The dreams we’ve expressed as a body fall into five broad categories: Outreach, Service, Worship, Relationships, and Equipping. We feel that each of these categories accurately reflect two key Scriptures: the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and the First and Second Greatest Commandments (Matthew 22:37-40). We believe that all five are critical to this congregation becoming the body God wants it to be, and that all five are equally essential.

1.      Outreach. Local outreach is here defined as outreach within Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. “Missions” pertains to any outreach we do outside of county boundaries. The goal of outreach is to bring lost souls to an awareness of the saving work of Jesus Christ, and to communicate what they must do to come in contact with the grace of God so that they can receive eternal life. Theme verse: Matthew 28:18-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

2.      Service. This is expressed both externally and internally. Externally, we see the church becoming a body that is known in the local community for tangibly expressing love and compassion. We believe this will also create additional entry points into the church. Internally, service is expressed though various ministry opportunities that are important to the functioning of the church, but that may not fall under any of the other four categories. Theme verse: Galatians 6:9-10: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

3.      Worship. This area involves two primary goals for our weekly worship assemblies. One, that they serve as an entry point for potential new converts (external focus). And two, that they encourage and uplift all members of the body of Christ who participate (internal focus).Theme verse: John 4:24: “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

4.      Relationships. This area focuses on developing close Christian relationships within the body. Overriding goals include the formation of “7 friends” that are critical to a new Christian’s likelihood of becoming a lifelong disciple, and the development of multiple Christian relationships that will increase accountability, awareness of personal struggles, and service to “one another.” Theme verse: Proverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

5.      Equipping. This area comprises several key leadership and ministry areas that focus on helping members become lifelong growing disciples of Jesus Christ. Theme verse: Ephesians 4:11-13: It was [Jesus] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.