YEAR IN REVIEW //
2025
In 2025, we gathered, we grew, and we served. Through it all, God was writing His story. Here’s what happened when our community said “yes” to following Jesus.
SUNDAYS
In 2025, God met us wherever we gathered: across rooms, screens, cultures, and generations. From our Brader Way, Fitchburg, and Downtown locations to living rooms and coffee shops across the Madison area and beyond, Blackhawk came together as one church in many locations.
This year, we launched a Spanish-speaking service, creating space for our Spanish-speaking community to encounter God in their heart language. Blackhawk Chinese Ministry also celebrated its 10th anniversary. What began as a small gathering has now become a thriving ministry.
Week after week, we taught Scripture through eight different message series, with in-depth and accessible teaching that challenged us to grow deeper, no matter where we were on our faith journey.
Our reach extended far beyond our physical locations. Online Sunday services reached people in all 50 states and 64 countries. In addition, this year we saw 43,100 Blackhawk Messages podcast downloads, 12,400 Next Steps podcast downloads, and nearly 25,000 people connecting with our Bible reading plans on YouVersion.
locations & online
languages
average weekly adult in-person attendance
average weekly online viewers
average weekly podcast downloads
BEYOND SUNDAYS
Throughout the year, we came together to have some fun and celebrate special moments. We honored culture and community through our Juneteenth film screening, Hispanic Heritage celebration, and Chinese New Year festivities. We served students during Study Day, connected with families at Trunk or Treat, and gathered as neighbors at Community Picnics across Dane County. We also celebrated the story of Jesus and opened our doors to thousands of visitors at Christmas, Blue Christmas, Maundy Thursday, and Easter.
Study Day was more than just hitting the books. On December 12, 2025, college and university students gathered to study, share meals, build community, and end the night with worship and prayer—one of the most meaningful moments of all. A space to focus, connect, and be reminded we don’t do life alone.
#BlackhawkChurch #StudyDay #CollegeMinistry #CommunityMatters #WorshipTogether #bhawkevents
Christmas at Blackhawk on December 23 & 24 was a beautiful reminder of why we gather. 🕯️
Families, friends, candlelight, and joy all came together as we celebrated the birth of Jesus and the hope He brings. Thank you for being part of these meaningful moments and for making church feel like home. We’re grateful for you—and we can’t wait to gather again.
#BlackhawkChurch #ChristmasAtBlackhawk #ChurchCommunity #HopeIsHere #BetterTogether #bhawkevents
Christmas at our Spanish Ministry was a celebration of hope, worship, and family.
We gathered around God’s Word, lifted our voices in praise, and ended the night sharing a joyful banquet of Latin food together. This is what faith and community look like when we celebrate Jesus side by side.
#BlackhawkChurch #SpanishMinistry #ChristmasAtBlackhawk #WorshipTogether #ChurchCommunity #bhawkevents
What an amazing day at Trunk or Treat! 🎃🍬
Our parking lot was filled with laughter, costumes, candy, and families connecting. It was such a joy to see kids having fun and experiencing God’s love in simple, beautiful ways. 💛
Moments like these remind us that community starts with sharing joy — no matter how small we are.
#BlackhawkChurch #TrunkorTreat #MadisonWI #ChurchCommunity #FamilyFun #FallFestival #MadisonFamilies #FitchburgWI #BraderWay #CommunityLove #FaithAndFun #ChurchLife #bhawkevents
10 years of Blackhawk Chinese Ministry! Countless stories of transformation. 🙌
From a small gathering to a thriving ministry reaching hundreds each week—God’s been at work through Blackhawk Chinese Ministry! Here’s to the next decade of lives changed and hearts transformed.
#MulticulturalCommunity #ChineseMinistry #transformation
#bhawkevents
¡Comida, música y comunidad! 🎉
El domingo pasado celebramos nuestro evento de Herencia Hispana con comida deliciosa, música latina y mucho baile. 💃🕺
Qué alegría poder compartir juntos y celebrar la belleza de nuestras culturas. ❤️
Food, music, and community, what a celebration! 🎉
This past Sunday we came together for our Hispanic Heritage event, filled with delicious Latin food, amazing music, and lots of dancing! 💃🕺
Such a beautiful reminder of the joy and warmth our cultures bring when we gather as one family. ❤️
#HispanicHeritage #LatinoVibes #BlackhawkChurch #Community #FoodMusicDance #MadisonWI #LatinFlavor #CelebratingTogether #BlackhawkEnEspañol #bhawkevents
This past Sunday we celebrated Hispanic Heritage, and what an amazing day it was! 🎉
So much joy, color, and community as we came together to honor culture, stories, and the beauty of what God is doing among us.
