The Church as a Refuge
We envision a church with arms open wide – like those of her merciful Savior – a place where the hopelessly lost can be found, and loved, and redeemed. We are called to be a people who will reach out to those who are gripped by pain and fear, and extend a rescuing hand. And we are also called to be full of love and full of truth, and give them both freely to everyone – especially to those who know neither. (Numbers 35:9-12, John 8:2-11)
The Church as a Vessel
We seek to be continually filled with the Spirit of God, both individually and corporately, that we may know Him and be fully transformed by Him. This filling, however, must be much more than just an inward reality. Just like any jar or pitcher, our purpose as earthen vessels is not just to be filled, but to be poured out – that the grace and gifts He has given to us would overflow and His Gospel may be made known to all. (2 Corinthians 4:7, 2 Timothy 2:20-21)
The Church as a Family
When we receive the saving grace extended to us by Christ, we become children of God – brothers and sisters related by the blood which was poured out for us on the cross. United in our desperate need of God's grace, we are called to walk in humility and selflessness as we honor, serve and encourage one another – and all of this done, not by compulsion, but through the love of God that has filled our hearts. (Mark 3:31-35, John 13:34-35)