GIVING GOD OUR
What if we could experience more peace, joy, and confidence by chasing after Jesus in every part of our lives? That’s what this two-year Discipleship Journey, starting in January 2025, is all about. As a church, we’re stepping into a season of growth, aiming to be more like Jesus and reflect His love in everything we do. The theme is First & Best. We’re choosing to give God our first and best in every area—our time, talents, and resources. And if you show up on Sunday morning, you’re on the journey with us. So let’s take this step together, trusting that as we give God our first and best, He’ll shape us to look more like Jesus.
The question we will be asking ourselves is: “Am I giving God my first & best, or are there areas of my life I haven’t fully surrendered?
FUEL FOR THE JOURNEY
Along the way, you will want some resources to give you an extra boost of inspiration and equipping. As your pastor, God makes it clear my role is to equip you in your faith (Ephesians 4:11- 12). All of the pastors, elders, leaders, and staff of StoneWater are eager to equip. That’s what we live for! During the two year discipleship journey, we are ready to help you fuel up with resources and are organized to shepherd you with inspiration.
Online Catalog
As part of the First & Best Discipleship Journey, we, as a church, are going after eight First & Best initiatives aimed at expanding the kingdom of God. We are calling them our:
FIRST & BEST
INITIATIVES
By giving God our first & best in every area of life, we will grow into a deeper, more mature relationship with Him. As a by-product, this will allow us to reach and equip more people for Jesus while focusing on eight key initiatives.
During the next two years, these eight ministry areas will receive special attention with a budget increase of $1 million in 2025 and possibly even more in 2026.
By giving God our first and best in every area of life, we will grow into a deeper, more mature relationship with Him. As a by-product, this will allow us to reach and equip more people for Jesus while focusing on eight key initiatives.
Over the next two years, these eight ministry areas will receive special attention with a budget increase of $1 million in year one and possibly more in year two:
Love Life Initiative
Goal
To strengthen young single moms and their babies as they begin their life.
Budget
$50,000
Need
Often, when young women become pregnant out of wedlock, they feel shame and they wrestle with how to respond. Some choose to have the baby, some choose adoption, and unfortunately, many choose abortion. What if we could help young mothers and young fathers choose life! We believe that Jesus came to give us an abundant life from start to finish. We want to help single moms who struggle in the beginning to start their child’s life off strong. We want to see them walk in freedom and have a church family that walks with them through the adventure of parenting. We love life.
80+ Mission Trips
Goal
80+ mission trips to disciple and support the global church.
Budget
$200,000
Need
Mission trips change our lives. Mission trips are one of God’s greatest ways to discipline us out of selfishness. Mission Trips move us from thinking temporal to eternal. Mission trips remind us that we are a part of the global church. They not only propel us in our faith, but they provide much-needed encouragement and energy to the missionaries and the people that we partner with in the field. The amount of work that can be accomplished by one mission team can make a huge impact on the Kingdom of God. Can you imagine the impact 80+ mission trips could have on the Kingdom of God and our church.
Matthew 25 Initiative
Goal
To infuse even more financial aid into helping people through the HELP Ministry and Groups Ministry of SWC.
Budget
$150,000
Need
The bible calls us to serve the “least of these” in our communities. Matthew 25:31-46: Jesus calls us to care for the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, and imprisoned as an act of service to Him. The heart of Jesus is pumped with compassion for people.
New Campus Initiative
Goal
To start a new SWC Campus in Stephenville, TX.
Budget
$250,000
Need
The single greatest way to reach people is by planting new churches. We believe that by starting more StoneWater Campuses, we can reach even more people for Jesus.
We’re excited that our newest StoneWater Campus in Stephenville, TX is already welcoming new families and creating community.
SW Residency Initiative
Goal
To expand the StoneWater Residency Initiative by training young adults (21 and older) and adding new residents in 2026.
Budget
$125,000
Need
Churches, in general, are struggling to find qualified pastors and leaders, and seminaries are shrinking. Reaching Gen Z and beyond will require raising and training key leaders from their generations. The SW Residency program is our solution to help meet this need.
Family Ministry Relaunch Initiative
Goal
To relaunch SWC Family Ministries with family events, resources, and camps.
Budget
$75,000
Need
Young families at StoneWater Church desire to grow in health and strength. The enemy often attacks young families with distractions from God, and the world is great at confusing our priorities. Families must be equipped to navigate parenting challenges in today’s stressful and sinful climate.
Timeline
2025 Family Camp, workshops and events throughout the year, funds expended by Dec 2025.
Serve Our Schools Initiative
Goal
To Start Serve ISD ministries in every community with a StoneWater Campus.
Budget
$50,000
Need
The heartbeat of the community is found in the local schools. Local schools serve not only students but also all types of families. Teachers, administrators, and faculty who serve so many families and who shape the students are overworked and underpaid. What if we could bless the schools with overwhelming encouragement, selfless service, and unwavering support? Imagine the lives that could be impacted.
