Nothing, not even the powers of Hell itself, can stop the Church! As a church, we aren’t called to retreat, but to advance. That means moving FORWARD, and so FORWARD is our focus word for 2021. We are called to move forward in faith, following God as He leads us! Jesus said,

Upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. Matthew 16:18

In 2004, we moved to Hays County, Texas to start a brand new church from scratch. We didn’t completely know what we were doing, but we had a God-sized dream of a church where:

  •             Lives are changed
  •             Real needs are met
  •             Families are strengthened
  •             Godly leaders are developed
  •             People are loved
  •             God is worshipped with passion

Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus, Philippians 3:12-14, CSB

Pray like crazy.

It seems like we are limited and restricted with where we can go and what we can do because of Covid. But one thing that can never be restricted from us is PRAYER.

The more limited you are, the more you can pray.

Cole Phillips

The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16

Talk to God about your friends before you talk to your friends about God.

Cole Phillips

Who do you think will never come to Christ?

What do you think God will never do?

This vision is all about God’s power working through us. We cannot do it on our own. In fact, if we could do it on our own, it would be worthless.

We want to do something so BIG for God that it’s destined to fail unless God comes through in a big way!

Cole Phillips

Draw closer to Jesus than ever before.

My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, Philippians 3:10

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16

Reach more than ever before.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Statistics say, most churches baptize around 1 person a year. In 2020, we saw 94 people go forward with their faith in Jesus through baptism. This is an affirmation that God is doing something new and unusual here at The Connection Church. But, as awesome as that is, there are millions of people in Texas who still don’t know Jesus, YET.

We want to make it hard to get to Hell from Hays County.

Cole Phillips

As a church, we are choosing to grow and choosing to say, we will never stop growing because God’s word commands it, because the needs of the people demand it, because Jesus believed in growth, because when we’re alive and we’re pursuing Jesus, we will grow, because the New Testament shows us rapid, large, enormous growth and because for Jesus to come back again, the Kingdom must expand. 

Would you say you are more of a spiritual consumer in the church than you are a contributor? The local church is still the hope of the world! We are His hands, feet, voice, and heart to our world.

Jesus gave everything for you. Now, it is not about you or about me. It’s all about Jesus.  I promise you, if I find a greater cause than the local church, I would abandon it all tomorrow. There is nothing better than our mission of following Jesus and making Jesus known.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

The Connection Church Vision

God’s vision for The Connection Church has captured our hearts. We see:

  •             A church with a come-as-you-are culture where people are welcome and feel comfortable, no matter their background to experience God’s grace and truth through creative services with messages that are biblical and practical and music that is modern and relevant.
  •             A church that loves children and builds a strong spiritual foundation for a successful life. Where students have a blast in a dynamic youth ministry that meets them right where they are and lets them know they matter to God. Where families are healed and marriages are strengthened.
  •             A church where people gather in homes all over our area to grow in their walk with God and in their friendships with each other in relationships that will last a lifetime.
  •             A church that is serving our community and lifting people out of hopeless situations into a life of hope and purpose.
  •             A regional church for people between Austin and San Antonio.
  •             A church that is raising up a generation of godly leaders who will influence our nation.
  •             A church that is going around the world to spread the Good News.
  •             A church that starts many other churches to impact their region for Christ.
  •             A church full of committed followers of Christ who will do whatever it takes to see God’s vision become a reality in our lifetime.

What do you need to believe God for in 2021! Dream Big God-sized dreams where God has to come through in a Big Way!