For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. –Romans 11:36 (ESV)
Dear Church Family,
God is moving! As I reflect on this past year, I am filled with deep gratitude and awe at how God has worked in and through us. Our mission: To Make More and Better Disciples by helping people find and follow Jesus has never been more alive. God has stirred our hearts with a deeper passion and a greater focus on reaching those around us with the good news of Jesus. This year, we’ve witnessed so many people taking bold next steps: trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior, joining Connect Groups, serving in ministry, and sharing the hope of Jesus with friends and neighbors.
As we look ahead, I am excited for what’s next. In August, we will join together for the 28 Days of Prayer, seeking God’s presence and power as we step into a new year of pursuing the mission God has given to us.
Then, on September 7th, we kick off our 8-week Fall Focus: Embers. Like coals in a fire, when we’re alone, our faith can grow cold, but together, we burn hotter and brighter. This fall, we’ll discover that real transformation, belonging, and advancement of the mission in us and through us happens as we connect and grow in biblical community. The key to getting the most out of the Fall Focus is participation in a Connect group. Get signed up for a group at northpbc.org/connect.
As you read this report, may you be encouraged by what God has done and inspired to let him use you in an even greater way in this next year!
All for His Glory!
Disciples
B.L.E.S.S.
The most effective way for us to help people come to know Jesus is by becoming their genuine friend. At North, we are committed to being that genuine friend! One way we are doing that is through the principles of B.L.E.S.S.
By beginning with prayer, listening, eating together, serving, and sharing your story, we can connect with others and help them discover the good news of Jesus.
218
Participated in the B.L.E.S.S. Interactives
This year, we developed 5 unique B.L.E.S.S. Interactive sessions designed for the entire family. During these sessions, participants ate together, sharpened their skills, and learned new ways to use these principles to build genuine relationships with others. We are learning to make MORE disciples as we use our skills to open doors for meaningful conversations with those who don’t know Jesus.
Family BLESSings
“Having an opportunity to grow alongside friends to learn how to make more and better disciples through the BLESS framework has been great! But seeing my son engage through the interactive opportunities has been incredible! I know he’s learning lessons that will help him point others to Jesus in the future, while also helping him understand the importance of that relationship for himself as well.”– Brad Brannon
A personal B.L.E.S.S. experience….
The Roes family connected with a neighbor using the B.L.E.S.S. model. The neighbor was an acquaintance from high school but was an atheist until coming to Christ recently.
They…
• Prayer for the neighbor
• Helped with grocery run when his children were sick
• Invitied them over now and again to share some pizza while the kids played
• Dropped a bucket at their doorstep with a pizza gift card, a card, popcorn, and some candy
• Text and conversation grew over a year
“On Sunday, October 6, I texted him just to check and see how things were doing, and he responded with ‘I've never been a religious type, but something is starting to change in me.’ So, through us just loving God and loving people, he started asking questions about Jesus, and I started answering them. He told his wife that he wanted to confess his sins, get baptized soon, and accept Jesus, but he didn't know how to do that. I offered NPBC baptisms and gave him the link to sign up, in addition to inviting him to services and to sit with him. As time went on and he got closer to his decision, he asked me if I could baptize him I told him I'd be honored. After all of that transpired, I did start a connect group with him and one other gentleman down the street,
–Daniel Roes
35
Adults, students, & kids entered the waters of baptism
Are you ready to take the next step of baptism?
62
individuals attended Meet the Pastor this year
Meet the Pastor is designed to provide you with an opportunity to bring your friend to meet Pastor Mike and make a small but important connection.
Disciples
Worship
The Weekly Worship Experience on Sunday morning is the first point in our three-part strategy to make disciples.
591
made weekly Worship service attendance a priority
Sunday services include biblical teaching and musical worship along with stories of life change that provide the fuel needed to take the next step in your faith journey.
We gather Sunday mornings at 9 and 10:30 both in-person and online.
