Where there is no vision, the people perish
Proverbs 29:18
Habakkuk 1:5
[The Lord replied,] "Look among the nations! See! Be astonished! Wonder!
For I am doing something in your days—
You would not believe it if you were told.
Vision
Brister Baptist Church: A multigenerational family of believers, built on compassion and faith, devoted to knowing Christ deeply, walking with Him daily, and making Him known to the world.
Looking Back
2024 Achievements:
Brister Baptist Church had a strong and impactful year in 2024, marked by community engagement, spiritual growth, and organizational improvements.
Here's What We Celebrated
Community Service Impact
Exceptional community engagement through food distribution, item sharing, and toy gifting to those in need - truly showing Christ's love in action.
Steady Membership
Maintained consistent attendance throughout the year, demonstrating remarkable resilience with steady recovery after holiday fluctuations.
8 AM Service Growth
Developed unique identity for early morning worship, attracting and maintaining a dedicated group of early worshipers.
A Church That Shows Up
Brister Baptist has become a close-knit family, rallying together in love through prayer, support, and encouragement. Members of all ages have united to embody Christ's command to bear one another's burdens.
Deepening Relationships
Our church family has grown closer, united through worship, study, and community. This deepened sense of belonging lays a strong foundation for the year ahead.
United in Worship
Our church traveled together to worship with other congregations, strengthening bonds within and beyond.
2025: The Year of Expansion 
Brister Baptist Church will step boldly into a season of growth, stretching our faith, our reach, and our resources to impact lives and transform our community. As we enlarge our hearts, deepen our discipleship, and expand our facilities, we will build a church that embodies God's love and power, reaching new souls, strengthening families, and spreading hope in every direction. This year, we embrace God's call to expand our borders and share His grace with all who come through our doors.
Isaiah 54:2-3 (NIV):
"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities."
7 Principles for Expansion
1. Expanding Our Community and Family
2. Expanding Our Spiritual Growth
3. Expanding Our Worship Experience
4. Utilizing Our Property
5. Expanding Our Generational Impact
6. Expanding Our Financial Stewardship
7. Expanding Our Influence
1. Expanding Our Community and Family
Strengthening Connections: We will deepen our commitment to building a strong, loving community. Through small groups, ministry teams, and fellowship, we will strengthen the bonds that make us a true family in Christ.
Scripture: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Community Outreach: We will increase community outreach, focusing on practical initiatives like job training, financial literacy, mentorship, and mental health support. Our programs will build relationships and offer a place to belong.
Scripture: "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done." (Proverbs 19:17)
2. Expanding Our Spiritual Growth
Discipleship and Bible Engagement: We will offer more Bible study opportunities, both in-person and online, to equip all members for spiritual growth and deeper engagement with God's Word.
Scripture: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." (Colossians 3:16)
Prayer Initiatives: We will deepen our prayer life through new groups, teams, and walks focused on lifting each other up. Prayer will be the foundation for all we do.
Scripture: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." (Colossians 4:2)
3. Expanding Our Worship Experience
Diverse Worship Opportunities: We will enhance our worship experience, with 8 AM and 11 AM services providing opportunities for fellowship, discipleship, and encountering God together.
Scripture: "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth." (Psalm 96:1)
Creative Arts Ministry: We will expand our creative arts ministry, offering more opportunities for members to engage in worship through music, dance, drama, and other artistic expressions. This will help us connect with more people and glorify God using our gifts.
Scripture: "Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe." (Psalm 150:3-4)
Bi-Monthly In-Person Prayer Meetings: We will launch bi-monthly prayer meetings to strengthen our connection with God and one another through focused, intimate worship.
Scripture: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." (Colossians 4:2)
Small Group Launch: In 2025, we will launch small groups that meet weekly, fostering personal connection, spiritual growth, and mutual support to build a more intimate community.
Scripture: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42)
4. Utilizing Our Property
Expanding Our Physical Presence: In 2025, we'll expand our church's physical presence and community impact by purchasing the surrounding block. This includes developing affordable housing on our land in escrow, meeting both spiritual and practical needs.
Scripture: "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." (Psalm 24:1)
Partnership with Los Angeles Speech and Language Therapy Center: We're excited about our ongoing partnership with the LA Speech and Language Therapy Center, which has improved the Bobby Cain Center, enhancing our ability to serve the community. This collaborative effort reflects our focus on community initiatives.
Scripture: "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4)
5. Expanding Our Generational Impact
Youth and Young Adult Engagement: We'll expand programs for young people, creating opportunities for their spiritual growth and leadership.
Scripture: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)
Family-Centered Ministries: We'll expand family ministries with more events, workshops, and resources to help parents and children grow spiritually together.
 Scripture: "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)
6. Expanding Our Financial Stewardship
Generosity Campaign: We'll launch a generosity campaign to support our ministries and future growth, emphasizing biblical stewardship and giving to build God's kingdom.
Scripture: "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Sustainability Projects: We'll seek sustainable growth through partnerships, grants, and income-generating activities. We'll also emphasize faithful tithing to support our mission.
Scripture: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." (Malachi 3:10)
7. Expanding Our Influence
Regional and National Impact: We'll strengthen partnerships, engage the community, and support missions to expand our reach and impact locally and globally.
Scripture: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)
Leadership Development: We'll prioritize developing new leaders, equipping them to serve and spread the gospel. Leadership training will be a focus, helping individuals grow in their calling and ability to lead.
Scripture: "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." (2 Timothy 2:2)
The Place Where Amazing Things Happen