When we think about multiplication in the life of the church, we often think first about outcomes. We think about growth, conversions, discipleship, leaders being raised up, and the gospel spreading from one person to another. Those are good things to think about. But before Jesus teaches us to think about results, He teaches us to think about faithfulness.

In Matthew 13, Jesus begins this section of kingdom parables with the Parable of the Sower. That is significant. Before He speaks about the outward growth of the kingdom, He speaks about the seed of the kingdom. Before He speaks about harvest, He speaks about sowing. And before He teaches us to measure fruit, He teaches us to understand the ministry of the Word.

The parable is familiar. A sower goes out to sow. Some seed falls along the path, and the birds devour it. Some falls on rocky ground, where it springs up quickly but has no root, and when tribulation or persecution comes, it falls away. Some falls among thorns, and the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke it. But some falls on good soil and bears fruit, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23).

The central lesson is not that the seed changes. It does not. Nor is it that the sower changes his message depending on the audience. He does not. The seed is the same, and the act of sowing is the same. What differs is the soil. Jesus tells us plainly that the seed is the word of the kingdom, and the different soils represent different responses to that word (Matthew 13:19-23). The power, then, is not in human technique. The power is in God’s Word, and the fruit comes according to God’s work in the heart.

That matters deeply for how we think about multiplication. Too often, we are tempted to believe that gospel fruit ultimately depends on presentation, personality, novelty, or strategic brilliance. We can begin to think that if we just become more polished, more persuasive, or more culturally appealing, then the kingdom will multiply. But Jesus will not let us put our confidence there. The issue is not whether the seed is strong enough. The issue is whether the heart has been prepared to receive it.

That is why Scripture is so clear about the sufficiency and power of the Word of God. Isaiah 55:10-11 tells us that just as the rain and snow come down from heaven and make the earth bring forth and sprout, so shall God’s Word be. It does not return to Him empty, but accomplishes what He purposes. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. Romans 10:17 says that faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. James 1:18 says that God brought us forth by the word of truth. First Peter 1:23 says that believers have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.

If that is true, then the church does not need to improve upon the Word. The church needs to proclaim it. Faithful multiplication begins when the people of God are convinced that Scripture is enough. The gospel does not need embellishment. It does not need dilution. It does not need apology. It needs to be sown.

This is especially important in the work of evangelism and discipleship. In the parable, the sower is not told to stop sowing because some seed falls on the path. He is not told to become discouraged because some seed lands on shallow soil. He is not told to alter the seed because some hearers are choked by the thorns of this world. He simply keeps sowing. That is a needed word for us. We are called to preach the gospel to all kinds of people, in all kinds of places, and under all kinds of conditions. Some will reject it immediately. Some will seem to respond for a time and then fall away. Some will be crowded out by the love of this world. But some, by the grace of God, will receive it and bear real fruit.

Paul understood this well. In 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, he writes, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” Then he adds, “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” That is one of the clearest statements in all of Scripture on kingdom multiplication. God uses means. He uses sowers. He uses planters. He uses preachers, teachers, parents, pastors, friends, disciplers, and faithful church members. But the growth itself belongs to Him.

That should both humble us and encourage us. It should humble us because we are not the source of life. We cannot convert anyone. We cannot manufacture spiritual fruit. We cannot raise the deadness of the human heart by force of argument or force of will. Salvation belongs to the Lord (Jonah 2:9). Unless the Lord opens the heart, the Word will not be received savingly. Acts 16:14 says of Lydia that “the Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” That is always the decisive factor.

But this should also encourage us, because it means the burden of ultimate effectiveness does not rest on us. We are not called to produce life. We are called to be faithful with the seed. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul tells Timothy to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.” He does not tell him to chase relevance. He tells him to herald the truth. Why? Because God works through His Word.

This also helps us understand the nature of true fruit. In Matthew 13, the good soil bears fruit in differing measures, but all true believers bear fruit. Some bear thirtyfold, some sixty, some a hundred. The amount varies, but the presence of fruit does not. That is important. True conversion produces something. It produces perseverance. It produces obedience. It produces holiness. It produces worship. It produces witness. It produces the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23. A life touched by the gospel is a life that changes.

This is why multiplication in the church must never be reduced to attendance, activity, or excitement. Multiplication in the biblical sense is not merely getting more people in a room. It is seeing the Word of God take root in hearts and bear fruit in lives. It is watching disciples become disciple-makers. It is seeing saints equipped for the work of ministry. It is seeing people move from hearing the Word to receiving it, obeying it, and proclaiming it to others.

And yet even here we must remember that this fruit is not self-generated. Jesus says in John 15:4-5, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you.” Then He says plainly, “apart from me you can do nothing.” Kingdom multiplication is always the fruit of abiding in Christ. It is never the achievement of spiritual self-sufficiency.

So what does this mean for us?

It means we must be committed to the plain, patient, faithful sowing of the Word. We teach Scripture in our homes. We speak the gospel to our neighbors. We disciple younger believers. We exhort one another in the body of Christ. We open the Bible with our children. We encourage one another with truth. We refuse the temptation to think the answer is found in cleverness or compromise.

It also means we do not lose heart when the responses are mixed. Jesus Himself taught that the same Word would be met with very different responses. That should sober us, but it should not discourage us. Our task is not to guarantee a harvest. Our task is to sow faithfully and leave the results to God.

And finally, it means we give all glory to God when fruit does come. If someone repents, God did that. If someone grows in holiness, God did that. If a believer begins to bear fruit, God did that. If the church is multiplied through evangelism and discipleship, God did that. As Psalm 115:1 says, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory.”

So let us sow faithfully. Let us trust the Word. Let us labor in hope. Let us remember that multiplication in the kingdom begins not with our ingenuity, but with God’s truth, God’s power, and God’s grace.

