2016 ANNUAL REPORT

WALNUT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH
2016 ANNUAL REPORT
Igniting a passion for Jesus in Connecticut, New England and around the world.
The 2015-2016 Fiscal Year has been one of the most exciting years in Walnut Hill’s history. Our
church family has accomplished much in our efforts to “ignite a passion for Jesus in Connecticut,
New England and around the world.” We have seen many lives surrender to Jesus, seek to know
Him better and flourish under His direction. Through new initiatives and a growing congregation of
believers, we are seeing God work through our church family in powerful ways.
This year has also been marked as a year of transition. With Senior Pastor, Clive Calver, retiring
on October 2, 2016, the congregation overwhelmingly approved a team leadership model where
Brian Mowrey, Adam DePasquale and Craig Mowrey will serve as a united team of three lead
pastors to take us into the next season of Walnut Hill’s ministry.
As we hold fast to our four family values, we are digging deeper, desperate to grow even stronger
in the next year.
SEEKING GOD
CARING FOR ONE
ANOTHER
SERVING TOGETHER
REACHING OUT
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SEEKING GOD
Every person engaging in the transformative power
and knowledge of Jesus Christ. This happens through:
Transformative Biblical Preaching
Wholehearted Worship
Sacrificial Prayer
Intentional Discipleship
“
My life was forever changed this past Easter Sunday when I was baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ. Walnut Hill helped me make this spiritual commitment and
public declaration to live for Jesus, which has been a desire of mine for some time!
Baptism has now launched my relationship with Him to the next level and is allowing
me to go much deeper. Jesus has washed my sins clean and allowed me to become
a brand new creation in Him. — J O H N
”
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SEEKING GOD IN 2015-2016
63
transformed lives, publicly declaring their faith through
baptism, ready to seek a life-long journey with Him.
2,259
people (including 400 children and 205 youth) gathering
every week to worship and hear transformational teaching
from God’s Word.
1,072
individuals becoming family in local Community Groups.
750
adults taking part in discipleship ministries, growing deeper
in their understanding of God and in their relationships with
one another. Ministries include Bible study classes, and
men’s and women’s ministry groups.
185
individuals taking part in training and equipping workshops
to deepen their understanding of the power of prayer.
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CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER
Committed to equipping and revitalizing our families for
Kingdom impact and growth. This happens through:
Relevant Marriage and Family Resources
Compassion-Driven Care Ministries
Championing a Multicultural Ministry
“
Two years into my cancer journey, I began to ask God how He wanted to use my
pain and suffering. Not long after, I came alongside a man from church with Stage 4
cancer. I began to pray and meet with him regularly. We would say to each other, “I
want to hook my boat up with your boat. As you’re being tossed around by the storm, I
want to ride it out with you.” It was this desire to go through the journey together that
led him and me to launch a Cancer Support group at Walnut Hill. We recognize that we
have been comforted in a certain way; God has revealed things to us on this journey
that are essential to get through it. In the same way that we were comforted, we want
to comfort others. We can each share specific, meaningful truths with others going
through a similar journey and give them amazing love and support. — P E T E R
”
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CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER IN 2015-2016
4,000
unique individuals (580 children and 420 youth) attending
Walnut Hill within a three-month period.
1,000
People actively receiving and giving support through our Care
Ministry groups.*
300+
individuals receiving love and support from our Care Team
while they are in the hospital or confined to their homes.
100+
families receiving help during a crisis through our
Benevolence Fund.
25
families impacted by special needs are able to take part in
worship, classes and Community Groups. The adult special
needs program is launched and continues to expand.
21
Weddings and Memorial Services taking place at our facilities.
*Groups include: Cancer Support, Celebrate Recovery, DivorceCare, GriefShare, JOY Fellowship, Marriage Mentoring, The Marriage Course,
Second Sundays, Single and Parenting, Singles Fellowship, and Young at Heart Bible Study.