REM Expansion Initiative
Goal
Grow the REM (Reach, Equip, Multiply) Team and host conferences/retreats.
Budget
$100,000
Need
Churches and pastors not only in Texas but around the US are struggling because they are alone. StoneWater Church started the REM Family of Churches in 2023 in an effort to build community across churches with the goal of reaching, equipping, and multiplying the Kingdom of God. This past year has revealed that the need is great, and more could and should be done to help other churches reach people for Jesus.
DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY » FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The First & Best Discipleship Journey is a two-year initiative at StoneWater Church designed to help us mature in our faith by giving God our first and best in every area of our lives. It focuses on ten key “mile markers” that include action steps for spiritual growth and engagement.
These “mile markers” each representing a key area of discipleship:
- Freedom
- Identity
- Relationships
- Spirit
- Truth
- & (It’s not about me)
- Be Loving
- Eternal Perspective
- Serving/Sharing Others
- Transforming Community
The theme comes from the biblical principle of giving God our first & best, not just financially but in all areas of life—time, talent, and treasure. When we do this, God grows us to reflect the character of Christ.
The Discipleship Journey is for everyone in the church. Our goal is 100% participation. Whether you’re new to faith or have been walking with Jesus for years, this journey will help you grow.
No. If you’re attending StoneWater services on Sundays, you’re already on the journey.
There are three parts to the Discipleship Journey. These are the 3 things we are asking you to participate in:
Attend Sunday Morning
Attend Sunday Morning Services and do the action step that goes along with each series. We don’t want to be hearers of the faith but doers of the faith. Each action step corresponds with each Mile Marker.
Fuel-up For The Journey
The 2nd part of the journey involves the Fuel-Up resources that will help you grow in your personal walk with the Lord.
First & Best Initiatives
The 3rd part of the Journey is the First & Best Initiatives. These are eight ministry areas where we will focus attention and resources during the 2 years of the journey and possibly beyond. These are the eight things that God has called us to go after.
We have:
- A yearly Bible reading plan
- Scripture memory verses for each series
- Truth Declarations to go with each series
- Invitations to mission trips
- Freedom Ministry workshops
- Financial classes
- Marriage and family resources
- Opportunities to serve
- Group connections
By giving God our first & best in every area of life, we will grow into a deeper, more mature relationship with Him. As a by-product, this will allow us to reach and equip more people for Jesus while focusing on eight key initiatives. Over the next two years, these eight ministry areas will receive special attention with a budget increase of $1 million in year one and possibly more in year two:
- 80+: Send 80+ mission trips in two years to disciple and support the global church.
- Love Life: Empower young single moms and their babies.
- Matthew 25: Help those in need.
- Church Plant/New Campus: To start a new church/campus as the Holy Spirit leads.
- SW Residency: Prepare young adults for ministry.
- Family Ministry: Relaunch with events, resources, and camps.
- Serve Our Schools: Start Serve ISD ministries in every SWC community.
- REM: Grow the REM Family of Churches (Reach, Equip, Multiply).
For more information how you can be involved in these initiatives, visit stonewaterchurch.com/journey
Beginning in 2025, StoneWater Church will allocate $1 million in year one and possibly more in 2026 to fund these initiatives.
Mission trips change lives by shifting our perspective from the temporal to the eternal. They deepen our faith while supporting global churches and missionaries. With 80+ trips planned, the impact will be significant both locally and globally. Check out the mission trips at stonewaterchurch.com/missions. New trips will be added throughout the year.
Mature faith includes:
- Peace during storms
- Confidence in uncertainty
- Joy in conflict
- Direction in confusion
- Biblical knowledge and the ability to walk in the Spirit
Progress is measured through the Action Steps at each mile marker. By actively participating, you’ll see growth in your relationship with Jesus and your ability to reflect His character. You will hear more about the Action Steps for each mile marker during Sunday’s services.
Families are encouraged to participate together. Many Action Steps involve family-oriented activities and resources to strengthen relationships and faith as a household.
The journey was born from a desire to equip the church for future hardships, inspired by lessons learned during the challenges of 2020. After visiting The Church of Eleven22 in Jacksonville, FL, the StoneWater team envisioned a two-year discipleship plan to align ministries and foster intentional spiritual growth.
The planning process involved extensive prayer, collaboration, and input from pastors, elders, staff, and congregation members across all campuses. This effort represents the greatest act of unity StoneWater Church has seen.
Simply attend StoneWater services on Sundays to begin.
Reach out to your campus pastor or visit the website (stonewaterchurch.com/journey) for additional information and guidance.
Campus Pastors:
Granbury: Beau Mills
Glen Rose: Micah Smith
Cleburne: Brad Reedy
Godley: Clayton Lowell
Tolar: Brandon Halfmann
Snyder: Cody Wall
To grow in maturity as disciples of Jesus and transform our church into a kingdom community, reflecting the love and character of Christ.
