God, over the last 3 years, we have become a sending church, helping 2 new churches get started right here on the coast in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo with the heartbeat of HOPE FOR EVERYONE. And now, God has given us a clear conviction to become a reproducing church. In October, Mission Oxnard launched and we are thrilled to have this lighthouse in central Oxnard. Since the launch of Mission Oxnard, we have been able to bring practical help to local partners, host our first big community event, which over 800 people attended, see new families coming every week and have celebrated 23 baptisms! This fall, Mission Ojai will launch and God has already supernaturally led us to a location to meet in and an Ojai campus pastor. Kyle Costello and his family accepted the role and moved to Ojai last summer. He has been getting to know the city and laying the groundwork for this new campus just up the road. There are plans this summer to host community events in Ojai, launch team gatherings and prayer nights before the official launch in the fall.
THE HEART
The heart behind bringing Mission campuses to Oxnard/Ojai is so that more of us can be intentional about inviting and reaching our neighbors to find and follow Jesus as well as having a localized community impact in these cities. I am excited and expectant that God will use these new lighthouses to show up and do more than we could ever ask, dream or imagine and I hope you are too! Launching these campuses and giving them a great runway to sustainability is going to take all of us praying, giving, serving, inviting and getting excited about what God is doing and what He has in store. I am forever grateful to be a part of a church like this with people like you and I believe as we continue to lean into what God has for us- the best is yet to come. We’re 10 years in and Just Getting Started!
GOALS
The primary goal as we fund these new Mission campuses is 100% participation. Something incredible happens when we come together and give together for something that is beyond ourselves. More than just successfully launching Mission campuses, our own hearts change when we surrender what we have to God for His kingdom and His purposes. It’s pretty amazing to be a part of a community that links arms together, prays together and gives together so that more and more people can find hope in Jesus Christ.
Our financial goal is 1.8 million dollars. This money will go toward staffing, equipment, facilities to meet in as well as giving these campuses an on ramp to become self-sustaining.
When Mission launched in 2011, it was with the financial support of friends, family members and other churches all across the country that believed in the mission and gave to help people they would likely never meet, find hope in Jesus Christ. Now, it’s our turn. We have the opportunity to bring what we have experienced at Mission because of the generosity of others, to people that live in Oxnard and Ojai. What a great privilege!
As we continue to fund these new Mission campuses, our hope is that everyone prayerfully consider giving something to help more and more people experience church where anyone is welcome, no one is perfect, change is possible because there is hope for everyone through Jesus Christ.
“The primary goal is 100% participation”
Key Dates
June 5th - Commitment Sunday
June 19th - Big Give Sunday
GIVE
For gifts toward the “Just Getting Started” campaign, please select “Campus Growth & Expansion” as the Fund