I’m certain you have noticed a few changes around Southwest lately. I want to assure you that the changes made were not for the sake of change. There has been a lot of prayer, preparation, and anticipation that has gone into the changes you see – and through it all we’ve used a few principles to guide us.

The first principle is, “Think like a guest.” Going anywhere new can be intimidating – especially if you’ve never been to a particular church, or even church for that matter. We have tried to look at everything from a perspective of reducing the uncertainty that may come from entering our doors.

The second has been, “Be proactive and not reactive.” I was the youth minister at a church that experienced rapid growth, and by the time we addressed the growth, it was too late. We are anticipating more new faces at Southwest, and we want to be prepared to minister to them as best as we can.

The third principle, “A spirit of excellence.” In all things we want to give our very best to the one who saved us from sin and death. I’m reminded of what Paul told the Christians in Colossae, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:22-24).

These principles have led to a mountain of work that has been accomplished this year. The welcome desk and television in the foyer. The relocation of the church office and the creation of a secured weekday entrance. The addition of signage throughout our building. The remodeling of the nursery. A major upgrade to our sound system. Improvements to our livestream and website. The list could go on, and the list of folks I’d like to brag on could fill an entire page. However, from the weekly giving, the monies and materials and equipment that has been donated, and all the folks who worked so hard to make these things happen – WE ARE BLESSED!

Looking Ahead to 2025 – A Year of Growth

In my opinion I think there has been a shift in the Church here in our country. And by that, I mean, we have done well to grow churches but have struggled to grow Christians. The elders, ministers and staff at Southwest want to grow Christians, that is our number one priority – and if we succeed in doing so, our church will grow in number as a result.

This year we look forward to bringing about a strategy called “Beyond Sunday.” Beyond Sunday is a plan and a process that will enable us, all of us, to pass on the legacy of faith that exists here at Southwest Church of Christ. Over the next several months I will be unveiling this strategy, right here in this newsletter article. So, stay tuned Southwest, 2025 is going to be an amazing year!

Love,

Mike Hawkins

Whether it’s a business, a civic organization, a church, you name it – an organization without a mission is a like a ship without a rudder. There has to be something to keep the ship headed in the right direction. This is why many organizations, including churches, have created “mission statements.”

I’ve had the question posed to me before, “Why does a church need a mission statement? Doesn’t the Bible give us our mission?” To the latter I say you are right, our directive comes clearly from scripture. “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31 ESV).

So, how do you do that? How do you love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength? How do you love your neighbor as yourself? The sky’s the limit, isn’t it? There is a myriad of things one could do to “love God” and “love neighbor” but I believe Jesus gave us a more refined way to do just that. In His final address to His disciples, Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV).

Can you see how this, the Great Commission of Jesus, demonstrates “loving God” and “loving people?” If we love God, we are going to make disciples and add to His kingdom. If we love people, we are going to help save them from Hell and teach them how to live God pleasing lives. And what’s beautiful about this commission, is that it’s cyclical. People who have been rightly discipled, will in turn disciple others. If I were to sum up this “commission cycle,” I would say we are to make disciples, who make disciples.

Although refined, again I ask, how do you do that? And again, we could come up with a myriad of ways. So perhaps a better question would be, how do we do that effectively? Thus enters the mission statement.

Ken Braddy of Lifeway Research developed a process for disciple-making that promotes and preserves this “commission cycle.” We have adopted portions of his research to form a new mission statement for Southwest. A statement that gives us practical steps for reaching our goal of making disciples who make disciples. Our new mission statement is this:

“We want to connect, grow, serve, and go beyond Sunday.”

Stay tuned because in next month’s article, I will break down what it looks like to “connect, grow, serve, and go beyond Sunday.”

Keep up the good work Southwest,

Mike Hawkins

Dear Southwest Family,

Over the past couple of months, I have been presenting the “Beyond Sunday” approach to discipleship. If you missed the previous article(s), or need a refresher, you can read them in the expandable sections above.

A Mission That Makes Disciples

As was discussed in last month’s article, the mission of the Church of Christ was clearly given in Mark 12:30-31 (“Love God, Love people”) and in Matthew 28:19-20 (“Lead people to Jesus”). But how can we do this in a practical and effective manner – utilizing the gifts, talents, and resources that God has given us?

