Our purpose

Our purpose in everything is to bring glory to God. Everything is secondary in our mission to bring glory to God. 1 Peter 2:9 says that we “are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that (we) may declare the praises of him who called (us) out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Our life’s mission should be to declare the praises of God and to testify to what He has done within our hearts, lifting us from darkness to a place of dwelling in His wonderful light. Out of this mission we carry a burden to share the gospel message with those who are walking in darkness. Because of the peace and joy that we experience from a life reconciled to God, we have a burden to see others come to a place of reconciliation with God. We are compelled by the love of Christ that has transformed our hearts. “14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” It is not about the number of people we see in medical ministry, or how many kids we see in children’s ministry, it is not about how many construction projects that are completed. Our mission is about bringing glory to God. As we go to the Dominican Republic I would encourage you to make it your prayer that God would reveal to you in what ways you can bring Him glory. He has given each one unique gifts, talents, and abilities, that can be invested in the Kingdom of God to bring Him glory. You also need to understand the nature of the work we will be doing. Have realistic expectations. We will not change things in a week. We will be a small piece of what God is doing in the Dominican Republic. I would encourage you to pray that God would refine your expectations and that He would align your desires with His plans. Be encouraged as you commit yourself to God’s work. It is an honor to serve God in whatever capacity He would desire. Make it your purpose to bring Him glory and you can be sure that He will work in you and through you.

Statement of Faith

As we commit ourselves to serving the people of the DR, it is important that we all understand the foundation that we stand on. Our foundational beliefs influence every decision we make as a group and should effect each of us individually in our conduct and motivation in all things. We believe that the Bible is the infallible Word of God. That the Bible was given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter on one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God (2 Peter 1:20-21). Salvation makes us members of God’s church. We believe that the church is composed of every person who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. We enter into the life of the church, not by joining a denomination or a human organization, but by committing our lives to Christ (John 3:1–7). There is one Lord, who is God’s Son Jesus Christ, over the church. Christ is the ultimate authority over the church on all matters (Acts 2:36). We believe that Christ will come again at God’s appointed time and that he comes to take his church home to be with Him at the end of all things. We believe that followers of Christ have been called to live a life of love, purity, and godliness. We are called to live like Christ, taking on a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Holy Spirit equips believers with unique gifts that enable us to carry out the mission of Christ in the world. At the same time, the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in every believer (Galatians 5:22–23), which demonstrate the Spirit’s presence within us. I understand that decisions are made based on the word of God and its teachings. I am willing to comply with the statement of faith while on this mission trip.