Why the C.R.O.S.S.?
The CROSS is the pinnacle of God’s being and mission, and we use a simple acronym to capture both.1 The CROSS is our measure of discipleship:
BELIEVING IN OUR GOD:
BEING LIKE OUR GOD:
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1 1 Corinthians. 2:2
2 1 Corinthians. 1:17, 2:2.
BELIEVING IN OUR GOD:
- Where all paths meet: Coming to the cross humbles the proud, lifts the lowly, and places everyone on level ground before God.
- Where all people unite: we unite not in race, class, hobby, gender, or politics—but in the good news that Jesus saves sinners.
- Where all passions are fulfilled: The cross redirects lesser loves, enabling us to extend real compassion to others in need.2
BEING LIKE OUR GOD:
C.ommunity: The Trinity has a way he relates
R.hythms: The Trinity has a way he does things
O.rganization: The Trinity has a way he orders life
S.cripture: The Trinity has a way he teaches us to learn
S.hared Mission: The Trinity has a way he leads us to serve.
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1 1 Corinthians. 2:2
2 1 Corinthians. 1:17, 2:2.
We Have 3 Simple Values
V1: Love God Love Others
We anchor everything we do in worship toward God and sacrificial care for people, shaping a community marked by humility, unity, service, forgiveness, and Christ-centered relationships.
V2: Keep it Simple
Feast / Form / Festival
We keep it simple as a Church by sharing meals with friend and foe, equipping one another through the Word/Liturgy, and will go public together in lived expressions of our shared life in Christ.
V3: Everyone ...
… Disciples & Is Discipled into the image of our Maker.
… Pursues Spirit-filled & Servant Family Growth (Men, Mothers, Marriages, Meals).
… Multiplies and Makes Works & Churches shaped by the Gospel Message.
We anchor everything we do in worship toward God and sacrificial care for people, shaping a community marked by humility, unity, service, forgiveness, and Christ-centered relationships.
V2: Keep it Simple
Feast / Form / Festival
We keep it simple as a Church by sharing meals with friend and foe, equipping one another through the Word/Liturgy, and will go public together in lived expressions of our shared life in Christ.
V3: Everyone ...
… Disciples & Is Discipled into the image of our Maker.
… Pursues Spirit-filled & Servant Family Growth (Men, Mothers, Marriages, Meals).
… Multiplies and Makes Works & Churches shaped by the Gospel Message.
M&M's | Our Principles
The following are the essentials that exist in any time, place, and circumstance. They "Cross Culture" and create a "Culture of the Cross" amongst us.
Genesis 1 intentionally moves outward from our Maker, into the establishing of God's image on earth through a family—Men, Mothers, Marriage, and Meals—before any institutional ministry. He then sends them to Make, Multiply, and share the Message. When we simply commit to God's pattern in these principles we start to experience the power of the Gospel in all parts of our life.
Maker
God is our Trinitarian Creator, the One who gives identity, purpose, and life.
Manhood
God forms men to reflect His strength, sacrifice, and servant headship.
Motherhood
God gifts women to help, nurture life, embody compassion, and shape generations in all homes, hobbies, and vocations.
Marriage
God designed marriage as a covenant that displays His love, unity, and faithfulness.
Meals
God uses meals to gather His people, celebrate grace, and form community.
Making
God invites us to create—using our gifts to build, bless, and bring beauty into the world.
Multiply
God calls His people to multiply disciples, families, and faithful generations.
Message
God’s GOSPEL message declares Jesus as Savior, restoring us to Himself and renewing all things.
C.ommunity - We Relate Like Our God!
Our Maker / The Trinity
“The Lord (Yᵊhōvâ—singular), our God ('ĕlōhîm—plural) is one” (Deut. 6:4-9). We believe in one living God—eternal, perfect, and creator of everything—existing as Father,3 Son,4 and Holy Spirit.5 Each person of the Trinity is fully divine, equal in glory and perfection.6 The Trinity is a family of friends, and we shape our convictions and practice around this reality.
