
The sound of the engine roaring, the tires screeching as they grip the track, and the faint smell of burning rubber in the air. The tension is palpable, the crowd is on their feet, and the race is just about to begin. This isn’t just any race—this is Max Verstappen, tearing up the track at the 2021 Dutch Grand Prix. A master strategist, Verstappen knew exactly what it would take to win. He didn’t just rely on raw speed; he paced himself perfectly, executed precise tire management, and kept his eye on the prize. The result? A dominant victory on home turf.
Victory Bible Baptist Church is gearing up for its own race, and just like Verstappen, we’re putting our strategy in place. This isn’t a sprint—it’s a lifetime-long race, and the finish line is eternity. Operation Starting Line is our 2025 kick-off, and we’re aiming for 33,006 homes in our 10-mile radius. This year, we’re not just revving our engines; we’re shifting gears to see lives changed by the Gospel.
The Importance of a Good Start
For Max Verstappen, the start of the race was crucial. It wasn’t just about speed; it was about positioning, strategy, and getting into the right rhythm from the very beginning. In racing, a good start often means the difference between leading the pack or falling behind. Verstappen's incredible start helped him build momentum that carried him through the race. The first lap sets the tone for everything that comes after it. If you falter in the opening moments, you're chasing the race for the rest of the day.
Operation Starting Line is our church’s first lap, and we know that a strong start will set the pace for everything that follows. We can’t afford to come out of the gate slow. We are starting strong, with the Gospel reaching 33,006 homes in our 10-mile radius—and it starts in the first quarter of 2025. Just like Verstappen’s flawless launch, this mission will require us to start with precision, strategy, and focus. It’s a long race, but we’re confident that a strong start will set us up to be able to see success in sharing the Gospel and seeing people put their faith in Christ.
The Mission
Just like Verstappen’s precise strategy, our mission isn’t about taking the fastest route. It’s about starting in the right place—right where God has planted us. In Acts 1:8, Jesus said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” For us, that Jerusalem is our 10-mile radius.
And in our neck of the woods, there are plenty of people who need the Gospel. People who are hurting, seeking answers, and who have no peace or hope. The kind of people who wake up every day feeling lost, just like a car on the track with no direction. They’re living in the pit of despair and don’t know the way out. They are on their way to Hell, and searching for answers in all the wrong places. It’s our job to give them the right direction.
We’re starting Operation Starting Line by reaching every home within our Jerusalem, with the Good News of Jesus Christ and an invitation to church. This is our first lap, and it’s going to set the pace for everything that comes after it.
The Value of One Soul
God cares about every soul, and He is not willing that any should perish. Imagine racing at 200 mph, everything flying past you in a blur. Max Verstappen’s focus is laser-sharp, with every move and decision aimed at victory. God wants believers to be focused and intentional about reaching those around us with the Gospel.
In Luke 15:7, Jesus says, “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”The souls of mankind are so precious to God that He gave His one and only Son to save the world. Just think about that for a moment. The Creator of the universe values souls so deeply that He sacrificed His Son to make salvation possible.
When we talk about reaching 33,006 homes, we’re not just talking about numbers and statistics. We’re talking about real people who need the life-changing message of the Gospel. How much do we value the souls in our area? In our neck of the woods, there are people who are lost and heading to eternity without Christ. Just like Verstappen doesn’t settle for second place, we cannot settle for reaching only part of those souls. Every one of them is precious to God, and they should be precious to us.
The Gospel has the power to bring peace, hope, and eternal joy to someone’s life. It could start with a simple Gospel tract, but that small seed can grow into a life-changing moment, a conversation, or a saving faith. The impact of just one soul is eternal, and that’s why we’re serious about investing in this mission—because every soul matters to God, and every soul matters to us.
Breaking Down the Mission
Just like every Formula 1 team has a pit crew to get their car ready and maintain their strategy, we’ve got our own steps planned out, working our way through the race:
Phase 1: The 1-Mile RadiusWe’re starting close to home—right within the 1-mile radius around the church. These are our neighbors, our closest fans, and we’ll reach out to 1,934 homes here. The cost to connect with them is $566.66, but those dollars are investing in eternity. The outreach starts here, and the rest of the mission builds on this foundation.
Phase 2: The 5-Mile RadiusNext, we’ll start expanding our reach. From the 1-mile radius, we’ll push to the 5-mile mark, getting to 4,373 homes. This phase will cost us $1,282.29, but it’s all part of the bigger picture. Every piece of the puzzle is connected, and when homes in this area are covered, the earlier phases are already included. The mission is progressive—we start close and work our way out.
Phase 3: The 10-Mile RadiusFinally, we go big. The full 10-mile radius, including 33,006 homes, will be reached with a total cost of $8,668.24. And when we hit this mark, we’ve got our final lap. The funds from the 1-mile and 5-mile phases are part of this total cost, so everything counts. We’re not stopping after the first phase; we’re in it for the long haul, finishing strong getting the Gospel to our Jerusalem
The Potential Impact of Operation Starting Line
Now, let’s talk about what this could really mean. Imagine all those homes—33,006 homes, but in reality, each of those homes could represent multiple people—husbands, wives, children, friends, neighbors. The impact we’re talking about here is far greater than 33,006 individuals. It’s tens of thousands of people who need the Gospel.
When you’re watching a race, there’s always that one moment when you know the win is locked in—when the car is ahead by a full lap, and it’s clear that victory is imminent. That’s what we’re aiming for with Operation Starting Line. With each step we take, the momentum builds. It starts with a single mailer, but as we push forward with door-to-door outreach, outreach events, and social media, the momentum will keep growing.
This mission is about impacting whole families, entire households, and spreading the message of Jesus in ways we’ve never done before. We're not just reaching 33,006 individuals—we’re touching the lives of many more than that. And with each step, we’re moving closer to that clear, undeniable victory—seeing lives changed and souls saved for eternity.
Opportunities to Get Involved
Just like a Formula 1 team needs every member of the pit crew, we need everyone on board for Operation Starting Line. There are several ways you can get involved:
Give: We’ll be voting on Operation Starting Line at the first quarterly business meeting of 2025. You can give toward this effort through the regular offering by marking your check or cash in an envelope with "Operation Starting Line".
Pray: This mission is spiritual, and we need God’s power behind it. Pray for those who will receive the Gospel. Pray for God to prepare hearts and that the message will make an impact far beyond our expectations.
Serve: Get your hands dirty. Whether it’s preparing materials, filling out paperwork, or delivering mailers, we need your help to get the Gospel to our neighbors.
A Bold Start
Operation Starting Line is just the beginning of our 2025 race. It’s our chance to start strong, just like Verstappen, and build a foundation for the rest of the year. With determination, planning, and focus, we’re going to go the distance, bringing the Good News to every home within a 10-mile radius of our church building.
We’re not just revving the engine; we’re taking the first lap, and we’re in it to win it. The finish line? It’s eternity. And we’re going to make it count.

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