This blog was adapted from a sermon preached by Doug Modic at Cornerstone Bible Church on March 12, 2023. 

The ultimate objective of a church’s ministry plan is to increase the number of mature Christians while receiving new converts and attendees. However, the church’s efforts need not be a program so much as a mentality in which the leadership encourages believers to share lives with those inside and outside the fellowship. As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well” (1 Thes 2:8, NIV). In a time of consumeristic tendencies within Evangelicalism, an attitude of sacrificial interpersonal investment pays dividends as members spur one another toward maturity, accountability, and mutual affection. In a Postmodern and Post-Christian culture where unbelievers meet organized methods with skepticism or outright hostility, intentional relationships are where evangelism will prove most effective. The corporate gathering plays a pivotal role in equipping the gatherers to grow in their faith and stimulating them to go forth with the gospel of grace.
Deploy
But we must go forth! As has been explained over the last several weeks, the church gathering is vitally important for setting the pace and expectations for its members, but the members must scatter with the gospel. Evangelism is both corporate and personal. Every week, well-equipped congregations should deploy into their respective spheres of influence like an invading army. In this manner, the church extends God’s reach into the unique circumstances of every believer’s work, home, school, and recreational life. Every setting is an evangelistic opportunity to confront non-believers with gospel intentionality. And here is where the breakdown usually occurs: despite programs and studies to teach and affirm evangelism, there is a discrepancy between “how-to” and “want-to.” Overcoming internal barriers becomes the greatest need for effective discipleship and evangelism (Luke 8:16–18).
Be Motivated
Convinced that we are servants and not spectators (1 Cor 4:1–2), every one of us must overcome our internal reluctance to witness to the lost. Tony Merida, in Love Your Church: 8 Great Things About Being a Church Member, gives 3 helpful motivators for personal ministry. We should be motivated by God’s mercy (Romans 12:1–2). By magnifying God’s mercy towards sinners (us included!), we are inspired to commit our lives to worship and service. Since we have received his mercy, presenting ourselves as living sacrifices is a “reasonable/logical service.” Secondly, we are motivated by the Spirit’s gifts (Romans 12:3). The grace given humbles us and prompts us to live up to the “proportion” or degree of that which was received (Romans 12:6). Finally, we ought to be motivated by the Lord’s return. Matthew 25:14–30  reveals that the Master will return to examine our labor. He expects a return on His investment!
Get Started
Examine the network of people in your life. God has placed you where He has for a purpose. Those are the people that He expects you to engage with the gospel. Follow the Acts 1:8 model: Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. Identify your “Jerusalem” as immediate and extended family. “Judea” extends to include your friends and close acquaintances. “Samaria” expands even further and entails your co-workers and neighbors in your community. “The end of the earth” may be considered as non-routine, random encounters and opportunities that are otherwise overlooked because we are outside of our normal circle of influence. Remember: wherever you are is where God has placed you! Seize opportunities, redeem the time, and remember God’s mercy, gifts, and expectations. Leave the results to God, but be found faithful.

Introduction

To faithfully fulfill the Great Commission, the church must cultivate an intentional mindset. As previously described, in-reach prepares the body for ministry by keeping the mission of Christ continually before them, while outreach is the deliberate pursuit of opportunities to share the gospel with unbelievers.

Neither effort requires elaborate programming or significant financial investment. Rather, both are accomplished through the ordinary means of grace—faithful preaching, intentional Bible study, and persistent prayer—which equip and condition believers for discipleship and evangelism.

Discipleship Begins in the Home

Discipleship and evangelism begin in the home. Every family unit is to reflect the covenantal reality described in Ephesians 5:32, where the relationship between husband and wife mirrors Christ and His church. Within this context, parents are called to intentionally disciple and evangelize their children.

Though these efforts may often appear messy or inconsistent, faithful parents, through perseverance and love, accomplish their task over time.

In the same way, the church must function as a spiritual family. Through the ordinary rhythms of life and relationships, believers influence one another. Discipleship and evangelism, therefore, are not formal programs but fundamental elements of church life.

A Mindset, Not a Program

Discipleship is best understood as a “mindset of spiritual intentionality.” It flows naturally from relationships rather than from structured, mechanical systems.

Simple, ordinary actions often fulfill the Great Commission:

• Meeting one-on-one with a new believer for Bible study
• Inviting an unbelieving coworker into your home
• Bringing someone to a small group gathering

These efforts will vary widely depending on the individual and circumstance—and that diversity is not a weakness but the design. Gospel ministry is not standardized; it is personal, relational, and adaptive. Chester and Timmis share that “in our experience people are often attracted to the Christian community before they are attracted to the Christian message.”[1]
 
Setting the Agenda in the Church

If a church expects its members to fulfill the Great Commission, it must set the agenda. This begins by cultivating a culture where discipleship and evangelism are expected, encouraged, and modeled.

An effective approach involves developing a network of trained individuals who, in turn, train others. As Timothy Keller has suggested, there should be an expectation that believers are continually investing in a small number of people.[2] Whether or not a specific number is maintained, the principle remains: believers should consistently seek opportunities to influence others for the gospel.

Pastoral leadership plays a crucial role here. By:

• Incorporating evangelistic exhortation into sermon applications
• Providing training through Sunday School or small groups
• Regularly emphasizing discipleship in teaching

…the church keeps the Great Commission at the forefront of its members’ thinking.

Developing Future Leaders

The church can further strengthen its evangelistic culture by developing capable teachers and leaders through intentional apprenticeship.

Teachers should identify individuals within their classes who demonstrate spiritual maturity and teachability. These individuals can then be gradually trained by:

• Leading portions of studies
• Teaching periodically under supervision
• Receiving feedback and guidance

Over time, this process develops both discipline in study and clarity in communicating biblical truth.

Additionally, pastors and teachers should model and explain their methods of biblical interpretation during teaching. This equips others to handle Scripture with confidence and reduces hesitation in personal evangelism and discipleship.