“In the beginning the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jhn 1:1). (The word “with” means to circle toward one another face-to-face.). Therefore, we best reflect the Trinity by gathering face-to-face as a family of friends.7
Baptized into God's family
Immersive water Baptism in the name of the Triune God is an outward expression and a celebration of a person’s
new life in Christ and the sign, symbol, and dedication to membership into & toward God’s family.
The Church
The small home gatherings,10 large city expressions,11 and worldwide church12 are all referenced as churches in
Scripture; therefore, God carries forth His mission in a church of churches (COMMUNITIES). We believe in the universal church, made up of all believers, local churches, self-governing under Christ’s headship, and that the church’s mission is to proclaim Christ, disciple believers, and glorify God.13
One Another
We are called to a local gathering of God’s people where we can share time, talents, and treasure, and live in peace,
show kindness, speak truth, forgive, serve, and bear one another’s burdens. We are called to church discipline that lovingly restores and shepherds the unrepentant,14 while protecting the community.15
Body Life Counseling
The Holy Spirit equips God’s people as a Body to bring healing and wholeness to all in mind, body, soul, and spirit—beyond what one-on-one human coaching or counseling alone can offer.16
Good Questions are Valid for Community Preaching
Jesus often preached through questions, drawing out hearts (4:1 ratio of Conversations to sermons). Proverbs 20:5 says, “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” We seek to grow in the skill of drawing hearts toward Jesus and toward love for one another by becoming good “Question Askers,” and enabling everyone to narrate and process their learning for deep transformation.
We therefore aim to value the exegetically preached word (Monologue), as well as the body’s role in fleshing it out in conversation and heart-affirming work (Dialogue).
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3 We believe that the Father resides in heaven and is deserving of all glory as he dispenses all of heaven’s resources and judgments through the Holy Spirit to comfort, counsel, and convict the world through the work and person of Jesus Christ. It is unto him we pray and petition, and he answers by drawing all peoples to his Son. (Matthew 4:45; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26, 10:21-22; John 6:44)
4 We believe that the Father resides in heaven and is deserving of all glory as he dispenses all of heaven’s resources and judgments through the Holy Spirit to comfort, counsel, and convict the world through the work and person of Jesus Christ. It is unto him we pray and petition, and he answers by drawing all peoples to his Son. (Matthew 4:45; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26, 10:21-22; John 6:44)
5 We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, regenerates the believer into new life in Christ at the moment of salvation, sanctifies the believer in Christlikeness, and seals the believer unto the day of redemption. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ and that He guides, instructs, and empowers them for godly living and service. (John 14:16, 26; Acts 1:8, Romans 8:16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:4, 10-16; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 1:13-14, Titus 3:5-6).
6 Genesis 1:1, 26; Psalm 90:1-2; Isaiah 45:5-6, 21-22; Acts 17:24-28; 2 Corinthians 13:14
7 Mark 9:50; 11:31; Zechariah 7:9, 8:16-17; James 4:1; 1 Peter 4:9; I Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11; Ephesians 4; Hebrews 3:13, 10:24-25; Galatians 5:13, 6:2; Colossians 3:13; I Peter 4:8; I Peter 4:10; I John 4:7, 11; Ecclessiates 4:10; Isaiah 13:8; Jerermiah 7:5; Mattew 18; 1 Timothy 6; I Corinthians 6:1; Matthew 18; II Chronicles 25:21; James 5:16; Mark 9:50; Ephesians 5:21, Romans 12:10, 15:5; II Corinthians 13:11; John 17:23; Romans 12:5; I Corinthians 12:8; I Corinthians 12:25; Genesis 11:3; Romans 15:14; john 17; Galaians 3:27-29; I Peter 4:9; Romans 14:5, 13, 15:7; Ephesians 4:2, 32; Matthew 9:20, 25:14-30; Proverbs 11:24, 13:7; I Corinthians 6:17; Matthew 5:18, 5:30, 6:24, 19:17, 23:9; I Corinthians 12:18; Romans 5:12-19.
