First, we think that the mission of Jesus is to connect those who are disconnected from religion or God, to God.  When Jesus came to the earth, he told the religious leaders of his day that he was not there to argue and debate with people who thought they had it all figured out.  His mission was to go to those who knew they could be connected to something bigger, but could not figure out how to get there (Mark 2:17).  Upon Jesus' death and resurrection, he revisted his disciples and gave them this same mission:  "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you."  We strive to do this.  We want to create entry points for people who are turned off by church and religion, but know that there's something bigger they were created for.  Whether this is through different worship styles, various small groups, or acts of service, we strive to connect people to Jesus.

Next, we believe that as a generous creator, God has given each of his children a talent or gift to be used for more than earning money.  We are in the business of sharing in and magnifying God's glory.  This is accomplished when each of us taps into our gifts and uses them in the mission of God, creating everything new (Revelation 21:5).  In Ephesians 4:11-16, the author reveals that this is what churches and leadership is for -  we are charged with equipping the people of God to utilize their gifts for God's mission.  This is where people ultimately find fulfillment beyond themselves, with Jesus.

Finally,  as newly created people in Jesus, we seek to transform this world with the reconciling message of the gospel.  We strive for racial reconciliation, economic reconciliation, environmental reconciliation, social reconciliation, and seek to spread the message of the good news of Jesus Christ to all the areas of the world currently untouched by this message.  Does racial injustice make you angry?  Does the statistic "1 billion people in the world are without clean drinking water" get under your skin?  Can't we all just get along?  These things make God angry too.  And God has worked, is working, and will forever work to make our relationships and our culture new.  The greatest thing?  God invites us along on this journey and give us the talents and abilities to join him in this act of reconciliation.

This is our mission, our journey.  We are not perfect, but we don't sit idley by and wait for the world to come.  We strive to live out God's message of mercy, grace, and love in the here and now, allowing God to work through us in this world.  All glory, and honor and praise to the God who is, and was, and is to come!  As we are invited in the end of the Bible, let us all say together, "Come."