#BlackhawkChurch #HispanicHeritage #Community #OneChurch #MadisonWI #FaithAndCulture #TogetherWeCelebrate #BlackhawkEnEspañol #bhawkevents
One week ago, we gathered for One Night, a special evening to celebrate all of our incredible volunteers and leaders who make ministry at Blackhawk possible.
It was a night filled with music, joy, laughter, and community. Pastor Matt reminded us of the heart and vision of our church, to keep pointing people to Jesus and to live out our calling together as one family.
We’re so grateful for each person who serves and gives their time, energy, and gifts to make Blackhawk a place where people can belong, grow, and experience God’s love. This night was for you!
#BlackhawkChurch #OneNight #ServingTogether #VolunteersMatter #ChurchFamily #FaithInAction #PurposeAndVision #MadisonWI #CommunityOfFaith #bhawkevents
🎬✨ We`re beyond excited to have Pastor Rasool Berry with us this Saturday! He wrote, produced, and hosts "Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom" - and he`ll be here for a special Q&A after our screening, plus teaching on Sunday morning!
As a multicultural church, this is our chance to learn, celebrate, and grow together as God`s diverse kingdom. Bring your family and friends! Link in our bio to register for this free event.
#bhawkevents
Study day was exactly one week ago today and we still can`t believe how amazing it was to worship with you all! What a beautiful community we have created here 💕💞
#bhawkevents
On Friday night we wrapped up another amazing Study Day with Blackhawk College Ministry! So much work goes into making this happen, so many helping hands from volunteers, so many donations, so many staff supporting the students and of course so so so much food to fuel this community! We are so blessed to have these amazing young adults in our Blackhawk family! 💕
Thank you to everyone who has poured into them and made Study Day possible! & Thank you to everyone who came out to study, worship, and praise God together! Make sure to check back for our recap video later this week! 😎
#bhawkevents
Yesterday every site and venue was filled with families of all kinds, big and small, coming together to praise Jesus! Easter is always special when we get to praise and worship as one big family 💕 ✝ 💕
#bhawkevents
ONE NIGHT
We gathered for One Night, a special evening to celebrate and launch the Blackhawk Serve Team, the incredible volunteers and leaders who make ministry happen at Blackhawk! It was a night filled with music, encouragement, great snacks, and even an impromptu dance party in the Atrium. Pastor Matt reminded us of our church’s heart and vision to keep pointing people to Jesus and to live out our calling together as one family.
TAKING NEXT STEPS
This year, people took meaningful next steps with Jesus, from baptisms and Bible studies to first-time questions and deeper commitments. Wherever someone started, there was always an invitation to keep growing.
FOLLOW | Each week, new people engaged with Blackhawk for the first time. We walked alongside new Christ-followers taking their first steps. Through Alpha, people found space for their doubts and questions, discovering what it means to really follow Jesus in community. And people chose to be baptized, publicly declaring their faith in Jesus and celebrating what God has done in their lives.
CONNECT | Groups gathered weekly in homes and online to encourage, support, and challenge one another. A group of adults in their 60s started meeting to study Scripture and do life together, discovering they needed community more than ever. Young adults spent the summer gathering for connection and honest conversations about faith and life. Through Alongside and Care Groups, people walking through grief, loss, and hardship found others to walk with them in difficult seasons.
LEARN | We went deeper together through Courses and Bible Study. We wrestled with real questions at the intersection of faith and culture—like navigating politics as a thoughtful Christ-follower or loving our immigrant neighbors. These weren’t easy conversations, but they were necessary ones.
SERVE | Volunteers used their gifts to serve within the church and throughout Dane County, from serving with kids and students to leading groups, working behind the scenes, and partnering with community organizations. Everywhere they served, volunteers made meaningful ministry possible.
FOLLOW | people joined Alpha to explore faith
CONNECT | people gathered in community or care groups
LEARN | people participated in Bible Study or courses
SERVE | people served throughout the church
Baptism
We celebrated 117 people who took the step of baptism this year. Each baptism was an outward sign of an inward reality, a beautiful way to share with our community that they decided to follow Jesus and celebrate what God has done in their lives through Christ.
