OUR VISION
Ministry of Reconciliation
When Christ walked upon the earth, He taught that we must love the Lord above all and love our neighbor as ourselves.
We believe that the true answers to our state's problems can be found only when we adhere to and build on the lasting foundation of biblical values. Furthermore, we are convinced that we can achieve genuine reconciliation only throughout obedience to the teachings of our Lord. We also believe the Christian community has the potential to do a mighty work for Christ in our city and state, but we need to work together so our differences with each other do not get in the way of our common goals.
Our Vision for the community is as follows:
TO CHALLENGE THE BODY OF CHRIST TO PRAY, SOCIALIZE, MINISTER AND WORK TOGETHER.
Jesus prays for believers, "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me". (John 17:23) A watching world sees and hears the message of Christ when the church demonstrates unity. In I John 4:11-12, John tells the church, "Dear Friends, if this is how God loved us, then we should love one another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in union with us, and His love is made perfect in us." This verse calls Christians to active, practical and visible unity.
TO SERVE THE CHURCH BY PROVIDING SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHRISTIANS TO FELLOWSHIP ON NEUTRAL GROUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS
Paul urges the church in Ephesus that they must recognize their unity in Christ. "One Lord, one faith, one baptism: one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all". (Ephesians 4:5-6) As we are empowered by God to break walls of division, the church will become truly unified. Unity among Christians pleases God.
TO ACT AS A CATALYST FOR THE MOVEMENT OF RECONCILIATION AND PROVIDE RESOURCES, PERSPECTIVE AND EXPERIENCE IN RACIAL RECONCILIATION.
Paul writes to the Hebrews people that they must "keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it". (Hebrews 13:1-2) We are commanded to love each other and to interact with strangers.
In Proverbs, King Solomon's wisdom is to work together to help one another grow in Christ. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another". (Proverbs 27:17) When we come together in fellowship, we can strengthen and encourage one another. "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work." (Ecclesiastes 4:9)
God tells us we are stronger working together. He will reward our obedience to His word. The Psalmist proclaims the goodness of working together. "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" (Psalms 133:1) God will bless us, and we will bless countless others as we practice unity in Christ Jesus through the power of The Holy Spirit.