Extending the Witness Through Digital Presence

In the modern era, a church must also evaluate its digital presence as part of its gospel witness.

Church websites and social media platforms should:

• Communicate clearly and faithfully
• Be accessible and easy to navigate
• Reflect the mission and message of the church

Those who contribute to maintaining this online presence play a meaningful role in gospel ministry.

Furthermore, members themselves can use social media as a tool for subtle but effective witness. Thoughtful, gospel-centered content shared within their circles of influence can prepare hearts and open doors for further conversation.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the goal is not to create new programs but to cultivate a people who think and live with gospel intentionality.

When the church consistently prepares its members through the Word, fosters meaningful relationships, and encourages active engagement with the lost, evangelism becomes not an obligation but a natural outflow of a transformed life.

The Great Commission is not fulfilled through isolated efforts but through a community shaped by truth, motivated by love, and committed to intentional gospel witness.

Footnotes
[1] Tim Chester and Steve Timmis, Total Church: A Radical Reshaping Around Gospel and Community (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008), 59.
[2] Timothy J. Keller and J. Allen Thompson, Church Planting Manual (New York: Redeeming Church Planting Center, 2002).

To fulfill the Great Commission, believers must “go.” A church that never reaches beyond its four walls will inevitably decline. Despite sound teaching, God-honoring worship, and genuine fellowship, a congregation that fails to reach new people will eventually stagnate. An inward-focused church resembles a fire department that trains constantly but refuses to answer emergency calls. What good is their training if it is never used to extinguish fires? In the same way, how can a congregation remain vibrant if it hoards the gospel rather than sharing it with the lost world beyond its doors?

Personal Responsibility
Without question, only God converts sinners, and only after the Spirit draws them. Yet God uses means to confront the lost with their need for salvation. While the pulpit ministry of the church plays a role, God also shines the light of the gospel through the lives of believers. As 1 Peter 3:15 instructs, Christians must “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” Because the context involves suffering for one’s faith, this defense occurs outside the fellowship of believers. Christians should therefore anticipate opportunities to explain their hope in everyday life. Such readiness fuels “every-member evangelism.”

Some object, arguing that only trained ministers should evangelize. Certainly, intrusive or program-driven methods have caused concern in some circles. Yet these abuses should not discourage evangelism altogether. Evangelism seeks to persuade unbelievers of their need for the gospel of Jesus Christ. For the lay believer, this often occurs through speaking naturally about one’s faith among friends, family, and acquaintances. In these informal settings, evangelism becomes a testimony to the gospel’s transforming power. A well-taught Christian can easily explain the basic message of the gospel in ordinary conversation. These opportunities belong primarily to church members, not the clergy, and should therefore be central to the church’s training in evangelism.

Corporate Training
Just as the church cultivates a culture of discipleship, it must also cultivate a culture of evangelism. Leadership sets the tone by clearly teaching the gospel and demonstrating love for Christ and His mission. When a congregation senses its leadership’s confidence in the gospel’s power, it will reflect that same confidence in its witness. Through sermons, small groups, and informal instruction, the church prepares its members to share their faith while leaving the results to God.

Such preparation also encourages members to invite unbelieving friends and family to worship services, confident that they will hear a faithful gospel presentation. Even a simple invitation to church can become an evangelistic opportunity.

Interpersonal Connecting
Nevertheless, evangelism most often occurs through relationships. Many people come to faith through family influence, small group interactions, or personal conversations. Churches therefore need not rely on elaborate programs; rather, they should encourage members to recognize evangelistic opportunities in the ordinary rhythms of life.

In Acts 1:8, Jesus declared that His followers would be witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Gospel witness begins locally before extending outward. Ministry opportunities arise not only where the church gathers for worship but also where its scattered members live their daily lives.

History confirms this pattern. After Pentecost, persecution scattered Jewish Christians across the Roman Empire. In these new settings, ordinary believers shared the gospel within existing Jewish communities. Sociologist Rodney Stark notes that Christianity spread primarily through social networks rather than professional missionaries.[1] Conversions occurred as believers shared their faith with friends, and new converts quickly assumed the same responsibility within their own circles.

Such relational networks form the foundation of effective evangelism. They require no elaborate programming, budgets, or marketing strategies.[2] By simply equipping their members to share the gospel through everyday relationships, churches can cultivate a vibrant and enduring evangelistic witness.

Next, we will consider practical methods for sharing one’s faith.

Footnotes
   [1] Rodney Stark, Cities of God: The Real Story of How Christianity Became an Urban Movement and Conquered Rome, Harpercollins paperback ed (New York, NY: HarperOne, 2007), 13–14.
    [2] This is not to imply there is never a time for an organized outreach initiative. But it is the author’s conviction that most of the evangelism occurs through personal contacts and, as such, should receive priority in a church’s membership training strategy.

Corporate Training for Inreach

How, then, are Christians with varying gifts, maturity levels, and skills to fulfill their missionary role? Herein lies the elders’ responsibility to disciple and teach God’s Word to believers. Therefore, the pulpit is just as important as taking the gospel to the world. It is the pastor’s role to equip the saints and edify the body of Christ (Eph 4:12).¹ The offices given by the Spirit to the church for “building up the body of Christ” are pivotal in bringing the membership into maturity through preaching and teaching sound doctrine. Accordingly, the membership’s corresponding participation flows from, not apart from, the Spirit-gifted ministry of the Word. So, the significance of the routine acts of preaching and teaching by the spirit-gifted pastor becomes apparent as members receive the Word and subsequently share it by living out of their faith.