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SERVING TOGETHER
A thriving lay leadership empowering every generation
for ministry and mission. This happens through:
Vibrant Children’s and Youth Ministries
Dynamic Leadership Development
Strategic Mobilization of God’s People
“
I have been serving at Walnut Hill since the summer of 2014. Volunteering in
various ministries — from decorating and setting up for luncheons to serving as
a Community Group leader, Prayer Servant and House Manager — has presented
countless opportunities to make new friends, who now feel like family. I’ve found
there is nothing more rewarding, humbling and uplifting than to be a small yet integral
part of the work of His church. Sharing a warm handshake and smile with a brother or
sister who is about to serve by your side in the will of the Lord and helping spread the
love of Jesus in His church bring incomparable joy to my life. — B O B
”
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SERVING TOGETHER IN 2015-2016
Gu
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26 ervi
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45
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Me 58
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Yo 7
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CG
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Women’s M
123
Individuals serving in the church.*
Chi
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21 n
7
Worship and the Arts
164
er
y
a
Pr 29
1
1,152
*Hundreds more serve outside the church.
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REACHING OUT
Three million people around the world encountering Jesus through a growing
number of local campuses and partnerships. This happens through:
Authentic Evangelism
Strategic Campus Development
Effective Community Engagement
Missional Collaboration
“
Transformation began for my husband
and me when we found ourselves on the
brink of divorce. I heard about Walnut Hill
on the radio and started attending the
Seymour Campus. I wanted my husband to
come to church, but my requests only led
to arguments. Eventually, my Community
Group told me, “You live, we’ll speak.” So
my church family got to know my husband
and invited him to church. He surrendered
his life to Jesus and our marriage is now
restored! — A N O N Y M O U S
”
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“
Giving to someone who can never give back to you is
the way Jesus gave, and He set the example for us that we
should follow. Give without expectation. I feel passionate
about Jericho because it is so multifaceted; the umbrella
is so large and touches so many areas of need — children,
youth, the homeless, the elderly, the unborn, those who are
struggling. What makes it strong is the fact that the community
is engaged, the churches are engaged, local organizations and
corporations are engaged, and even people who don’t belong
to a church are engaged. If we truly allow ourselves to belong
to Jesus, then doing His work, and serving the “least of these,”
is just part of being in relationship with Him. — L O R I
”
REACHING OUT IN 2015-2016
2 MILLION
23 COUNTRIES
29 PARTNERSHIPS
610
people receiving love and care in
through
(14 missionary families, 8 local organizations, 9 global organizations).
children (542) and youth (68) from the surrounding communities bonded together
and heard about God’s love for them at a summer camp or on a youth trip.
152
Yellow Flowers (59 adults, 6 youth and 87 children) surrendering their lives to Jesus
for the first time. This was a 15% increase over the prior year across the church.
700+
individual prayer requests from our partner at Country 92.5 FM radio personally
being prayed over by our staff and congregation.
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2016 LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
JANUARY 3
Clive Calver Announces Retirement from Walnut Hill and Elder Board Recommends Team Leadership
FEBRUARY 27/28
Members Vote to Affirm Three Lead Pastors – Brian Mowrey, Adam DePasquale, Craig Mowrey
APRIL 3-MAY 15
Congregation is Called to “Come Dream with Us” for the Future
APRIL-OCTOBER
Transition of Responsibilities
JUNE- SEPTEMBER
Prayerful Assessment of Dreams
SEPTEMBER
“Celebration September” for Clive and Ruth; Next Season for Walnut Hill and the Kick Off of Ministries
OCTOBER 2
Official Leadership Transition Takes Place
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MESSAGE FROM THE ELDER CHAIRMAN
2015/2016 was certainly an interesting year — an amazing year. In addition to the typical Elder
duties of spiritual oversight, prayer and governance, the Elders took on the role of exploring and
recommending new leadership for Walnut Hill. Transitions are always a time of hope and excitement
but also a time when emotions are heightened and differences of opinion tend to surface.
It has been a pleasure to see both the Elder Board and the church put on the character of Christ,
and come through this time unified and excited about what God will do in the future. Well done,
church! Evidence of God’s abundant blessing can be seen in growth in church attendance (despite
so many people leaving the
state), growth in the number
“GOD’S CALL TO
of people giving to the church,
growth in our campuses,
WALNUT HILL TO
growth in new members
(129 in January and February
BE AN AGENT OF
alone) and, most encouraging,
growth in people surrendering
T R A N S F O R M AT I O N
their lives to Christ. We
look forward with great
IN OUR AREA AND
IN NEW ENGLAND IS
anticipation to the ministry of
Adam, Brian and Craig in the
B E I N G P L AY E D O U T I N
next season.
