At Lake Norman Baptist, we want to be a church for our community. We want to bring healing, connection & purpose to people all around Lake Norman through the love of Jesus.
Since 2022, we’ve been taking a fresh look at the communities of Lake Norman. Who is in our mission field today? How has it changed over the years? How can we prepare to reach the next generation with the love of Jesus?
In some ways, we see things changing quickly in Lake Norman.
- We have a more diverse population. Every year 6,000-8,000 people relocate to Lake Norman from all around the country, making our community more ethnically, culturally and religiously diverse than previous generations. Our message & ministries need to connect with a broad range of people.
- We are a more distracted generation. Today, people have a constant stream of news, entertainment & social media seeking their attention every waking hour. They’re racing to manage kids’ schedules, work & family pressures, and squeeze in travel & leisure. We have to work harder than ever to connect in a community with more distractions than previous generations.
- We see low church engagement. On average, 1 in 10 people in Lake Norman regularly attend a Bible-believing church like ours—meaning fewer people are coming to us than past generations, so we must go to them.
In other ways, we see the same human needs of every generation.
- People are looking for healing. In a fallen world, we all experience brokenness in many ways—anxiety & depression, strained relationships, physical illness, spiritual emptiness, and so much more.
- People are searching for connection. In spite of constant connectivity through technology, loneliness and isolation are as common as ever, and without the gospel people are separated from God.
- People are seeking purpose. Everyone longs for meaning and significance in life—to find their place and make a difference in the world.
People look for healing, connection & purpose in all kinds of places, but ultimately they can be found only in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
To reach a changing community with the unchanging message of the gospel, we’re taking bold steps forward in our mission & vision this year. This booklet lays out those steps and how you can be part of what God is doing through our church.
I hope you’ll join us!
For Lake Norman,
Anson Hanbury
Lead Pastor
To bring healing, connection, and purpose to people all around Lake Norman through the love of Jesus.
OUR MISSION
OUR VISION
To see people in the communities of Lake Norman...
GETTING HEALTHIER
By overcoming mental, emotional, and physical challenges on their way to discovering spiritual health by receiving the love of Jesus.
GETTING BETTER CONNECTED
To their family, friends, and community as they find connection with God through following Jesus.
FINDING THEIR PURPOSE
By discovering and embracing their unique identity, abilities, opportunities, and calling as people created to show God’s love to others.
POINTING TO THE LOVE OF JESUS
As they experience the healing, connection, and purpose he came to bring.
“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Jesus (John 10:10)
BOLD STEPS OF LOVE
As we take bold steps forward in our mission this year, we can learn from looking back at the early church.
2 Corinthians is an autobiographical account of the Apostle Paul’s mission in the ancient city of Corinth. In it we see his heart for that church & community. He was for Corinth, and his actions backed his message.
May the same be said of us today – that we are for Lake Norman, spreading the love of Jesus in both words and actions.
Together, may we be Christ’s ambassadors for Lake Norman.
Using the next several pages as a guide, ask God to grow your heart for our community and empower you to take bold steps of love through:
COMPASSION | HOSPITALITY| GENEROSITY | COMMITMENT
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! … And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:17, 19b-20)
We are Christ’s ambassadors with a message of reconciliation for Lake Norman and beyond. As ambassadors, we represent God’s kingdom in our community as we bring the love of Jesus to as many as possible.
Where has God specifically placed you to be his ambassador?
Take time to pray for the people in your circles— at home, at work, in your neighborhood, etc.— and ask the Holy Spirit to help you show the love of Jesus as his ambassador.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
We’ve received compassion and comfort from God so that we can give compassion and comfort to people all around us.
When have you received compassion and comfort in a time of trouble?
Take time to pray, thanking God for the comfort you have received, and asking him to help you meet the needs for compassion in our church and community.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:8-10)
In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. (2 Corinthians 7:13)
When we extend hospitality to others, it’s a way of showing love, bringing joy and building relationships in our church and community.
Have you experienced exceptional hospitality in someone’s home, at church, or somewhere else? How did it make you feel?
Take time to pray, asking God to help us love our community well, bring joy to people, and build many new relationships in the way we exercise hospitality at LKN Baptist.
But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously… And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
(2 Corinthians 8:7 & 9:6,8)
When we give generously, God promises we will reap generously. He will meet our needs and accomplish good works through us as we grow spiritually.
What would it mean for you to “excel in this grace of giving?” What difference would it make in your spiritual life?
Take time to pray, thanking God for his generosity in your life and asking him for guidance and faith to sow generously.
Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” … For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 1:12, 12:9a, 10b)
Our commitment to Lake Norman must come with integrity, sincerity and reliance on God’s grace. If it is, we have confidence that even in our weakness, his power will give us strength.
What does this kind of commitment and confidence look like in an individual? In a church?
Take time to pray, thanking God for his grace and power, and asking him where he wants you to commit your time, talent and treasure for his mission in Lake Norman.
THE 4LKN PROJECTS
Over the next two years, we’re taking bold steps to invest in reaching the next generation in Lake Norman.
Project Goals
Engagement Goal
100% of LKN Baptist Family
Impact Goal
Reach the Next Generation
Funding Goal
$9,000,000
FUNDING GOALS
MINISTRY AND CAMPUS INVESTMENTS
All giving from April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2026 will go into one fund that supports our operating budget, ongoing ministries, new ministry investments, and campus improvements.
Everyone in our church family is invited and encouraged
to participate by making a two-year commitment to giving. These commitments will allow us to make important investments in reaching the next generation in Lake Noman.
MINISTRY INVESTMENTS $4.5M
Two years of operating budget plus new initiatives in outreach & congregational ministries. Highlights include:
Discipleship & Family Ministries Staff & Resources High Impact Volunteer Ministry Development Operational Infrastructure Improvements.
- New Full-Time Staff Position to Lead Outreach Efforts 10,000 People
- Feeding 10,000 Kids
- Community Events & Gatherings
- Expanded Care Ministry
CAMPUS INVESTMENTS $4.5M
Ongoing Updates + New Construction
- Create a Hub of Compassion & Connection
- Become More Intentionally Hospitable
TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT $9.0M
TOTAL PROJECT INVESTMENT
Our goal is for everyone in our church family to engage in four ways:
Take time to pray.
Use this booklet as a prayer guide and ask God to help you take bold steps of compassion, hospitality, generosity and commitment.
Find your people.
Use the black Groups Guide or visit www.lnbc.com/groups to find a group where you can connect with others who encourage your spiritual growth.
Find your place.
Use the maroon Serving Guide or visit www.lnbc.com/serve to find serving opportunities where you can use your skills and discover purpose.
Expand your impact.
Use the blue Giving Guide or visit www.lnbc.com/impact to build a two-year plan for giving that expands your kingdom impact in Lake Norman and beyond.