VISION: A PICTURE OF A PREFERABLE FUTURE

"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. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." – Matthew 28:20

Making more Christians and becoming better Christians. That is our preferable future. Since everything about us is about Jesus (Colossians 1:16)—and since he has commanded us to make disciples—in obedience to him we at River of Grace are trying to make more and better Christians. That’s how we see things.

MISSION: THE WAY WE GO ABOUT GETTING THE JOB DONE

GOSPEL

God made us for his pleasure and our joy. Our distrust of his goodness and subsequent rebellion from his ways has left us a mess. We’re all sinners, made in God’s image, but broken at entry level. God is love and He is just. His compassion moved him to come to our rescue, making his son Jesus the hero of eternity. Jesus came as the God-man to show us the truth of the Father and to satisfy God’s justice by sacrificing himself as a substitute for the punishment we all deserve. Jesus not only took on our sin, but conquered our other great enemy, death, through his resurrection. The only response appropriate to this message about Jesus is humble confession that “yes, I am a wreck” and the simple declaration, “Jesus you’re my only Savior.” This not only saves us but continually transforms us a we live with this gospel as the center of each day.

MISSIONAL

Suggesting Christians be Jesus in their world. ( 1 Peter 2:12 ), and speaking Jesus to our world ( Acts 1:8 ). All Christians are meant to be missionaries where they are.

COMMUNITY

We aspire to be the family of God by creating an accepting, loving, caring environment centered on the presence and grace of Jesus. ( Hebrews 10:24-25 ). His word provides everything we need to direct us how to live in this community. We learn from it to love like Jesus loves. The primary way we promote this sense of family is through our Missional Community.

Learn more about our Community Groups.

DISCIPLESHIP

Our goal is to become more and more like Jesus; Maturity in Christ ( 2 Timothy 2:2 ) Discipleship is learning from God’s word, through God’s Spirit, in God’s family. We grow in knowledge (head), in virtuous character (heart) and in skillful service (hands).