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07819 December 14, 2007
A tree on a hill
California NCD lights the way to Christmas
by Emily Enders Odom Associate for Mission Communications Presbyterian Church (USA)
PASO ROBLES, CA - This Christmas, as Highlands Church completes its first full year of ministry in the rapidly growing community of Paso Robles, Ca., it has literally blazed a path toward new birth.
More than 250 people, their way illuminated by a host of "luminarias," journeyed up a hill recently to watch as a 25-foot Christmas tree made of lights was set ablaze high above the church's property in the expanding city center.
"It was an awesome way to prepare for the coming of the Light of the world," said Jamie Baird, the church's director of Outreach and Small Groups. "We sang carols together and drank hot chocolate there where our new building is coming to life. Even more importantly, we're heading into Christmas and the New Year with a church full of excited new Christ-followers."
And a new year it will be. In only twelve months' time, the Highlands Church, a new church development of Santa Barbara Presbytery, has moved from one service of worship with an average attendance of 180 to three services with an average attendance of 550. The church's children's ministry is also experiencing extraordinary growth, with an average of 150 children under the age of 12 each Sunday.
The congregation, which meets in a local movie theater, will continue to worship there until construction of its new, multi-purpose facility is completed in 2008. "Our vision," said the Rev. Graham Baird, pastor of Highlands and brother of the church's outreach director, "is to be a regionally attractive church for all of the Northern Central Coast."
The Highlands new church development receives generous support through the presbytery's Joining Hearts & Hands fundraising campaign, which is providing funds for the church's staffing, interim facilities, site preparation, construction planning, and building.
The Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts and Hands (MIJHH) is a five-year, $40 million campaign to raise funds for new overseas mission personnel and for church growth in this country, particularly racial ethnic and immigrant congregations.
The Baird brothers say that Christmas Eve is one of their favorite times of the year, with a service for families and two candlelight worship services planned for the community this year. "Last Christmas Eve, we had more than 750 people in worship for two services at the historic Paso Robles Inn," Graham Baird said. "Because we don't know what to expect this year, we've changed our venue to the brand new Kennedy Fitness Center, which is right near where our new building will be. We've also added a service." Already deeply integrated into the life and fabric of the city of Paso Robles - in addition to utilizing the local movie theater, the church convenes Bible studies and small group meetings in area hotels and restaurants - Highlands is intentionally missional in its orientation. "We are taking on more challenge," said Jamie Baird. "Our church has unanimously committed to providing fresh-water and water missions to people in Africa. We've already given $20,000 and hope to increase our giving in the coming year."
In addition, the church's commitment to local mission has been renewed, notably through its connection with a bilingual Spanish Presbyterian Church in Santa Maria.
"We are amazed at all that God has done and is doing here at Highlands," Jamie Baird said. "There's no telling what God has in store for us, but in this season of miracles, we are prepared to expect the unexpected."
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