Year 5 Report - Rock City Church

ROCK CITY CHURCH +++ YEAR 5AN

NUAL REPORT +++ YEAR 5

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WE EXIST TOREACH THE

UNCHURCHED AND

AWAKEN THE SPIRITUALLY

RESTLESS

ROCK CITY CHURCH +++ YEAR 5

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005

WE WILL NOT TAKE THIS FOR GRANTED;WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK OF JESUS

IN AND THROUGH HIS CHURCH.

As I survey the incredible greatness of the work that God has done these past five years, Im reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:20-21:

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

When we planted Rock City Church five years ago we had a dream, but it wasnt our dream; It was Gods dream for His church. Theres a difference. And Im so grateful to God that He has truly done immeasurably more than we could have ever dreamed or imagined.

In our fifth year as a church we witnessed 1,301 people give their lives to Jesus! We opened the doors to our first permanent campus in the heart of our city, and launched The Columbus Dream Center, which has become a hub of hope and healing to the poor and the hurting.

In addition to all of this, we saw the people of Rock City give generously and sacrificially to further reach our city through the RUN Campaign, and plans are now underway to open a second permanent campus within the next 18-24 months.

What youll see in the pages of this book is the faithfulness of God, as we have sought to live out Jesus mission for His Church. Every number you see is connected to a person and a story of a life forever changed. Numbers matter because people matter, and so long as ONE remains spiritually lost in our city, we will run. We cant stop, wont stop! And we will celebrate every lost one found, until Jesus takes us home.

We are so honored to serve our city alongside you. And we will never take a second of it for granted.

5 years and the best is yet to come!

Chad & Katie Fisher

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We will celebrate the work of the Holy Spiritin us, through us and all around us.

SECTION 1 _ THE NUMBERS

007ROCK CITY CHURCH +++ YEAR 5

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1,301DECISIONS

IN FIVE YEARS, WE HAVE WITNESSED3,924 PEOPLE MAKE THE DECISION

TO FOLLOW JESUS

For us, it will always be about the ONE. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and we too will pursue every lost one until every lost one is found. In Year 5, one thousand three hundred and one people made the decision to follow Jesus.

... And the Lord added to their numberdaily those who were being saved.

ACTS 2:47

49%


009

AVERAGE MONTHLY ATTENDANCE(BY YEAR)

Increase in number ... do not decrease.JEREMIAH 29:6

MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MARAPR

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

2,7581,919MAR 2015 MAR 2016

44%

YR 5

YR 4

YR 3

YR 2

YR 1

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3,010EASTER ATTENDANCE 2015

011ROCK CITY CHURCH +++ YEAR 53,010EASTER ATTENDANCE 2015

40%

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4,007CHRISTMAS ATTENDANCE 2015

013ROCK CITY CHURCH +++ YEAR 54,007CHRISTMAS ATTENDANCE 2015

54%

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We are better together.

LIFEGROUPSPeople connected in a lifegroup

MINISTRY TEAMSPeople serving on a ministry team

BEYOND OUR WALLSPeople serving beyond our walls

100 200 300 400 500 600 700

YR 1

YR 2

YR 3

YR 4

YR 5

YR 1

YR 2

YR 3

YR 4

YR 5

YR 1

YR 2

YR 3

YR 4

YR 5

208

378

531

927

1274

230

385

654

1109

1391

232

705

721

1782

3610

37%

103%

26%


We are better together.700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800

PEOPLE CONNECTEDTO A LIFEGROUP, MINISTRY TEAM AND BEYOND OUR WALLS

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5 303IN YEAR 5973SINCE LAUNCH

BAPTISMSIN YEAR 5

Repent and be baptized,every one of you, in the

name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

ACTS 2:38

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RC KIDS INFANT - 5TH GRADEPartnering with families to raise up children who love Jesus and His Church.

INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCEIn 2015, the Rock City Internship program was developed and designed to engage and equip the next generation of leaders.

ROCK CITY YOUTH 6TH - 12TH GRADELeading students to know Christ, lovelife and make a difference.


266 FIRST-TIME FAMILIES764 FIRST-TIME KIDS391 RC KIDS VOLUNTEERS

107 FIRST-TIME STUDENTS232 EVENT ATTENDEES54 YOUTH VOLUNTEERS

17 SUMMER 2015 SEMESTER10 FALL 2015 SEMESTER12 SPRING 2016 SEMESTER

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We will not be complacent; a church that never stops going is a church that never stops growing.