8 Ephesians 4:5
9 1 Corinthians 10-12
10 Romans 16:5
11 1 Corinthians 1:2
12 Ephesians 4:4
13 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22, 4:14-16; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:15-16
14 Matthew 18:15-18
15 1 Corinthians 5:1-8, Galatians 6:1, Hebrews 3:12-13
16 1 John 2:27; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“The Lord (Yᵊhōvâ—singular), our God ('ĕlōhîm—plural) is one” (Deut. 6:4-9). We believe in one living God—eternal, perfect, and creator of everything—existing as Father,3 Son,4 and Holy Spirit.5 Each person of the Trinity is fully divine, equal in glory and perfection.6 The Trinity is a family of friends, and we shape our convictions and practice around this reality.
“In the beginning the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Jhn 1:1). (The word “with” means to circle toward one another face-to-face.). Therefore, we best reflect the Trinity by gathering face-to-face as a family of friends.7
- We become family in baptism.8
- We enjoy family in the Lord’s Supper.9
- We express family through festivals (culture making in all forms)
Baptized into God's family
Immersive water Baptism in the name of the Triune God is an outward expression and a celebration of a person’s
new life in Christ and the sign, symbol, and dedication to membership into & toward God’s family.
The Church
The small home gatherings,10 large city expressions,11 and worldwide church12 are all referenced as churches in
Scripture; therefore, God carries forth His mission in a church of churches (COMMUNITIES). We believe in the universal church, made up of all believers, local churches, self-governing under Christ’s headship, and that the church’s mission is to proclaim Christ, disciple believers, and glorify God.13
One Another
We are called to a local gathering of God’s people where we can share time, talents, and treasure, and live in peace,
show kindness, speak truth, forgive, serve, and bear one another’s burdens. We are called to church discipline that lovingly restores and shepherds the unrepentant,14 while protecting the community.15
Body Life Counseling
The Holy Spirit equips God’s people as a Body to bring healing and wholeness to all in mind, body, soul, and spirit—beyond what one-on-one human coaching or counseling alone can offer.16
Good Questions are Valid for Community Preaching
Jesus often preached through questions, drawing out hearts (4:1 ratio of Conversations to sermons). Proverbs 20:5 says, “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” We seek to grow in the skill of drawing hearts toward Jesus and toward love for one another by becoming good “Question Askers,” and enabling everyone to narrate and process their learning for deep transformation.
We therefore aim to value the exegetically preached word (Monologue), as well as the body’s role in fleshing it out in conversation and heart-affirming work (Dialogue).
________________________________________________
3 We believe that the Father resides in heaven and is deserving of all glory as he dispenses all of heaven’s resources and judgments through the Holy Spirit to comfort, counsel, and convict the world through the work and person of Jesus Christ. It is unto him we pray and petition, and he answers by drawing all peoples to his Son. (Matthew 4:45; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26, 10:21-22; John 6:44)
4 We believe that the Father resides in heaven and is deserving of all glory as he dispenses all of heaven’s resources and judgments through the Holy Spirit to comfort, counsel, and convict the world through the work and person of Jesus Christ. It is unto him we pray and petition, and he answers by drawing all peoples to his Son. (Matthew 4:45; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26, 10:21-22; John 6:44)
5 We believe that the Holy Spirit is a person who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, regenerates the believer into new life in Christ at the moment of salvation, sanctifies the believer in Christlikeness, and seals the believer unto the day of redemption. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ and that He guides, instructs, and empowers them for godly living and service. (John 14:16, 26; Acts 1:8, Romans 8:16, 26-27; 1 Corinthians 2:4, 10-16; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 1:13-14, Titus 3:5-6).
