Our Mission is to bring the needs of our community to the attention of our congregation so that we may bring the love of Christ, his redemption, reconciliation, and justice to our neighbors.

"The entire Law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself." Gal. 5:14

We believe that community ministry begins with the local church. Only God working through his people can bring mercy, reconciliation, and justice to our city. We believe in an approach that begins by addressing the felt needs of the community, and empowering those in need rather than fostering dependence. It is the responsibility of the church to evangelize, disciple and nurture people in the Kingdom. Yet, from the command of Jesus, it is also the responsibility of the church to love their neighbor and their neighborhood. Churches should be seen as lovers of their community and neighborhoods. It is out of the church body that ideas and programs should emerge.

People's lives are multi-faceted. We have spiritual, social, economic, political, cultural, emotional, physical, and familial aspects, to name a few, that work together to create our circumstances. Because of this, we believe in ministry that acknowledges the need for wholeness through all aspects of a person's life. A wholistic approach to the needs of people in our city will require us to build coalitions with other churches and organizatons so that we can work together to solve the problems facing our neighbors and ourselves.

Loving our neighbors is more than works. It is an expression of the transforming power of Christ in us, which enables us to extend His love and grace to others. "The process of transformation has a beginning point, at which we agree to allow God to work in our lives and to change us into the likeness of his Son. Until the process of transformation begins in us, we cannot love others as we must to demonstrate God's love to them. And unless we ourselves have experienced the transforming love of God personally, we cannot expect God's love to transform others." -John Perkins, Beyond Charity

As a new church, we are still thinking through and laying the groundwork for community ministry. Our focus has been on encouraging people to get to know their neighbors and serve their community. Throughout the year, there are several programmed opportunities for community service, including Christmas Decatur, the Martin Luther King, Jr. service project, food drives, and others. Additional volunteer opportunities are listed under the Community Ministry page of the church's website. Seminars on the topic of community ministry are also offered annually.

If you have an interest in this area of ministry, please contact Dan Adamson.

Find out about volunteer opportunities here.