"Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it." Habakkuk 2:2
mission & vision
Jesus announced His mission
"The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free" Luke 4:18 - Isaiah 61:1
HIS MISSION IS OUR CO-MISSION
That being said, is it possible that since believers are freely given the forgiveness and righteousness of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 61:10) that there is much more to being a believer than simply attending a church or a home study? Some have no fellowship at all. Clearly, we are called to Be The Church. And our mission is the same mission Jesus announced when he quoted Isaiah 61:1 in the temple before the chief priest and others, right after his baptism and 40-days and nights of temptation. He basically said: This is what I have come to do in fulfillment of the scriptures. And that is exactly what He came and did. Is it possible that this is the same work Jesus empowered us to do? At Jesus First we believe it is our mission to continue His work. But we cannot do it without Him!
mission statement
"Prepare God's people to do His work in the earth." Ephesians 4:12
Vision details
The disciples asked the question: "What is the work you would have us do?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent." John 6:29.
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The brilliance of this comment made by Jesus is not always that obvious. It seems simple enough doesn't it. He simply wants us to get busy believing in Him. One might say, "That's easy enough...I believe." However, Jesus calls it work. Which we all know is something that actually takes our time and effort. I believe Jesus was saying a few things here. Firstly, it's not going to be that easy to simply believe. Secondly, you will have to work at it because there will be times when things are hard to believe. And thirdly, you will have to choose the teachings of Jesus above all others...and that will take some work. But, the brilliance of this command lies in the personal development and change that happens when you truly learn to believe. Believing requires faith therefore, your faith becomes stronger. But perhaps the greatest personal change happens as we work at believing. Because, ALL BEHAVIOR COMES FROM OUR BELIEF SYSTEM.
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The religious model created by man attempts to change our behavior by using guilt and shame in an extensive, unsuccessful sin management program.
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Jesus Christ never used and still does not use guilt and shame. Instead, He taught us a way that would bring lasting positive behavior by changing our belief system.
building his way
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12
At Jesus First, we fully adopt and embrace the Five-Fold ministry of God. We believe that it is Jesus who builds His church through us which is why He gives us His divine nature, power and authority. We cannot build His church, only He can build His church.
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We believe in all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and regularly see evidence of this in the members of our congregation. It is through these gifts and the Five-Fold divine nature of God that we are coming to a unity in our faith, knowledge of the Son of God and to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
word worship prayer
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12
Part of the vision God has given us is to build on a strong foundation. When I say build, I am speaking in terms of people. Our foundation should be strong and withstand the constant desensitization of our morals and the humanistic agenda for our society. We are to love and not judge. Jesus shows us how we can do that without changing the moral fiber of who we are. We are in the world but not of it.
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We take our bible study and the discussion of His Word very seriously. We take time from our busy crowded schedules to Worship God, Jesus and Holy Spirit daily and allow the Holy Spirit the freedom to teach us how to pray. The Lord's Prayer is a foundation to our prayer ministry.