What is Jubilee?
Jubilee is a gift from God that was to be recognized every 50th year in Biblical Israel (Leviticus 25). Jubilee is a time to embody and celebrate what it means to be God’s chosen people: living into kingdom realities of restoration and reconciliation, marked by a commitment to justice and joy. These values are carried out in individual lives and throughout the community through proper stewardship of land, restoring relationships, and the forgiveness of debts.
Why a Year of Jubilee for First Church?
As a people of God, we are aware of the social factors that challenge youth and families today. We are increasingly aware that trauma, vulnerability, depression, poverty, broken relationships, anxiety, bullying, and loneliness are plaguing our world. At the same time, particular and joyful expressions of faith have emerged at First Church inviting us into a Year of Jubilee! We believe God is inviting our partnership with Him to transform the world around us. We believe this is a unique and needed witness that First Church can offer to the world.
Why a campaign in 2024?
Our Jubilee Campaign for Future Flourishing marks a unique opportunity to celebrate the leadership of the generations before us, and invites us to join in that legacy for the future through our participation. The last campaign at First Church was over 10 years ago, and emerging needs and opportunities have converged to make 2024 the right time for a vision campaign. We also recognize this moment as a significant opportunity to carry out our faith as a “gathered” and “sent” people of God.
How does a vision campaign fit into the Year of Jubilee?
God’s instructions for Israel’s Jubilee focused on living into the realities of being His people, and refocusing lives on His Kingdom – we have been invited to that same reality in Christ (Ephesians 3:6). Through prayerful discernment and an eye on future flourishing, we have identified several specific priorities that will fulfill the emerging needs of First Church and create the opportunity for transformation in Christ, while living into the invitation of new life offered by Jubilee.
What is the goal of this vision campaign?
This campaign, in a year of Jubilee, invites us to live as God’s people by establishing a foundation of faith for the children of First Church, fostering a bedrock of well-being for kids in our community through the North Campus, and strengthening the core of First Church through liberation from debt. Much more will be offered on these priorities in the days ahead.
How will this campaign be successful?
We know that community thrives when everyone is welcomed. This vision campaign needs all of us! God has blessed our community in so many ways, and sharing our blessings invites our neighbors and those far from God to experience the beauty of His Kingdom. Through our collective sacrificial giving – above and beyond our tithes and offerings – we can realize the priorities that will transform our children and our community, and strengthen First Church’s already strong core. The success of this campaign will correspond directly to each of our discerned, prayerful and generous participation.