To disciple, in its most basic sense, is “doing deliberate spiritual good to help (other believers) follow Christ.”² Every Christian is a disciple of Christ responsible for discipling others. Paul’s first letter to the church at Thessalonica frames discipleship in parental terms: “like a nursing mother taking care of her own,” Paul and company “were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us” (1 Thes 2:7–8) and “like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God” (1 Thes 2:11–12). The Christians in Thessalonica “became imitators” by “receiving the word” with “joy of the Holy Spirit” and “became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia” (1 Thes 1:6–7). As a result, the word of the Lord “sounded forth,” and their “faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything” (1 Thes 1:8). So, then, the believers received the gospel and, in turn, shared what they received.³

Because discipleship is a significant component of Christian ministry and life, a church should focus on training its members to fulfill the duty incumbent upon them. An atmosphere of discipleship begins with the pulpit ministry as the preacher teaches the members a clear and concise gospel so they can convey to others the essentials for salvation,⁴ while including exhortations for intentional relational ministry within his sermons.⁵ Therefore, “every member ministry” does not diminish the preacher’s role; it enhances it. Accordingly, the preacher is a trainer of trainers who sets the pace for the work of ministry within the church through expositional leadership.

Interpersonal Connecting

The heart of purposeful discipleship is deliberate, organic relationships where one member builds up other members for the sake of maturity. However, a discipling environment requires intentional effort and ongoing adjustments to achieve the goal of members discipling other members. The elders must model such intentionality as they nurture relationships among other leaders and the congregation. When the leadership disciples its members, the benefits cascade throughout the congregation as the network of properly conditioned and mature membership expands, each trained member training others with what they received. Discipleship becomes the defining characteristic of the congregation.

Discipleship works best in the church environment. Far from reducing the church’s influence, a discipleship atmosphere fortifies the necessity for corporate worship and other small-group ministries. The corporate church structure provides the framework for all discipleship, as its accountability systems and weekly gatherings instill the discipline and training necessary for modeling the Christian life. Corporate gatherings and small-group settings provide opportunities to perceive the interwoven nature of Christian lives, for the spiritually mature to connect with the less mature, and for Christ’s disciples to engage with fellow disciples. Since intentional discipleship is “disciples of Jesus helping others to become better disciples of Jesus,”⁶ the local church is central to providing the resources and opportunities for the disciples’ discipling work.⁷


Next week, we will consider the second part of the multiplication ministry plan: outreach.

¹ The sense of the word “equipping” is that of complete furnishing, a preparation or training that fully qualifies. James Swanson, “καταρτισμός,” Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997).

² Mark Dever, Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus, 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2016), 17.

³ Richard Coekin, Gospel DNA: 21 Ministry Values for Growing Churches (Epsom: The Good Book Company, 2017), 32.

⁴ Jeffrey D. Johnson, The Church: Her Nature, Authority, Purpose, and Worship (New Albany, Mississippi: Media Gratiae, 2020), 99.

⁵ Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop, The Compelling Community: Where God’s Power Makes a Church Attractive, 9Marks Books (Wheaton: Crossway, 2015), 90.

6 Tim Chester and Steve Timmis, Total Church: A Radical Reshaping Around Gospel and Community (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008), 111.

7 Dever, Discipling, 57.

Every Christian should obey the commands of Christ.

At his ascension, Jesus' final words to his disciples were for them to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19–20). The directives to “go” and "make disciples" remain imperative for every Christian. Thus, a church’s ministry plan should create an atmosphere encouraging its members to disciple fellow believers (in-reach) and to evangelize the lost (outreach). Both endeavors require the same elements: instilling a personal readiness among the members, using the ordinary means of grace to prepare them for the task, and motivating them to connect with others inside and outside the church. These ministry foci are interdependent and essential as the church gathers to prepare itself to go.

In-Reach: Preparing Christians for the Great Commission

In most churches, the elders bear the responsibility of preaching and teaching the Bible, as well they should. Paul’s admonishment to Timothy to “Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Tm 4:2) translates to every generation of men who undertake the ministry of the Word. However, the Bible never intends for the Word to find its completion only in the recipient. The gospel is for sharing—by those who gladly received it with those who desperately need it.

Personal Responsibility

The Great Commission provides an outline for the undertaking of gospel ministry. Making disciples is the foremost priority; going, baptizing, and teaching describes how to accomplish the task.¹ Of course, Matthew 28:19-20 conveys a call to missionary and evangelistic endeavor, for how can the nations, or one’s neighborhood, be taught or baptized unless one goes forth with the message that converts sinners into disciples? Yet the passage also describes the responsibility of every believer to participate in the great gospel endeavor to “make disciples,” not just those in the elder role. In other words, it is the task of the whole church, every minister and member, to advance the gospel. Thus, every Christian is a missionary to some extent.²

Biblical evidence makes clear, for example, that Timothy was to commit what he learned to faithful men who, in turn, could teach others (2 Tm 2:2). Aquila and Priscilla embodied the principle of “the trained training others” when they taught Apollos what they learned from Paul (Acts 18:26). Furthermore, Paul required that older women mentor younger women in godly homemaking (Ti 2:3–5). Stephen and Philip, two of those entrusted by the apostles to serve tables (Acts 6:2–5), also participated in evangelism (Acts 6:8; 8:5). Ephesians 4 testifies that the working of the gifts of the Spirit brings about maturity that enables the members to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15, 25) and to “impart grace to the hearers” (Eph 4:29 NKJV).³ Perhaps the most obvious statement revealing Paul’s intention for church members to participate in the Word ministry is Colossians 3:16–17.⁴ Here, “the word of Christ” dwells in them richly, prompting them to teach and admonish one another.

Each of these passages signals the necessity of the recipients of the gospel to share in the ministry of the Word to those around them.



Next week, we will consider how a local church accomplishes the task of “in-reach” by equipping and enlisting every member.

¹ These directives imply participation in a local church, as baptism is an ordinance performed by a rightly constituted body of believers.

²Jeffrey D. Johnson, The Church: Her Nature, Authority, Purpose, and Worship (New Albany, Mississippi: Media Gratiae, 2020), 100.