KIDS & STUDENTS
Every week, kids experienced God’s love through BKids, encountering Jesus in age-appropriate, joy-filled ways. In 2025, 52 kids were dedicated during Sunday services, where we got to celebrate alongside families committed to raising their children in a church community. On Maundy Thursday, 38 kids received communion for the first time, a meaningful step in their faith journey.
Middle schoolers and high schoolers gathered on Wednesday nights, navigating big questions and discovering that faith isn’t just something you believe—it’s something you live. As always, Snow Camp was a highlight: 285 students experienced powerful moments of worship, vulnerability, and authentic connection, with several students accepting Jesus for the first time. Beyond Snow Camp, middle schoolers participated in a medieval-themed lock-in as well as Madison Missions, while high schoolers connected through HSM Thrive and a day away at the waterpark. Both were able to participate in a Global Outreach (GO) Team trip.
College students experienced a sense of home during this season of transition, gathering weekly on Tuesday nights and in community groups. They also connected through the Winter Retreat, Friendsgiving, and a Global Outreach (GO) Team trip. This past semester, 20 students accepted Jesus for the first time.
average weekly attendance in BKids
average weekly attendance for high school students
average weekly attendance for middle school students
average weekly attendance for college students
Students serving Our City & Beyond
This summer, students from middle school to college served our city and beyond.
Madison Missions brought over 200 middle schoolers together for Christ-centered service right here in Madison. Students logged over 3,000 hours gardening at schools, organizing for nonprofit organizations, and packing for food pantries.
Global Outreach (GO) Teams took students beyond Madison. Middle schoolers partnered with Eaglecrest Youth Ministries in Alaska for day camps. High schoolers served children in Romania through Open Roads. And college students worked in Anchorage with Praying Pelican Missions, serving in food shelters and supporting local ministries.
These experiences transform students. They come back with deeper faith and a lifelong desire to make a difference wherever God places them.
Serving OUR City
& BEyond
God cares about the flourishing of our city and the world beyond. This year, we showed up for Madison and communities around the globe with our hands, our resources, and our hearts.
We partnered with local and global organizations to make a bigger impact together. Through Love Madison, volunteers painted schools, repaired homes, and served at food pantries, joining with organizations already doing meaningful work in our city. Through Cooking for Good, volunteers prepared meals for people experiencing homelessness at The Beacon and for those impacted by domestic abuse at Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS). Global Outreach (GO) Teams participated in God’s work alongside partner organizations in Alaska, Romania, and Bolivia, helping build homes, supporting camps, and serving churches in other countries.
As always, we also opened our church buildings to the local community. Throughout the week, we hosted blood drives, served as polling places, welcomed community musicals, and provided space for conferences and local organizations to meet. We believe this is what it looks like when the church exists for the good of the city, not just for itself.
local & global partner organizations
National & Global Servants
volunteers served on GO Teams around the world
total $ investment in serving our city and beyond
LOVE MADISON
Through Love Madison, 1,158 volunteers gave nearly 3,700 hours serving our neighbors across Dane County. We completed 56 projects for 38 organizations, from painting schools and landscape clean-up to deep cleaning, sorting, and serving at food pantries. This is how we actively show the love of Jesus in our community.
Our partners told us:
“Thank you for beautifying our building. Love Madison kicked off our community garden, which we’re so excited to have back this year.” — Centro Hispano
“The large team accomplished what would have taken me several weekends alone. A huge heartfelt thank you.” — Dottie’s Ranch
“We’ve never had volunteers come into our office like this. We walked away with all our to-dos completed. We’d be happy to participate every year.” — Maydm
“The highlight was seeing children so focused and understanding why they were there to help. The day felt like working with a trusted partner.” — Badger Prairie Needs Network
Giving Generously
This year, you gave joyfully and faithfully in response to God’s incredible generosity to us. Your giving played a part in God’s story, transforming lives in our community and beyond.
Your generosity touched every age and stage, from BKids to college students, from Sunday worship to group life. Together, we completed Project Tech, enhancing the worship experience in person, at our sites, and online so more people could encounter Jesus. We partnered through Advent Conspiracy, bringing hope and practical help to neighbors near and far. And we made meaningful progress toward paying down our building debt.
