2022 Annual Report
Group photo after the All-Church Family Retreat in August 2022.
Download PDF version of this report.
Executive Summary
We have recovered from the pandemic, but some areas are still rebuilding.
KEY POINTS
We’ve successfully re-launched a second campus.
Attendance has grown considerably.
We have high-caliber ministry leaders, but they’re stretched thin.
We are in an unstable financial position.
We are rebuilding our discipleship strategy.
SECTIONS
Where We’ve Been: Highlights from 2022
Where We're Going: Plans For 2023
Financial Updates
Where We’ve Been:
Highlights from 2022
10 AMAZING HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2022 (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
Successfully re-launched our struggling Brooklyn Park campus.
Returned attendance to pre-Covid levels.
Distributed over 35,000 pounds of food.
Built a 30' drainage ditch at St. Paul to prevent water damage.
Baptized 8 people in Jesus Christ.
Increased YouTube traffic 34% over 2021.
Repaired 6 furnaces & AC units.
Gave out 5,000 pairs of Bombas socks.
Ministered to 363 people for Easter, 296 for Halloween, 302 for Christmas.
Hosted an all-church retreat for the first time in 3 years.
2022 ATTENDANCES
Observations:
We see an overall upward trend.
Most Sundays, we average between 220-240.
We are now consistently matching our pre-Covid numbers.
If we continue on this trajectory, we’re estimated to be 350 by January 2024.
6-MONTH SUNDAY SNAPSHOT
Here’s what a typical Sunday service looks like at RiverLife.
St. Paul Campus: 77 Adults, 17 Youth, 22 Kids. Total: 115
Brooklyn Park Campus: 35 Adults, 8 Youth, 28 Kids. Total: 70
Observations:
St. Paul is 64% larger than BP.
St. Paul is 34% kids and youth. BP is a 51% kids and youth.
THE LEADERSHIP OF RIVERLIFE
Most ministries has a pastor/director (teal) and a campus leader (orange). Some ministries are shared across campuses.
St. Paul Campus
Pastor: Greg Rhodes
Worship: Shong Vang
Youth: Tommy Lor
Kids: Jeremy Garland
Spiritual Growth: Pang Foua Rhodes
Community Engagement: Alicia Tho
Brooklyn Park Campus
Pastor: Kong Moua
Worship: Johan Yang
Youth: Tim Thao
Kids: Pang Moua
Spiritual Growth: Pang Foua Rhodes
Community Engagement: Alicia Thoj
6 in 6 Initiative
Launching a second campus has stretched our current leaders thin. So, we’ve launched an initiative this year to raise up 6 new leaders into significant ministry roles within 6 months. We believe it is essential to the future health and growth of RiverLife. I’m happy to report that we already have 3 people in the leadership pipeline to step into leadership within the next few months.
Where We're Going:
Plans For 2023
4 Strategic Goals for 2023
1. Become an Accredited Church
As a church plant, we are considered a “developing church” in the Alliance. Becoming an accredited church is like transitioning from being a minor to an adult.
Key Tasks
Formalize membership process (class, application, interview, etc.).
Host our first membership class in Q1.
Establish governing board and bylaws by the Fall.
2. Improve the Financial Health of the Church
While we are consistently operating within budget, launching the second campus has drained much of our savings, resulting in us operating in an unstable financial position.
Key Tasks
Save $15,000 in the bank by reducing spending and seeking out rentals.
Increase financial visibility and accountability by providing quarterly financial updates to the congregation.
Improve budget creation and tracking.
3. Develop a Comprehensive Discipleship Strategy
The pandemic disrupted many of our discipleship plans and programs. We finally feel like we can once again invest in this critical ministry.
Key Tasks
Build a stronger discipleship culture
Develop a discipleship pathway for spiritual growth
Expand our spiritual growth opportunities
Invest in Life Groups
4. Become a Voice of Influence for Next-Gen Hmong Ministry
More and more churches are launching young adult, next-gen, and English ministries, but there is nobody out there providing ministry wisdom and insight for the young leaders. We believe RiverLife can fill that gap.