Over the course of 2024, the leadership of Southwest sought to carefully answer that question. After much research, consultation, discussion, and prayer, what resulted was the creation of a new Mission Statement for our church. That statement is this, “We want to connect, grow, serve, and go beyond Sunday.”

As was teased in last month’s article, I’d like to take a moment to explain the steps of this new Mission Statement:

CONNECT – We want people to connect with our church beyond Sunday morning. We have multiple opportunities to do just that built right into our weekly event schedule. All we have to do to get people connected with our church, is invite! Take a look at Hebrews 10:24-25.

GROW – After having connected with our church, we want folks to go deeper. This step goes beyond our Sunday gatherings and the opportunities mentioned in the CONNECT step. The GROW step involves planned discipleship in the form of a “Next Steps” class, “Grow Groups,” and “Share The Light” events. Take a look at Ephesians 4:11-16.

SERVE – As an offshoot of the GROW step, we want people to serve beyond Sunday. I am a firm believer that cultivating a heart of service can and will defeat a consumer mindset. As a part of making disciples, we want to instill, early on, the Biblical principle of serving others. This service can take shape by way of serving our community, getting involved in a ministry here at Southwest, blessing our widows and our senior saints, or participating in a mission trip. Take a look at Matthew 20:28.

GO – We want people to go beyond Sunday. Years ago, I learned a great method for teaching, and I’m sure you’ve been shown it too - “I’ll show you how to do this, then we will do this together, and then you will do it yourself.” That best describes the GO step. Having been faithfully discipled through the GROW and SERVE steps, the GO step is the mentored taking on their own mentee. Take a look at Matthew 28:19-20.

Hopefully you can see that our new Mission Statement is not a departure from our previous – we still are commanded by scripture to “Love God, Love People, [and] Lead people to Jesus.” Our new statement just takes those commands a step further, explaining how we can practically do those things.

In next month’s article I will expand on the steps that I just mentioned, explaining in greater detail what that will look like here at Southwest.

Keep up the good work Southwest,

Mike Hawkins

Dear Southwest Family,

Over the past couple of articles, I have been discussing our new Mission Statement, “We want to connect, grow, serve, and go beyond Sunday.” My hope is that you can see how our new Mission Statement is not a departure from our previous – we are still commanded by scripture to “Love God, Love People, [and] Lead people to Jesus.” Our new statement just takes those commands a step further, explaining how we can practically do those things.

Beginning with this article, I would like for us to dive deeper into each step of our new Mission Statement, beginning with the idea that we want to connect beyond Sunday.

There has been a longstanding debate over what connects people to the church – programs or relationships. I usually don’t engage in this debate because, to me it’s not a matter of programs or relationships. Instead, it’s a matter of leveraging programs to build relationships.

So, how can we leverage weekly or bi-weekly programs to connect people and build relationships?

We have several Bible studies and peer groups that meet each week at Southwest. These are great ways to get folks who are familiar with the “church” to connect to Southwest.

But what about those who are not familiar with “church”? Maybe they went to church as a kid, but that was years ago. Maybe they have some apprehension about darkening the doorway of a church. Maybe they were genuinely hurt by someone who was a churchgoer and are leery of the church altogether. And what about those who have never been to church?

Currently, every other Thursday, Southwest hosts a game night. I think game night is an incredibly easy way to get those outside of the church to know our church. There are typically snacks and a Euchre tournament at these game nights. But if cards isn’t your thing, bring a board game or dominos and someone you want to introduce to Southwest.

In addition to this, we are discussing other ways to possibly connect people to Southwest. It has been my experience that the home is one of the least threatening environments for people to get to know one another. As a result, the idea of a “Supper for Six” program is in the works (we’re still working on the name though). The premise is simple: one family provides the home, another provides the meal, and the last provides dessert. Then, you rotate within the group.

The beautiful thing about weekly and bi-weekly programming is that it only requires one thing from you, an invite – the church will take care of the rest.

Keep up the good work Southwest,

Mike Hawkins

In my April article we began to dive deeper into each step of our new Mission Statement, “We want to connect, grow, serve, and go beyond Sunday.” For this article our topic will be growth - we want to grow beyond Sunday.

