Where there is no vision, the people perish
Proverbs 29:18
Habakkuk 2:2–3 (ESV)
“Write the vision. Make it plain… For still the vision awaits its appointed time.”
Vision:
Brister Baptist Church is a multigenerational family of believers, rooted in compassion and faith, committed to spiritual maturity, leadership development, and measurable community impact. We are devoted to knowing Christ deeply, walking with Him consistently, and multiplying His work through faithful people, strong systems, and obedient stewardship.
Looking Back
2024 showed resilience and recovery.
2025 focused on expansion and stretching.
2026 is about alignment, momentum, and multiplication.
This is the year we move from building capacity to releasing capacity.
Here's What We Celebrated
Community Service Impact
Exceptional community engagement through food distribution, item sharing, and toy gifting to those in need - truly showing Christ's love in action.
Steady Membership
Maintained consistent attendance throughout the year, demonstrating remarkable resilience with steady recovery after holiday fluctuations.
8 AM Service Growth
Developed unique identity for early morning worship, attracting and maintaining a dedicated group of early worshipers.
A Church That Shows Up
Brister has become a close-knit family, rallying together in love through prayer, support, and encouragement. We come together online and in-person and added in-person Bible Study on the first Wednesday of every month—because showing up matters.
Deepening Relationships
Our church family has grown closer, united through worship, study, and community. This deepened sense of belonging lays a strong foundation for the year ahead.
United in Worship
Our church traveled together to worship with other congregations, strengthening bonds within and beyond.
2026: From Expansion to Execution
Brister Baptist Church will step boldly into a season of growth, stretching our faith, our reach, and our resources to impact lives and transform our community. As we enlarge our hearts, deepen our discipleship, and expand our facilities, we will build a church that embodies God's love and power, reaching new souls, strengthening families, and spreading hope in every direction. This year, we embrace God's call to expand our borders and share His grace with all who come through our doors.
Isaiah 54:2-3 (NIV):
"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities."
7 Principles for Expansion
  1. From Expanding Our Community to Strengthening Our Covenant Community
  1. From Expanding Spiritual Growth to Forming Spiritually Mature Disciples
  1. From Expanding Worship Experience to Cultivating Consistent Worship Culture
  1. From Utilizing Our Property to Activating Our Physical Footprint
  1. From Expanding Generational Impact to Developing Generational Leaders
  1. From Expanding Financial Stewardship to Practicing Faithful and Sustainable Stewardship
  1. From Expanding Our Influence to Multiplying Our Impact
1. From Expanding Our Community to Strengthening Our Covenant Community
  • Deeper member engagement
  • Clear pathways from visitor → member → servant → leader
  • Increased pastoral care systems
Scripture: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Community Outreach: We will increase community outreach, focusing on practical initiatives like job training, financial literacy, mentorship, and mental health support. Our programs will build relationships and offer a place to belong.
Scripture: "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done." (Proverbs 19:17)
2. From Expanding Spiritual Growth to Forming Spiritually Mature Disciples
  • Fewer programs, deeper formation
  • Scripture literacy and prayer rhythms
  • Leadership anchored in character, not charisma
Scripture: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." (Colossians 3:16)
Scripture: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." (Colossians 4:2)
3. From Expanding Worship Experience to Cultivating Consistent Worship Culture
  • Strengthening the identity of both worship services
  • Worship as lifestyle, not just event
  • Excellence without performance pressure
Scripture: "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth." (Psalm 96:1)
Creative Arts Ministry: We will expand our creative arts ministry, offering more opportunities for members to engage in worship through music, dance, drama, and other artistic expressions. This will help us connect with more people and glorify God using our gifts.
Scripture: "Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe." (Psalm 150:3-4)
Bi-Monthly In-Person Prayer Meetings: We will launch bi-monthly prayer meetings to strengthen our connection with God and one another through focused, intimate worship.
Scripture: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." (Colossians 4:2)
Small Group Launch: In 2025, we will launch small groups that meet weekly, fostering personal connection, spiritual growth, and mutual support to build a more intimate community.
Scripture: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42)
4. From Utilizing Our Property to Activating Our Physical Footprint
  • Property as mission tool, not asset alone
  • Affordable housing vision clarity
  • Community partnerships that align with our values
Scripture: "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." (Psalm 24:1)
Scripture: "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4)
5. From Expanding Generational Impact to Developing Generational Leaders
  • Intentional youth and young adult pipelines
  • Intergenerational mentorship
  • Leadership opportunities for emerging voices
Scripture: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)
 Scripture: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)
6. From Expanding Financial Stewardship to Practicing Faithful and Sustainable Stewardship
  • Transparency and trust
  • Budget aligned with mission priorities
  • Generosity as discipleship, not pressure
Scripture: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Sustainability Projects: We'll seek sustainable growth through partnerships, grants, and income-generating activities. We'll also emphasize faithful tithing to support our mission.
Scripture: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." (Malachi 3:10)
7. From Expanding Our Influence to Multiplying Our Impact
  • Regional credibility
  • Leadership replication
  • Partnerships that extend Brister beyond the building
Scripture: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)
Scripture: "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." (2 Timothy 2:2)
The Place Where Amazing Things Happen