On Sunday, September 7, 2025, Pastor Justin unveiled a 10-year vision for our church called the Lift Campaign—a bold step forward in fulfilling our mission. At the heart of this vision, he challenged us to pray and believe God for two specific goals by the year 2035:

• 1,000 people baptized through the ministry of this church.

• 100 people sent out from this body to advance the gospel.

To see this accomplished, we must both grow and go.

Andrew Hopper, Pastor of Mercy Hill Church in Greensboro, NC, put it this way: “Churches can grow without going, but they can’t go without growing.”

Growing Spiritually

We want to see our church flourish spiritually and numerically. Spiritually, that means more Sunday School classes and small groups, with a greater percentage of our members connected to biblical community. We long to see our children formed as disciples—shaped from birth to graduation into Christlike character and equipped to be faithful witnesses.

Our team is developing a discipleship pathway to guide this process. A new Men’s Ministry is also being launched to strengthen families and marriages by training men in the faith. As Pastor Justin said in his vision sermon, “If we want to see godly marriages and godly families, then we must help in training up men in the faith.”

Growing Numerically

Numerically, growth requires expanded space. Many Sunday morning services in the 316 Center are already at capacity. That’s why plans are underway to revitalize the 316 Center and Lobby—so more people can gather to worship, hear the gospel, and be transformed by Christ. Get a first look at the renderings for our new Modern Worship space here. 

Going Boldly

Ultimately, everything we do is about lifting up Jesus and loving people. And the greatest way we love people is by getting the good news of Jesus to them. Pastor Justin challenged us: “What would it look like to become the sending church of Western North Carolina?! So that when people think about FBC, they think, ‘That church desires to lift up Jesus and love people! They are serious about getting the gospel to every person.’”

That’s why we are launching The Residency at FBCHNC, designed to train up future ministers and missionaries. Led by Pastor Eric Williamson, the Residency provides theological training and pastoral care, with residents receiving course credit through Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Pastor Justin reminded us: “If we are going to be serious about getting the gospel to every person, then we need to take seriously the task of training up workers for the harvest. One of the greatest needs in the church right now is pastors who faithfully preach the gospel. Pulpits across WNC and beyond are empty—and student pastors and worship pastors are in especially short supply.”

Sending Missionaries

Our commitment to missions will not waver. This church already has numerous long-term missionaries serving around the world. In the summer of 2025, we sent out 11 college students on global mission assignments, with at least half considering a long-term call to missions.

A Call to Faith

Pastor Justin concluded with these words: “These are audacious goals. But like the widow who gathered jars in faith and watched God supply the oil, we too must prepare in faith and trust the Lord to provide.”