End of the Year Update.
As we look back at the past year of 2025 there is so much generosity to thank everyone for.
Our Journey Through the Year
Where is the Kingdom of God, and when will it be here already!? I remember asking this question to my grandmother as a young man. My grandmother smiled and said ‘its in our hearts John.” She was right: Jesus answered this same question in Luke 17:20-21 – “20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
One of the things I count as joyful beyond reason in my life is the opportunity to see and experience the Kingdom of God in my midst at Living Waters. It’s undeniable and it comes in so many ways – on Sunday mornings, during worship times, in the middle of the week, during staff meetings, and in quiet times when I sneak in all by myself to pray. It is in the testimonies of the people I hug every Sunday, and the tears of my friends as we share our hurts and disappointments.
The Kingdom of God is in our midst, it is also ‘in us’ according to alternate translations – and it is established in our hearts and the hearts of those around us and among us – in our communities and families. The all encompassing and total experience of sharing, doing and living life together presents numerous opportunities to see it happening and to experience it in ourselves. And it happens because so many people respond to those opportunities with generosity – open hearts and open hands.
As we look back at the past year of 2025 there is so much generosity to thank everyone for – from giving time and creativity throughout the year, to sharing talents (come on Night of Music!) and financial giving to support the needs of our community and the ministry of our staff and house to the community at large. Supporting Youth Summer Camp (Bake Sale!) and Baptism Sunday – giving to support the vision of expanding and improving the building and to supporting our house-less and impoverished with consistency and in meaningful, tangible, financially substantive ways. Our community truly takes to heart and acts with purpose and intentionality when those in our midst have need. Thank you. Thank you for listening and seeking the Holy Spirit and the direction of the Lord with your generosity.
– John Eaton, Financial Liaison
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Youth Summer Camp
Through the generosity of our church family, we raised over $5,000, which allowed us to host and run our own youth camp rather than attending an outside camp. This was a powerful moment of ownership, unity, and investment in the next generation.
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Thanksgiving Turkey & Ham
Jesse helped lead one of the most beautiful community meals we’ve ever hosted. With the help of dozens of volunteers, we served 13 turkeys, 15 hams, and 339 meals, plus over 100 to-go boxes at the end. 220 people were fed in the first 90 minutes alone.
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Hearts with a Mission Christmas Gifts
Thank you for partnering with us to support Hearts With A Mission this Christmas. Together, we raised over $2,000 to help purchase Christmas gifts for 80 foster youth in their programs. We are truly blown away by the simple, faithful generosity of our church. Thank you for partnering with us in this meaningful expression of Christ’s love.
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The Night of Music
Our 4th annual Night of Music raised over $1,700 and was a beautiful family-centered evening. We enjoyed 13 musical acts, featuring the incredible talent of our worship team, along with plenty of dessert. It was a celebration of creativity, community, and generosity.
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Baptism Sunday
We launched our new baptism pathway with mentorship, and 16 people were baptized. This marked a significant milestone in our discipleship and the life of our church.
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Christmas Gift Drive
We partnered with Community Works, Les Schwab, and KOBI, opening our facilities as a gathering point for a community toy drive. Families were able to walk through and receive gifts for their children.
As we look forward to 2026 we continue to invite and ask people to prayerfully and intentionally seek and obey the Holy Spirit for how we use our time, talent and treasure to support and provide for the extending and expanding of the Kingdom of God in our midst.
Thank you!
Our community is truly taking generosity and generous living to heart and it is one of the most joyful things to see, and a true example of the Kingdom of God in our midst. Generosity is a position of the heart – open and ready to pour out – as well as a posture of the hands – ready to distribute freely from our good Father who does not withhold from those who ask.
During this Christmas and Advent season I am so thankful for our community that lives generously and experiences the Kingdom of God in our midst, in our hearts, and with one another. Thank you for being a part of our community and may God continue to establish and expand His Kingdom within you.
– John Eaton, Financial Liaison