In 1889, American journalist Edgar Nye introduced the phrase "A mile wide and an inch deep." He was referring to a tributary of the Missouri River called the Platte River. The Platte is a wide, shallow, snaking stream with a swampy bottom, and is impossible to navigate. Nye wrote that the river "had a very large circulation, but very little influence. It covers a good deal of ground, but it is not deep. In some places it is a mile wide and three-quarters of an inch deep."

Many have questioned, is the church in America like the Platte – a mile wide and an inch deep? Have we done well to grow churches and failed to grow Christians? Do we have a large circulation of people, but very little influence in our homes, schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces?

Like most things, this is up for debate. But for me, as I see it, growing Christians will grow the church. Look at the church in the book of Acts, “…they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching... And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:42; 47 ESV). It’s evident that these first century Christians grew beyond Sunday.

As for the grow stage of our mission we are developing a three-stage approach. This involves planned discipleship in the form of a “Next Steps” class, “Grow Groups,” and “Share the Light” events.

The “Next Steps” class is designed for new Christians and folks who have placed their membership with us. This class will take form in a 6-week Sunday School class ordered periodically and as needed. The emphasis of this class is to teach basic Bible doctrine along with the principles and practices of our Church. From there we will encourage those participants to join a “Grow Group.”

“Grow Groups” are small discipleship groups (3 to 5 people) that will meet weekly to read Scripture, pray, and talk about life in a very personal way. This will also be a time for the group leader to share wisdom and life experience with their disciples. We are currently developing our own discipleship curriculum for our “Grow Groups” and are very excited to launch this program.

The final stage is “Share the Light” events. Twice a year, or as needed, we will have a workshop on how to share our faith. These workshops will oder strategies and advice, as well as demonstrations and exercises on how to spread the gospel message in a very practical way.

The development of this three-stage approach to growth is currently in development and will take some time to launch. We are confident though that the work and wait will be worth it in the end. I’d like to ask you for your prayers as we chart out this stage of our new mission statement – thank you in advance.

Keep up the good work Southwest,

Mike Hawkins

In my April article we began to dive deeper into each step of our new Mission Statement, “We want to connect, grow, serve, and go beyond Sunday.” For this article our topic will be serving - we want to serve beyond Sunday.

Serving in the church can take many shapes, from individual acts of kindness to involvement in organized ministries. It’s about using the gifts, time, and talents God has given us to support our church family and further our mission.

So, how can we get active in serving our God, our church, and our communities? Here are just a few ways,

1. Take part in our Sunday morning services

   • Work at the welcome desk or be an usher: Welcome our guests, help answer questions, and assist with seating. See Roy Browning if you are interested.

2. Serve in our Children’s and Youth Ministries

   • Speak with Eli Blackford to see how you can help with this fun and vital ministry.

3. Get Involved in Community Outreach and Missions

   • Organize donations: Collect food for BACM, clothing for Common Threads, or supplies for those in need. Call Cindy in the office if you’d like to know more.

   • Serve at local ministries: Volunteer at the soup kitchen. Terry Trump organizes this ministry.

   • Join mission trips: There will be a Brazil Trip in 2026 that our folks will be attending. See Jared Friedrichsen for details.

4. Offer Care and Support to Others

   • Visit the sick or homebound: Provide encouragement and companionship. Speak with Mike Hawkins or any of our elders to know more.

   • Volunteer in our meal ministry: Assist Kathy Rummer in delivering meals to families going through difficult times.

   • Offer transportation: Help others get to church services.

5. Use Your Unique Skills and Talents

   • Are you an encourager? Sending cards can brighten someone’s day. Cindy Weaver and Mike Hawkins can set you up to do this.

   • Event planning and organization: Assist in coordinating church events or managing resources. The church staff would love to put you to work here.

Finding the Right Opportunity to Serve:

• Stay informed: Watch for announcements in bulletins, emails, and social media.

• Talk to leaders: Ask Mike Hawkins, Eli Blackford, Jared Friedrichsen, Cindy Weaver, Roy Browning, or other ministry leaders to see where help is most needed.

• Be proactive: See a need? Don’t be afraid to suggest a new ministry or volunteer role to meet it.

