Dear friends,

I have worked at City Church for seventeen years now, and have not seen a December quite like this one. It was a remarkable month for a number of reasons. We let you know that our goal--raising $1.2 million in one month--was audacious, but realistic. And you responded with generosity that has blown us away. This December was the biggest stretch we have ever asked for from one year to the next, and not only were we able to meet our goal of $1.2 million, but your free-handed giving has reached approximately $1.4 million--$200,000 above our goal.

Not only am I deeply grateful for the way God has been working through you to fund the mission of City Church, but our staff is feeling incredibly encouraged. The fact is, the work of ministry often takes place behind the scenes, over coffee shop tables and clinics and homes. Urban ministry has an intense pace, and with the kindness in giving we have seen this past month, we can be creative: dream better, create better, and be free to undertake some exciting new initiatives.

What will that look like in 2014? Well, here are a few things we're excited about:

• We'll be able to make long-awaited improvements to the worship experience at our Mission campus

• Our children's ministry needs attention and upgrades, and we'll be able to prayerfully consider creative ways to make sure our youngest members are well served.

• City Hope, our outreach arm, has been looking at finding headquarters in the Tenderloin. This initiative will be implemented only as the funds are raised, and we're off to a great start in that regard.

• We feel like we have a green light to focus on upgrading our space, work on making people feel welcome and facilitating the best experience we can during our services.

Beyond all that we will get to do in this city, some of the most exciting stuff of this past month were my conversations with people who said they were going to start giving systematically from here out. They are folks who are committed to living into their tithe, which means there is so much more that is possible in terms of our ministries, our sites, and our work in this city. It also reminds me of the important work God does in the lives and hearts of those who give sacrificially, transforming them and opening their hands. And as I talked about last Sunday, there are eleven other months in the year. We've already had a good start to January. Your giving journey can begin any time.

When people ask me about my vision for City Church, my first answer is always that I hope to multiply what we are already doing, in different forms and fashions all over the city, to reach different people where they are. I couldn't be more grateful for the generosity of spirit and giving that will make that vision possible in new ways this year.

Thank you,

Rev. Fred Harrell