In the Old Testament - whenever the people of God were called to assemble, there was a specific reason for their assembling. In like manner, the New Testament admonishes us as believers to assemble, and not to forsake (abandon) our assembling together (Hebrews 10:23-25). The rationale behind this command is simple - our assembling provides opportunity to encourage one another, to provide hope, to provoke (prod) one another toward faith and good works, and to exhort (build up, strengthen) one another, for the days are challenging (difficult) and each of us needs what other Christians have been gifted by God to provide. By this, Paul implies that each member of the Body of Christ has a need to not only receive, but to give out. Our assembling therefore, must provide opportunity for both.

The Bible also tells us there is a special (unique) blessing involved when we gather together as believers (Matthew 18:20). Now, this does not mean we can not hear from the Lord as individuals. Nor does it mean that we are completely isolated from His grace or favor when we do not assemble. However, the Scriptures specifically states there is a special blessing available to those who gather together in Jesus' name. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 12-14, that God has given gifts to the Body of Christ, and that as believers we must not say we have no need for those other gifts that we ourselves do not possess. In fact, he implies we are cutting off blessing when we fail to assemble -- leaving ourselves open for discouragement, even deception.

Our vision and purpose as an assembly of believers, therefore, is:

To provide place and opportunity for the people of God to gather, that they may be established in faith, challenged to Godliness, encouraged toward good works, nurtured in love, given hope, prayed for, admonished, prodded to action and given opportunity to worship in the presence of God, in a way that they can not experience (because of the Lord's intentional endowment of grace) by themselves. Scripture tells us this is who we should be, what we should expect and what we should strive for. Therefore, we desire to give opportunity and occasion to learn how:

TO REACH UP to the Lord with all our cares, and for all of our needs. To worship Him, to commit ourselves to serving Him, and to learn to trust Him and obey Him in all aspects of our lives;

TO REACH OUT to our community and to those around us (by whatever means possible), with love, with care, with genuine concern, and with the only true message of life and eternal hope which is available, only by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ;

TO LIVE life as being a true gift from God which was given not only for our enjoyment, but also as an opportunity to know the Lord, to serve Him, and to serve others through Him; and,

TO LOVE the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and our spouse, our family, our brothers and sisters in Christ, our neighbors and the lost of the world as we would want to be loved. This includes speaking the truth in love (Eph 4:15), building each other up in love (Eph 4:16), walking in love (Eph 5:2), and being knit together in love (Col 2:2).

To implement this vision and purpose, our strategy includes:

Preaching that is Christ-centered, and wholly Scripturally-based, that the hearer may be exhorted to a life of love and service to God, to His Church and to those with whom He has brought them into contact, that they may fulfill the command to love God by obeying Him, and the great commission to make disciples of all nations.

Teaching that is Scripturally-sound, doctrinally-balanced and morally and ethically consistent with the ages-old teachings of the Church, as presented by the apostles and other New Testament writers, that the learner may be encouraged, admonished and if need be, corrected, that their lives may be honorable to the Lord Who created them.

Worship that honors the Lord, by being Holy Spirit initiated and guided, Christ-centered, and spiritually uplifting, that all who come may be touched by the Spirit of God, and encouraged, refreshed and renewed by their time in the Lord's presence.

Fellowship that is not only social, but spiritually purposeful, giving opportunity for the hearts of believers to be truly knit together around common values, struggles, and victories that regardless of the age (physical or spiritual), social status, economic condition, or background, all who participate may feel loved, and accepted for who they are in Christ, and for what they can become in Christ.

Outreach that is real, genuine, caring, 'feet-on-the-ground' practical and effectual, that our community may not only hear of God's love, but see the Gospel lived-out in our lives and by our actions, that both the participant and the recipient may rejoice together over the goodness, faithfulness and mercy of the Father, Who so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son - Jesus.

To these principles and goals we have committed ourselves - by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.