6 Genesis 1:1, 26; Psalm 90:1-2; Isaiah 45:5-6, 21-22; Acts 17:24-28; 2 Corinthians 13:14
7 Mark 9:50; 11:31; Zechariah 7:9, 8:16-17; James 4:1; 1 Peter 4:9; I Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11; Ephesians 4; Hebrews 3:13, 10:24-25; Galatians 5:13, 6:2; Colossians 3:13; I Peter 4:8; I Peter 4:10; I John 4:7, 11; Ecclessiates 4:10; Isaiah 13:8; Jerermiah 7:5; Mattew 18; 1 Timothy 6; I Corinthians 6:1; Matthew 18; II Chronicles 25:21; James 5:16; Mark 9:50; Ephesians 5:21, Romans 12:10, 15:5; II Corinthians 13:11; John 17:23; Romans 12:5; I Corinthians 12:8; I Corinthians 12:25; Genesis 11:3; Romans 15:14; john 17; Galaians 3:27-29; I Peter 4:9; Romans 14:5, 13, 15:7; Ephesians 4:2, 32; Matthew 9:20, 25:14-30; Proverbs 11:24, 13:7; I Corinthians 6:17; Matthew 5:18, 5:30, 6:24, 19:17, 23:9; I Corinthians 12:18; Romans 5:12-19.
8 Ephesians 4:5
9 1 Corinthians 10-12
10 Romans 16:5
11 1 Corinthians 1:2
12 Ephesians 4:4
13 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 1:22, 2:19-22, 4:14-16; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:15-16
14 Matthew 18:15-18
15 1 Corinthians 5:1-8, Galatians 6:1, Hebrews 3:12-13
16 1 John 2:27; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
R.hythms - We Do Things Like Our God!
Gathering @ The Lord’s Supper in Meals
The Lord’s Supper is not merely a time for inward, upward, backward, and forward reflection, remembrance, and proclamation of Christ’s death until He returns. It is also the hallmark of the Early Church—a moment when believers demonstrated reconciled relationships across class and creed, enacted justice for the orphan, the fatherless, and the least among them, and became a catalyst for cultivating a flourishing kingdom culture.
In Luke 22, there are two cups. The first cup hailed Jesus as King over all. The bread was broken. Everyone ate in general revelation of God’s goodness and love toward all. The second cup was raised in special revelation of Christ’s revealed kingdom, as He called all to repentance to Christ alone; followed by a time of confession, assurance, prayer, salvation, and creative acts that build kingdom culture.
Scattered Rhythms of Living Worship in Church, Culture, and Cosmos
Scripture reveals a rhythm of worship that pervades the liturgy of the church, culture, and cosmos. We press it out into the essentials of our family & feasting life, as we gather in homes, and we put on display the Trinity via these same rhythms in our festivals, and in all our work and play:
Rhythms of Grace in Sacred Time and Space
Scripture reveals rhythms of grace that shape the life of God’s people—prayer, fasting, Scripture, worship, rest, generosity, and care for the least of these—and to these we are most committed.
In recovering sacred time and sacred space, what is often “thin” becomes “thick.” Ordinary moments and places are re-enchanted with meaning as God meets His people through embodied practices. These rhythms form our loves, deepen our worship, and train us to live all of life before the face of God.
The Lord’s Supper is not merely a time for inward, upward, backward, and forward reflection, remembrance, and proclamation of Christ’s death until He returns. It is also the hallmark of the Early Church—a moment when believers demonstrated reconciled relationships across class and creed, enacted justice for the orphan, the fatherless, and the least among them, and became a catalyst for cultivating a flourishing kingdom culture.
In Luke 22, there are two cups. The first cup hailed Jesus as King over all. The bread was broken. Everyone ate in general revelation of God’s goodness and love toward all. The second cup was raised in special revelation of Christ’s revealed kingdom, as He called all to repentance to Christ alone; followed by a time of confession, assurance, prayer, salvation, and creative acts that build kingdom culture.