EACH OF OUR LIVES
E V E R Y D AY. ”
As we contemplate and thank
God for His abundant grace,
we will not forget that this grace has been wonderfully demonstrated in the ministry of Clive and
Ruth throughout the past 11 years. We look forward to taking time in September to honor Clive and
Ruth, and to express our great love and appreciation for them. Please be in prayer for them as they
face their own transition to another stage in life.
God’s call to Walnut Hill to be an agent of transformation in our area and in New England is being
played out in each of our lives every day. Let’s all aspire in the coming year to a deeper surrender
to Christ, a deeper love for one another, and a deeper desire and commitment to bring the lifechanging and life-bringing message of the Gospel to a lost and dying world.
JIM KENNEDY
CHAIRMAN OF THE ELDER BOARD
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WE ARE THANKFUL TO YOU, CLIVE AND RUTH
God has used you to show us that the end
result of prayer is always Jesus. You
have a gift of seeing how Jesus is at work in
the midst of life’s problems.
— MARK PETERSEN
God has used you to introduce a deeper
work of the Holy Spirit. Few
pastors have done as much as you to
introduce a church to the person, work and
presence of the Holy Spirit.
— C L AY N O R M A N
God has used you to ignite a passion
for the less fortunate among us.
Ruth, before you even knew where Danbury,
CT, was, God was preparing you for prison
ministry here. Thank you for being faithful to
God’s call and for allowing me to see those
women through the eyes of Jesus.
God has used you to help us understand and
live out the priesthood of all
believers. Because your eyes were able
to look past the status quo to see what God
was doing, a former engineer, airline pilot,
techie and salesman have second careers
as pastors.
— DEANA MERCHANT
— TIMOTHY HUBER
God has used you to encourage people to
surrender their lives to Jesus.
Clive, learning to surrender control of my life
to Jesus is without question the greatest
blessing I have ever experienced!
— GREGG ROBERTS
God has used you to make an impact
globally and locally. Whether
it is coming alongside local pastors in
Africa, walking among the brothels of
Bangladesh, or demonstrating a passion to
serve the homeless and hungry in our local
communities, your desire to be the hands
and feet of Jesus is evident.
— JOHN DISCHINGER
God has used you to expand His
Kingdom and the Walnut Hill ministry
beyond the four walls of Bethel. By stepping
out in faith and obedience, you have
brought God’s teaching to Waterbury, New
Milford, Derby and Seymour. Thank you for
making the Lord’s vision a reality.
— SHARI BRACCIA
God has used you to develop
leadership. Far from an academic
exercise, you pour your lives into others,
drawing the best out of them for the
glory of God. Because of your love and
investment, we are stronger in our faith and
impassioned to serve.
— ADAM DEPASQUALE
God has used you to passionately preach
the Word of God You have presented a
picture of God as high and lifted up, yet near;
all powerful and leaning down to hear; all
knowing and quick to forgive; mysterious and
opening His secrets to those who seek Him
diligently, counting them as friends.
— FERN OWENS
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God has used you to lead our church
so strategically over these past
11 years. Your voracious reading, deep
thinking, commitment to prayer, seeking
counsel from other leaders and desire to
hear the Holy Spirit’s leading have blessed
us immensely. You two have exemplified
leaders who KNOW the way, GO the way
and SHOW the way to others.
— DREW EDWARDS
M E S S A G E F R O M T H E S E N I O R PA S TO R
This past year has been marked by three words — momentum, transition and expectation.
MOMENTUM
By God’s great grace, and by the love and commitment of so many of His people here at Walnut Hill, we’ve
come into a whole new day. This past year, we have gained momentum and have begun to see new Yellow
Flowers, more people growing in their faith, marriages becoming stronger and families becoming whole.
It’s been a wonderful period and really exciting to see God’s people moving forward together. We’ve seen the
satellite churches unite and develop. In addition, we’ve seen the resourcing at Bethel for all five satellites
and 11 congregations in a fresh and exciting way. It’s been a good year, and we have all been able to give
testimony to the fact that God is moving among us.
