MISSIONS

Missions Statement: Implementing the work of Christ here on earth

Missions Philosophy: What we do and why

Our foundation in missions:

The foundation of our missions work begins in the heart of God: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16). Jesus came to rescue humanity from the power of death and restore all creation. The work necessary to reverse the power of death was accomplished fully in his life, death and resurrection. But now he wants to implement that work upon the earth through his church. This is why he has given his Spirit to us – so that we can be God’s agents of restoration in the world. “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. . . . Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:21-22). “But you will receive power from the Holy Spirit comes to you; and you will be my witnesses even to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). It is from this perspective that we are driven to the nations.

So what is this work that we are called to implement?

We are called to reverse the power of death by the victory of Jesus on the cross through the Spirit he has given us. This will manifest itself in spiritual, physical, social, and environmental restoration.

Spiritual Restoration – Man was created by God to be his image on earth. From the beginning man was designed to receive life from God. Apart from God, creation can only sustain man for so long. Rejecting God is rejecting the source of life. The evidence of spiritual death is obvious: depressed individuals, life without purpose, suicide, no conscience, or no concern for people. Jesus said he came to give us life to the full (John 10:10b). Part of our commission is to bring spiritual restoration to individuals and communities so that people can truly live.

Physical Restoration – Death is still the enemy. In Christ we are assured of a coming day when God will clothe us with an imperishable resurrected body (1 Cor 15:53-55). But before that future day, God desires to demonstrate his victory over death. Part of our commission is to be agents of that restoration in the physical realm. We are bold enough to believe that God still works through believers in the way he did in Jesus and the Apostles’ lives: through healings, deliverance, and the raising of the dead.

Social and Communal Restoration – Brokenness in relationship is the cause of much of the world’s grief – whether from an absent father or an abusive spouse, from divorce, prejudice, or war. God has always desired  humans to live in true harmony based on love – the kind of love that is self-giving and looks out after the interests of others. Having received the self-giving love of the Father, part of our commission is to foster such communities of love that will extend that love to the world in practical and transforming ways.

Environmental Restoration – Creation longs to flourish under good human stewardship (Romans 8). Yet in much of the world even the basic essentials of life are polluted or in lack: poor drinking water, poor sanitation, disease, and famine to name a few. God desires to bring us back to himself in order to implement through us wise ways to steward the creation – which will extend blessing to all people. This too is part of our commission.

What do we do to implement this work?

These are the general ways in which we express in action our mission philosophy. For more detailed work in specific countries please visit our main missions page.

Worship Ministry – In many of the services we minister in we often also lead the worship music. This means we bring to location a gifted worship team. We are very passionate in our worship, believing that music is one of those ways that God uses to make entrance to the human soul and the corporate body. As we engage in true worship from the heart – heaven does touch earth and makes way for what God would want to do. 

Prayer Ministry – We strongly believe in the personal presence of the Holy Spirit to minister in the way that Jesus ministered on earth. Through a trained ministry team, each service usually enjoys an extended ministry time where people’s needs are prayed for. In this time people may be healed, delivered, and given prophetic words and words of encouragement.

Prophetic Ministry – 1 Corinthians 14 highlights the importance of the prophetic in the life of the church. In our meetings, God will often speak prophetically to numerous people. The result is godly strengthening, encouragement, and comfort.

Teaching Ministry – Teaching is vital to following Jesus and maturing in discipleship. Our teaching often focuses on leadership development and understanding and applying the Bible. The venues of teaching may occur in a revival meeting, a seminar, or a multi-day teaching conference.

Children’s Ministry – Children are the future! In every place we visit, we want children to know God loves them, to believe and hope for the future, and that by pursuing their dreams with God they can bring change to their country. We often provide games and entertainment, and messages designed to cause children to have hope and faith in God’s future.

Counsel – We often provide private leadership counsel, advice, and ministry to church and ministry leaders.

The Humanitarian – We have overseen food-distributing initiatives, provided medical clinics, and sponsored and cared for orphans and widows. We have also helped in rescuing some orphans from sub-human conditions to a new loving place of care.

Networking – We believe strongly in networking the body of Christ. This contributes to the unity of God’s church across denominational and national boundaries. As a result, we are more and more becoming an internationally flavored church and missions program. As we visit different nations, people are inspired to join us on other mission trips. As well we tend to see a lot of young adults join these trips with many coming over to enroll in our young adults internship program. Just as we receive visitors from other nations we also send people to different locations for times of serving. The result is a growing network of churches that are sharing in the larger work of God.