Passage Church Family,
As we begin another year, my heart is filled with gratitude for what God has done among us in 2025. This year has been marked by growth and the unmistakable evidence of God’s faithfulness toward our church family. Together, we have celebrated many people taking the step of baptism, the launch and growth of missional community groups, the expansion of our ministry partnerships beyond the walls of our church, and the birth of new ministries within our own church family. All of these moments are an important part of who we are as followers of Jesus, who make followers of Jesus, where we live, and wherever He leads. While there is so much we could celebrate, I want to pause and focus on two specific works of God this year.
First, we celebrated the planting of Straightway Church in Zebulon. While we have supported church plants in our area for many years, this marked the first time we have been the sending church. As a result, we said some difficult “gospel goodbyes” to members of our church family who answered God’s call on their lives and joined this new work. Please continue to pray for Sam and Nae, along with the entire church planting team. Church planting is a challenging work, and we want to faithfully pray that they would persevere, remain encouraged, and see God move powerfully in and through Straightway Church.
Second, we have seen God provide in remarkable ways through the Greater Initiative. Though we have not yet seen dirt move on our property, you have continued to give faithfully and sacrificially. We are being patient and diligent as we work through the necessary steps to begin the building process, and we hope to share an exciting update soon. As you know, the Greater Initiative is about more than a building—it is about increased discipleship within The Passage Church and the continued church planting work God has called us to as a church family. I am deeply grateful that God has allowed the Walton family to be part of the gospel work He is doing through The Passage Church. We look forward with faith and expectancy to all that He will do in 2026.
In Christ,
Matt Walton
As we begin another year, my heart is filled with gratitude for what God has done among us in 2025. This year has been marked by growth and the unmistakable evidence of God’s faithfulness toward our church family. Together, we have celebrated many people taking the step of baptism, the launch and growth of missional community groups, the expansion of our ministry partnerships beyond the walls of our church, and the birth of new ministries within our own church family. All of these moments are an important part of who we are as followers of Jesus, who make followers of Jesus, where we live, and wherever He leads. While there is so much we could celebrate, I want to pause and focus on two specific works of God this year.
First, we celebrated the planting of Straightway Church in Zebulon. While we have supported church plants in our area for many years, this marked the first time we have been the sending church. As a result, we said some difficult “gospel goodbyes” to members of our church family who answered God’s call on their lives and joined this new work. Please continue to pray for Sam and Nae, along with the entire church planting team. Church planting is a challenging work, and we want to faithfully pray that they would persevere, remain encouraged, and see God move powerfully in and through Straightway Church.
Second, we have seen God provide in remarkable ways through the Greater Initiative. Though we have not yet seen dirt move on our property, you have continued to give faithfully and sacrificially. We are being patient and diligent as we work through the necessary steps to begin the building process, and we hope to share an exciting update soon. As you know, the Greater Initiative is about more than a building—it is about increased discipleship within The Passage Church and the continued church planting work God has called us to as a church family. I am deeply grateful that God has allowed the Walton family to be part of the gospel work He is doing through The Passage Church. We look forward with faith and expectancy to all that He will do in 2026.
In Christ,
Matt Walton