Serving in the church is a fulfilling way to deepen your faith, build community, and bless others. There’s a place for everyone. So, take it beyond Sunday and find where your passions align and begin serving with joy.

Keep up the good work Southwest.

In my April article we began to dive deeper into each step of our new Mission Statement, “We want to connect, grow, serve, and go beyond Sunday.” For this article our topic will be “go” – we want to go beyond Sunday.

When we take a close look at Scripture, a clear pattern emerges: God’s most faithful and effective servants rarely, if ever, worked alone. From Genesis to Revelation, we see that God intentionally places people in partnership, side by side, to carry out His purposes. Ministry, mission, and even personal growth were never meant to be solo efforts. Instead, God often provides companions, partners, encouragers, and co-laborers – to share the burdens and multiply the blessings.

Consider Moses. Though chosen by God to lead Israel out of Egypt, Moses wasn’t asked to carry the responsibility alone. God gave him his brother, Aaron, as a spokesman and helper. Together, they confronted Pharaoh and led God’s people through the trials of the wilderness toward the Promised Land.

Look at David. Not only did he have Jonathan – his closest and most loyal friend – he was also surrounded by a group of loyal warriors known as his "mighty men." These were individuals who stood by David in battle, in exile, and in times of need. He valued them enough to list them by name (see 2 Samuel 23), honoring their faithfulness and courage.

David’s son Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, put it this way in Ecclesiastes 4:9, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.”

Then there’s the prophet Elijah. We often remember him as the lone, fearless voice who stood against King Ahab, Queen Jezebel, and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. But after that spiritual high point, Elijah’s attempt to go it alone almost ended in an emotional and physical collapse. Isolated and overwhelmed, he cried out for death under a broom tree. But God, in His mercy, didn’t leave Elijah to his loneliness. He sent Elisha—first as an assistant, then as his successor – ensuring that Elijah wouldn’t walk alone in his prophetic calling.

Jesus, the Son of God, modeled the importance of shared ministry. When He sent out His disciples, He didn’t send them one by one. Mark 6:7 tells us He sent them out two by two. Why? Because encouragement, accountability, and strength come in pairs. Jesus’ strategy for kingdom work never involved “lone rangers” – He built teams, trained groups, and fostered community.

As you can see, there is Scriptural precedence for sharing in ministry. Thus, when we look to the progression of our mission statement, ministering together is the natural conclusion. Having connected with the church, the body of Southwest, having grown through discipleship groups, having fostered the heart of a servant, we then go together – mentor and mentee – seeking the lost, edifying the saints, building the Lord’s church. Let’s never forget the Biblical principle that we are better together!

Keep up the good work Southwest!

Dear Southwest Family,

Over these past several Sundays, we’ve been exploring what it truly means to live out our faith “Beyond Sunday.” Our weekly worship service is an anchor for our lives, but the Christian journey is much bigger than one hour a week. Scripture makes it clear that following Jesus shapes how we think, act, and love every day.

That’s why our mission as a church is so important. It can be summed up in four simple but powerful words: connect, grow, serve, and go. These words are more than a slogan—they’re a roadmap for living out the gospel together. Each step reminds us of what God has called us to do and who He has called us to be.

First, we are called to connect. In Romans 12:5, Paul writes, “So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Faith is not meant to be lived in isolation. God designed His people to walk together, encouraging one another and sharing life as brothers and sisters in Christ. This is why fellowship is so vital. It’s not just about being friendly—it’s about being family. Connecting with one another reflects the very heart of God, who has connected us to Himself through Jesus.

Second, we are called to grow. In 2 Peter 3:18, we are told, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our

Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Growth is not automatic—it requires intention. We grow when we study the Scriptures, when we pray, and when we allow God to stretch our faith through both challenges and opportunities alike. Spiritual growth shapes us into people who think, act, and love more like Jesus.

Third, we are called to serve. Jesus gave us the perfect example when He said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Service is not an extra activity for the “super spiritual”—it is the calling of every believer. Serving can be simple: lending a hand to someone in need, praying for a friend, or using our gifts within the church. Every act of service, no matter how small, points others to the love of Christ.

