A Look Back at 2020
“If you dare to do the unusual, you can expect the extraordinary!” – Pastor Kevin Berry
God spoke to Pastor Kevin about “a year of unusual,” and we can certain say 2020 was a year of unusual. As a church family, we started by raising our expectations and dreaming big as a church family for our community and the nations! Church, despite the challenges and uncertainties that came, 2020 was an amazing year. Let’s take a moment to celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness together. We are so thankful for what He has done and are extremely expectant for transformation and what is to come in 2021.
We celebrated at over 80 baptisms!
In water baptism, you are identifying with Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection. Going under the water signifies that your former life is now dead and buried. Rising out of the water signifies resurrection to a new, spiritual life empowered by the Holy Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead. You now live your new life from the position of victory over sin and death.
We celebrated hundreds of salvations!
Through our two campuses, online services, young adults, youth, and childrens, we saw lives transformed as they chose to follow Christ. Thank you, Jesus!
We launched our Downtown Campus!
A couple blocks from our State Capitol building awaits a church ready for a Holy Spirit outpouring. Once a German Evangelical church, established in 1886, is now home to one of our first Mount Hope satellite campuses with Campus Pastor, Ja’Von Jones. With the launch back in November 2020, we know through this building and God’s people, we’ll reach Lansing with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
Thank you!
Because of your faithful giving, we are carrying the gospel into all the world. People are being transformed, disciples are being equipped, and lives are being added to the Kingdom.
In 2020, Mount Hope Church gave $2,139,286.09 to Local and Global Missions, impacting lives right here in our neighborhoods and across the nations—that includes $136,786.09 to Speed The Light from our Mount Hope Youth, and $50,000 to BGMC from our Mount Hope Kids.
We added 35 new missionaries!
In the midst of a pandemic, we sent out 35 new missionaries! We now have continued support to 357 long-term missions in 123 different countries! You helped us give over $2 million to boots-on-the-ground missionaries and to several missons projects.
We provided 75 tons of food to the Lansing Community!
While we’ve never faced anything like 2020, whenever crisis disrupts people’s lives, people are inclined to turn to the Church for assurance and hope. You helped to glow in the dark and let the light of Christ shine brightly. Because of you—your heart of generosity—we delivered 150,000 lbs. of food to food banks, MSU international students, and families in need.
Global Missions & Outreach
Mount Hope, you help support 357 long-term missions in 123 different countries! We started the year helping to feed and bring Jesus to hundreds of kids in Nicaragua. Reports say, “So many kids were healed of various sicknesses, several saw visions for the first time, many were called into the ministry and missions.” Together, we partnered with Convoy of Hope and provided 150,000 lbs of food to the Lansing community, provided aid to those affected by Hurricane Harold in Vanuatu, partnered with MDHHS and FEMA to help the homeless find safe shelters, provided 20 hand-washing sinks in the city, and helped international students at MSU during the lockdown with food and essentials. Here are the numerous ways and projects we’ve accomplished in 2020:
Project Rescue in Southwest Asia – $35,000
COVID has provided an opportunity. Though schools are shut down, and travel is restricted, the silver lining is that the sex industry has also been impacted, where traffickers are giving women and their children permission to leave without repaying their manufactured “debt.”
With no resources on which to live and no way to provide for their family, our Mount Hope missionaries stepped up! Because of your giving, health care for both Mothers and their children and vocational training to start a new life was provided! At the end of four months, each of the women will own their own small business (sewing, culinary arts, or agricultural).
Additionally, our site leader in that country has secured training for women to become auto rickshaw drivers, where a rescued woman can be trained, licensed, and own her own female-friendly pink auto rickshaw, equipped with GPS tracker and panic button to protect both the driver and her passengers.
Aramaic Broadcasting Network – $70,000
At Mount Hope, we have been called to be active peacemakers and Jesus proclaimers in some of the darkest and spiritually neglected areas. We strategically partnered with a Christian Middle and High School in Gaza, run by one of our missionaries, as well as the Aramaic Broadcasting Network (ABN). ABN broadcasts in Arabic, Farsi, Turkish, Vietnamese, and English to all of the Middle East, as well as Europe, USA, and Australia. They offer call-in services and seek to connect local believers with new believers so disciples can be made and churches can be planted.
We are committed to stand in prayer and financial support with our Christian brothers and sisters as they actively make peace through the power of sharing the gospel, making disciples, and planting churches.
Missionary Member Care – $45,000
Mount Hope is blessed to partner with 357 missionary units. This number grows every month, and with that growth comes a responsibility to continue to provide great care—mental care, physical care, and spiritual care for those heroes on the front lines of advancing the kingdom. As many missionaries experience hardship and persecution at increasing rates, we’ve been able to hire counselors, give surprise blessings, extra support, and Holy Spirit guided family support. We MUST support our missionaries in more ways than just sponsorship—we need to include wholistic and loving partnerships.