SECTION 2 _ EXPANSION

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ShortNorthCampus


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In Year 5, we launched our first permanent campus in the heart of our city! After several months of renovation, and a $1.5 million facelift, Rock City Short North opened its doors in the fall of 2015 with nearly 1,000 people in attendance!

Because of those who gave generously and sacrificially through our RUN Campaign, the Short North Campus has become a spiritual destination and hub of hope for hundreds. The Short North will never be the same.

A Heartfor the City

024

In the fall of 2015, God provided an amazing opportunity for us to open a campus in the heart of Upper Arlington. At a moment in time when our Lennox Campus was out of seating capacity, Rock City Upper Arlington provided our church with a 1,500-seat state-of-the-art auditorium, dynamic childrens space and more than enough parking to meet the demands of a growing church.

Hosting all 8 of our Christmas Eve Services, Rock City Upper Arlington drew more than 4,000 people and in January opened its doors for weekly services. We are so grateful for the opportunity this campus provides us to continue to reach people who dont know Christ, while building a spiritual community that will soon move with us to our second planned permanent campus.

WeWill Run

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UpperArlingtonCampus


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LAUNCH TEAM MOVES TO COLUMBUSJun 2010

EXPANSION TIMELINEFROM LAUNCH TO NOW

OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR CITY ARE STILL UNCHURCHED

83.3%

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7 adults and 2 children move from Toledo to Columbus to start a church

FIRST PUBLIC WORSHIP EXPERIENCEApr 2011430 attend our first worship experience - 43 people are saved

SECOND WORSHIP EXPERIENCE ADDEDSept 2011With a third worship experience added on Easter Sunday 2012

SECOND CAMPUS LAUNCHNov 2013As Lennox exceeds capacity, a second campus is added at Regal Cinemas on Georgesville Rd

THIRD CAMPUS LAUNCHMay 2014Six months after launching the Regal Campus, Rock Citys Fawcett Center Campus opens its doors

RUN CAMPAIGN KICKS OFFMay 2015A $10 million initiative to launch two permanent campuses and a Dream Center in Columbus begins

FIRST PERMANENT CAMPUS LAUNCHOct 2015Rock City opens the doors to its first permanent campus in the heart of our city

THE COLUMBUS DREAM CENTER OPENSDec 2015An outreach arm for the local church opens its doors and becomes a hub of hope and healing for the poor

UPPER ARLINGTON CAMPUS LAUNCHJan 2016With preview services in December drawing more than 4,000 people, the UA Campus officially opens its doors

SECOND PERMANENT CAMPUS LAUNCH2016-2017/18Plans are currently underway to purchase 14.5 acres of land in Hilliard which will be home to Rock Citys second permanent campus with state-of-the-art technology and childrens ministry


MEDIA STATISTICS

410,786WEBSITE VIEWS

4,486FACEBOOK FANS

2,263TWITTER FOLLOWERS

2,685INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS

45,128VIMEO VIEWS

19,800SERMONS VIEWED ONLINE

719,137HOMES REACHEDWITH A MAILER

2013

#172014

#182015

#26

Rock City Church has been recognized as one of the Fastest Growing Churches in America for the third

consecutive year by Outreach Magazine.

FASTEST GROWING CHURCHES IN AMERICA

It will always be about the one.

IN YEAR 5

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Every number has a name, every name hasa story and every story matters to God.


SECTION 3 _ STORIES

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SARAHSWEGAN

In the summer of 2014, I moved to Columbus. I was scared of what the future would hold and unsure of how I would make Columbus feel like home. I attended Rock City for the first time with my fianc in August of 2014 and we have been hooked ever since.

Rock City pulled us in, helped us become part of a family through our LifeGroup, and made this city our home. The way God has worked in my life brings tears to my eyes. Now, when I go to church, I cry tears of joy and thankfulness instead of tears of shame and regret.

Through my LifeGroup, I have learned the importance of living in community. It is a place that challenges me to live the life God intended for me. My heart is filled by serving alongside others, and being surrounded by couples whose relationships are Christ-centered.

On August 23, 2015 my fianc and I gave our lives to Jesus and were water baptized. Rock City Church has changed me. It has opened my eyes, filled my heart, and brought me closer to Christ.