Scattered Rhythms of Living Worship in Church, Culture, and Cosmos
Scripture reveals a rhythm of worship that pervades the liturgy of the church, culture, and cosmos. We press it out into the essentials of our family & feasting life, as we gather in homes, and we put on display the Trinity via these same rhythms in our festivals, and in all our work and play:
- God Gathers: We adore His being and works. and recognize and confess our sin.
- God Speaks: He forgives, teaches, orders, and gives grace.
- We Respond: With obedience and gratitude.
- God Sends: With His promise and blessing.
Rhythms of Grace in Sacred Time and Space
Scripture reveals rhythms of grace that shape the life of God’s people—prayer, fasting, Scripture, worship, rest, generosity, and care for the least of these—and to these we are most committed.
In recovering sacred time and sacred space, what is often “thin” becomes “thick.” Ordinary moments and places are re-enchanted with meaning as God meets His people through embodied practices. These rhythms form our loves, deepen our worship, and train us to live all of life before the face of God.
O.rganize - We Order Life Like Our God!
Our Men/Mothers
Men and women share equal worth as image-bearers. Their distinct roles and beings reflect the Trinity.17 However, differing opinions emerge as to how men and women are best organized together as the Body of Christ:
Title and Tendency in the Gifts of the Body
The Father, Spirit, and Son structured His people under three titles in the Old Testament–prophets, priests, and kings—ultimately fulfilled in Christ, but these tendencies remain in the church.
Additionally, there are over 270 spiritual ministries (i.e. gifts) listed in the New Testament. Paul provides a few summative lists that organize God’s people into the head, heart, and hands of the Body of Christ:
Guide, Give, Grow
Our church follows a collaborative, tiered decision-making model rooted in biblical principles of shepherding, accountability, timely advance, and apprenticing a continuing flow of new church shepherds.
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17 Genesis 1:27
18 Psalms 139
19 Genesis 2:18-25, Matthew 19:4-6, Romans 1:24-27, 1 Corinthians 7:1-4
20 Genesis 19:1-22; Judges 19:1-21; Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Romans 1:20-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 18; 1 Timothy 1:9-11
Men and women share equal worth as image-bearers. Their distinct roles and beings reflect the Trinity.17 However, differing opinions emerge as to how men and women are best organized together as the Body of Christ:
- Chauvinists wrongly imply Eve came from Adam’s spine—to follow.
- Feminists wrongly imply Eve came from Adam’s sternum—to lead.
- Egalitarians wrongly imply that Adam and Eve were made together, identical in role.
- Complementarians rightly see Eve as coming from Adam’s side—to walk alongside him in friendship and help.
- Trinitarians point even higher: roles reflect God’s image
- Adam is the Head, like Christ, called to love sacrificially at home and, if gifted and called, in the church as pastors/deacons.
- Woman is the Paraclete, called alongside as Helper, like the Spirit—valued as motherly caretakers for every sphere of life, deacons, and models of mutual submission.
Title and Tendency in the Gifts of the Body
The Father, Spirit, and Son structured His people under three titles in the Old Testament–prophets, priests, and kings—ultimately fulfilled in Christ, but these tendencies remain in the church.
Additionally, there are over 270 spiritual ministries (i.e. gifts) listed in the New Testament. Paul provides a few summative lists that organize God’s people into the head, heart, and hands of the Body of Christ:
- Prophets (Head): Gifted @ Precepts — teaching, wisdom, discernment.
- Priests (Heart): Gifted @ People — encouragement, mercy, hospitality.
- Kings (Hands): Gifted @ Planning — service, giving, administration.
Guide, Give, Grow
Our church follows a collaborative, tiered decision-making model rooted in biblical principles of shepherding, accountability, timely advance, and apprenticing a continuing flow of new church shepherds.
The Pastor Team oversees multiple communities: When it comes to guiding the church as a whole, they provide wisdom and decisive action, CROSS leaders give feedback, and Apprentices and newcomers grow by being there (or on our Pastors' LIVESTREAM) to observe all that’s said and done.
