Dear Watershed,
As this year draws to a close and Christmas approaches, I’ve found myself reflecting on how much the world has changed since Watershed’s first Christmas in 2005. I was 39 then, and our greatest hope was simple yet profound: that Watershed might always be a place where those who were curious or hurting could discover—or rediscover—God in fresh ways, and experience transformation through connection with others who shared a longing for the way of Jesus.
What we couldn’t have known back then was that Watershed itself would become a living story of discovery and transformation. This community has evolved, adapted, and even reinvented itself many times over. Who we are now is not who we were then—and thank God for that. Our love has deepened. Our understanding of faith has expanded. And the ways Watershed exists in the world today would have been beyond our wildest imagination twenty years ago.
So how did this happen? How has Watershed learned to evolve—to ebb and flow, to struggle and heal, to die to old forms and rise again into something new?
As I’ve sat with that question this Christmas, one word keeps coming to mind: you.
There has always been a YOU here at Watershed. Those of you who have come before, and those of you who are here now. You—the collective body of people loving recklessly, awakening to new ways of practicing faith, and daring to reimagine what church can be. You have animated this community through your generosity, your participation, your courage. You have helped Watershed rise to meet the demands of each moment—and, when the moment felt too heavy, you’ve helped us pick up the pieces and heal together.
That has always been the essence of Watershed. But admittedly, the world has become harder for so many. And so, the need for courage, kindness, service, and sacrifice—qualities that have long marked our community—has only grown more urgent. In a world that feels increasingly fractured, the work of Watershed matters more than ever.
Being a community like this, in this time in history, matters. It matters to love unapologetically. To stand in solidarity with those the world would rather discard or dehumanize. To follow the radical compassion of Jesus in a way that defies the norms of mainstream Western Christianity. The world needs more communities like Watershed—and that’s why it’s so vital that we continue to show up for each other and for the work ahead.
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So much of this year has been the felt experience of new life. Co-creating community opportunities for growth and connection. Check out some of the most notable milestones or inflection points from 2025.
Spiritual Formation & Belonging:
This year, four Preface experiences made room for more than 100 new folks to explore their stories and integrate them with the evolving story of Watershed.Global Liberation Work:
Through your generosity, Watershed helped our international Liberation Partner, Thanglal Hoikip, recover after his home in Manipur, India, was destroyed by Hindu nationalists. With your support, we raised $14,000 to rebuild a new home in his city—a profoundly redemptive act of restoration. Today, Thanglal continues his work by training hundreds of trauma specialists serving victims of ongoing violence in his homeland.Another Liberation Partner, The Allgood Collective, continues to guide communities toward healing and liberation through trauma-informed leadership and embodied practices. Founded by Tommy Allgood, this work remains an integral part of Watershed’s culture and leadership.
Community Life, Growth and Healing:
This spring, Kelsey Smith joined our team as Watershed’s sixth Greenhouse Pastor for children. Her work centers on creating safe, formative spaces where kids can explore faith rooted in Jesus’ love for the outsider. Madeline Comer, now in her second full year leading Shed Students, guided our youth on a transformative trip to Washington, D.C., filled with spiritual and social exploration.Watershed’s recovery communities have continued to flourish—now seven groups strong—serving 150 to 250 people weekly in programs such as SA, CA, and AA. This year also saw the creation of a women’s-only group, expanding our reach even further.
This year marked our fourth year of participating in the Charlotte Pride Parade. Led by our Kindred community, Watershed’s representation surpassed the 100 mark for folks walking in the parade. A milestone our community well worth celebrating.
Blocs, Relationships and Spirituality:
In an effort to deepen connection across Charlotte and beyond, Watershed launched seven regional four-week blocs inspired by Bible Stories for Grown-Ups by Josh Scott. Later in the year, two contemplative men’s blocs, “Illuman,” inspired by Richard Rohr’s work, were piloted—spaces that foster deep listening and authentic connection. By year’s end, the total number of blocs and affinity groups grew from a handful to twelve—a huge leap forward!Re-imagined ways of leadership and music:
2025 also marked a shift from a single music pastor model to a collaborative music leadership team, mirroring the shared leadership style of our teaching team. This model embodies the relational, inclusive, and creative spirit at the heart of Watershed.Celebrating 20 years:
In September Watershed celebrated turning 20 years old, highlighting each weekend some of Watershed’s 20 year history and milestones, while bringing back friends of the past and familiar faces to share the impact of how God orchestrated change through Watershed as a church. Entitled, “The Stories and Soundtracks of Belonging” the celebration culminated on the last Sunday of the month in front of a packed house where stories and music were used to describe the impact of the last 20 years, followed by a lawn party. -
Watershed’s story has always been one of adaptability, resilience, and wholehearted love. We’ve sought to take seriously Jesus’ invitation: to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength—and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
After four years of financial strain, we experienced a much-needed season of stability between late 2024 and mid-2025. However, over the past few months, we’ve seen a noticeable dip in recurring giving—down about $5,700 per month, largely due to household moves and life transitions.
Recurring giving is the lifeblood of our community—it’s what allows us to plan responsibly, dream boldly, and embody the kind of love our world desperately needs.
Goal 1
By the early 2025, increase recurring giving of $4k/mo
Identify and prioritize next-stage financial targets while maintaining sustainability
Goal 2
By the end of 2025, add an additional $4k/mo of recurring giving
Achieve this by increasing recurring giving by $500/mo each month