TRANSITION
Change is never easy. Most of us struggle when the familiar is lost to a new focus and perspective. The idea of
developing from a solo leadership into a team may not have been easy for people to grasp initially; however,
this idea is increasingly being used among churches around the world and began to gain excitement here as
congregants increased their understanding of how a team could lead Walnut Hill forward.
To see Adam DePasquale, Brian Mowrey and Craig Mowrey develop into the new leaders of the church has
been fantastically exciting. Throughout the many years we have worked together, the desire in my heart was
that, one day, these three men would succeed me. Now, I am so excited that they and their wives are stepping
into a fresh moment of leadership. As Adam, Brian and Craig are moving step by step to taking the leadership
and authority of the church, I am excited about what tomorrow will bring.
EXPECTATION
Dreams lie ahead, while reflections and memories lie behind us. For Ruth and me, this has been a tremendous
period. We have loved being here for the past 11 years, and it has been an enormous thrill and privilege
to work among you. It’s been great to acquire so many friends, and to serve together. We will be moving
to Wilmington, NC — unless the Lord indicates anything different! We’ll be serving with World Relief,
where Ruth will be their ambassador at large, and I will be working as president emeritus, with a particular
concentration on Mozambique. We will also be serving with Elam Ministries in their work with Iranians
around the world. And, we will be conducting leadership training and encouragement here in New England.
These roles will ensure that idleness and retirement will not go hand in hand!
We’d love your prayers and trust that everything that God has for the future will be wonderful. There is a
sense of vibrancy, excitement and enthusiasm within the church. Who knows what God will bring tomorrow!
CLIVE CALVER
SENIOR PASTOR
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A B O U T T H E L E A D PA S TO R S
On October 2, Walnut Hill will formally adopt a team leadership model
where Brian Mowrey, Adam DePasquale and Craig Mowrey will serve
together as Lead Pastors, taking on the traditional responsibilities of
senior pastor, in addition to overseeing key areas in the life of the church.
“ W E A R E S O T H A N K F U L F O R T H E C O N G R E G AT I O N ’ S
OVERWHELMING LOVE AND SUPPORT THIS YEAR. WITH
M U C H P R AY E R , C O L L A B O R AT I O N A N D J O Y, W E H U M B LY
A N D B O L D LY L O O K F O R WA R D T O L E A D I N G WA L N U T H I L L
I N T O T H E N E X T S E A S O N O F M I N I S T R Y I N C O N N E C T I C U T,
NEW ENGLAND AND AROUND THE WORLD.”
R E V. B R I A N M O W R E Y
R E V. A D A M D E PA S Q U A L E
R E V. C R A I G M O W R E Y
LEAD PASTOR, TEACHING
LEAD PASTOR, EXECUTIVE
LEAD PASTOR, DEVELOPMENT
Role: The teaching and preaching
Role: The enablement of ministry
Role: The development, care and
of God’s Word and gathering of
and activation of Walnut Hill’s
mobilization of God’s people for
God’s people in worship and
vision and mission.
life, ministry and mission.
Adam has been on staff for 11 years and,
Craig is gifted in the areas of shepherding,
group life.
Brian is passionate about preaching and
teaching, revealing the power of God’s
Word and Spirit, and helping people connect
Scripture to their daily lives. Brian oversees
discipleship, teaching and preaching, and
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as Executive Pastor, is responsible for the
accomplishment of the church’s mission
through the strategic oversight of ministry,
operations and staff. He oversees Walnut
equipping and leading pastors. Rich in
personal experience, Craig helped launch
and still pastors the first satellite campus
in Waterbury. Now 15 years into full-time
ministry at Walnut Hill, Craig plays a vital
Community Group ministries. Brian will
Hill’s operations (finance, communications,
continue serving as the Campus Pastor in
facilities, administration, IT and HR), as well
In addition to his leadership role, Craig
Bethel, the largest Walnut Hill campus, with
as ministries such as children’s ministry,
will continue to serve as the Waterbury
nearly 2,000 weekend attendees.
evangelism, prayer and hospitality.
Campus Pastor.
role in fundraising for campus initiatives.
O U R L O C AT I O N S
In addition to their new roles, Brian is remaining the campus pastor for
Bethel, and Craig is remaining Waterbury Campus pastor.