LENNOX CAMPUS

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SAMMERRITT

In August 2013, I relocated my family to the Columbus area for a job opportunity in Dublin. Living in the South my entire life, I fully expected it to be an adjustment for my family and me, while we settled into life in the Midwest. As soon as we got here, finding a church home became our priority. After about a year, we found ourselves at Rock City for the first time. It was July of 2014. Since then, we have never looked back.

Personally, I have great joy in knowing that my four children and my wife have found a home here at Rock City Church. My family serves together all the time. As a father and husband, I could not be more pleased to witness my familys desire to serve and grow in their relationships with the Lord.

As I sit back and admire what the Lord is doing in the lives of my wife and kids, the Lord is also doing a work in me. I am always running and gunning, and find it very difficult to slow down and soak in the Lords presence. Through Rock City and the powerful teachings of the pastoral staff, God is teaching me to find rest in Him, to lean on Him and to find strength in Him. I know the Lord has much work left to do in me and through me. I am grateful for the role Rock City will play in this and am so happy that my family and I call Rock City home.

UPPER ARLINGTON CAMPUS

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ANDREWPETRILLA

In the Spring of 2015, I took a leap of faith and applied for the Rock City Internship Program. As someone who is very career-focused, I had never considered using my gifts and passions to serve God. I didnt fully understand how to walk with Christ and my desire for future success fueled every decision in my life.

My internship with Rock City was in the video and production track. Through this, I had the opportunity to use my joy of storytelling to glorify God. The community I have found here is genuine and something Ive never felt before. I have come to understand just how much Jesus loves me and wants to use me.

One of the challenges I faced during my internship was aligning my two worlds. My roommates and friends didnt share my beliefs. It seemed the closer I grew to God and my community, the more my convictions and burden for my friends and family grew. I finally realized that God had given me the perfect opportunity to invite them to church. Being able to see my family and friends come to church and experience God like I have has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

Im so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Rock City Internship Program and thankful to God because I can see now how He faithfully orchestrated it all from the very start.

LENNOX CAMPUS

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MARKDAVIS

My wife and I came to Rock City in hopes of finding a welcoming church that created an atmosphere where we could feel comfortable inviting family and friends.We knew we wanted to get plugged in right away, and after attending Rock City Connect, we began serving at the Fawcett Campus.

Loving small groups, my wife and I discussed the idea of leading a LifeGroup with other couples. During our first semester together, we built authentic relationships with five other couples, and are so very grateful we made the decision to open our home and invite people in.

When Rock City launched the RUN campaign I was in a season of unemployment. But, we knew the Lord wanted us to give, and in faith, we made a commitment. Last December, God provided me with a great new job and that same month we received an unexpected commission check from my previous employer! God is so faithful!

Rock City has become our family here in Columbus.

SHORT NORTH CAMPUS

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KELLYBROEG

My story is proof that when you say yes to God, He will make it happen. Last year, I said, yes to a missions trip to Honduras. As soon as I returned home, I knew God was calling me to go back. I began to save and some of my family generously gave toward my trip. Even with a fully-funded trip, I felt God telling me, there was more.

Several months before leaving, God opened up the opportunity for me to talk to some of my co-workers about my trip. They heard my heart and I learned about theirs. To be honest, I wasnt sure what their response would be, but everyone was so excited and receptive. And more than that, they wanted to be a part of it! Each day leading up to my trip, I would find a donation on my desk from one of my co-workers. Some days it was $5 and some days it was $500! Through the generosity of my co-workers, the team I traveled with to Honduras was able to build beds for families in need, provide food and give items to the children at the orphanage!

Sharing what God was doing in my life opened more doors with people than I could have ever imagined.And it all started with a simple, YES!

LENNOX CAMPUS

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We will lead the way with radical generosity.


SECTION 4 _ BEYOND OUR WALLS


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1,773PAIRS OF SHOES GIVEN THROUGH

THE CHRISTMAS GIVE IN COLUMBUS & CENTRAL AMERICA

1,100LOADED BACKPACKS & SUPPLIES

GIVEN TO CHILDREN IN NEED

296WINTER COATS PROVIDED TO LOCAL

FAMILIES IN NEED

250LOADS OF LAUNDRY WASHED

DURING LAUNDRY LOVE

$673,117.62AMOUNT GIVEN BEYOND OUR WALLS FOR LOCAL AND GLOBAL OUTREACH

$48,793AMOUNT GIVEN TO PLANT LIFE-

GIVING CHURCHES THROUGH THE ASSOCIATION OF RELATED CHURCHES

24,565VOLUNTEER HOURS SERVED

BEYOND OUR WALLS

95PEOPLE SERVED ON A

MISSIONS TRIP

200AMAZON GIFT CARDS PROVIDED TO

HELP LOCAL TEACHERS

653TEACHERS RECEIVED LUNCH AT

ONE OF 16 TEACHER APPRECIATION EVENTS

MAKING A DIFFERENCELOCAL AND GLOBAL


We are not spiritual consumers; we are contributors.