Bhutan Business – $50,000
Many places around the globe do not allow access to churches and missionaries. So, to plant a church among the 1 million unreached people, missionaries use the business-as-mission and partnerships approach to preach the gospel. These missionaries will have long-term access and influence in this extremely closed area as a result of your giving.
India Church Planting – $30,000
We’ve supported the dream to plant 1,000 house churches in Northern India with our on-the-ground missionaries. Church planting is God’s idea to reach the world, and Northern India is crying out to hear the gospel. With 1,000 churches planted, it will be an oasis of grace and truth for formerly lost people.
Vietnam School – $30,000
War has impacted Vietnam, and the gospel has yet to make an impact. Orphans hold the keys to this impact, and we want to be part of introducing them to Jesus. Because of your generosity, we’re able to partner with Dave Roever and Global REAP to connect orphanages with the gospel in Vietnam.
Iraq Cafe – $50,000
This project is giving our missionaries currently living in Iraq long-term status in the country, as well as influence in the capital city. We want Jesus to become a beacon of light in a dark place by opening a cafe in Baghdad, Iraq.
Baghdad Education Center – $45,000
This educational consulting company works with schools and families to provide solutions and technology resources. 2020 was an unprecedented year. Our missionaries have an open window to start an Iraqi LLC that will be a hope distribution center in the yet to be reached world.
Frothy Mongoose – $20,000
The Frothy Mongoose is a bakery in India that is also a planted church. They provide classes and space for the gospel to be presented in a creative and effective way. Believe with us that the people of India who have been burnt by other nonprofits or are stuck in Hinduism will be set free by this creative and God-centered bakery.
Ancient Doors – $35,000
In Zanzibar, Aslan centers for education have provided a place for workers to meet and interact with thousands of people from many different backgrounds. They have enrolled a wide range of students, including tour guides, fisherman, police officers, and religious leaders. We know the Lord will be made famous and powerfully influence the unreached country of Zanzibar as a result of your faithful giving!
Northwest Academics – $45,000
Northwest Academics teaches English to students and trains teachers in remote villages of Nepal. These teachers are given a skill, but more importantly, they are given Jesus, and then sent out to the never-reached villages of Nepal as a result of this project.
Possibilities Unlimited – $36,000
Possibilities Unlimited is a special needs care center and a small farm in the sensitive nation of Asia. The farm produces products like honey, eggs, and milk that are later sold to put the funds back into the care and future of those families with special needs children. Families in an area with little access to the gospel will see and feel Jesus in action as those most precious to them are being cared for.
Keyna Leadership Training – $45,000
The Journey Hub is a business whose mission is to train and develop leaders on the university campuses in Kenya. In 2019, they trained over 1,000 participants that went on to be community leaders and kingdom influencers as business owners and senior-level management. We know that Jesus-centered kingdom leaders will flood the continent of Africa and influence the world as a result of this project.
Hosanna Plan in Russia – $40,000
The Hosanna Plan is bringing joy to one of the hardest places in the world. The Hosanna Plan is delivering God’s Word to unreached children and youth through strategic local church planting and evangelism initiatives. Outreach team members dedicate one year of their life to traveling to unreached villages across the country. Children and youth learn the gospel message through multiple platforms including The Russian Youth Book of Hope, created to address the heart-felt needs of youth, explaining that they each have a purpose and plan for their life, and a friend in Jesus.
Businesses in Slovakia – $35,000
Slovakia is the epicenter of one of the most unique revivals happening on the continent of Europe. Thousands of Roma (Gypsies) are coming to Christ in their local villages. in Slovakia, the locals treat the Roma with disdain and lack of trust. These marginalized individuals struggle to live when they leave lives of theft, deceit, and crime. This is where Business as Missions can be an incredible tool as we look to invest in various benevolent business ideas, and thus adding great value to the marginalized. These investments into families will be for projects like agriculture, textile, woodwork, and grocery—all the while, they will be mentored by strong believers.
Opportunities to Shine in the Community
As Christians, we have a practical and spiritual response in moments like this. More than ever, this is a time for people to see hope on the inside of us. While we’ve never faced a crisis like this, whenever crisis disrupts people’s lives, they are inclined to turn to the Church for assurance and hope. This is our time to glow in the dark and let the light of Christ shine brightly. Let’s determine to pray, love, and serve our community. Even now, let’s not just get through this, let’s grow through this as we bring hope to a world filled with fear.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 4:6-7
Launched a Downtown Campus
A couple blocks from our State Capitol building awaits a church ready for a Holy Spirit outpouring. Once a German Evangelical church, established in 1886, is now home to one of our first Mount Hope satellite campuses with Campus Pastor, Ja’Von Jones. With the launch back in November 2020, we know through this building and God’s people, we’ll reach Lansing with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.
