Elevation Year In Review

Elevation with Steven Furtick
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
Release Date: December 30, 2024

Introduction

In the "Elevation Year In Review" episode of the Elevation with Steven Furtick podcast, hosted by iHeartPodcasts and Elevation Church, Pastor Steven Furtick and his wife, Holly Furtick, along with key ministry leaders, reflect on the remarkable achievements and milestones of Elevation Church in 2024. They explore the growth in worship, outreach, campus expansions, impactful sermons, and personal stories that highlight the church's journey and future aspirations.

Worship Ministry: A Year of Musical Growth

The episode opens with a celebration of Elevation Worship's significant contributions over the past year. Holly Furtick emphasizes the profound impact Elevation Worship has had on both local and global communities.

Notable Highlights:

• Album Releases: Chris Brown, Elevation Worship's leader, shares excitement over releasing the church's 17th worship album, highlighting "When Wind Meets Fire" as a standout favorite. The album has been pivotal in connecting people to the church's mission.

  "I can't believe we're almost 20 years in. We released our 17th worship album. Maybe 18th, 19th if you could see it."
  — Chris Brown [04:04]

• Song Impact: The team discusses how songs like "God is Not Against Me" have transcended sermons to become integral parts of both worship sessions and written works.

  "Jesus says in John 10, he says, I have come that they may have life and have it to the full."
  — Steven Furtick [00:55]

• Upcoming Projects: Introduction of a new project, Sons of Sunday (SOS), a collaborative effort with artists like Brandon Lake and Chandler Moore, promising a fresh wave of worship music.

  "Sons of Sunday. The secret is Sons of Sunday SOS. We've been leaking, and it's coming soon."
  — Chris Brown [08:45]

Outreach and Community Impact

Elevation Church has significantly expanded its outreach efforts, demonstrating a commitment to serving both local and global communities.

Key Achievements:

• Elevation Nights: Over 160,000 attendees participated in Elevation Nights, a series of worship events combined with Pastor Steven’s teachings, fostering a sense of community and spiritual growth.

  "We saw, what, 16 cities with Elevation Nights this past year. It was incredible."
  — Chris Brown [11:20]

• Pop-Up Events: Conducted 12 pop-up baptisms across the United States, leading to the baptism of over 1,500 individuals, showcasing the church’s dedication to evangelism and personal transformation.

  "This year we've been able to do 12 pop ups and we're all over the United States. We baptized over 1,500 people."
  — Britt Atkins [14:32]

• Disaster Response: Mobilized swiftly during natural disasters like Hurricane Helene and Milton, distributing essential supplies and providing support, highlighting the church’s preparedness and compassionate response.

  "When a disaster happens, we're ready with funds. You don't have to wonder, should I give to this organization?"
  — Holly Furtick [22:11]

Campus Expansion: Establishing Permanent Presence

Elevation Church focused on establishing permanent campuses in key locations, ensuring sustained ministry and community presence.

Milestones:

• New Campuses: Opened Belmont and Columbia campuses, celebrating with events that saw significant attendance and spiritual milestones, including first baptisms in new locations.

  "We were able to open up Belmont. Columbia celebrated Christmas in their new building."
  — Chet Pete [24:06]

• Upcoming Locations: Plans to launch Greenville and Uptown campuses in summer 2025, with Raleigh, North Carolina, already breaking ground, signaling continued growth and commitment to new communities.

  "Greenville will be opening up hopefully summer 2025. Uptown should be opening summer of 2025."
  — Chet Pete [25:24]

• Personal Stories: Highlighting Isaiah's baptism in Raleigh before construction begins, emphasizing the mission-driven focus of the church's expansion.

  "The beauty of this picture is before we break ground, we already had a baptism."
  — Chet Pete [25:24]

Sermon Highlights: Transformative Messages

Pastor Steven Furtick delivered a series of impactful sermons throughout 2024, each resonating deeply with the congregation and beyond.

Highlighted Sermons:

• "Me and God Getting Back Together" & "Breaking the Bondage of Wrong Belief": Focusing on Gideon's story from Judges 6, these sermons delved into self-perception versus God's view, urging listeners to break free from limiting beliefs.