Creating an environment
for worship
“Sunday mornings can be hectic. As a First Impressions member, I love being that friendly face who can smile, answer questions, and point people in the right direction. Our goal is to make every person feel seen, welcomed, comfortable, and ready to encounter God in worship.” – Tracie Rather
“It is so great to be part of a team that focuses on making everyone feel special and welcomed, because they are!” – Jamie Israel
400+
became better disciples
by connecting with God through prayer
Prayer Stations + Cards
During the 21 days of Prayer, participants received a key ring card set with prayers for each day of the week. In addition to the cards, Prayer Stations were set up each Sunday with guided prayer prompts and suggestions of ways to connect with God daily.
“One of the prompts was taking the time to remember to pray through the reminder of a button. The simple act of sewing on a button or buttoning a shirt can be a connection time to remember to pray.”–Joanne Marks
Disciples CONNECT
The second part of our strategy to make disciples is through Life-Changing Relationships.
288
Attended a CONNECT group
throughout the year
At North, we believe that disciples are best made in groups called CONNECT.
Fall Focus CONNECT
During our Fall Focus “Greater Than Gold” series, we learned how Jesus viewed, interacted with, and used the Word of God so that we could follow His example and become better disciples.
The key to getting the most out of the Fall Focus was the content and conversation found only in a Connect Group. Pastor Tim’s videos and discussion questions supplemented the weekly message series. A devotion book was also available.
Students
199
students connected to North this year (Sunday Morning/Sunday Evening/Wednesday night)
Students discipling
other students
“Sunday morning Mic Drop has been an incredible thing to experience. Getting the chance to share was something I'll never forget. It’s not every day you get to stand up and talk about what God is doing in your life in front of your friends. It has been really cool to hear how He's moving in the lives of others who I share day-to-day life with. Honestly, it’s one thing to hear a message from someone on a Sunday morning, but it’s another entirely different thing to hear it from someone your age, who's walking through the same stuff you are. God's showing up in real, personal ways, and it’s amazing to be part of that.” –Kennedy Amos
64
students attended Summer Camp at Garden City
11
students shared a devotional on Sunday morning with their peers
9
the average number of students who attend Influencer on Wednesday, taking their leadership to the next level
North Kids
249
kids connected to North this year (Sunday Morning/Wednesday night only)
23
attend Kid CONNECT
Wednesday nights took on a new look for North Kids with CONNECT groups. Kids learn to be life-long disciples through Bible study and service projects.
⬅️ Learning to serve at a young age, this group of kids baked cookies for the Friendship Kitchen.
25
kids attended Summer Camp
41
first-time guests that have returned for more than one Sunday
174
kids that attended VBS along with 55 volunteers
Disciples Serve & Give
Pursuing Surrendered Living by generously giving of your time, talent, and treasure is the third part of our strategy to make disciples.
173
currently serving in North ministries
Serving in ministry at North is not only a way to become a better disciple, but it is a way to actively participate in the mission of making more and better disciples.
103
Unique families that connected with North through the Clothing Closet. The average time spent on the 294 appointments was close to 20-40 minutes each. → Learn More
Families served at the North Food Pantry → Learn More
541
A Miracle of Giving:
Serving the MOV
As disciples, we are called to bring good into other people’s lives. To that end, we continued an amazing opportunity to do that through our annual Miracles. The North family shared a gift from the heart by donating and volunteering during the November event.
From organizing to decorating to working on Sundays and at the coat drive, ?? volunteers helped with the church-wide outreach event to supply coats, food, and winter wear to MOV residents in need.
More than just a coat
After collecting the coats, a Coat Give-Away was held on November 30. Kids could shop the racks of coats and select their favorite. They were also treated to cookies, warm drinks, and conversations with loving volunteers.
“What a joy to share the Christmas story with children who had never heard about Mary and Joseph! A simple nativity decoration on the table led to a wonderful conversation over cookies and cocoa with two children who had come with their grandmother to choose coats. A day of warmth inside and out!”
–Linda Stephens, Miracle volunteer
Friendship Kitchen:
Serving the community 1 meal at a time
On May 7, the Friendship Kitchen celebrated its 23rd Anniversary! Serving hundreds of meals each week, the Kitchen provides a loving community where its guests are fed and treated like family. In addition to a meal, guests can shop for clothing, household goods, and personal hygiene items. Volunteers are also available to pray with guests and take their prayer requests.