Community Prayer at Capitol
“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty river.” – Amos 5:24
We know that justice responds to the past, while righteousness creates a future! We bonded and united with churches around the city to cry out for righteousness. Righteousness has been provided us the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the Church that has been entrusted by God to display and proclaim the righteousness that is available in Christ.
The Cry of Injustice
You cannot be godly and ignore the pain of others. When the fire of division and racism came into our city, we met it with the power of love and the beauty of the Church. Mount Hope, through praying, loving, and serving, you gave thousands of water bottles away and delivered food to those on the protest lines. We prayed with hundreds of people in Lansing, East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Holt, and Eaton Rapids. We saw over 40 protesters give their lives to Jesus.
Hand-Washing Sinks
With your help, we partnered with MDHHS and FEMA to help the homeless find safe shelters, provided 20 hand-washing sinks in the city, and helped international students at MSU during the lockdown with food and essentials.
Backpacks During Bless the City
As the school year began and uncertainty of in-person vs. online schooling was being handled, you helped to provide 500 backpacks to families in our community at Ferris Park. These supplies were a blessing in the midts of all the changes students were experiencing.
Peace on Earth Christmas
Around Christmas, you helped delivered personalized gifts to 136 children who have parents in prison as we supported Angel Tree Ministries. We also delivered personalized and prayer-covered gifts to 40 kids currently not placed in a family and living in St. Vincent’s Home for Children. You brought them a glimmer of hope during the isolated season!
Your 2020 Favorites
In a year of unusual challenges, uncertainty, and unusual blessings, let’s look back at your favorite messages, blogs, and stories.
Sunday Messages
Peace, Problems, and Perspective
Pastor Peter brings the word on how having a heavenly perspective on problems can bring peace, as we continue our series “Peace On Earth.”
The Midst of a Shaking
We are in the midst of a shaking, and some people are sleeping through it. Listen as Pastor Kevin calls the Church, the body of believers, to step off the sidelines and into the frontlines in the midst of a great shaking. It’s abundantly clear that our nation and our people need a better future.
The Fires of Marriage
When the fires of marriage rage, what are you filled with? Be encouraged and be inspired as Pastor Geoff shares how marriage is teaching us to be more holy as we continue through our series, “In Relationship.”
In Our House, We Have Hope
In the midst of adversity, we choose to have hope! Listen as Pastor Kevin shares the keys of being thankful—even in the middle of the storm—and how Jesus either calms the storm or calms the heart of those in the storm.
Our Greatest Aim
When Jesus died on the cross, He broke the barriers of hostility and joined us together to be one—whether that’s with your spouse, your co-worker, or friend. Listen as Pastor Joe shares on how our greatest aim is love, how we reflect what Jesus has done for us, and how to carry love in our relationships.
Unusual Unity
In his speech, Dr. King quoted from the prophet Amos, who said, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty river” (Amos 5:24). The Church cannot sleep through a moment when the righteousness of Christ is needed in our world. Listen as Pastor Kevin calls the Church to love and unity and to display His righteousness to our neighbors and the nations.
Equipping Blogs
The Kingdom
In this season, it is imperative that as followers of Jesus Christ, we understand that we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of light through faith in Christ (Col. 1:13). What does it mean to seek first the Kingdom of God and then all these things will be added to you (Matt. 6:33)? What is the Kingdom? As followers of Christ, citizens of another world, how do we live in this world that is filled with evil and headed toward destruction? Let’s look at God’s Word together.
This is Our Moment
When unusual persecution took place and the early Church was not allowed to meet in their usual gatherings, they scattered out into communities proclaiming the Good News about Jesus and the life transformation that follows. The result? We see in Acts 8, that massive numbers of people came to faith in Christ, miracles took place, and people experienced hope!
Season of Nesting
I have had a longing—not just a desire or whim—but an unusual longing to hold a baby over these last few weeks of quarantine. I love babies, sure, but this has been an out-of-the-ordinary and recurring thought.
Sharable Graphics & Videos
Stories of Transformation
Thank you!
Again, thank you! This is just a snapshot of the extraordinary things accomplished with your faithful prayers and financial support. Through all of 2020, you helped our neighbors see the love of Jesus and impacted the nations with the power of the gospel.
We pray for you—just as you have blessed others across the globe through your love, prayers, and giving, we pray that God will bless you. May the Lord’s face shine on you with favor. May the Lord be gracious to you and grant you peace!