³As the ordinary means of grace, the ministry of the Word to the congregation affects the listeners and equips them to convey the truths they have themselves learned (Eph 4:20–21).

⁴“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col 3:16–17).

Our first installment of Monday Mobilization Moment is the precious testimony of a young lady recently baptized at Cornerstone. Please take time to read it and give thanks to our Great God and Savior!

Shared by Hannah Lawhorn on October 22, 2025.

"When I didn’t accept Jesus as my Savior yet, I really didn’t think or care about my sin too much. I didn’t think a lot about what Christ has done for me or didn’t really think about that He gave me the things that I enjoy. One day while I was 10, I truly accepted Jesus as my Savior. I prayed and asked forgiveness as I know that I’m a sinner. Now God has given me a new heart and I hate my sin. God gave me parents who love the Lord and I’m thankful for them. That is the reason why I know God. He convicted me so now I want to live for Him."

Praise God for his faithfulness in Hannah's life, and we trust you have found encouragement from her story.

Enjoy her flawless hand writing and the personal touch of her written testimony HERE.

The foundational core of biblical stewardship is found on the very first page of our Bibles, Genesis 1:26-28:

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, so that they will have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
And God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that creeps on the earth.”

God, as the sovereign Creator, commanded Adam and Eve to reproduce, fill the earth, exercise dominion, and steward what He had made. He created Adam in His image and equipped him with the knowledge and abilities needed to fulfill that mandate. Though our first parents rebelled, this does not change the truth that all things are created through God and for God, ultimately for His glory. First Chronicles 29:14 affirms this: “But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as willingly as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You.” The implication is clear: everything comes from God, and we are expected to give, not only to others, but back to God from what He has graciously placed in our hands.

Skip forward to the New Testament, just as God had commanded man to be fruitful and multiply, He has also commanded us as believers to be fruitful and multiply, not just with the seed of humanity, but with the good seed of the gospel, advancing and multiplying the Kingdom of God through the sharing of His word, making disciples:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
There are so many ways in which God has blessed us in being able to accomplish His mission. Now, for the sake of time, I want to highlight two ways in which God has blessed us at Cornerstone, through which we want to guide us in keeping our mission and striving for our vision. These are things we at Cornerstone feel we must be good stewards of in advancing the kingdom.

1 Peter 4:10-11:
 
As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God --whoever speaks, as one speaking the oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and might forever and ever. Amen.

Our gifts are not products of chance. God intentionally formed us and entrusted these gifts to us in the measure He chose. We are therefore stewards of what He has given, and He has given these gifts to advance the gospel, serve others, and bring Him glory. Paul reminds us that we are not our own (1 Cor. 6:19), that we are to walk in the calling God has assigned (1 Cor. 7:17), and that we are “a slave of Christ” (1 Cor. 7:22). So, whether our gift is preaching, teaching, encouraging, serving, hospitality, or any other gifts of the Spirit, we are to use them with excellence for the glory of God. At Cornerstone, and especially as elders, we want to shepherd well by helping our members grow in these gifts and steward them faithfully, so they can serve as effective ambassadors for Christ in Geauga County and in the sphere of influence God has placed them.

Lastly, good stewardship means managing well all that God has entrusted to us. This certainly includes the spiritual gifts we’ve just mentioned, but it also extends to our time and our treasure. As elders, we should regularly ask whether the ministries we invest our time and resources in are truly worthwhile, whether they are equipping current leaders, developing future leaders, and faithfully feeding the flock at Cornerstone. And as a congregation, we must consider whether we are contributing in service and supporting financially as we ought, providing for the needs of the local body and equipping through ministry. Think of the sacrificial generosity of the early church: believers gave so that needs were met and the ministry of the gospel could advance. God has poured out immense blessings on us at Cornerstone; we must be diligent to give back to the One to whom all is owed, for His glory.

One of the core values we desire to shape the culture at CBC is compassion. By compassion, we mean more than simply feeling sympathy for the sufferings of others. While this is where compassion starts, if it ends here it is much like the faith that James describes when he says, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” Much like faith without works, compassion without action is meaningless. True compassion will motivate action.

We see this in Scripture in the example of Jesus. Mark 6:34 tells us, “When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.” Jesus saw the needs of others and acted to remedy those needs.

For us to follow in Jesus’s example requires two things. First, we must be exposed to and aware of the struggles of others. When we live our lives in a bubble and close our eyes to the problems of the world around us, we are unable to follow in Jesus’s footsteps.

Sometimes we can be so distracted by our own plans that we are unable to see the needs of those around us. Compassion demands an outward focus and a willingness to lay aside our own comfort in order to aid others. John puts it this way in 1 John 3:17, “If anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” Compassion empowers us to fulfill the second greatest command of loving our neighbor.

Second, a compassionate heart acts to see brokenness restored. Some examples from Scripture may be caring for widows and orphans as described in James 1:27, or caring for the hungry, welcoming the stranger, visiting the sick, and those in prison (Matthew 25:35–36). As Christians, we believe mankind’s greatest need is restoration of relationship with God. Compassion requires us to faithfully preach the gospel to a lost and dying world. It drives us to care for both the physical and the spiritual needs of those around us. Compassion is a key component of loving both God and neighbor and should be one of the things that we are known for at CBC.

Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/hi7bFEc0prE

If you have been following along with our video series, you know that our mission at Cornerstone Bible Church is to glorify God by leading people to know Jesus, to grow into His likeness, and go make Him known to others, and our vision is to see every member equipped and sent to bring the transforming power of Christ to every home, workplace, school, and neighborhood in Central and Eastern Geauga County, to the glory of God.

This week we continue discussing our core values: Truth, Dependence, Compassion, and Stewardship, which define how we live out our mission and vision. Last week you heard from Chris Copley on developing a culture of truth, and that truth originates from God.

