It is said that something like 92% of all New Year’s Resolutions aren’t accomplished. Either the goals were unrealistic to begin with, or the person attempting the effort simply lost interest. My Church—the Missouri District’s church plant in Ozark—doesn’t know what it’s like to be part of that statistic!

“God is on the move,” says My Church’s pastor, Rev. Jim Bartok. “You’re just trying to keep up!” The group started 2024 with three goals: conduct 10 baptisms, collectively complete 250 community service hours, and have 75 people in worship. As this article is being written, two of the three are already complete, and the third is expected to be finalized by Christmas. The baptism goal got a boost this fall and was completed in a big way. Pastor Bartok shares, “On one beautiful September afternoon, five teenagers, a child, and an infant received God’s gift of salvation through the waters of baptism.” Members of My Church commit themselves as individuals and small groups to the “Prosper the City” project—blessing their neighbors in a variety of ways. Yard work, clothing drives, visits and games for the elderly, and adopting families in need are just some of the ways these members have wrapped up 250 hours of service.

Christmas worship is the time My Church is praying to complete their third and final goal of having 75 people in worship. Members of the congregation continually invite neighbors, friends, and co-workers to join them for services. “We are unwavering in Jesus’ mission to the church to make disciples.

We have, and by God’s grace, will continue to make new disciples of Jesus for generations to come here in Ozark, Missouri,” concludes Pastor Bartok. Thank you, friends, and supporters of the Missouri District, for the way God used you in these goals for this worshipping community.

Through your generosity, you’ve walked with My Church over the last several years in planting and sustaining the ministry efforts of this thriving church plant! Indeed, building and strengthening disciples for Jesus Christ is key for mission and ministry throughout the Missouri District. Be it through church plants like My Church, welcoming and serving those new to America, caring for those on military bases, or providing a church home for college students, we’re grateful to God for leading the way and including you in these efforts.

This Christmas season, would you please prayerfully consider making a gift to the mission efforts of the Missouri District?

Gifts may be made online at https://mo.lcms.org/donate/ or sent to:

Missouri District LCMS

660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, Suite 100

St. Louis, MO 63141

Resolutions set at the beginning of a calendar year may not always come to fruition, but God’s plans certainly do. Whatever He has in store for His children is always bigger and better than any of us could imagine. We look forward to expanding ministry in 2025 and thank God for your partnership in these efforts.