Your investment mattered: every dollar, every hour, every act of service. Your generosity didn’t just support a budget – it changed lives.
households gave to the General Fund
households gave to Advent Conspiracy
households gave to Project Tech
total $ giving for Project Tech (over 27 months)
Your Generosity Made
Stories Like These Possible
For years, I searched for “something greater” through Buddhism, meditation, and travel around the world. Those experiences were powerful but always faded. At my lowest point, anxious and depressed, I met Miguel, who brought me to Blackhawk. I heard the “God With Us” series and realized God actually wants to be with me. His presence doesn’t fade like everything else. Now I serve in BKids, joined Alpha, play volleyball with friends from church, and got baptized because I’m all in. — Ash
Back in September of 2022, a small group of 5-10 people started meeting for a Spanish-speaking Bible study on Sunday mornings. The group started to grow, and last summer we were able to hire Elliud Rodriguez as the Director of Blackhawk Spanish Ministry. Since that time, as many as 70 people have been coming to the Sunday morning Bible study and the group started holding monthly Spanish worship services at the end of 2024 that regularly have over 100 people in attendance. And in the last week of April, they began holding weekly Spanish services in the gym at 9:00 AM at Brader Way. Many new families continue to come, and we’re excited to see how God moves going forward! —Spanish Ministry
Before I accepted Christ, I never truly felt free. A little over a year ago, when I went to Madison Missions, I felt God’s presence as my leader prayed for me. This was an important moment in my faith journey. Now, I feel joy and a greater sense of connection with my family and friends. I have started to look at the world with a sense of wonder. — Katheryn
This year, Blackhawk partnered with The Beacon to bring new life to their building through a community mural project. What started with a Beacon guest’s creative vision grew into a beautiful collaboration—bringing together the guest artist, local artists, Beacon staff, Blackhawk volunteers, and city staff. It’s a powerful reminder that when we each work within our own spheres of influence, we can create something truly beautiful together. Watch this! — Impact Ministry
I was raised in a Christian home, and church was a big part of my life. College brought challenges for me, including the sudden loss of a friend. This led to a long break from faith. I eventually found Blackhawk, and I was quickly drawn to the welcoming atmosphere and deep messages. My life has continued to transform through being in a community group and serving with Blackhawk College Ministry. — Lars
At our fall MSM lock-in, a middle schooler invited a friend whose family isn’t connected to a church. The next morning, his entire family came for breakfast. They asked thoughtful questions about Blackhawk and shared how good it felt to see their son welcomed and known. We don’t know where that moment will lead, but we’re grateful for events that make it easy to invite neighbors in and create space for meaningful connection. —Middle School Ministry
Project Tech is Complete!
Thanks to your generosity, we completed Project Tech this year, improving the in-person and online experience through upgraded broadcast systems, camera equipment, technology infrastructure, and lighting across all our campuses. Now more people can experience the transforming power of Jesus through our Sunday worship services, whether they’re in the room, at another site, or joining online. That’s your generosity at work.
Looking Ahead
To everyone who showed up, served, gave, prayed, and invited others, THANK YOU!
This year happened because you said “yes” to what God was doing. You chose community over convenience. You showed up when it was hard. You gave generously. You loved well.
You are Blackhawk Church. And this is God’s story through us.
2025 was incredible. But we believe the best is still ahead. God is already at work in 2026, and you’re invited to be part of it.
Ways to Pray
- Pray that we would grow in our dependence on God, seeking Him first and trusting Him together as a community. Pray for discernment and courage—that we would hear His voice, sense his leading, and follow Him faithfully.
- Pray for deeper relationships in our church community. Ask God to help us grow together through Sunday gatherings, group life, serving, and everyday moments throughout the week.
- Pray for our Spanish-speaking congregation, that God would continue to grow this community and reach more people with the gospel.
- Pray for our middle school, high school, and college students who are sharing the gospel and inviting friends to church. Pray for the staff and volunteers pouring into these students and helping them grow in their relationship with God.
- Pray that God would help you recognize where He’s already at work in your neighborhood, family, and workplace, and that He would give you courage to join Him there.
Take Your Next Step
Following Jesus is a lifelong journey, and there’s always a next step. Explore faith, join a group, dig deeper through a course, or find ways to serve – there’s a place for you to connect and grow.
Stay Connected
Stay connected through our weekly email for updates and stories, visit the Hub for events and next steps, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for encouragement and community highlights.