Ministries

Our congregation’s mission incorporates the 3 dimensions of church life and experience: upreach, inreach and outreach. All are vital to the spiritual health of its members and our influence in the community. It is critically important to maintain a balance between these different areas of emphasis, as Christ demonstrated throughout His life, reserving time and energy for His Father, his disciples, and those outside his circle of intimacy. Healthy Christian development, therefore, includes the nurturing and use of gifts and abilities that members possess. The various ministries of the congregation provide such opportunity for Christian service, whether to the congregation, or to the local community, or to distant mission efforts which we support. The following summarizes many of the activities which we sponsor or support.

UPREACH MINISTRIES

Upreach ministries are those which enable us to connect with God. Primarily those activities consist of learning to listen to His voice, learning to humbly express our praise and desires to Him, and learning to cooperate with His Spirit in its activity of reforming our lives in His image.

Specific areas of upreach ministry include

Worship Assembly Organization

Successful worship requires preparation, planning and capable leadership. Worship activities are coordinated in such a way as to enable each member to participate enthusiastically, while gaining deeper understanding of the God we serve. Behind the scenes, others are providing technical support, nursery oversight, and Children’s Church coordination.

Prayer Ministries

Prayer is practiced, modeled and learned throughout the various activities of the congregation. There are frequent periods and opportunities for the sharing of prayer requests from the entire congregational membership. This includes publication of many requests in the weekly congregational bulletin, but also extends to regular times of intercession practiced by the congregation’s leadership team. Prayer needs are handled with whatever degree of confidentiality is expected by those making the request.

Bible School

It is impossible to learn to know God unless one learns about God first. The Bible school provides an environment for nurturing our understanding of God and His expectations of us. Classes are provided for all ages, from cradle to grave, and facilitate an ever-deepening understanding of spiritual truths by the participants. Teachers are selected carefully and are expected to improve at their craft. All members are encouraged to take advantage of this important discipline – that of digging deeply into God’s will for each of us.

INREACH MINISTRIES

Inreach ministries are those which enable us to connect with one another. These fellowship activities cause us to grow in our relationships and provide mutual support throughout our spiritual family. The Bible consistently portrays the church as a group who did life together, drawing needed strength from each other. In a similar way, we seek to build and strengthen loving bonds that can see us through life’s tough times.

Specific areas of inreach ministry include:

Potluck Meals

These “love feasts” are held monthly following our Sun AM service (usually on the 3rd Sunday of each month).

Movie Nights

Periodically we come together for times of fellowship, entertainment and fresh popcorn!

Small Groups

Occasionally we will break into small groups, meeting at member’s homes for a period of 6-8 weeks. These sessions provide opportunity for members to discuss matters of spiritual import that apply directly to our lives.

Youth/Student Ministries

Special activities for our student group are planned by the congregation. This includes visiting in homes of members, but also trips to regional and national conferences and events throughout the year. A particular highlight is our annual trip to Gatlinberg, Tennessee during February for “WinterFest” - a spiritually-purposed gathering of students from across the country.

Special Events

Other activities are planned throughout the year, including Men’s Breakfasts, Women’s Luncheons, holiday gatherings and spontaneous “crash” events (where we end up at a member’s home together). These occasions always include lively conversation, warm laughter, and good food!

OUTREACH MINISTRIES

Outreach ministries are those which enable us to share God’s blessings with others, both in our local communities and those scattered throughout the world. This sharing of blessings reminds us of God’s provision for all our needs, both spiritual and physical.

Specific outreach ministries include:

Global Outreach

Ivory Coast Mission Support

Despite great struggle and national political turmoil, Isaac and Nina Gnohou maintain a vibrant evangelistic ministry for the Lord in Ivory Coast, Africa. As a well-trained teacher and evangelist, Isaac travels throughout the country, spreading the Gospel and baptizing many souls. He works to maintain several local congregations in a superhuman effort to encourage and strengthen a nation desperately in need of God’s saving grace.

School of the Good Samaritan Student Support (Honduras, Central America)

We help support students attend this marvelous school in an impoverished nation. This educational opportunity for them is truly life-changing and reaps dividends for them personally (as they gain education and life experience), as well as providing great community benefit.

Local/Regional Outreach

Mini-Missions

Several community outreach activities are coordinated regularly. These include car washes, community give-aways and holiday events such as Trunk-or-Treating.

Praise-in-the-Park

During the warmer weather season, we will occasionally meet in a local park for our Sunday worship service, providing a reminder to ourselves and others that God is not confined to a building or physical space.

Shults-Lewis Children’s Home (Valparaiso, Indiana)

We help support this long-standing children’s home, which provides structure and a fresh start for troubled youth in a Christian setting.

Acute Benevolence Needs

This ongoing ministry exercises genuine compassion and affection toward those who are suffering hardship, grieving loss, and experiencing sickness. Its goal is to relieve the burden of suffering and provide aid to those who require assistance.

Missionaries

Isaac and Nina Gnohou
Ivory Coast