Launch a blog at nextgenhmong.com, and publish weekly articles on practical aspects of ministry here at RiverLife.
Explore additional platforms like a podcast, YouTube channel, or social media.
Financial Update
Strengths from 2022
Closed the year $6,334 ahead.
General Fund giving has increased every year. Up 6.5% from 2021.
100% financially self-sufficient. (1st time)
Growth Areas from 2022
Savings is dangerously low.
We’ve living paycheck-to-paycheck
Revenue was down 3%. (1st time)
Maintaining second campus was more expensive than projected.
2022 Balance Sheet
Income: $338,130
Expenses: $331,796
Net: +$6,334
Bank Balance: $3,465 (as of 3/4/23)
Revenue Sources (Apr-Dec. 2022)
Offering: 89%
Facility Rental: 4%
Covid Clinics: 4%
Missions Giving: 2%
Misc. 1%
Giving Snapshot (2021 / 2022 / Change)
Averge Attendance: 114 / 209 / +81%
Total Giving: $297,824 / $276,942 / -7%
Total Donors: 149 / 178 / +20%
Recurring Gifts: 53% / 39% / -26%
Summary: We have more people attending and more people giving. But they’re giving less and giving less consistently.
50% of giving comes from 14 people or families.
2022 Monthly Revenue (all sources)
We have a mix of spikes and drops, as well steady periods. This is very normal for RiverLife giving.
2022 STATEMENT OF ACTIVITY
REVENUE
Tithes/Offerings: $276,943
Mission Trips: $7,273
Great Commission Fund: $2,777
Covid Clinics: $16,500
Facility Rental: $10,365
Misc. Income: $4,264
Interest Income: $9
NCD Support: $20,000
TOTAL REVENUE: $338,130
EXPENSES
Facilities
- St Paul Campus: $53,260
- BP Campus: $30,064
- Custodial Supplies: $487
- Loan Interest: $12,413
Total Facilities: $96,224
Administrative
- Office Supplies: $3,008
- Advertising & Marketing: $394
- Subscription Fees: $2,230
- Accounting/Bookkeeping: $3,905
- Leadership Development: $2,402
- Copier/Copies: $3,932
- Facility Rental Expenses: $731
- Bank Fees: $509
Total Administrative: $17,110
Payroll Expenses: $153,246
Health Insurance: $18,936
Ministries
- Worship: $4,541
- Youth Ministry: $2,455
- Children's Ministry: $3,657
- Connections: $5,834
- Online Ministry: $548
- Community Engagement: $3,860
- Special Events: $11,652
- Other Ministries: $2,848
Total Ministries: $35,394
NCD Contribution: $8,273
Great Commission: $2,614
TOTAL EXPENSES: $331,797
NET REVENUE: $6,334
2022 EXPENSES
2022 MONTHLY BALANCE SHEET
July
Income: $26,567
Expense: $27,259
Net Balance: -$691
August
Income: $27,644
Expense: $23,359
Net Balance: $4,285
September
Income: $29,078
Expense: $33,670
Net Balance: -$4,592
October
Income: $27,789
Expense: $26,915
Net Balance: $874
November
Income: $23,260
Expense: $34,686
Net Balance: -$11,426
December
Income: $32,662
Expense: $30,129
Net Balance: $2,532
Total
Income: $338,130
Expense: $331,797
Net Balance: $6,334
January
Income: $36,660
Expense: $17,802
Net Balance: $18,858
February
Income: $23,964
Expense: $22,142
Net Balance: $1,822
March
Income: $33,718
Expense: $29,231
Net Balance: $4,488
April
Income: $26,477
Expense: $34,833
Net Balance: -$8,356
May
Income: $22,190
Expense: $24,983
Net Balance: -$2,793
June
Income: $28,120
Expense: $26,787
Net Balance: $1,333
