Go
Everyone tends to talk about what they are most passionate about, whether that is their job, sports, their book library, their family, or their other hobbies. As a church family, we want to fulfill our role in telling others about Jesus Christ, and so, we are learning what it means to become most passionate about Jesus. We desire that each of us GO unashamedly with the gospel into the world.
Jesus' last words to His disciples before He left this earth laid out His purpose and plan for the church in His absence. You can read Jesus' words from Matthew 28:18-20:
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 commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
As the church of Jesus Christ, we have three complementary ways that we are going to be His witnesses in the world. First, we each must personally own the commission of Jesus to share our faith with those around us. Our church does regular equipping in how to go into the world with the gospel message, and our 401: Going Course outlines some of the best methods for actively sharing our faith. This is the final course in the four part series and it addresses God's desire for us to live missional lives. Just as the Father sent the Son, so Jesus sends us to love people and share the hope of salvation with the world. The 401: Going Course will be held on the following Sundays from 5:30-8:30 pm:
- January 15
Please e-mail to RSVP for the course you would like to attend.
Second, our church is actively involved in reaching the Four States Area with the power of Jesus Christ. We desire to give every person in the area the chance to meet Jesus through the people and ministries of Harvest Pointe. We hold several events and join with other organizations for this purpose including:
- Ranson Festival Playland Sponsor
- Jefferson County Fair Parking Crew
- Harvest Fest (free event for the families of the community)
- Christmas Parade Hot Chocolate Giveaway
- HarvestKids@ThePark
- Jefferson County Community Ministries
- Birthright
- Bags of Love
We are asking that every fill out a survey of ministries that they are currently involved in throughout the community that meets people's needs. Follow this link to respond to our Community Outreach Survey.
The third way in which our church seeks to obey Jesus' command from Matthew 28 to share the gospel through the world is by partnering with other churches to support church-planting movements globally. We primarily accomplish this through the International Mission Board. We are working toward planting our first church internationally in Andaray, Peru. Here is our timeline, so far:
- Our first vision trip was on October 22-29, 2010. The team of four participated in prayerwalking, meeting with village officials, and interviews with people.
- Our foundational trip was on April 13-22, 2011. The team of three established relationships with the school officials and local doctor, identified our first born again Christ follower, delivered our first donations of medicine and school supplies, and secured a house for the use of future mission teams.
- Our third trip took place May 27-June 5, 2001. This team of two was responsible for helping set-up our summer college missionaries in the village and deliver more donations for the community. Also, they did some follow up with previous contacts.
- Our first summer missionary, Katie Shepard, served alongside two other university students through the months of June and July in Andaray. They taught english in the schools and community through sharing Bible stories in both english and spanish.
- Our fourth trip took place July 20-29, 2011. This team sought to establish the believers who have come to faith thus far and prepared them to start meeting as a group. Also, they delivered more donations for the doctor and school.
- Our first national missionary, Ana Javier Yupanqui, is committed to serving in the village of Andaray throughout the Fall of 2011.
- Our firth trip will take place on November 18-27, 2011. They will come in to support our national missionary, continue to the work of sharing the gospel, and further disciple the believers in the community.
