APRIL 18, 2024

Lakeshore Friends—

This past Tuesday, as we mentioned in services last Sunday, Lakeshore celebrated its 29^th birthday.  I love to tell the story of our very first service.  Looking back, April 16, 1995 was such an amazing day in our history!  

The weather was nice but chilly.  After three practice services the previous Sundays, and after 14,464 direct mailers were sent out to all homeowners 54 years old and younger (I was only 33 years old back then), Lakeshore held its first public service...  In a bar...  At the Marriott hotel...  That held 75 adults comfortably...  The rest had to sit in a booth and watch the service...   Seated sideways (you paid a price for being late back then).  On that day, 112 people showed up and three people became Christians in the somewhat beer-scented bar.  It was an exciting day for our family and many others.  Lakeshore Church was born. 

God has done amazing things since then:

» 795 people have been baptized

» About 1,300 people have professed a first-time faith in Christ

» Just over half of our attenders are involved in serving somewhere in the church

» We’ve given away about $1.3 million dollars to world missions to impact our world for Jesus

We are still just as passionate about reaching people in Rochester as we were 29 years ago!  That’s not the norm for churches, because most gradually turn inward and focus on their own needs.  I am convinced that our best days are still ahead of us.  I hope you are too.

Thank you for your part in helping Lakeshore fulfill God’s mission in the world.  Sue and I thank God for you!  After God, you’re the reason why we’re still helping people discover and develop a growing relationship with Jesus.

And next year, for our 30^th anniversary, we will be celebrating in style with a great event for which plans are already in the works. Save the date: Friday, March 28, 2025!

Happy birthday to you, to us!

Warmly,
Vince