What is “the dream” of our church? That we would be a safe place to find and follow Jesus.
Our dream is built from God’s redemptive work throughout history. We derive our purpose from the Good News of Jesus and the clear direction God has already given us.
“God so loved the world that He gave His Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” – Jesus in John 3:16
“Love God with all, love your neighbor as yourself,” Matthew 22:37-40
“Go, urge people to become my followers,” Matthew 28:18-20
“This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4
How did Jesus’ followers respond to his directions?
They shared the good news of Jesus, they were devoted to Jesus’ teaching, fellowship, sharing life, prayer, helping each other, and meeting in groups large & small. Acts 2:42-47
“a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord…it was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.” – Acts 11
Our response includes a Jesus-centered life: personal relationship with God through prayer, Bible, Communion, Healing, Spirit-filled life
“Love Gives” ethic & “Courageous Generosity” in action for the purpose of: Connecting People with Jesus.
God spoke to us through his actions retold in Psalm 107.
“He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live,” verse 7
“What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!” verse 30
Psalm 107
“He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live,”
- urban: in the middle on purpose
- missional practice: in the city, for the city
- “serve the city with love that works,”
- multi-ethnic/cultural “all nations” Antioch
“What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!”
- people find salvation & healing in Jesus
- everyone can find a place that they fit
- healthy: spirit, soul, body (thinking/feeling)
- Receiving & Sending
- Vision beyond our church
We see a church:
Loving Jesus in a way that people talk about.
Where people find salvation & healing in Jesus.
Helping people find careers & peaceful homes.
Where everyone can find a place that they fit.
Serving the city with love that works.
How does this work?
We connect by gathering on weekends for worship, to receive and respond to his love.
We grow by meeting in small groups for prayer, learning, and sharing life.
We share by living like Jesus and sharing his love, everyday and everywhere.