Today we look at a culture of dependence.

Simply put, the dictionary defines culture as a set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterize an institution or organization. Why is it important that we have a culture of dependence on God in our lives? Because it personifies who we are and what we believe and value.

John 4:24 tells us, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” If truth originates from God, then our dependence must also be on God.

Biblically, dependence on God refers to the reliance and trust in God's power, wisdom, and provision in all aspects of life. It is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, emphasizing the believer's need to rely on God rather than on human strength or understanding.

Many times, we strive for independence, wanting to make our own decisions and follow our own course. We prefer not to rely on others and wish for freedom to do as we please. From a theological perspective, however, it is asserted that all people are inherently reliant on God, regardless of their awareness or acceptance of this dependence.

Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” When we depend on God, we can have confidence that He will guide us down the right path for our lives.

This stands in contrast to self-sufficiency, recognizing our helplessness and complete reliance on God for redemption and transformation.

2 Corinthians 3:5 reminds us that “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.”

Instilling dependence on God entails building a consistent relationship with Him through daily prayer, immersing yourself in His Word, actively trusting Him with your needs and worries, seeking His will in decisions, and serving others as an expression of faith and focusing on His guidance over self-sufficiency.

Prayer is an essential way to show our reliance on God. In Philippians 4:6–7, it says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” By praying, we acknowledge our dependence on God and experience His peace. Prayer shows that we trust God’s character and promises, admitting that our own strength and wisdom are not enough, and recognizing that true direction and provision come from Him.

It is important to recognize that individualism and complacency should not lead to the belief that one can exist independently from God. Pursuing self-sufficiency does not align with our intended purpose; transformation and growth are only possible through Him.

The Apostle Paul demonstrated dependence on God through his ministry and personal life. In 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, he writes, “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.”

Dependence on God is a recognition of human limitations and God's omnipotence.

It involves humility, acknowledging that apart from God, we can do nothing. This dependence fosters a deeper relationship with God, as believers learn to trust Him in every circumstance, leading to spiritual growth and maturity.

We are looking forward to what God will do at Cornerstone as we press deeper into a culture of dependence on Him, for our good, and His glory.

Check out the video HERE.

Both our mission and our vision are foundational, which Chad and Matthew covered in the past couple of weeks. They express who we are as a local body of believers and what we are called to as followers of Jesus Christ. And both are firmly rooted in the Great Commission of Matthew 28, where Jesus commands us to “go and make disciples.” Our vision simply describes how we believe God is leading us to live out that mission in this season, in this community, and for His glory.   

Over the next four weeks, you will hear about the values we have adopted to guide our decision-making and help us stay faithful to the mission and vision. Are our actions and decisions in line with these values: a culture of truth, a culture of dependence, a culture of compassion, and a culture of stewardship? On deck this week, I want to highlight the culture of truth that must be present at Cornerstone in all that we do. 

As a church, as followers of Christ, truth must guide us in all that we do. This is not some postmodern, subjective human truth, nor is it an oscillating, ever-changing hypermodern truth environment. It is not a version of the truth in how each of us understands any given topic or situation, but an absolute, authoritative, perfect objective truth. As Christians, we know that untarnished, factual, faithful, and complete truth can only come from God. The psalmist in Psalm 31, verse 5 writes, …You have ransomed me, O Lord, God of truth.” 

If truth originates from God, He must then be the perfect embodiment of truth. The author of 2 Chronicles refers to God as the “true God” in chapter 15, verse 3. Jesus in John 7:28 says of the Father, “but He who sent Me is true.” One chapter later, Jesus equates Himself as true with the Father, “But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me.”  

John, at the beginning of his gospel, tells us of Jesus, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” A few verses later, we see that, Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” We read of Jesus in Revelation 3:14, he is the “faithful and true witness.”  John also, in several places in his gospel and first letter, refers to the Holy Spirit as the “Spirit of Truth or the truth.

We, of course, know these things, as just referenced about God, come from His word. If then God is truth, and only truth comes from Him, His word must be perfect truth. All of it. More specifically, it is the gospel centered on Jesus Christ, in which God’s word pours out objective, yet loving truth into the world. The gospel and truth go hand in hand. It is the truth of Christ that Paul boasts about in 2 Corinthians 11:10. It is this truth that Paul would write to Timothy that God, our Savior, desires all men to be saved and to come to full knowledge of this truth, that there is one God, and one mediator between him and humanity, Jesus Christ. (1 Tim. 1:3b-5).    

That is the culture of truth we want to guard and lead what we do at Cornerstone. Does it honor and glorify Jesus Christ, does it help us grow in our knowledge and grow in his likeness, and does it advance this glorious message to others? 

It is the role of the Church, and ultimately our duty as elders, to ensure we make decisions and convey messages that honor God and his word. We are all called to hold and guard this truth through the Holy Spirit who is in us; this great treasure we have been given (2 Tim. 1:13-14). What we do must advance and share God’s truth. We must also be living out the truth of God’s word. What we do in action must equate to what we say. If what we say must be true, so must the application of our actions and decisions.

Lastly, we must be discerning about what is being taught and preached through our various ministries. Is what we are doing equipping believers to navigate our fallen world and the sinfulness and lies that permeate it? Is what you are hearing from the pulpit and Sunday school faithful to the gospel message? Are our other ministries doing the same? 

It is this culture of truth that we, at Cornerstone and as elders, will and must commit to, to aid us in faithfully and rightly serving our great God and Savior.  More to come, stay tuned!

Check out the video HERE.

Our vision at Cornerstone Bible Church is this:

We desire to see every member equipped and sent to bring the transforming power of Christ to every home, workplace, school, and neighborhood in Central and Eastern Geauga County, to the glory of God.

At Cornerstone Bible Church, we believe that we exist for something far bigger than ourselves.