Finally, we are called to go. Jesus’s words in Matthew 28:19 still ring true today: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Going beyond Sunday means living out our faith wherever we are—at home, at work, at school, and in the community. The gospel is not meant to be hidden inside church walls. It is meant to be shared through our words, our actions, and our lives.

Together, these four commitments—connect, grow, serve, and go—form a rhythm for Christian living. They remind us that Sunday worship is only the starting point. The real impact of our faith is seen in how we live Monday through Saturday. The real adventure starts the moment we step outside the doors of 516 33rd Street S.W.

Keep up the good work Southwest,

Mike Hawkins

Dear Southwest Family,

One of our sister churches did a sermon series recently that was based upon a speech given by Theodore Roosevelt. I had never heard the speech before, but was so moved upon hearing it I thought I’d share a portion of it with you here:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

The “Man in the Arena” speech, as it’s become known, is a powerful reminder that showing up, taking risks, and putting in the eGort matters far more than standing on the sidelines critiquing others. Roosevelt celebrates the people who get in the arena, who take risks, who struggle, make mistakes, and maybe even fail—but who never let fear or critics keep them on the sidelines. Friends, this idea shows up in Scripture too.

Take 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, where Paul says:

"You know that in a race, all the runners compete, but only one wins the prize. Run in a way that you will actually obtain it. I exercise strict discipline over my body, making it my servant, so that after preaching to others, I myself won’t be disqualified from the prize."

Here Paul uses the image of a race to make the case that life requires discipline, endurance, and focus. You can’t just wander aimlessly—you have to run with purpose, pushing yourself even when it’s hard, and aiming for the prize that really matters.

As I consider these two great urgings, one from President Roosevelt, one from the Holy Spirit inspired Apostle, I can’t help but link them to our mission statement. To, “connect, grow, serve, and go beyond Sunday” is not always simple. Daring to connect means reaching out even when relationships feel complicated. Daring to grow means stepping into the discipline of faith, even when we feel weak or uncertain. Daring to serve means giving our time and energy to others, even when it might go unnoticed. Daring to go beyond Sunday means taking what we learn and applying it in a world that doesn’t always reward our efforts. Brother, sister, friend - it’s a tough calling, but it’s worth getting in the arena when eternity is on the line.

Keep up the good work Southwest!

Mike

Dear Southwest Family,

With our 2025 Congregational Meeting upon us, I’ve been reflecting on the past year— and one thought keeps coming to mind: “God, don’t stop!” God has truly been at work among us in powerful ways. From the stage to the pew, from Sunday mornings to Wednesday nights, from our Fellowship Hall to our living rooms, it’s been a year filled with connection, growth, service, and a deep desire to take our faith Beyond Sunday.

Connecting, Growing, Serving, and Going Beyond Sunday

Throughout the year, we’ve focused on our mission statement — “We want to connect, grow, serve, and go beyond Sunday.” What’s amazed me most is how many of you have put our mission into action. I’ve heard and seen countless stories of people living their faith out loud — at work, at home, in school, and in the community.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 (ESV), “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” That’s exactly what’s happening here — a church family shining for God’s glory every day.

Stepping Out in Faith

One of the most encouraging things this year has been the response to our Sunday invitations. Each time someone steps forward — to be baptized, to ask for prayer, or to rededicate their life — it reminds me that God’s Word is still “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). The courage it takes to respond publicly, and the way God meets that courage with His faithfulness, has strengthened us all.

Bible Boot Camp

I believe our Wednesday Night Live series, “Bible Boot Camp,” has been another blessing. We’ve explored apologetics — learning how to defend our faith and grow deeper in Scripture. It’s proved great for new believers, for those new to the Restoration Movement, and even for those who have walked with Christ for years. The discussions have been rich and uplifting, a living example of 2 Timothy 3:16–17, where Scripture equips us for every good work.

A Family That Loves Being Together

What I love most about Southwest is how much our people genuinely enjoy being together. Whether it’s a meal, a Bible study, or simply visiting after worship, there’s a deep sense of family here. John 13:35 reminds us, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” When people walk into Southwest, they don’t just hear about love — they feel it.

Here’s to 2026

As the apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:6 (ESV): “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” God has begun a good work here at Southwest — and my prayer as we move into the new year is simply this: “God, don’t stop!”

Keep up the good work Southwest,

Mike Hawkins