At the Community level: Pastors and Deacons guide, CROSS leaders and Apprentices give their voice, and newcomers grow in observation of what is said and done. This structure ensures unity, shared responsibility, and growth through participation at every level.
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17 Genesis 1:27
18 Psalms 139
19 Genesis 2:18-25, Matthew 19:4-6, Romans 1:24-27, 1 Corinthians 7:1-4
20 Genesis 19:1-22; Judges 19:1-21; Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Romans 1:20-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 18; 1 Timothy 1:9-11
S.cripture - We Learn From Our God!
Our Message
We recognize that God speaks in general revelation through the Symbols of creation, and authoritatively, infallibly, and inspirationally, without error, in special revelation through the Script of his Word, and the person of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Gospel
Though made in God’s image, all inherit death and a sinful nature through Adam, alienating us from Him and leaving us powerless against sin, Satan, death, hell, and the wrath of God. Salvation is God’s gift, received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who repent and trust Him are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, made new, freed from condemnation, and granted eternal life as God’s children.25_26
Though the timing is unknown, Jesus will return physically, personally, and visibly, bringing His kingdom and raising all believers to eternal life in restored bodies. At the final judgment, believers will experience everlasting joy with the Lord, while unbelievers will face everlasting conscious punishment.27
Salvation as Past, Present, and Future
1 PETER 1:3-6 says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time (complete). In all this, you greatly rejoice ...
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22 Romans 1
23 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 2:1-2; 2 Peter 1:20-21
24 Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3; Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Ephesians 2:1-10
25 John 1:12-13, 3:3-6, 3:16, 14:6; Romans 10:9-13; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:8-10
26 Matthew 16:27, 24:4-31; John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 15:40-58; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-18, 5:1-11; Titus 2:13; Revelation 20:4-6, 11-15
27 Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Ephesians 4:11-13; Titus 1:5
We recognize that God speaks in general revelation through the Symbols of creation, and authoritatively, infallibly, and inspirationally, without error, in special revelation through the Script of his Word, and the person of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
- Savior: Jesus is the exact imprint of the Father.22
- Symbol: Creation speaks general Revelation of the reality of God, which leaves humanity without excuse.23
- Script: The Bible is God’s Word through special revelation (both Old and New Testaments). It is fully inspired by Him and without error in the original manuscripts. The Scriptures contain the complete revelation of His will and plan for salvation. They are intended to teach, guide, correct, and nourish the believer, and are the final, divine authority for all matters of Christian faith and life.24
The Gospel
Though made in God’s image, all inherit death and a sinful nature through Adam, alienating us from Him and leaving us powerless against sin, Satan, death, hell, and the wrath of God. Salvation is God’s gift, received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who repent and trust Him are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, made new, freed from condemnation, and granted eternal life as God’s children.25_26
Though the timing is unknown, Jesus will return physically, personally, and visibly, bringing His kingdom and raising all believers to eternal life in restored bodies. At the final judgment, believers will experience everlasting joy with the Lord, while unbelievers will face everlasting conscious punishment.27
Salvation as Past, Present, and Future
1 PETER 1:3-6 says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time (complete). In all this, you greatly rejoice ...
- God caused us: God justifies us via new birth in the irreversible past.
- God keeps us: God sanctifies US unto an inheritance beyond human reach in heaven in the irreversible present.
- God completes us: God glorifies us with a salvation he will reveal in the last time and in the irreversible future.
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22 Romans 1
23 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 2:1-2; 2 Peter 1:20-21
24 Genesis 1:26; Genesis 3; Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:22; Ephesians 2:1-10
25 John 1:12-13, 3:3-6, 3:16, 14:6; Romans 10:9-13; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:8-10
26 Matthew 16:27, 24:4-31; John 14:3; 1 Corinthians 15:40-58; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 4:13-18, 5:1-11; Titus 2:13; Revelation 20:4-6, 11-15
27 Acts 14:23; 20:17, 28; Ephesians 4:11-13; Titus 1:5
S.hared Mission - We Serve Like Our God!
