Primary Objectives

 

 

1. Invite people to know Jesus Christ, confessing and embracing faith which follows Him as committed disciples and witnesses.

Personal faith in Christ is basic to everything we do (I Corinthians 15:3‐4). Knowing Jesus by faith and walking in his love is the privilege of God’s grace (Philippians 3:7‐14). Jesus was crucified for our sins, but he is risen from the dead, never to die again. Therefore, he lives to share the journey of life with us and within us (Galatians 2:20).

• We are saved by grace and justified through faith alone in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8‐9; Romans 5:1 & 9)

• We are born in sin. Out of love Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. (Romans 5:8)

• Jesus rose from the grave, ascending into heaven to give us salvation. (Luke 24:45‐52)

 

2. Cultivate a love for the Word of God, seeking to encounter God in His Word.

The Bible is God’s inspired Word of God calling us to a renewed life in Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit to follow His will (II Timothy 3:16‐17).

• We value studying God’s Word to grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18).

• The Bible calls us to prayer, evangelism, love and holy living (I Timothy 2:1‐4).

• We celebrate God’s grace in the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 28:19‐20; I Corinthians 11:23‐26).

• The Ten Commandments and Luther’s Catechism further inspire and guide us as Christians (Exodus 20).

 

 3. Inviting God’s Holy Spirit to bless, heal and sustain healthy relationships in all circles of life and love.

Jesus is the gracious Healer of human brokenness. We welcome all people to become followers of Christ with us. (Matthew 11:28‐30)

• Christian relationships are lived out at home, at work and within the community which involves every aspect of our lives. (Colossians 3:12‐24)

• Integrity includes accountability, honesty, respect for others, and appropriate boundaries. (Ephesians 4:14‐32)

• We affirm that the only right use of sexual intimacy is in the committed marriage relationship of a man and a woman, which is holy and blessed by God (Matthew 19:4‐6; Hebrews 13:4).

• Vital faith life is further developed through small group study, Bible study, and fellowship (Matthew 18:20).

 

4.  Equip, encourage, and train Christian leaders for work in God’s kingdom.

God has gifted each person for God’s mission in the world. The Holy Spirit calls forth spiritual gifts, resources and talents to advance our mission together (Ephesians 4:11‐13; Romans 12:3‐8; I Corinthians 12).

• As Christian stewards we strive for excellence in faith and balanced living. God calls us to fully develop our potential and grow into Christ, interdependent with each other in the body of Christ (Philippians 4:8; II Peter 1:5‐8).

• Generosity in tithes and offerings are essential to advance our mission outreach (Malachi 3:10; II Corinthians 9:6‐7).

• We seek to be good stewards of all that God has given: creation, our lives and our natural abilities (Genesis 1:27‐28, 2:15; Psalm 8:4‐8).

• Jesus set the example of servanthood for us to follow (Mark 10:45).

 

5. Align our lives with God’s global vision.

Transformed by Christ, we bring others to transformation in Christ. (Romans 12:2)

• As devoted followers we are called to make this world a better place. (Philippians 2:14‐16a)

• God’s love is for all peoples of all nations of the entire world. (Genesis 12:3; John 3:16).

• We value working together to help people recover from sins, addictions and other illnesses that take away life, transforming all of us to become more Christ‐like. (John 10:10)

• We are called to share good news with the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, feed the hungry, seek justice for the oppressed, and give freedom and release to the prisoners and the captives. (Isaiah 61:1‐3; Luke 4:18‐19).

• We tangibly serve Jesus whenever we feed the hungry, provide water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, care for the sick, free the captive, welcome the stranger, comfort the grieving, and visit the prisoner. We see and serve the living Christ in the powerless, the hungry, the homeless, the oppressed, and the broken (Matthew 25).

 

6. Encounter God in the beauty of God’s creation.

We were made to be caretakers of God's creation, and creation reveals the God who made us (Genesis 1 & 2). In the mystery, glory, and wonder of creation, we begin to know and understand the heart of God, the power of God, and the beauty and peace of God for us.

• God is the source of life, the Giver and Provider of all. Our programming will utilize the beauty of creation as a valuable teaching tool to help people of all ages know the Lord our God as Creator. (Genesis 1:1, Psalm 24:1-2)

• We believe that heaven and earth bear witness to the glory and eternal power of God. They speak of God’s divine nature. Each sunrise and sunset, and each season of the year are orchestrated by God’s hands. Visible creation testifies to God’s invisible attributes. (Psalm 19:1-2; Romans 1:20)

 

7. Encourage and equip all believers to share their love for Jesus Christ with others.

The grace and forgiving love of Jesus Christ is great news for all people! Unique to our personalities, the Spirit uses everyone who believes in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to share God’s message of love and grace with others. (II Corinthians 5:20)

• Our call to evangelism inspires witnessing personally and publicly, inviting others, serving with compassion and reaching out to the greater community. (Acts 1:8)

• The most effective witness happens in the context of established, trusted relationships. (John 1:40-41)

• As we confess Jesus as Lord, we live ready to share our hope with all who wish to know, yet always with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).