Who We Are & Why We’re Here
Our Mission, Vision, and Values as a Church Family
Every August, we’re pressing pause on our normal sermon series to ask a crucial question:
Who are we—really—as a church?
Not:
- “What time are the services?”
- “What programs do we offer?”
- “What style is the music?”
But deeper than that:
Why do we exist? What are we doing here? And how do you fit in?
Because the church is not a building you go to.
It’s a family you belong to.
It’s not a country club to be a member of—it’s an army to be sent.
We are God’s called-out people, stationed in Oak Grove, Missouri, to glorify Jesus and impact our community and the world.
So let’s talk about who we are.
Our Mission: Why We Exist
A mission statement answers one big question:
What are we here for?
Here’s ours:
We exist to glorify Jesus by honoring Him with our lives and serving people in His name.
That’s it. That’s the bullseye.
1. We Exist to Glorify Jesus
Jesus said the greatest commandment is this:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
— Matthew 22:37
You and I weren’t created to chase our own comfort, image, or success.
We were created to make much of Jesus.
Glorifying Him isn’t just about singing on Sundays.
It’s about who we are when no one is watching and what we live for the other six days of the week.
2. By Honoring Him With Our Lives
Holiness isn’t a churchy extra. It’s God’s will for your life.
“This is the will of God—your sanctification.”
— 1 Thessalonians 4:3
Sanctification just means growing to look more like Jesus over time.
Honoring Him with our lives means:
- We are in the world, but not of the world
- We stop asking, “How close can I get to the line?”
and start asking, “How close can I get to Jesus?” - We don’t settle for, “I’ll never be perfect,” as an excuse to stop growing
Your personal walk with Jesus doesn’t just affect you—
it affects the whole body. When one part of the body doesn’t function, the whole body limps.
3. And Serving People in His Name
The second greatest commandment follows right behind the first:
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
— Matthew 22:39
How did Jesus love?
By serving.
“…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
— Matthew 20:28
So we don’t just exist to gather—we exist to go low:
- Meeting tangible needs (like school supplies, meals, or help)
- Doing it in Jesus’ name, not ours
- Using events and efforts not just to be “nice,” but to open doors for the gospel
Nothing is “beneath” us in the kingdom of God.
If Jesus could wash feet and die on a cross, we can clean, carry, cook, give, listen, and welcome in His name.
Our Vision: How We Live the Mission
Mission is the what.
Vision is the how.
Here’s how we plan to live this out as a church:
Connect · Grow · Serve · Go
1. People Connected by Jesus
We’re connected first and foremost by Christ—not by:
- Age
- Income
- Hobbies
- Politics
- Background
The early church didn’t have a “Roman soldier church” and a “servant church.”
They had one church: people united around Jesus.
We want to be the kind of community where:
- Anyone who belongs to Jesus belongs with us
- We see church as a family to join, not a show to watch
2. People Growing in Jesus
We don’t just want attenders—we want disciples.
Growing in Jesus means:
- Learning His Word
- Being formed by His Spirit
- Letting Him shape our priorities, habits, and character
Sunday mornings are like a supplement, not your whole diet.
Real growth happens as you walk with Him daily and live in community with other believers.
3. People Serving for Jesus
We’re not mainly:
- Teachers who happen to be Christians
- Nurses who happen to be Christians
- Drivers, officers, techs, managers who happen to be Christians
We are Christians who teach, who nurse, who drive, who lead, who build.
Your workplace, school, or neighborhood isn’t random.
It’s where Jesus has stationed you as His ambassador.
4. People Going With Jesus
“Go” implies movement, activity, obedience.
We don’t go in our own:
- Ideas
- Strength
- Authority
We go in His authority and His power.
“All authority has been given to Me… go therefore… and I am with you always.”
— Matthew 28:18–20 (paraphrased)
We go with Jesus so others can become:
- Connected to Him
- Growing in Him
- Serving for Him
- Going with Him
And the cycle continues.
Our Values: The Way We Do It
We’ll unpack these more, but here’s the heart behind how we want to live out our mission:
- Jesus Above All – We honor the past, but we glorify one name: Jesus
- Others Above Ourselves – We follow a King who came to serve, not be served
- Unity Above Most – If it’s not an essential of the faith, unity matters more than winning an argument
- Generosity Above Ability – We give our time, gifts, and resources beyond what feels “safe,” trusting God to use it
How You Can Live This Out This Week
This isn’t just “church language.” It’s an invitation.
Here are some simple ways to respond:
1. Ask the Identity Question
Pray:
“Jesus, have I really made Your glory the purpose of my life, or just a nice add-on?”
Then honestly ask:
- Is there any area where I’m clearly not honoring Him with my life?
- Where have I settled for blending in with the world instead of standing out for Christ?
Repent where needed. Receive His grace. Start fresh.
2. Shift How You See Yourself
Instead of saying:
“I’m a [job] who’s a Christian,”
Start saying:
“I’m a Christian who happens to be a [job].”
Then ask:
- How can I glorify Jesus in this role today?
- Is there one person I can encourage, pray for, or serve at work or school in Jesus’ name?
3. Take One Step Closer to the Family
If church has felt more like an event than a family, choose one step this week:
- Join a connect group or class
- Introduce yourself to someone new on Sunday
- Reach out to someone you haven’t seen in a while
You’re not just attending a service—you’re part of a body.
4. Serve Someone in Jesus’ Name
Pick one practical act of service this week, and consciously do it for Jesus:
- Bring a meal
- Watch someone’s kids
- Help a neighbor
- Volunteer at a ministry or church event
As you do it, pray:
“Lord, let them feel Your love in this. Use this to open a door for the gospel.”
We are not here to coast.
We are not here just to “have church.”
We exist to glorify Jesus by honoring Him with our lives and serving people in His name.
That’s who we are.
Let’s live like it—together.