THE CHURCH DOES NOT EXIST FOR US; WE ARE THE CHURCH AND WE EXIST FOR THE WORLD.

In El Salvador, we have built three childrens development centers, a medical clinic and provided clean water to a community of thousands. We work with local churches in several cities and our teams that visit there serve our partner, Great Commission Latin America and the communities it serves.

EL SALVADORIn Honduras, through our partnership with GCLA, we are supporting a community by building homes for families living in extreme poverty, supporting an orphanage and childrens development center, which serves more than 150 children, and engaging and empowering locals through community development and job creation.

HONDURASThrough our partnership with Alpha Ministries, we support pastors who are planting churches in areas where no Christian Church exists. The teams that travel to India provide free medical care to the pastors, their families and the communities they serve.

INDIA

MISSION TRIPSIN 2015

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At Rock City, we are partnering with local churches and organizations around the world to reach people far from God. In Year 5, Rock City hands and feet walked and served in 5 different countries. As our church grows, so does our ability to make a difference around the world. Those who said, Yes, I will go, during our 5th year,made an eternal and lasting difference in the lives of many.


Home to the first Dream Center, teams that travel to LA are the hands and feet of Jesus to some of the most poverty-stricken neighborhoods in our country. The all-important work here includes foster care intervention, feeding programs and adopt-a-block.

LOS ANGELESThrough our partnership with The New York City Dream Center, Rock City teams are able to lift up the arms of a ministry serving the largest city in America. Childrens ministry, food and clothing distribution and prayer are all a part of our work here.

NEW YORK CITYA country with one of the highest rates of sex trafficking, Moldova presents tremendous opportunities to share Gods love to those who are far from Him. While there, our team focused on distributing much needed medical and hygiene supplies, food bags and Bibles.

MOLDOVA

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PARTNERSPOTLIGHTFrom the beginning, Rock City has sought to partner with local, national and global organizations doing great things for the cause of Christ. We especially love when we can provide not only financial support but also hands and feet. Over the past two years, Alpha Ministries has become one such partner, and in Year 5, we were able to send a medical team to India to assist in their Mercy Mission Project, which is aimed at providing medical care to the villages they serve throughout India. In addition, Rock City Church has provided 50 motorcycles to pastors in India who are planting churches where no Christian Church currently exists. For many of these pastors, this is their only mode of transportation. In Year 5, we were able to take this support even further by providing funding for pastors like Bhikam Choudhary [pictured here] who, because of the generosity of the people of Rock City, is now able to minister full-time to unreached people in twelve villages in the Kirnapur and Gondia regions.

Alpha Ministries: India

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5 534ARC CHURCHES PLANTED TO DATE

74CHURCHES PLANTED IN 2015

$14,000,000AMOUNT GIVEN TO MISSIONS BY ARC CHURCH PLANTS

17,536TOTAL LAUNCH DAY ATTENDANCE IN 2015

900+LAUNCH DAY DECISIONS FOR CHRIST

The Association of Related Churches (ARC) works with church planters and leaders to provide support, guidance and resources to launch and

grow life-giving churches. As one of the original supporters of Rock City Church, we are committed to paying it forward by helping ARC fund

new church plants around the world.


As our church has grown, so has our ability to make an impact in our city and around the world. Below are some of the organizations

we were blessed to partner with and serve during our 5th year.

LOCAL

The Columbus Dream CenterThe Homeless Families Foundation

Stefanie Spielman FundAutism Speaks

International Friendships OSUAthletes in Action OSU

Young Life OSUInterVarsity

Mid-Ohio FoodbankThe Salvation Army

West Broad ElementaryWest Mound Elementary

Weinland Park ElementaryWest High SchoolEakin Elementary

Chick-fil-A Columbus Restaurants

GLOBAL

Total HealthAlpha Ministries

Great Commission Latin AmericaAssociation of Related Churches

Compassion InternationalSamaritans Purse

Partnerships

ONE FOR ONE

$120,272

For every person who walks through our doors - every service, every week - we give

one dollar to meet a local or global need. In Year 5, One for One totaled:

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FIND A NEED AND MEET ITFIND A HURT AND HEAL IT

In Year 5, a dream became reality as Rock City opened the doors to The Columbus Dream Center in the heart of our city.