We are not merely a gathering of like-minded people, nor a religious refuge from a broken world. We are the redeemed people of God who are called by grace, saved by Christ, and sent by the Spirit. Ephesians 4:11-16 guides our view of every-member ministry, and it is our desire as elders to equip every member for the work of ministry and maturity in the faith. Equipped and mature believers model their lives after Jesus, the Greatest Evangelist.

That desire begins with a conviction that Christ saves and transforms sinners. The gospel is not advice for self-improvement; it is the announcement of salvation through the crucified, risen, and reigning Christ. God doesn’t just repair what is broken, He makes the dead alive. And the same gospel that saved us is the gospel the world desperately needs.

But God’s ordinary means for making Christ known has always been His people.

He doesn’t call a few professionals to do the work while the rest observe. He calls every believer (young and old, new in the faith or seasoned by years) to be equipped with the Word of God and sent into the world as faithful witnesses. The church gathers to be strengthened, taught, and shepherded, so that it might scatter to carry the light of Christ into the places God has already placed us. We are gathered by grace in order to go!

Your home and workplace are not an accident. Your classroom, your neighborhood, and your daily routines are all by divine appointment. God has sovereignly positioned His people throughout Central and Eastern Geauga County so that the name of Christ would be made known through ordinary faithfulness, boldly spoken truth, and lives shaped by the gospel.

At Cornerstone, we are convinced that evangelism is not a program but a way of life. It is loving our neighbors enough to speak truth. It is praying for open doors. It is trusting the Spirit of God to do what only He can do: convict hearts, grant repentance, and bring new life.

And we do all of this for one ultimate purpose: God’s glory.

Not the growth of our reputation nor the size of our church. But that God would be worshiped, His grace magnified, and His Son exalted as Savior and Lord in this generation, in this county. When Christ is proclaimed, when sinners are saved, and when lives are transformed, that glory belongs to God alone.

So, then, Cornerstone Bible Church aspires to be a church that is grounded in the truth of God’s Word, dependent upon His grace, stewards of His gifts, and compassionate toward the lost.

Why this vision?

Mark’s Gospel gives the account of the disciples fearing for their lives during a storm while Jesus slept peacefully in the rear of the boat. The disciples asked: “Do you not care that we are perishing?” Everywhere I look in this troubled age, that question resounds in the back of my mind. Do we care that sinners are perishing? What if your lost friends, neighbors, family members, and co-workers would ask you the same question? How wonderful it would be to have Christ, like He did for the disciples in the midst of the storm, bring the peace of salvation throughout our communities and circles of influence. “Peace, be still!”

May God use us faithfully, humbly, and boldly to bring the transforming power of Christ to every corner of this community, until the knowledge of the glory of the Lord fills this place for generations to come.

Check out the video HERE.

Our mission at Cornerstone Bible Church is to glorify God by leading people to Know Jesus, to Grow into His likeness, and Go make Him known to others. While know, grow, go may sound like a catchy slogan it is actually far more than that and finds its roots in the great commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28. As Jesus closed his earthly ministry and ascended into heaven his words to his disciples were, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded to you. And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

When we derive our understanding of knowing him from this passage several key components are brought to light as to what knowing him means. It is far more than simply believing that Jesus existed or even that he is God. Knowing him means that we have a personal relationship with him and have acknowledge Him as both OUR Lord and OUR God. He is the one who has all authority over heaven and earth and therefore the one to whom we owe our allegiance and our lives. He is also Triune in nature. We see this is his instruction to baptize in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. He does not say the names of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit but the name. There is one God existent in three persons. When we know God in this way we are adopted into his family and brought from death to life. This is not something that is not inherited by being brought up in a “Christian” family but a personal response to the call of God in our lives. John puts it this way in John 1:12 speaking of Jesus he says, “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” Knowing God is receiving Christ and believing in his name.

While this is where the Christian life begins, we are called to Grow into the likeness of Christ. In the great commission Jesus instructs his disciples to teach others to observe all that he has commanded to them. To be faithful to Christ’s command we must know what he has commanded. Providentially, we are not left in the dark as to His commands but has given us his Word to enlighten and instruct us. Growing in him requires us to faithful preach, teach, and study the Bible. But God is so good and He has given us even more that his Word to empower us to grow into his likeness. He has given us His Spirit. We are told that at the time of our belief we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Growing into His likeness requires our active submission to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. Paul puts it this way in Galatians 5:25 “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” When we do this the Holy Spirit produces His fruit in our lives conforms us more and more into the image of Christ.

The final aspect of our mission at CBC is to go and make God known to others. True disciples take God’s command to “Go make disciples” seriously. This is not a suggestion given by Christ or an extracurricular for the super Christians it is simply a part of being a follower of Christ. We have the good news, the message of how to be reconciled to God and brought into His family and we must share this message with the world. Not to do so is disobedience.

Knowing our mission gives us guidance in where we put our time and energy at CBC. All that we commit to doing whether, preaching, teaching Sunday School, serving in nursery, or ministering at the nursing home, everything should be tied to Knowing God, Growing to be more like Him, and Going and making him known. If we are not fulfilling at least one of these three things effectively we are not fulfilling our mission. This mission is not simply the mission of the Pastors and leaders of CBC but it is the mission of the membership. We are all called to this mission and we will all be held accountable to the one to whom all authority in heaven and on earth belongs. May we all end our earthly lives hearing, “Well done good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your master.”

Check out the associated video with this blog post HERE.

Hey church family! Thanks for watching/reading our first video/blog in this series.

Today, I want to take a few minutes to share a brief summary of the Spiritual Formation Assessment we recently completed, and why it matters for where we are headed as a church.

First, a quick word on what this is and what it is not. This assessment is not a report card. It is not meant to compare people to one another, and it is not meant to shame anyone. It is simply a snapshot that helps the elders understand patterns in the spiritual health of our church so we can shepherd with clarity, pray with specificity, and lead with wisdom. In November, 141 people participated, and we are grateful for every person who took the time to do that.

