Mission, Values, Vision

Mission, Values, and Vision (cont’d):

Our Mission is:

To help people experience a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ

God, the Creator of all matter and life, has revealed Himself in many ways. But God’s most complete unveiling was in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. In Jesus, God emptied Himself, pouring Himself into a human container in the hope that we would connect with Him and experience His infinite love for us. By taking on human form in Jesus, living a perfectly fulfilled life, dying on the cross, and rising to new life, God has shown us the path to true meaning and fullness in this life and the life to come.

To help people experience a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ

We were created to be vitally connected with God. Thinking that we know better than God, however, we have turned away from the life He offers. But, like a bridge spanning an uncrossable chasm, God has restored the connection, freely offering Himself to us in Jesus Christ. True meaning and fullness of life are found in a personal relationship with God through trust in Jesus, who leads us into all truth and abundant life. As Jesus works in us, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are transformed more and more into his likeness.

To help people experience a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ

In response to all that God has done for us, we are called to live as fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ own words, our task is to go “to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples” (Matthew 28.19 TEV). This does not mean that we will push, coerce, or cajole people into hearing, doing, or believing anything that they do not want to hear, do or believe. Rather it means that we will bring God’s love to life as we seek to develop relationships of care, service, and mutual trust with our friends and neighbours. Then, if and when it is appropriate, we will respectfully introduce people to Jesus Christ.

Our Values are:

ª Family

We believe that God gave us families as the basic building block of human society. Parents are given the task of helping their children to grow in body, mind, and spirit. Most parents are well equipped to help their children grow in body and mind, but many parents struggle with how to lead and guide their children in matters of the spirit, matters of faith. We believe that there is a need for programmes and events in our community…

* that are based on the development of character, morality, relationships, faith and spirituality (i.e. not simply based on the development of various skills);

* that encourage and equip families to grow in their relationships with God, with each other, and with the local community;

* that are local (i.e. not all the way in Milton or Acton or Guelph etc., but right here in Nassagaweya);

* that are practical, helpful, economical, and fun!

We want to walk with and support families, partnering with parents and grandparents to nurture and encourage all areas of their children’s and family’s growth. At present, our family focus is still in the very early stages. To find out what we already have happening, please visit our Kids and Youth pages.

ª Community

We believe that God created us to live in community. The Bible portrays God as constantly reaching out to connect with His people, inviting and drawing them into community with Himself. Jesus was the highest expression of this—God becoming human to share our experience and connect with us in a way we could finally, truly comprehend. But God also created us to live in community with one another. If even Jesus gathered a group of friends around himself, how much more do we need the support and care of friends, of community?

ª Service

We believe that God calls us to serve those who are in need. The Bible has harsh words for those who practice religion without caring for the needs of the poor and oppressed. Through our givings and fundraising, we will support the work of selected organizations and individuals who are working on the front line with the needy of this community and around the world. But we will not be content to simply throw some money at the problem. We commit to getting involved and finding practical opportunities to serve those in need. In particular, we believe that God is calling us to serve the children, youth, parents, grandparents, and families of all shapes and sizes in our community (see “Family” above).

ª Worship

We believe that God calls us to live lives of worship. This means living out of a sense of contentment, gratitude and joy in all things because of God’s great love for us. What we do together on Sunday mornings—songs, prayers, readings, sermons, etc.—is an important expression of who we are as God’s people. It needs to be a meaningful part of our weekly routine. But it is by no means the whole picture. Our truest worship is shown in the ways we live out our faith in the world—in our families, our jobs, our communities.

And therefore, our Vision is:

To be a vibrant, family-friendly community of faith.