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Online Commitment

Brandon HMIJohn the Baptist was one of the most unique human beings to ever live. Unique, yes, because of his wardrobe and diet, but even more so because his life and ministry bridged the gap between the Testaments. John ministered during the most exciting period in world history, the transition from B.C. to A.D. Consider what would have happened (or not happened!) if at such a critical moment John had let his success and popularity go to his head? Instead, the Bible says he confessed, “I am not the Christ.” (John 1:20) John understood that for the kingdom of God to advance, “He must increase, and I must decrease.” (John 3:30) While John the Baptist’s role is unrepeatable, his faith-filled example is instructive and relevant.

We find ourselves at a defining moment in the history of Seven Rivers. 2024 was a transitional year. God did something that should not be overlooked or taken for granted. We transitioned from the beloved founding pastor of over 40 years to a new generation of leadership without skipping a beat. Consultants will tell you to expect a drop in attendance and giving in such a situation, but we have seen the exact opposite. The health of the staff, the enthusiasm of the volunteers, and the encouragement of the congregation are stronger than ever.

The church and school have been experiencing unprecedented growth. Young families and retirees continue to move to our area in record numbers, creating the explosion of new retail and housing developments. Attendance in weekend worship is the fullest it has been since 2016. A new high school and gymnasium will be needed to handle the increase in students making their way through the lower grades. Our campus, half a mile from the Suncoast Parkway and centrally located in the county, is providentially positioned to serve as a gospel witness to an estimated quarter of a million people by 2045.

Given our past successes and potential for future growth, it would be all too easy to start believing it’s about us. But our mission remains unchanged: Seven Rivers exists to bring the healing love of Jesus to broken people and broken places. Now more than ever, we must embrace, “We are not the Christ…He must increase, and we must decrease.” Our vision for the next 2 years is to SEE JESUS INCREASE in our hearts, in our church, in our school, in our generosity, and in our county. When Jesus increases, more and more people experience his healing love, and the kingdom of God advances. That’s what I want my life to be about – how about you?

–BRANDON LAURANZON

UPCOMING DATES

  • FEBRUARY 15-16: Launch Weekend
  • MARCH 5: Ash Wednesday
  • MARCH 15-16: Commitment Weekend & Party on the Lawn (Service Times: Saturday @ 5:00 pm, Sunday @ 10:00 am)
  • APRIL 5-6: Announcement & First Give
  • APRIL 20: Easter Services (8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 am)

SERMONS

  • WEEK, 1, FEBRUARY 15-16: He Must Increase In Our Hearts (John 1:19-27; 3:28-30)
  • WEEK 2, FEBRUARY 22-23: He Must Increase In Our Church (Colossians 1:15-23)
  • WEEK 3, MARCH 1-2: He Must Increase In Our School (Proverbs 3:31-35)
  • WEEK 4, MARCH 8-9: He Must Increase In Our Generosity (John 12:1-8; Mark 14:9)
  • WEEK 5, MARCH 15-16: He Must Increase In Our County (Acts 17:16-34)

OUR VISION

We want to JESUS increase in:

  • OUR HEARTS. The foundation of spiritual health is a growing intimacy with Jesus. The larger our vision of Jesus (His person and His work) the larger our love will be for Him, and the less we will be enticed by counterfeit saviors.
  • OUR CHURCH.  The church is the body and bride of Christ, so every aspect of our community should center around Him. A growing corporate worship of Jesus is what unites diverse people who would otherwise remain disconnected.
  • OUR SCHOOL.  “Christian” is the most important qualifier that distinguishes our educational model from secular philosophies. The goal of SRCS is to make disciples of Jesus Christ who believe that He is the source of all knowledge and the fount of all wisdom.
  • OUR GENEROSITY.  The deeper our grasp of the cost of Jesus’ sacrifice and the lavishness of His grace, the more we will be extravagantly generous with our time, our treasure, and our talents - not because we have to but because we want to.
  • OUR COUNTY. Citrus County needs Jesus. Those who are far from God are attracted by Jesus-like deeds of love, mercy, and compassion. We want to see Jesus working through all true expressions of His Church, because The Kingdom is larger than Seven Rivers.

OUR GOALS

  • Financially fund the mission and ministries of Seven Rivers Church for the next 2 years
  • Begin construction of a new High School & Gymnasium (completion Fall 2027)
  • Hire a Pastor of School
  • Raise up and invest in the next generation of leaders
  • Strategically plan for a central campus that can serve multiple, local congregations in the future
  • Support Kingdom work throughout Citrus County
  • 100% Participation in He Must Increase

 HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?

HMI PRAY

Pray for Jesus to increase. Ask God to show you what generous, faith-stretching giving looks like for you and your family. 

HMI ENGAGE

Come to worship each weekend expecting to hear from God through the liturgy and preaching. Be open to all that God asks of you.

HMI GIVE

Joyfully commit “as you have decided in your heart, not grudgingly or in response to pressure, for God loves a cheerful giver.” —2 Corinthians 9:7

HMI CELEBRATE

Celebrate what God does in our church and in our lives through He Must Increase as we seek to honor him with our resources, service, and worship.

RESOURCES

He Must Increase Devotional

He Must Increase Booklet

HMI Booklet Cover

REQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GROWING IN GENEROSITY

In Matthew 6, Jesus says, where your money is, there your heart will be also. We want everyone who calls this church ‘home’ to be growing more like Jesus. If we are growing in Christ, we should also be growing in generosity. We believe that Christian generosity begins with giving to the local church and that all Christ-followers should have a plan to support their local church. Whether you are considering giving for the first time, or you have faithfully given for years, we believe there is a step you can take to grow in generosity. As we grow in generosity, we not only increase our giving, but also our Kingdom impact. We want to equip you to grow in generosity, so we’ve put together this guide to help you along the way.

  FIRST-TIME

I am giving for the first time. 

Growing in generosity always begins with a first step. Taking that first step is never easy, but required if you are going to grow. If you have never given before, take your first step by giving today.

OCCASIONAL

I have given before, but not consistently. 

If you have given something in the past, but done so inconsistently, often times your next step is to begin giving regularly. A great way to move from giving occasionally to giving consistently is to set up a recurring gift through your financial institution.

CONSISTENT

I give consistently, but not as much as I could. 

The consistent giver has taken steps to give regularly. They are committed to active growing. At this stage, our next step of growing in generosity is to give in a way that reflects the generosity we have been shown through Christ. A next step to grow in generosity is to evaluate the level at which you are giving.

TITHING

I faithfully give 10% of my income. 

Tithing is simply giving back the first 10% of what God has given us. The tithing giver has gone from giving consistently to giving intentionally in a way that models a heart of generosity. Growing in generosity means looking for additional ways to further God’s Kingdom with your resources.

SACRIFICIAL

I give more than 10%, prioritizing God’s Kingdom over mine. 

The sacrificial giver is someone who gives beyond what is normal or expected. When we grow into sacrificial giving, we begin to choose God’s Kingdom over our own comforts. Sacrificial givers show the transforming work Jesus has done in their lives by giving in a way that impacts our lifestyle. 

LEGACY

I give to make a Kingdom impact that outlasts me. 

The legacy giver believes that every resource, whether financial or otherwise, is a gift from God to be used for his Kingdom purposes. Legacy givers intentionally give by acknowledging their generosity will outlast them, and everything in their lives is to be freely and generously given for God’s work. Legacy giving leaves an impact which outlasts the givers and serves the Kingdom beyond their lifetimes.