Ministry Distinctives
● We emphasize interdenominationalism. The main thing is to make the main thing the main thing. We are tolerant of a variety of beliefs and practices within the mainstream of Christian practice. Where there is excess, we seek to be a force for moderation.
● We emphasize the unity of the body of Christ. We are ministers of reconciliation. We seek to bring pastors and churches together in ministry. We do not exalt certain gifts, but we understand that the body of Christ needs them all to be balanced.
● We emphasize partnership through the local church. We aim to plant local church communities, which, while distinct, also live in partnership with existing local church bodies. We do not seek to be against anyone, but rather for the Kingdom and look to partner with and serve others where we can.
● We emphasize discipleship over evangelism. We understand that Jesus did not call us to get people to say a prayer but to enter into a lifestyle. We balance boldness with love. We look for opportunities to be witnesses, but we seek to ensure follow-up.
● We emphasize the church without walls. We go to those needing ministry rather than expecting them to come to us. The Church is not a building or a denomination.
● We emphasize ministry to the poor, the oppressed, and the hopeless. Our ministry focus is on the lost sheep that society shuns. In a given city, we will go to that darkest and most hopeless place first.
● We emphasize listening to God and responding. We believe God speaks. And when he does, we need to respond accordingly. When he says go, we go. When he says stay, we stay. We believe intimacy with the Father enhances the ability to recognize his voice: “my sheep know my voice” (John 10:27). And because we know God is the one speaking, we trust and obey.
● We emphasize making and mobilizing disciples. At our core, we are a discipleship organization. Our desire is that God would use us to raise up a generation of radically committed disciples of Christ and send them out to the nations. We believe this is our part in fulfilling the Great Commission.
● We emphasize the empowerment of people to go and grow something. Our programs intentionally empower participants to be part of something that matters. We want to cultivate long-term, global change in people and projects that will continue long after our work is done. We have a kingdom-of-God paradigm that is bigger than just the reach of our ministry, and we encourage participants to adopt the same mindset.
● We emphasize people before projects. As a discipleship organization, we highly value people. Although projects are necessary and exciting, we make decisions with people as our primary concern. All projects should empower the people working on them as well as benefit those included in them.