First, we are asking you to pray and seek the Lord. Make a commitment to attend a worship service each week and a small group once during the three-week NEXT LEVEL series, and use this NEXT LEVEL Booklet as you seek God’s direction. Talk with your spouse, your family, or others about what God is saying to you and what your involvement will mean for this next exciting season of your life.

Join us in making a sacrificial commitment to gospel-centered generosity—whatever it is that God leads you to do, follow His leading. The primary goal of NEXT LEVEL is 100% engagement of our entire church family, and that includes you!

Finally, we ask that you prepare to go on a spiritual journey. We serve an awesome God and He is going to move in huge ways. We anticipate an unprecedented impact from our collective NEXT LEVEL commitments—something only God can do. Mark your calendar for Commitment Weekend, November 19, and prepare to experience a life-changing event that will forever be remembered as a defining moment for our church and for each of us as Christ followers

We commit to many things, from our marriage to a mortgage, or even to a membership at the local gym. We wouldn’t get very far in life without a willingness to commit ourselves. Commitment also is central to our faith and at the very heart of following Jesus. We make a commitment to Him, and He expects us to be committed to His Body, the Church. Our church needs to know of our individual commitments so that wise leadership decisions can be made that will lead us into the future, knowing what we have to work with and thus planning and proceeding accordingly. God grows us and shapes us according to our priorities and through the commitments we make to Him. So, we invite you to take this powerful, life-changing discipleship step by joining us with your NEXT LEVEL generosity commitment.

The first $25,000 given to this initiative came from someone who was new to our church but felt like God led them to give directly to pay down the mortgage so the church could be debt free and increase the impact on the community! These are exciting days at Grace Fellowship and will no doubt be remembered for years to come. You are here, and we would love for you to go with us on this amazing journey of faith. If you watch and wait, you won’t be able to truly share in the joy of this season or experience all God has for you. We believe God brought you here, and we want you to be a part of all God is doing. We need you on the team, and this is a perfect time for you to put a stake in the ground and make Grace Fellowship your home.

The reality is, there will never be a “better time” to begin the faith journey—or to take the next step in giving to the Lord— than right now. God calls us to action in times of hardship as much as He does in times of abundance. NEXT LEVEL is about a heart change—one that is only accomplished by surrendering our lives completely over to God in every area, including the area of giving. Believe God, walk in obedience, and trust Him to provide as you sacrifice and work towards fulfilling your commitment.

A commitment to the Lord and to NEXT LEVEL is an important step of faith. We shouldn’t make any commitment without prayerfully seeking the Lord. However, since none of us know the future, faith is required. A change in our circumstances will be no surprise to God. Of course, your commitment to NEXT LEVEL is voluntary and non-binding, but enter into this exciting phase of your journey totally committed with faith and not fear. God is able!

Be creative as you explore ways you and your family can give towards NEXT LEVEL. You might have stocks, property, personal possessions, or other items of that nature. Or, you may have some stored resources that God has blessed you with in the past that He just might be calling you to give out of during this time. Contact Deb Stoddard if you need assistance with gifts of property or stock, and we would be happy to help.

NEXT LEVEL is a short-term initiative, so our commitments are for 5 months, beginning in November of 2023. Our first opportunity to give to NEXT LEVEL will be the weekend of November 19 with our “Commitment Sunday.” Also, on December 3, we will announce the total of all commitments to NEXT LEVEL as we head into the Christmas season and this exciting time in the life of our church.

This would be a great time to start! The primary goal of NEXT LEVEL is 100% engagement of everyone at our churches, and that includes you. We are praying this will be a disciple-making, faith-building, and life-changing experience in our churches and in your own heart and life. To get anywhere, you must start somewhere, and NEXT LEVEL is a great place to start your giving adventure.

If you are currently seeking to pay down debt right now, we commend you for making progress on that. And you should continue to do so. We would be happy to help you in this journey and/or to recommend our Financial Peace University class that might minister to you. Being in debt does not, however, exclude you from the Journey of generosity. Giving isn’t about what God wants FROM you; rather, it’s about what God wants FOR you. So it should be our joy and privilege to give at all times. Please contact us if you need assistance with this or if you would like to speak with a budgeting counselor, and we would be honored to help.

• Participate, beginning November 5, by being at all weekend services for NEXT LEVEL.

• Join a NEXT LEVEL discussion with a group beginning November 5.

• Commitment Weekend, join us for this special weekend service on November 19.

• Celebration Weekend, reveal total committed on December 3