From friends to sisters-in-Christ
“Keshia and I became friends while I was serving at the Friendship Kitchen. As we got to know each other, I invited her to join me at church, and she was glad to come. In the last year, she has made North her home, been baptized, and has even gotten involved in volunteering at the Friendship Kitchen.” – Shannon Boone
MOV supports North Place at annual Great Expectations luncheon
Over 200 area women came together to celebrate and support North Place Maternity House at their 11th annual benefit luncheon.
North Place Maternity House is a safe place for expectant moms to stay when they find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy. It provides a caring community for women as they prepare to build a life for themselves and their babies.
Meet baby Graylynn & family
“I became a member of North Place Maternity House family on December 31, 2024, and started attending church with my baby Graylynn Brooke and my fiancé Rob after he was born on February 11. We have made it a priority in our lives to attend church every Sunday and thank God for everything He has brought us through and blessed us with.”
–Auttumn, North Place mother
Stephen Ministry graduates 5
“Becoming a Stephen Minister has forever changed my life and my relationship with God. I can attest, as I think most of the others Stephen Ministers can too, that becoming a Stephen Minister has blessed my life for the better in my ‘softer’ perspective towards people and has strengthened my relationship with God.” – Kelly Osborn
Kelly shared an acrostic for the word STEPHEN, selecting important points from her training and experiences with Care Receivers. To read her entire graduation message and to learn more about Stephen Ministry, click the button below.
S – Servanthood
T – Trustworthiness
E – Empathy
P – Patience
H – Humility
E – Excellence
N – Notice
NCS
North Christian School is commited to seeking God in all they do
152
students received a Christ-centered education
Meet the NCS principal
Courtney Davis has worked at North Christian School for three years, where she has served as both assistant principal and now principal. She taught in public education for 13 years before joining NCS.
“It is a joy to work at NCS! Our wonderful staff has the honor of teaching children how to become lifelong disciples while increasing academic growth in a safe, Christian environment. We are growing and developing new educational programs at NCS every year. And the best part is our students are learning how to become better disciples for Christ every day!” said Mrs. Davis.
We’re growing!
To accommodate the growing number of students enrolled for 2025-2026, new preschool classrooms are being built in Boggess Hall.
NCS is also adding seventh grade to the middle school program for the new school year.
Financials
A message from Pastor John
Dear Church Family,
What an incredible year we have shared together at North Parkersburg Baptist Church! We have witnessed God move powerfully among us, all thanks to your faithful prayers, generosity, and active involvement. Because of you, lives are being transformed, and our community is being impacted for Christ. Truly, we have so much to celebrate!
Celebrating God’s Work Among Us:
New Life in Christ – This year, many have come to know Jesus and followed Him in baptism. It is a joy to witness lives changed by the hope of the Gospel!
Expanding Kids Ministry – We’ve added three new Connect Group rooms on the 3rd floor, giving our children more space to learn about Jesus and build meaningful friendships.
Growing Our School – North Christian School (NCS) continues to thrive! With rising enrollment, we are building a new pre-K classroom, two children’s bathrooms, and a play area in Boggess Hall to better serve our students and families.
Reaching Neighbors through B.L.E.S.S. – Through our BLESS strategy, hundreds have stepped out in faith, learning to share Christ’s love in practical, everyday ways.
Investing in Our Campus:
Your generosity has enabled us to make important upgrades to our facility, including:
Upgrades to the Friendship Kitchen
Crack-filling and sealcoating of the main parking lot
Replacement of an aging retaining wall
Installation of a new HVAC system in the Welcome Center
Replacement of our wireless microphone system that was at end of life
Financial Update:
God has faithfully provided through your generous giving! Our goal for 2024-2025 was $1.6 million in tithes and offerings. Total income was $1,606,321, which is $6,321 over budget. Total expenses were $1,427,349, leaving a net income of $178,971. These funds will be dedicated to restoring the roofs of our Worship Center and Training Center, which were damaged by recent storms, and upgrading our HVAC systems that have reached the end of their operational life.
Looking Ahead:
We remain steadfast in our mission to “make more and better disciples.”. Your generous giving, dedicated service, and heartfelt prayers continue to have a profound impact every day. I am truly grateful for each of you who faithfully invests in God’s work through North Parkersburg Baptist Church. Thank you for being an indispensable part of this incredible journey—together, all for the glory of God!