Second, we want to start with gratitude. There are real evidences of God’s grace among us.

One, there is strong doctrinal clarity. The responses show a church that knows what it believes about the essentials of the faith. That is something to thank God for, and it reflects the fruit of faithful teaching and a church family that values truth.

Two, there are encouraging indicators around spiritual habits and closeness to the Lord. A large portion of our church family is regularly in the Word and in prayer, and many report a strong sense of closeness to the Lord. That does not mean we are finished growing, but it is a reason to rejoice. God is at work.

Three, there are meaningful signs of community. Those of you who have been here for awhile know that our sense of church family is strong, and we keep hearing the same thing from people joining the church. That matters because spiritual growth does not happen in isolation. God uses the body to build up the body.

At the same time, the assessment also helped us see a couple clear opportunities for growth.

One major area is evangelism and gospel witness. Many of us are not regularly having gospel conversations, and many did not see anyone come to Christ through their direct influence over the past year. That is not said to discourage anyone. It is said to clarify the opportunity in front of us. If our mission includes “Go make Him known,” we want to grow in confidence, intentionality, and love for the lost, right where God has already placed us.

A second area is equipping and serving. Many people say they know their spiritual gifts, but a much smaller number feel their gifts are being meaningfully used. Also, serving in the community is an area where we can grow. This is important because the goal is not simply that Cornerstone is busy. The goal is that every member is equipped and mobilized, and that the church is strengthened as each part does its work.

So what are we doing with this?

This assessment is one of the reasons we are taking this season to clarify our mission, communicate our vision, and put forward our core values. In other words, we want to be clear about what we are here to do, where we believe the Lord is leading us, and the guardrails that shape how we pursue it together. We want to be a church that helps people Know Jesus, Grow into His likeness, and Go make Him known. We want to see every member equipped and sent. The SFA helps us see where we are strong, and where we need to strengthen the work.

Here is what I am asking from you.

First, please take time to read the full SFA summary. We are posting it in the description of the video and it's below at the end of the blog. Not to critique it, but to reflect and pray.

Second, pray with us. Pray that the Lord would deepen our devotion, strengthen our unity, and give us greater boldness and compassion in witness.

Third, take one simple step. If evangelism is hard for you, start by praying for one person by name and asking God for an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation. If serving and using your gifts is unclear, start by talking to an elder, a deacon, or a ministry leader. We want to help you get connected and equipped.

Finally, remember what we said in the intro video. This is the first step in a series of short weekly videos leading up to our annual meeting on February 22, where we will review these things together and answer questions. Then, after that meeting, we will begin a sermon series where we will open the Scriptures and work through these themes so that this is not just language on paper, but biblical conviction that shapes our life together.

Read the full SFA report HERE.

Church family, we are grateful for what the Lord has done among us, and we believe He is calling us to greater clarity and faithfulness in the days ahead. Over the past season, the elders set aside dedicated time to pray, assess where we are spiritually as a church, and sharpen our direction so that we can serve you well and steward what God has entrusted to Cornerstone.

This is not a rebrand or a new identity. It is a renewed commitment to the same Christ, the same gospel, and the same calling, with clearer language and practical steps so that we can move forward together in unity. The mission, vision, core values, and 2026 goals below are meant to give us a shared direction and shared guardrails as we pursue Christ together.

We exist to glorify God by leading people to Know Jesus, to Grow into His likeness, and to Go make Him known to others.

We desire to see every member equipped and sent to bring the transforming power of Christ to every home, workplace, school, and neighborhood in Central and Eastern Geauga County, to the glory of God.

To pursue our mission to Know, Grow, and Go, and to move toward our vision of every member equipped and sent, we need a shared culture, not just good intentions. These core values are the guardrails that guide how we carry out our mission and vision together, shaping how we worship, disciple, serve, lead, and love one another: 

Church family, Merry Christmas. I hope you’ve all had a joyful season celebrating the coming of our Savior. I wanted to take just a couple minutes to introduce a video and blog series starting tomorrow. This is going to serve as a direct follow up from the elders’ retreat we held a couple weeks ago, as we seek to share with all of you what came out of that.

Over the past season, the elders have been praying, assessing the spiritual health of our church, and sharpening our direction so we can shepherd you well and steward what God has entrusted to Cornerstone.

This is not a rebrand and it is not a new identity. It is a renewed commitment to the same Christ, the same gospel, and the same calling, with clearer language and practical next steps so that we can move forward together in unity.

Starting tomorrow, we are going to release one short video every Saturday leading up to our annual church business meeting on Sunday, February 22. Each video will cover one piece of the bigger picture, so that we are all hearing the same things, using the same language, and coming to that meeting ready to engage.

Here is the sequence. Tomorrow, you will learn about the Spiritual Formation Assessment we recently completed. After that, we will walk through our mission, our new vision, and each of our new core values.
 
We will then close the series by sharing some specific goals that the elders have created for 2026. The aim is simple. We want to bring clarity, build alignment, and invite the whole church into the conversation. Then at the annual meeting on February 22, we will take time to review everything together, answer questions, and talk about what this will look like in the life of our church.

Then, starting February 29, we are going to begin a sermon series where we will open the Scriptures and work through these themes expositionally, so that our mission, vision, and values are not just statements on paper, but convictions formed and fueled by God’s Word.

So here is what I am asking from you. Please watch the videos as they come out. Please read the materials we provide. Pray for us as elders as we lead, and pray for our whole church, that the Lord would deepen our devotion, strengthen our unity, and make us fruitful as disciples who Know Jesus, Grow into His likeness, and Go make Him known.

Impatient? Me too. Check out a sneak peak of what's to come here.

Don't like to read? Check out the video here.

We love you, we are grateful for you, and we are excited to pursue Christ together.