At the age of twenty, Pastor Chad and Katie Fisher were given a book that would radically change the way they viewed church and the mission of the church. The Church That Never Sleeps, written by Pastor Matthew Barnett, chronicled the beginnings of a ministry in Los Angeles called The Dream Center. Tucked in their hearts, they would spend the next decade pursuing their dream of being a part of a church that was radically committed to taking the message of Jesus beyond its walls.

With the passion and generosity that has marked Rock City Church since its founding, and powered by the dream that began all of those years ago, the building that would become home to The Columbus Dream Center underwent a $1.5 million renovation, making way for its official grand opening in

December 2015. An outreach arm for both Rock City Church and partner churches all over the city, The Columbus Dream Center has become a hub of hope and healing for the poor and hurting, engaging hundreds of volunteers who serve the underserved and families in need each week.

The Columbus Dream Center is on track to serve more than 50,000 meals this year. In addition, a weekly free medical clinic has been established where those without access can receive safe and quality health care. Each week, children in the Weinland Park community spend their Saturdays at The Columbus Dream Center where they grow and develop healthy relationships with volunteers, receive a free meal and character and spiritual development.

The Columbus Dream Center is physical proof that if you can dream it, God can do it. Our city will never be the same.

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We give up things we love for things we love even more; it is an honor to sacrifice for the cause of Christ

and for the sake of others.


SECTION 5 _ FINANCIALS

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Operational Budget

Rock City Church operates with an Open Book Policy of financial integrity and works with an outside CPA, The Church Law Group and a Financial Advisory Team to ensure all funds are being used for maximum efficiency and with the utmost integrity. A Board of Directors, which includes pastors of respected congregations, including CedarCreek Church in Perrysburg, meets annually to discuss and approve the projected annual budget.

OPERATIONS

$783,912.48Future Fund + Savings, Administration, Financial Services, Youth Ministry, Childrens Ministry, Church Life (Hospitality, T & E, Print Materials), People Development (Materials, Resources, LifeGroups), Creative Arts (Audio/Video/Tech Equipment & Services, Copyrights, Graphic Design, Web Support, Staging)

STAFFING

$1,171,527.25

FACILITIES

$448,621.30Worship Space Rental, Office Space, Facility Upkeep, Utilities, Other Facilities (Trailer Storage, etc.)

OUTREACH

$673,117.62Local and Global Missions and Outreach, Local Marketing, Church Plant Funding (ARC), Missionary

Support, and Benevolence (Rock City Love Fund)

25.5%

38%

14.5%

22%

PT & FT Salaries + Benefits for Staff and Office Administration

*National average of Staffing Expenses for churches is 40-50%

$3,077,178.65 16%


500K 1M 1.5M 2M 2.5M 3M 3.5M 4M 4.5M 5M 5.5M

TOTAL REVENUE BREAKDOWN IN YEAR 5

$3,077,178.65 Operational Budget

Operational budget does not include RUN Campaign revenue which went toward the Short North Campus launch, Columbus Dream Center launch, Upper Arlington Campus launch, and savings for the future Hilliard campus.

$5,001,427.66

$1,924,249.01 RUN

TOTAL COMMITTED OVER 3 YEARS

TOTAL GIVEN TO RUNIN YEAR 5

NUMBER OFPARTICIPANTS

AVG. COMMITMENTOVER 3 YEARS

$5,200,000 $1,924,249.01 822 $6,326

RUN IS THE MOVEMENT OF ROCK CITY CHURCH TOWARD ESTABLISHINGTWO PERMANENT CAMPUSES AND A DREAM CENTER IN COLUMBUS -A THREE YEAR $10 MILLION CAMPAIGN.

$673,117.62 OUTREACH+ $1,367,171.88 RUN EXPANSIONCampus Launch & Dream Center

$2,040,289.50 BEYOND OUR WALLS

TOTAL BEYOND OUR WALLS BREAKDOWN IN YEAR 5

89%

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Year 5 Report - Rock City Church

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