  "What wrong beliefs do we need to break up with to move forward and see ourselves as God does?"
  — Chris Brown [29:05]

• "Something in Between": An Easter sermon exploring the duality of emotions—fear and joy—highlighting the authentic journey of faith.

  "I stand before you today, excited and afraid... I'm never all of both. I'm something in between."
  — Steven Furtick [35:25]

• "In Tune with the Grace of God": Emphasizing the importance of aligning one's heart with God's truth, this sermon provided practical steps for personal spiritual growth.

  "Pause, tune, praise, repeat."
  — Holly Furtick [40:30]

Impactful Quotes:

• Steven Furtick:

  "Peace that comes from priorities."
  [32:00]

  "God gave it to me."
  [28:19]

• Holly Furtick:

  "No breakup, no breakthrough."
  [32:03]

Personal Reflections and Community Stories

The conversation between Pastor Steven, Holly, and ministry leaders is rich with personal anecdotes and testimonies that illustrate the transformative power of faith and community.

Stories Shared:

• Team Collaboration: The creation of the Sons of Sunday project exemplifies teamwork and creative collaboration among worship leaders and pastors.

  "We got together in September, and we recorded so many songs... It's coming soon."
  — Chris Brown [08:49]

• Egroup Studies: Engagement in egroup studies, particularly around the book "Do the New You", fostered deeper connections and spiritual growth within the congregation.

  "We unpacked these mindsets and really got them into our hearts to live them out."
  — Chad Zolo [19:07]

• Generosity and Impact: Holly Furtick shares her pride in the church's year-end offerings, highlighting how congregational generosity fuels ongoing and future ministries.

  "Your generosity is a powerful testimony of the impact that we're making together."
  — Holly Furtick [44:33]

Looking Ahead: Plans for 2025

As Elevation Church approaches its 20th year of ministry, the leaders express excitement and anticipation for the upcoming year, filled with new projects, expansions, and continued spiritual growth.

Future Initiatives:

• College Year Celebration: February will mark the 19th and 20th years of ministry, with plans for extensive celebrations throughout the year.

  "In February, we will celebrate our 19th but launch our 20th year of ministry."
  — Holly Furtick [44:33]

• Continued Growth: With new campuses and worship projects on the horizon, Elevation Church is poised for significant expansion and deeper community engagement.

  "2025 is gonna be incredible. We're making plans to celebrate big all year long."
  — Holly Furtick [44:33]

Closing Thoughts

The episode concludes with heartfelt gratitude towards the Elevation Church community for their unwavering support and generosity. Pastor Steven and Holly encourage listeners to reflect on the past year, revisit favorite sermons, and look forward to the promising future ahead.

Final Quotes:

"Let's step into this new year with our hearts full of faith and expectation."
— Holly Furtick [44:33]

"Thank you for joining us. Special thanks to those of you who give generously to this ministry."
— Steven Furtick [47:11]

Key Takeaways

• Worship and Music: Elevation Worship continues to lead with impactful albums and innovative projects like Sons of Sunday, enhancing global outreach through music.
• Outreach Efforts: Significant strides in outreach, including Elevation Nights and pop-up baptisms, demonstrate the church's commitment to serving and expanding its community.
• Campus Expansion: Strategic establishment of permanent campuses in new locations underscores the church’s dedication to long-term ministry and community presence.
• Sermon Impact: Pastor Steven’s sermons this year have provided deep spiritual insights and practical applications, resonating profoundly with listeners.
• Community and Generosity: The church's growth and impact are fueled by the generosity and active participation of its members, fostering a strong, supportive community.

For more information or to get involved, visit Elevation Church or download the Elevation App.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "I have decided to follow Jesus. I know. I feel like a kid again or something."
  — Holly Furtick [06:23]

• "Peace that only comes from priorities."
  — Steven Furtick [32:00]

• "No breakup, no breakthrough."
  — Holly Furtick [32:03]

• "We are something in between. We need Jesus in between."
  — Chad Zolo [38:32]

This year-end review encapsulates the vibrant life of Elevation Church, highlighting a year of growth, community, and divine impact. As the church moves into 2025, the foundation built in 2024 sets the stage for even greater achievements and spiritual milestones.