BETHEL
B R I A N M O W R E Y,
CAMPUS PASTOR
DERBY
WA LT M AY H E W,
CAMPUS PASTOR
NEW MILFORD
BRIAN PRUE,
CAMPUS PASTOR
SEYMOUR
LINDSEY LASZEWSKI,
CAMPUS PASTOR
WATERBURY
C R A I G M O W R E Y,
CAMPUS PASTOR
156 Walnut Hill Road, Bethel, CT 06801
Service Times: Saturday 5 p.m.,
Sunday 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 6 p.m.
bmowrey@walnuthillcc.org | 203-796-7373
27 9th Street, Derby, CT 06418
Service time: 10 a.m.
wmayhew@walnuthillc.org | 203-732-5220
19 Dorwin Hill Road, New Milford, CT 06776
Service times: 9 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.
bprue@walnuthillcc.org | 203-796-7373
165 Main Street, Seymour, CT 06483
Service time: 10 a.m.
lindsey@walnuthillcc.org | 203-796-7373
565 Chase Parkway, Waterbury, CT 06708
Service times: 9 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.
cmowrey@walnuthillcc.org | 203-796-7373
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O U R S TA F F
OUR LEADERSHIP
PASTORS AND DIRECTORS
C L I V E C A LV E R
Senior Pastor
ccalver@walnuthillcc.org
KYLER BARR
Lead Youth Pastor
kbarr@walnuthillcc.org
L I N D S EY
LASZEWSKI
Seymour Campus Pastor
lindsey@walnuthillcc.org
A D A M D E PA S Q U A L E
Lead Pastor-Executive
adepasquale@walnuthillcc.org
LY N N E B A U M A N
Director of Women
lbauman@walnuthillcc.org
MIKE MANCINI
Associate Pastor
mmancini@walnuthillcc.org
B R I A N M OW R EY
Lead Pastor-Teaching
bmowrey@walnuthillcc.org
J I M B R AY
Associate Pastor, Bethel
jbray@walnuthillcc.org
W A LT M AY H E W
Derby Campus Pastor
wmayhew@walnuthillcc.org
C R A I G M OW R EY
Lead Pastor-Development
cmowrey@walnuthillcc.org
JOHN DISCHINGER
Pastor of Care & Outreach
jdischinger@walnuthillcc.org
C L AY N O R M A N
Chaplain
cnorman@walnuthillcc.org
G R EG F LOW E R
56ers Director
gflower@walnuthillcc.org
D O U G PA L M E R
Finance & HR Director
dpalmer@walnuthillcc.org
T I M H O LT
Associate Youth Pastor
tholt@walnuthillcc.org
AJ PICARD
Pastor of Prayer
ajpicard@walnuthillcc.org
CRAIG HORNE
Family Pastor
chorne@walnuthillcc.org
BRIAN PRUE
New Milford Campus Pastor
bprue@walnuthillcc.org
T I M OT H Y H U B E R
Pastor of Worship and the Arts
thuber@walnuthillcc.org
J O E VA I C H U S
Associate Pastor
jvaichus@walnuthillcc.org
A N D R E KOWA R I C K
Facilities Director
akowarick@walnuthillcc.org
M I K E G AY N O R
Associate Pastor
mgaynor@walnuthillcc.org
V I C K Y KOWA R I C K
Pastor of Evangelism &
Spiritual Growth
vkowarick@walnuthillcc.org
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A P R AY E R O F B L E S S I N G
As we reflect on the past year,
We are humbled and thankful
for all God chose to accomplish through Walnut Hill.
Thank you to each and every volunteer and staff member
Who has invested their time, energy and finances,
Who has prayed and sought the Lord’s guidance
On how to be a family.
We are a family.
A family that seeks God,
Reaches out,
Serves together and
Cares for one another.
With great expectation and anticipation,
We offer ourselves anew,
With arms spread wide
Ready to receive all that God has in store
For the year to come.
May we hear His voice loudly and clearly
Guiding us through the days ahead,
Confident in His promise that
The best is yet to come.
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Central Office
156 Walnut Hill Road, Bethel, CT 06801
203.796.7373 | www.walnuthillcc.org