God created us for His pleasure and to bring Him glory (Is. 43:7, Rev. 4:11).  Jesus has given us His philosophy of life ministry in the Great Commandments (Mat. 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Mat. 28:18-20, Acts 1:8).  This truth and Jesus’ commandments must fuel all that we are and do.

 Our Purpose: God created us to share His life and to show His greatness. We find our fulfillment by passionately loving God, loving others, following Christ, and changing the world one person at a time. (Col. 3:4, Rom. 5:8-10, Is 43:7, Deut. 6:4-5, Mat. 28:18-20)

• Love God,
• Love Others,
• Follow Christ
• Change the world…one person at a time!

 Our Priority: Our priority must be God Himself; we are to seek to love and glorify God in all things, enjoying Him forever. (Mat. 22:37-40, 1 Pet. 4:11, Rev. 4:11)

 Our Power: God’s Word and Holy Spirit are the power that fuels us to glorify and enjoy God, transforming us into the likeness of His Son, Christ Jesus.  Abiding in Christ and His Word dwelling in us empowers us to worship God and do His will. (2 Cor. 3:18, Heb. 4:12, 2 Tim. 3;16, Acts 1:8, 1 Thes. 1:5-6, John 15:5-7)

 Our Pursuit as a Body of Christ Followers: Our determined pursuit is to gather, unify, nurture, strengthen and disciple Christ followers among all peoples leading them to love God, worship Him, pray, love others. follow Christ and change the world. This pursuit is lived out corporately through Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Evangelism. (Acts 1:8, 2:42-47, Rev. 5:9-10)

 Our Practice as Christ Followers: God desires us to demonstrate our love for Him through practically loving others in action (Observable Love) and in truth (Evangelism).  (Mat. 22:39, 1 John 3:16-18, Rom .10:13-15)

 Our Passion - Following Christ: Every aspect of our life is to be driven by a passionate longing to follow Christ Jesus (Luke 9:23-34).  We are to die to self, embrace His life and follow His example and teaching. 

Following Christ

 Following Christ is a life long journey that begins when we place our complete trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  Spiritual birth is the beginning of this journey but it is far from the end.  Jesus’ call is for us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him.   The Cross & Compass logo represent the key trail markers for setting course on a life long journey of following Christ. 

 It is a compass that points in all directions.  The commission of the church is “To Go.”  We are not to practice a “You Come” Philosophy of Ministry.  We are compelled by Christ to go to all peoples. 

 Furthermore the logo gives a picture of what is involved in being a Christ Follower.  It encompasses a vertical relationship with God as represented in the two vertical points of the Cross, N – Loving God, and S - Following Christ.  The two horizontal points represent our relationship with others W – Loving Others and E – Changing the World.

 The overflow of our Love for God gives us a desire to please Him and to follow Christ in all we do.  The compass contains four points S.A.L.T. that represent how to align our lives personally to follow Christ. 

 S         Serve Like Christ.  Being a Christ Follower is not what we do; it is who we are.  But in living out our new identity in Christ, we follow His example of servanthood and sacrifice. (Mark 9:35, Mat. 20:26-28)

 A         Abide in Christ.  A Christ Follower is eager to know Christ through His Word.  We can only follow Christ to the extent that we know Him.  He has revealed Himself through His Word.  Abiding in Christ begins by immersing ourselves in His Word, and examining our lives under the brilliant radiance of His truth.  (John 15:4 Ps. 119:11)

 L         Love Like Christ.  A Christ Follower embraces Jesus’ love as extended to us while we were yet His enemies. (Romans 5:8)  His example compels us to love others with the same selfless love that Christ demonstrated towards us. (John 15:12-13 Mat. 25:31-40))

 T         Transformed by Christ.  When a Christ Follower gives every area of their lives to the Lord, He will transform them individually, relationally and corporately to look like Christ. We can’t change ourselves, but if we abide in Christ and His Words abide in us we will be changed into His likeness.  (2 Cor.. 3:18, John 15:5)

 When we Love God will all of our being, it will overflow into a life of obedience that enables us to follow Christ, love others and change the world.  In this we will be the SALT of the earth and through Christ’s living through us He will change the world. (Mat. 5:13)