Multiply His Glory
God is supreme and Holy. He deserves our entire focus. He alone is worthy of all praise and honor. He is the reason the church exists. We seek to lift the greatness and glory of God in all that we do without compromise.28
Multiply in Church Planting for the Sake of the Least of These
The image of the Trinity most fully meets the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of the lost,
God’s Making
The Bible makes it clear that a distinctive aspect of God’s mind is His deep imagination. Isaiah 45:18 highlights this by using multiple Hebrew words for creativity to describe God’s unique creative work:
“For this is what the Lord says—he who created [bara] the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned [yatzar] and made [‘asah] the earth, he founded [kuwn] it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited—he says: ‘I am the Lord, and there is no other.’”
God’s declaration, “I am the Lord, and there is no other,” rests on His unmatched ability to imagine, create, and bring His imagination into reality. Humanity, made in God’s image, reflects this aspect of Him: our capacity to imagine, create, and dream is inherent to every man, woman, and child.
Our Making
Jesus viewed Adam and Eve, as well as the disciples, as benefactors over all creation; those who shaped family, education, media, government, business, the church, and the arts with gospel-driven imagination and creativity. We therefore equip ourselves for this end as a response to the love that we share in the family of God.
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28 Isaiah 46:9-10; Romans 11:33-36; Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 40:6-8, 12-17, 21-26; 51:6-7; Psalm 8; 1 Corinthians 3:18-23; 10:31
God is supreme and Holy. He deserves our entire focus. He alone is worthy of all praise and honor. He is the reason the church exists. We seek to lift the greatness and glory of God in all that we do without compromise.28
Multiply in Church Planting for the Sake of the Least of These
The image of the Trinity most fully meets the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of the lost,
fatherless, orphaned, widowed, sojourner, prisoner, and the oppressed through church planting and the expansion of healthy communities of believers.
- Missionaries Commissioned (Acts 13:1-4)
- Audience Contacted (Acts 13:14-16, 14:1)
- Gospel Communicated (Acts 13:17, 16:31)
- Hearers Converted (Acts 13:48, 16:14-15)
- Believers Congregated (Acts 13:43)
- Faith Confirmed (Acts 14:21-22, 15:41)
- Leadership Consecrated (Acts 14:23)
- Believers Commended (Acts 14:23, 16:40)
- Relationships Continue (Acts 15:36, 18:23)
- Sending Churches Convene (Acts 14:26-27, 15:1-4)
God’s Making
The Bible makes it clear that a distinctive aspect of God’s mind is His deep imagination. Isaiah 45:18 highlights this by using multiple Hebrew words for creativity to describe God’s unique creative work:
- Bara’ – God creating the earth
- Kuwn – God establishing what He has made
- Yatzar – God imagining His creation in His mind before bringing it into time and space
- ‘Asah – God’s imaginative work in manufacturing all that exists in the universe
“For this is what the Lord says—he who created [bara] the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned [yatzar] and made [‘asah] the earth, he founded [kuwn] it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited—he says: ‘I am the Lord, and there is no other.’”
God’s declaration, “I am the Lord, and there is no other,” rests on His unmatched ability to imagine, create, and bring His imagination into reality. Humanity, made in God’s image, reflects this aspect of Him: our capacity to imagine, create, and dream is inherent to every man, woman, and child.
Our Making
Jesus viewed Adam and Eve, as well as the disciples, as benefactors over all creation; those who shaped family, education, media, government, business, the church, and the arts with gospel-driven imagination and creativity. We therefore equip ourselves for this end as a response to the love that we share in the family of God.
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28 Isaiah 46:9-10; Romans 11:33-36; Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 40:6-8, 12-17, 21-26; 51:6-7; Psalm 8; 1 Corinthians 3:18-23; 10:31