Our Mission

Bringing people and God together in love

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:3-6

Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.

Genesis 11:1-2

They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly. . . .”

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves . . . .

Genesis 11:3-4

The Lord said . . . “Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”

Genesis 11:6-7

So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world.

Genesis 11:8-9

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.

Acts 2:1

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Acts 2:2

They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.

Acts 2:3

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:4

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.

Acts 2:5

When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.

Acts 2:6

Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?

Acts 2:7

Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?

Acts 2:8

Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;

…visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

Acts 2:9-11

All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

Acts 2:44-47

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:47

1. Acknowledge the Holy Spirit within you.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?

Romans 6:19

When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.

Ephesians 1:13-14

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

1 Corinthians 12:13

2. Discover, Develop, and Deploy the gifts of the Spirit available to you.

Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Healing, Miracles, Prophecy, Discernment, Tongues, Interpretation, Leadership, Mercy, Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Administration, Evangelism, etc.

Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. . . . so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4:10

3. Walk in the Spirit to allow God’s character to shine through you.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. . . . the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:16, 22-23

[M]ake a name for ourselves . . . .

Genesis 11:4

[D]eclaring the wonders of God . . . .

Acts 2:11

Personal Power for Divine Purpose

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

Acts 1:1-2

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Acts 1:3

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 1:4-5

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Acts 1:6

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

Acts 1:7

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

Acts 1:9

The main objective of the Holy Spirit

is to give you personal power

for a divine purpose.

Dýnamis: power, force, might, ability, efficacy, energy

Those in whom the Spirit comes to live are God's new Temple. They are, individually and corporately, places where heaven and earth meet. ~ N.T. Wright

ASK

Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Luke 11:11-13

ACCEPT

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God . . . .

John 1:12 (KJV)

ALIGN

I felt a determination cover my body like a quilt on a winter night. . . . I felt a light suddenly shine through the darkness.

Every day before supper and before we went to services on Sundays, my grandmother would read the Bible to me, and my grandfather would pray. . . . Prayer and the Bible, became a part of my everyday thoughts and beliefs. I learned to put my trust in God and to seek Him as my strength.

~ Rosa Parks

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11

HOLY SPIRIT

I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.

The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

John 14:16-17

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Genesis 1:1-2

Ruach: wind, breath, violent exhalation, blast, spirit

Pneuma: wind, breath, spirit

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

John 3:8

The Spirit renews you.

The Spirit gives life.

John 6:63

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Romans 8:1-2

The Spirit guides you.

I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.

John 16:12

The Spirit empowers you.

[Y]ou will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 1:8

[D]on’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Romans 6:3

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Romans 6:4

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 6:5

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Romans 6:6-7

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Romans 6:8

For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.

Romans 6:9

The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

Romans 6:10

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:11

RAISED TO LIFE

Issues: some of which likely apply to you

Abusive behavior, Alcoholism, Anger, Arrogance, Bigotry, Bitterness, Bullying, Codependency, Complaining, Control, Critical spirit, Drugs, Envy, Fear, Gambling, Gluttony, Gossip, Greed, Guilt, Impatience, Jealousy, Judgmentalism, Lack of self-control, Laziness, Lust, Lying, Materialism, Narcissism, Overspending, Overeating, Overdrinking, Overanything, People pleasing, Perfectionism, Pornography, Pride, Procrastination, Racism, Rage, Sex addiction, Shame, Spending problems, Stealing, Sexual immorality, Self-condemnation, Self-righteousness, Unforgiveness, Wasteful pursuits, Workaholism, Xenophobia, Some other issue that begins with Y or Z. . . .

Your issue: if you couldn’t find your issue on the prior list

- Self-delusion

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.

Romans 6:6

DEATH

We were therefore buried with him through baptism . . . .

Romans 6:4

BURIAL

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Romans 6:4

For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.

Romans 6:9

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:11

RESURRECTION

Easter Sunday Service

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. . . .

Luke 24:1

It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, [and] Mary the mother of James. . . .

Luke 24:10

They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Luke 24:2-3

While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.

Luke 24:4

In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

Luke 24:5

“He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”

Luke 24:6-7

Then they remembered his words.

Luke 24:8

Why do we look for the living

among the dead?

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

RELATIONSHIPS

CAREER

PLEASURE

RELIGION

Then they remembered his words.

Luke 24:8

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

Matthew 28:8–9

Suddenly Jesus met them.

Matthew 28:9

“Greetings,” he said.

Matthew 28:9

They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.” Matthew 28:9

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders.

With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night.

Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen.

This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.

Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

John 19:38-42

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’

So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead.

This last deception will be worse than the first.”

“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”

So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Matthew 27:57-66

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.

Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

Mark 16:1-3

The Problem With Low Expectations

When you expect less, you experience less.

It’s hard to enjoy the good times.

It’s hard to endure the bad times.

Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law.

They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

Matthew 20:17-19

Don’t expect what you deserve.

Expect what God desires.

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two:

I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

Philippians 1:20-24

When God is involved

victory is inevitable.

WHEN YOU FEEL ABANDONED

From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

Matthew 27:45-46

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

Matthew 27:50

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. . . .

Matthew 27:51-52

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Matthew 27:53-54

WHEN YOU FEEL ABANDONED

Just because you feel it

doesn’t make it fact.

[Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

Philippians 2:6-8

rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

Philippians 2:6-8

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:6-8

Never let your pain override your purpose.

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

Matthew 27:50-51

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Matthew 27:53-54

It’s often in your darkest hour that God’s light shines the brightest.

The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever.

Psalm 23

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!

Deuteronomy 6:4

THE POWER OF ONE

What would your life look like if all of your time, energy, resources, and efforts were focused in the single-minded pursuit of loving God.

One Source of Authority

[C]hoose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15

One Sense of Purpose

[Be] like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit . . . .

Philippians 2:2

One Simple Motive

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Mark 12:29

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”

Mark 12:30

[D]o not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? . . .

[D]o not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:25-33

ONE THING

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:18-19, NIV

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing:

Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:13-14, NLT

God’s Question for Me

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”

So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”.

Matthew 16:13-16, NKJV

“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

John 1:47-50, NKJV

Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 16:17-19, NKJV

When I answer God’s question, He reveals:

1) Who I am

2) What He is doing

3) How I can participate

My Question for God

I have asked the Lord for one thing; one thing only do I want: to 1) live in the Lord's house (AMP - in His Presence) all my life, to 2) marvel there at his goodness, and to 3) ask for his guidance.

Psalm 27:4, GNT

To Live in His Presence

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11, ESV

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.

Psalm 139:7-10, NKJV

To Lift Up His Name

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3, KJV

Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

Acts 16:25-26, NKJV

Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”

Matthew 15:25, NKJV

To Listen for His Voice

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matthew 4:4, KJV

The On Family Church Mission

Bringing people and God together in love

Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Matthew 6:31-33, NKJV

And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19, AMP

He will keep his agreement forever; he will keep his promises always.

Psalm 105:8, NCV

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:20a, NIV

Putting the “Peaces” Together

Through Jesus, I have peace with God.

Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Isaiah 59:1-2, NKJV

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1, NASB

It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them] ….

2 Corinthians 5:19a, AMP

Through Jesus, I have the peace of God.

Don’t let your hearts be troubled….

John 14:1, NLT

I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

John 14:25-27, NLT

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7, NKJV

The Mission of Reconciliation

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20, NKJV

Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things.

Luke 24:46-48

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved.

Mark 16:15-16a

God’s master plan to reach the world is me!

But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him].

2 Corinthians 5:18, AMP

Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you”.

John 20:19-21, NKJV